Making a recipe that calls for white wine vinegar and you don’t have it? Wait! This article will reveal to you the best white wine vinegar substitutes.
White wine vinegar is made from fermented white wine. It’s often used in Spanish cuisine.
This type of vinegar is made from wine and tends to be a bit lighter and less acidic than white distilled or cider vinegar. Sure, it tastes like grapes.
It’s a great addition to salad dressing, marinades, and sauces. In Mediterranean cooking, wine vinegar is preferred in pickled foods and decadent gravies. Also, it’s a must-have item in some types of desserts.
Best substitutes for white wine vinegar?
The tangy, fruity flavor of white wine vinegar is desirable in several French recipes. Again, it’s loved by cooks because of its pale color that doesn’t discolor light-colored dishes.
Undoubtedly, white vinegar is an irreplaceable ingredient in some recipes. Even so, there are enough replacement options for this vinegar. Here are some of the best white wine vinegar substitutes:
Red wine vinegar
If you love to have a grape taste of white wine vinegar, then red wine vinegar is the best substitute.
They both have the same levels of acidity and tangy flavor. Please note the edge of wine vinegar may vary depending on the type of grape used for making it.
The color factor is the downside of using red wine vinegar instead of white wine vinegar, and this substitute can discolor a pale dish.
You can often interchange these with wine vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a worthy substitute for white wine vinegar.
Though they differ in aroma, both have a similar acidity and fruity flavor. Apple cider vinegar has a pale orange or amber color but doesn’t greatly influence the color of the dish unless used in a larger amount.
ACV works well in most recipes that traditionally require white wine vinegar. Use it in marinades, sauces, pickles, and pork dishes.
Cider vinegar has an edge over white wine vinegar for its easy availability and affordability.
However, the strong fruitiness flavor in ACV may overpower mildly flavored dishes.
Preferably, swap ACV for white wine vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.
White distilled vinegar
White distilled vinegar is a universal substitute for any vinegar.
The intensity of acidity in distilled vinegar is higher than in all other vinegar. But it doesn’t interfere with the dishes’ color, aroma, and flavor, unlike other vinegar sourced from fruits.
Among all the vinegar, it’s the cheapest and most commonly available vinegar.
Use white distilled vinegar instead of white wine vinegar in pickles, sauces, marinades, and vinegar-based dishes.
While substituting, use ¾ tablespoon of white distilled vinegar, ¼ tablespoon of water, and a pinch of sugar instead of one tablespoon of white wine vinegar.
Rice vinegar
Rice vinegar from fermented rice wine is popular in East Asian cooking. This vinegar resembles white wine vinegar in color but has slightly less acidity.
One downside of rice vinegar compared to white wine vinegar is its sweetness.
A seasoned rice vinegar accompanies sweet-and-sour dishes perfectly. Furthermore, rice vinegar works well in sauces and vinaigrettes.
Substitute one tablespoon of rice wine vinegar for one white wine vinegar.
Sherry vinegar
Sherry vinegar is milder than white wine vinegar in flavor. Nonetheless, both have the same level of acidity and are easily interchangeable in most vinegar-based dishes.
Importantly, aged sherry vinegar is dark and may alter the texture and appearance of light-colored dishes.
Use one tablespoon of sherry vinegar instead of every white wine vinegar.
Champagne vinegar
Champagne vinegar is more delicate and much lighter than white wine vinegar. A strong point of similarity lies among them in the fruity flavor of both grapes.
As a point of difference, champagne vinegar has pale gold or apricot orange color. It won’t drastically change the color of the dishes, yet the light-colored words may transform into a light golden or orange hue.
Use champagne vinegar to replace white wine vinegar in sauces, salad dressings, and marinades.
Approximately 1.5 tablespoons of champagne vinegar are needed to replace one tablespoon of white wine vinegar.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is also acidic and tangy like white wine vinegar
The citric acid in lemon juice is milder than the acetic acid in vinegar, including white wine vinegar.
If you are in a pinch, use lemon juice instead of white wine vinegar; suitable for all recipes requiring vinegar.
Use it in double the amount of vinegar required. If your recipe calls for a tablespoon of white wine vinegar, replace it with two tablespoons of lemon juice.
Another option is to mix one tablespoon of each white wine and lemon juice instead of one tablespoon of white wine vinegar.
Frequently Aske Questions
Can I use balsamic vinegar to replace white wine vinegar?
Yes, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes. However, balsamic vinegar is sweeter and has a complex flavor but is not as tart and acidic as white wine vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is typically dark in color, and thus, it may alter the taste and appearance of your recipe. When substituting, start with half the balsamic vinegar the recipe calls for.
Is honey vinegar a good replacement for white wine vinegar?
In certain recipes, honey vinegar can be a good alternative to white wine vinegar. This vinegar is made by fermenting honey into vinegar, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor. It may not work in certain recipes requiring more neutral-tasting vinegar, such as pickling or mayonnaise.
Can I use fruit vinegar as a substitute for white wine vinegar?
Fruit vinegar is a decent substitution for white wine vinegar in most recipes as they have similar acidity levels. However, fruit vinegar has a fruity taste and is sweeter, adding a slightly different flavor to the final output. Thus, you may need to adjust the amount of fruit vinegar you use to get the desired taste.
Final Thought
While choosing a substitute for white wine vinegar, look for similar flavor and versatility.
Although other vinegar offers a different flavor, you can use any vinegar instead of white wine vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.
I recommend red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar as the best substitutes for white wine. Distilled white vinegar or lemon juice is also a saving help in dire need.
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