White wine vinegar, among the several kinds of vinegars available, may not be a show-stopper in your cupboard. Aside from the fact that it appears to be pricey, it may also be unavailable at times at your local grocery store. Here are some alternatives you can try out.
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Rice Vinegar
- Sherry Vinegar
- Champagne Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Balsamic Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Herb or Spiced Vinegar
If you are still unable to find any suitable substitutes from the above, we’ll go over the full comprehensive list of the best white wine vinegar substitutes that you can easily find in your pantry or in the grocery store to achieve that tang in your salad dressing.
13 Best Substitute For White Wine Vinegar
And although a lot of people think that all kinds of vinegar are the same, they are actually developed and prepared uniquely. There are actually several vinegar types out there.
White wine vinegar is generally produced by fermenting white wine. Due to its versatility, it is perfect to use in vinaigrettes and salad dressings.
It is a healthy ingredient as this vinegar may help regulate blood sugar and provide short-term appetite control.[Source]
In terms of the best substitute, red wine vinegar will have the closest taste to white wine vinegar. It adds just the proper amount of tanginess, sweetness, and flavor to your salad without dominating other ingredients such as lemon, garlic, honey, or onion.
If you cannot find it in your kitchen, here are other alternatives to consider.
Red Wine Vinegar
Red wine vinegar may be one of the closest substitutes to white wine vinegar in terms of taste that you can use for your salad dressings.
Since it is also created from wine, it may give the same hint of strong flavor that tastes very much like white wine vinegar, making it an excellent choice for most white wine vinegar recipes. However, of course, if you are aiming to add it to a white vinaigrette, it won’t do, given its rich red color.
When adding red wine vinegar to your dish, the perfect ratio would be 1:1. So for instance, if your salad calls for 1 Tbsp. of white wine vinegar and you don’t have it, you can easily replace it with 1 Tbsp. of red wine vinegar and it will provide you with the same kick of acidity.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Many sauces and marinades contain apple cider vinegar as a base component. In general, apple cider vinegar can be used in salad dressings, sauces, and marinades for fish and chicken.
It can, however, be used as a white wine vinegar substitute because of its stronger and fuller flavor. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to use caution when picking which dishes to incorporate it into.
A 1:1 mixture of apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar is ideal. As a result, 1 Tbsp. of white wine vinegar can be replaced with 1 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar.
While you can work your way up to a 1:1 substitution of apple cider vinegar for white wine vinegar, it’s best to start with a little amount and regulate the acidity before adding more to avoid ruining the sauce.
Rice Vinegar
Another good substitute for white wine vinegar that you can easily find in the market and groceries is rice vinegar. Rice vinegar is popularly used in Asian cuisines because of its distinct flavor profile that is light, tangy, and flavorful.
Rice vinegar is created by fermenting rice, which is closely related to the process of how white wine vinegar is produced.
What’s more, it is also light-colored, which is quite similar to the look of white wine vinegar. So if ever you are looking for alternatives to mix with your white vinaigrettes and sauces, rice vinegar is the better option as it can provide you with the same taste, aroma, and color that other kinds of vinegars such as sherry and red wine cannot offer.
Just replace 1 Tbsp. of white wine vinegar with 1 Tbsp. of rice vinegar when making your salad dressing. Of course, adjust and taste according to your preference.
Sherry Vinegar
Sherry vinegar has a more subdued flavor than white wine vinegar, yet it has its distinct flavor that shines through. However, the overall flavor profile is quite similar to white wine vinegar, making it an excellent alternative for any dish that needs it, including salad dressings.
Unlike white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar has a darker hue, so while it won’t impair the taste of your dish, it won’t be the most attractive option for white sauces.
To add it to your dishes, follow the 1:1 ratio. This means that for every 1 Tbsp. of white wine vinegar, you would have to add 1 Tbsp. of sherry vinegar to get that tang of the white wine vinegar.
Champagne Vinegar
If you can’t find white wine vinegar at your local shop, look for champagne vinegar. The flavor profile of champagne vinegar is the most similar to that of white wine vinegar, making it a good substitute for any recipe that calls for it.
White wine vinegar has a significant tartness that can be intense but versatile. Rather than overpowering the flavor of the added ingredients due to their strong acidity, it just improves the overall taste of the dish when mixed with other components.
Champagne vinegar, on the other hand, is less acidic and has a milder flavor than white wine vinegar. This implies you may need to use more of it to get the same level of acidity as white wine vinegar.
Champagne vinegar has a flavor that is as delicious as it sounds. From the name itself, champagne vinegar is created from fermented champagne, as opposed to white or red wine vinegar.
Lemon Juice
The simplest and most accessible substitute for white wine vinegar that you can use is lemon juice. It can be found in the market, in every grocery store that you know, or even in your pantry. It may not be the best option to have because of its striking, lemony taste, but it can do well in salads if you are after the tangy flavor.
