8 Best Substitutes For Apple Cider Vinegar (Ridiculously Simple Swaps!)

Need an apple cider vinegar substitute? There's nothing's worse than running out of an ingredient while you are in the middle of preparing a recipe. Well, fear not! If your recipe calls for apple cider vinegar and you have run out, there are quite a few other options.

Table of Contents

• Best Substitutes For Apple Cider Vinegar:
• 1. White Wine Vinegar
• 2. White Vinegar
• 3. Champagne Vinegar
• 4. Red Wine Vinegar
• 5. Balsamic Vinegar
• 6. Rice Wine Vinegar
• 7. Malt Vinegar
• 8. Fruit Juices
• How to choose the best substitute option?
• Recipes With Vinegar
• Other Kitchen Tips You'll Love
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• Comments

Best Substitutes For Apple Cider Vinegar:

• White Wine Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Champagne Vinegar
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Malt Vinegar
• Fruit Juices

1. White Wine Vinegar

Mild with a slightly sweet flavor, white wine vinegar is a good substitute for apple cider vinegar.

Best all-around substitute for apple cider vinegar.

2. White Vinegar

Your everyday basic white vinegar is also mild and can be used instead of apple cider vinegar though it won't have the same sweet undertones that apple cider vinegar has. 

Ideal alternative for cooking instead of apple cider vinegar.

3. Champagne Vinegar

Made from sparkling wine or champagne and perhaps not as readily available, champagne vinegar is also a good stand-in. 

Top pick for a subtle flavor substitute for apple cider vinegar.

4. Red Wine Vinegar

A bit tangier than apple cider vinegar, with a red color, some recipes would taste great with red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. 

Top choice for a hearty alternative to apple cider vinegar.

5. Balsamic Vinegar

With a lower acidity level than apple cider vinegar and a touch tangier, you can use balsamic vinegar as a substitute in some recipes.

Top pick for a healthier alternative to apple cider vinegar.

6. Rice Wine Vinegar

Unseasoned rice vinegar is also a tad sweeter than apple cider vinegar and is great for salad dressings and Asian recipes.

Optimal choice for a sweet substitute for apple cider vinegar.

7. Malt Vinegar

With a slightly yeasted flavor, malt vinegar can also be a backup if you've run out of apple cider vinegar. 

Ideal replacement for apple cider vinegar in condiments and sauces.

8. Fruit Juices

Apple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice all have a bit of acidity and sweetness that can stand in for apple cider vinegar in marinades, dressings, or chutneys. 

Top option for a fruity-flavored alternative to apple cider vinegar.

How to choose the best substitute option?

There are a few things to consider before you decide which substitute to use in your recipe:

• Are you baking?
  • If you are baking then you need the apple cider vinegar to elicit a chemical reaction to help the baked goods rise.  If that's the case then choosing a mild-flavored vinegar may be best, opt for white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or distilled vinegar.

• Are you using the vinegar in a salad dressing?
  • Apple cider vinegar adds a sweet and tart taste to salad dressing so apple cider, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and champagne vinegar would be good options.

• Are you adding apple cider vinegar to a marinade?
  • Adding apple cider to meat or chicken marinades helps tenderize the meat as well as adding a touch of a zing or a tart flavor. 
  • If this is what you need to find a substitute for then any of the listed options will help you achieve these results. Though plain distilled white vinegar would probably not be the best choice in terms of adding a nice flavorful zing it will help with tenderizing the meat.