Vinegar Substitute

Vinegar is believed to be one of the oldest cooking ingredients as its use can be dated back to a period, which is more than 10,000 years ago. It is also claimed that various types of flavored vinegar were prevalent in different parts of the world, before 5,000 years. So, vinegar has a long association with humans and is found to be among the main ingredients in some food recipes. Even though, vinegar is found in most kitchens, it may happen that, there is no vinegar in the house and you need it urgently for preparing some recipe. In such circumstances, you can opt for some vinegar substitutes.

Substitutes for Vinegar

As mentioned above, vinegar is required in various recipes, that vary in the nature of ingredients, type of cooking and the end product. Vinegar is commonly used in the preparation of pickles, sauces, vinaigrette and even desserts. It is also used in marination of meats too. There are various methods of preparing vinegar, but, mostly, it is made by adding bacteria to diluted wine, ale, fermented fruits or grains. This results in the formation of acetic acid, that is the reason behind the sour flavor of vinegar. Even the name 'vinegar' is derived from a French word that means 'sour wine'. There are various types of vinegar, that vary with the source. This include apple cider vinegar, persimmon vinegar, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, palm vinegar, malt vinegar, sherry vinegar, and coconut vinegar.

While vinegar is widely used in a variety of recipes, you must have an understanding of its substitutes, which can be used, in case you run out of vinegar. One of the main points to be noted while using a vinegar substitute is that it must not alter the flavor and texture of the end product. So, they have to be used according to the particular recipe.

• If you want a vinegar substitute in baking, then, lemon juice can be the perfect option. If you require ¼ cup white vinegar for baking, you can replace it with ⅓ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice or ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar.
• In case, you are in need of an alternative to vinegar, for cooking, then, you can use lemon juice, double the amount of vinegar required. In some cases, white wine is also used in the same ratio. But make sure that these substitutes do not spoil the original recipe.
• If you want a replacement for vinegar, in sauce making, fortified wine (or regular wine) can be used. In some cases, tamarind paste is also used as a replacement or vinegar.
• If the white vinegar substitute is required for pickling, then, apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar can be used. However, they may discolor light-colored fruits and vegetables. Make sure to check the acidity levels of the vinegar before use. At least 5% of acidity is required.

The above said substitutes have to be used as per the flavor and texture of the dish. Balsamic vinegar can be replaced with brown rice vinegar, Chinese black vinegar, sherry vinegar or fruit vinegar. Malt vinegar, white vinegar or wine vinegar can be used as replacements for apple cider vinegar. Malt vinegar substitutes include apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and white wine vinegar. Rice vinegar can be substituted with apple cider vinegar and a pinch of sugar or white wine vinegar.