Explore our Top 3 apple cider vinegar substitutes and learn more about the ingredient and its uses.
I love apple cider vinegar, or “ACV” if you’re looking to call it by the trendy initials that have exploded over the internet in the last several years. It’s something I try to always keep on hand. But because we’re not always as prepared as we’d like to think, let’s explore apple cider vinegar substitutes and go over your best options!
It’s no secret that vinegar in general is a multi-purpose solution. I personally make my own vinegar cleaner at home, and clean everything, from the fridge to the microwave to the coffee pot with vinegar.
It’s non-toxic, cheap, and so easy. It’s safe for most appliances, especially when cut with water.
I even soak shower heads and faucets in bags of vinegar that I tie off with rubber bands — I’m that into my vinegar!
(My favorite ever recipe for cleaning hard water and soap scum is 50/50 blue Dawn and white vinegar, mixed in a spray bottle and applied liberally to the tub, shower, or sink. Leave it for half an hour, then wipe with a wet cloth. It comes off with NO effort and can be repeated for those stubborn stains — thank me later.)
Apple cider vinegar is a staple in my home during cold and flu season. You know those obnoxious, gag-worthy dry throats you get when you’re coming down with something awful? It may sound less than glamorous, but a concoction of apple cider vinegar (with the mother — keep reading for an explainer on what that is), water, and honey will kick that feeling for several hours at a time with each swig. And it will defeat some of the bacteria that may be lingering there.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is made of apple juice, yeast, and sugar.
The vinegar is crafted during a two-step fermentation process, where yeast turns the sugars in the apple juice into an alcohol.
This concoction is then fermented until it forms acetic acid, or what regular people like us would call “vinegar.”
Despite its name, which may remind you of delicious fall apple cider that you love to drink in abundance, it does not have the same distinct flavor or tangy kick of apple cider vinegar.
ACV is tart, tangy, and, well, vinegar-y. While it does have a noticeably different taste than white vinegar, it’s still a vinegar, so expect it to come with that bitter, aromatic punch.
Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient that is used to add brightness and variety to dishes.
Often found in homemade salad dressings, ACV has a bold flavor that doesn’t overpower the dish.
It’s also used to lighten up the flavors in certain pickling recipes such as pickled cherries or adding to roasted vegetables, apple butter, pork chops, and more.
We use it in all sorts of recipes, including this Banana Maple Shrub mocktail, this easy BBQ sauce recipe, and wasabi cucumber dressing. As you can see, it has range!
What Does “The Mother” Mean?
No, it’s not the final boss in a kitchen-based video game. (But honestly, we’d love to play that game!) This ominous-sounding name belongs to the “floaties” you’ll find in natural apple cider vinegar.
The mother is the layer formed by the acetic acid bacteria on the surface of the vinegar. It often sinks or floats and should be shaken thoroughly before use, but doesn’t have to be filtered out or removed.
This is called the mother because it gives rise to the vinegar.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Healthy?
There are small amounts of probiotics, which contribute to gut health, found in the mother. Apple cider vinegar also contains B-vitamins and plant-based antioxidants, which make it beneficial to consume, and healthier as a dressing alternative than creamy concoctions that may contain sugar and excess calories.
Many people have claimed that they’ve experienced numerous health benefits of apple cider vinegar, such as weight loss and lowered blood sugar levels. We’re not in a position to confirm that, but there are definitely scientific studies that support some potentially astounding health benefits with the consumption of apple cider vinegar. Of course, these are only as good as the rest of your healthy decisions. (I’m eating a pizza pocket while I type this, guys. You’re not alone.)
As an example, the benefits of apple cider vinegar may be eliminated or reduced by consuming it in gummy form, where lots of sugars are added and the amount of vinegar is heavily diluted to make it more palatable. When seeking health benefits from ACV, it’s best to have some of the pure vinegar added to fresh water to dilute it, with a tiny amount of a natural sweetener, like honey, to make it less bold. (Some people also add maple syrup to help cut the distinct taste with some slight sweetness.)
The bottom line is that overall, apple cider vinegar is not harmful. Attempting to consume it to test out potential benefits for you is unlikely to cause harm.
The acid level can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. Of course, people with sensitive systems or those prone to acid reflux may not appreciate an added amount of vinegar in their diet.
Also, people with kidney disease or those who have one functioning kidney need to be cautious of the consumption of extra acids in their diet, as compromised kidneys may struggle to process it.
All that aside, apple cider vinegar is likely a good addition to a healthy diet for the average person.
Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes
We’ve all been there — you reach for the ONE ingredient you were positive you had in the cupboard or fridge and… nope.
Nothing.
Is it just me or does this always happen at the end of a long day where you just want to stay home? Maybe you’re in PJs (shout out to me), maybe you’re certain the grocery store is packed, or maybe you just don’t feel like it (and I don’t blame you). This predicament calls for a replacement!
Similarly, you may want an alternative because ACV is sold out at the store or you’re avoiding it for other reasons.
Here are the best substitutes for apple cider vinegar that we suggest:
- White Wine Vinegar: This is a great substitute for ACV. It has a similar level of acidity and a pretty neutral flavor. If desired, you can add citrus fruit juice to flavor it to mimic the subtle fruitiness in apple cider vinegar.
- Rice Wine Vinegar: With a slightly tangy flavor just like apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar has that added zing. And as with white wine vinegar, you can add citrus notes to make it a better substitution for apple cider vinegar. It’s popularly added to sushi rice and other Asian dishes.
- Balsamic Vinegar: This versatile vinegar is the perfect way to replace ACV in dressings, as well as in meat, fish, slaw, and fruit recipes, as well as drizzled over veggies. Balsamic vinegar is very popular. It is made with fermented grape juice and has a slightly sweeter flavor than apple cider vinegar, making it more palatable to the average person’s tastebuds. While darker in color and sweeter than apple cider vinegar, this is still a great replacement.
- Lemon and Lime Juice: Also fruity and acidic, lemon and lime juice make for good substitutions for apple cider vinegar in the appropriate recipes. Lemon juice has a less bold flavor than lime juice. You can substitute 1:1 for lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, but we recommend using half the amount of lime juice to start with when replacing ACV with lime. Use fresh limes or lemons if possible. These citrus juice options make for a good substitute, but generally wouldn’t be our first choice.
In a pinch, people also use red wine vinegar, orange juice, and malt vinegar, each of which can make a suitable substitute. Overall, though, we prefer white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar as the best alternative options when you want or need to make an easy swap!
At the end of the day, choose the best apple cider vinegar substitute for you and your specific needs and whether you want a milder taste, tart flavor, similar flavor profile, or a little touch of sweetness.
Related: Find a substitute for heavy cream or Dijon mustard.