Lemon juice is naturally acidic, which complements white wine vinegar’s acidity on some level. Citric acid has a far weaker punch than acetic acid, so it won’t cut through richer, savory dishes as well but the sharp, punchy taste that it has could enrich the taste of your salads.
Lemon juice cannot be used in equal quantities that of white wine vinegar because the taste might come out different due to its strong lemon flavor.
Instead, you should only pour half an amount of it. So, for instance, if you need 1 Tbsp. of white wine vinegar for your salad vinaigrette and don’t have any, you can use half a Tbsp. of lemon juice and half a Tbsp. of water.
Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar has a strong, sweet flavor that contrasts with white wine vinegar. That isn’t to suggest that it won’t work in some recipes but Balsamic vinegar’s stronger flavors can be a delightful way to bring a rich sweetness to meat recipes.
However, if you wish to add it to your salads, you can get a slight tip of tanginess by adding a little amount of it. But if you aim to mix it with white vinaigrettes, it may not be similar due to its dark color, intense flavor, and thick consistency.
In most recipes, balsamic vinegar can be substituted for white wine vinegar in equal parts. Because the intensity of this vinegar can quickly overshadow a meal, you may just add half the quantity of white wine vinegar as you would add to any dish.
White Vinegar
White vinegar, also known as white distilled vinegar, is a type of vinegar that is more acidic and stronger than white wine vinegar. It is usually used in brining vegetables and making sauces for salads.
However, although it has a similar level of acidity to white wine vinegar, its flavor is different, which may not be a good white wine vinegar alternative for if you want to be specific with the taste.
If you’re in a rush and don’t have white wine vinegar on hand, white vinegar is a decent quick substitute. To balance the acidity, all you have to do is tweak it before pouring it in. To make a fast white wine vinegar substitute, simply dilute the solution with a little bit of sugar and water.
For instance, if you will use 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar, be sure that you will at least add half a Tbsp. of water and a teaspoon of sugar before adding it to your salad dressing. This way, it will help mimic the taste of white wine vinegar by making it less acidic and pungent.
Herb or Spiced Vinegar
You might have your very own spiced or herb vinegar on hand if you are fond of preparing them by yourself. Sometimes, they can also be found in local markets where you can find homemade specialities. This type of vinegar can be used as a substitute if you run out of white wine vinegar.
Oregano, thyme, and rosemary are commonly used in herb vinegars, but of course, you can use other herbs and spices that you like. While these won’t work in every dish that calls for white wine vinegar, they might still work nicely in salad dressings and sauces.
A herb vinegar can be used in place of white wine vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. But it may still depend on the level of acidity your herb vinegar has.
Keep in mind that the herbs will give flavor to the dish on their own, so you may want to use fewer seasonings overall.
Honey Vinegar
If you want a healthier alternative to white wine vinegar, honey vinegar might be one of the best options. It’s high in vitamins and antioxidants, and it is also known to improve digestion while also promoting a regulated blood flow.
Its acidity level is sharp, but unlike white wine vinegar, it has a lot of sweetness that offers various flavors.
Honey vinegar may not be the best option in terms of availability since it is not common anywhere, but if you manage to get one, you may benefit greatly from using them in your salad dressings and sauces.
Chicken Broth
Now this one may be a little tricky but if you want an option that has less acidity and a softer flavor profile, chicken broth is the way to go.
Chicken broth is a guileless substitute for white wine if you want to add depth without the vinegar or other acidic elements.
Although it may appear that substituting chicken broth for white wine is simple, it is not. To avoid substantially modifying your dish, use equal parts while making the substitution. In recipes that already have a substantial amount of salt, use low-sodium or sodium-free versions whenever possible.
Chicken broth is available at grocery stores or can be made at home. Simply boil the remaining chicken bones with veggies or just water to make your chicken broth, which is great for salads and other dishes that call for white wine vinegar.
Fruit Vinegar
Fruit vinegar can also be a good replacement for white wine vinegar. Fruits such as pears, apples, and peaches can be substituted for the first fixing in equal amounts.
Aside from the sweet and tangy hints of fruits that you can taste from it, this type of vinegar has a long list of health benefits, including the ability to treat infections and lower high blood sugar levels.
However, if you don’t want to change entirely the taste of your dish, you might want to avoid added sugar and dilute it instead with a little bit of water.
When compared to white wine vinegar, fruit vinegar has a lower acidic level and is sweeter, but both are perfect to use on sauces, dressings, gravies, pastries, and other poultry recipes.
Undeniably, fruit vinegar is a low-cost, easy-to-find condiment that comes in a range of tastes. It is also an excellent substitute for white vinegar in recipes that call for deglazing techniques.