The 8 Essential Vinegars Every Home Cook Should Keep in Their Pantry

While citrus often comes to mind as a go-to acid, we recommend vinegar for its flexibility, long shelf life, and budget-friendly nature. With so many varieties available, how do you choose the right ones—and ensure they don't take over your pantry space?

Keep reading for a complete guide to vinegar, including tips on how and why to incorporate the best types into your home cooking.

The word 'vinegar' originates from the French term vin agre, meaning 'sour wine.' In its earliest form, vinegar was simply wine left to oxidize and turn sour, which eventually led to the discovery of vinegar.

Vinegar is the product of a fermentation process where bacteria feed on alcohol and oxygen. Similar to the fermentation in foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt, vinegar forms when bacteria consume the sugars or starches in any liquid and turn it into this tangy product.

The flavor profile of vinegar depends on the base liquid and the type of bacteria involved in its fermentation. For a deeper dive, check out The Differences Between the Six Most Popular Types of Vinegar.

Here are the vinegar varieties we recommend for home cooks:

Wine Vinegar

Both red and white wine vinegars can be used interchangeably in most recipes calling for wine vinegar, but white wine vinegar has an edge due to its neutral color. This makes it a perfect choice for pickled veggies and pan sauces where you want to maintain the original color. With a moderate acidity and a subtle sweetness, it's great in gazpachos, glazes, and salad dressings.

Give it a try: Chef John's Chimichurri Sauce

Rice Vinegar

Mildly sweet with a low level of acidity, rice vinegar is perfect for balancing out bold or spicy flavors in Asian dishes. A dash of it works wonders in stir-fries, meat marinades, or dipping sauces for sushi.

Give it a go: Grilled Steak Salad with Asian Dressing

Cider Vinegar

Slightly more acidic than rice vinegar and sweeter than wine vinegar, cider vinegar isn't just for sipping. (In fact, some people mix it with water or enjoy it as a tea for benefits like blood sugar regulation and antimicrobial properties.) When it comes to cooking, cider vinegar shines in slaws, sauces, glazes, and salad dressings.

Give it a try: Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze

Balsamic Vinegar

Try this: Balsamic Bruschetta

Chinese Black Vinegar

While you could swap balsamic vinegar for Chinese black vinegar, if you're a fan of Asian cooking, this ingredient is a must-have for your pantry. It adds an extra layer of depth with its toasty, smoky flavor, which comes from its base of sorghum or wheat. Use it in stir-fries, noodle dishes, or dumpling dipping sauces for a bold touch.

Give it a try: Baked Tofu and Green Beans with Spicy Rhubarb Sauce

Sherry Vinegar

This rich, nutty, and slightly sweet vinegar is key to achieving the distinct flavor in many Spanish dishes. Made from sherry wine (a fortified white wine), it's perfect for soups, romescos, pestos, sauces, dressings, and more.

Give it a try: Confetti Rice Salad

Malt Vinegar

If you're a fan of fish and chips, malt vinegar is a must-have. Its beer-based, nutty, and citrusy flavor makes it the perfect topping. It also works wonders in other seafood dishes, homemade salt-and-vinegar chips, sautéed vegetables, and pickles. Just note that the malt flavor can be bold, so start with a small splash and adjust to your liking.

Try it: Parmesan Fish Sticks with Malt Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Distilled White Vinegar

While this vinegar is more commonly used for cleaning than cooking, it still has its place in the kitchen. It's too strong for most recipes, but when mixed with water and baking soda, it makes an incredibly effective all-natural cleaning solution.

Try it: How to Clean a Microwave Using Vinegar