White Wine Vinegar Substitutes: A Detailed Guide

Finding a good white wine vinegar substitute in a moment of emergency can be tricky. This edible acetic acid variation is an essential component of French cuisine.

However, suppose you ever run out of this product while cooking. In that case, you can always switch it with red wine, apple cider, sherry or rice vinegar. This article will help you to decide the ideal white wine vinegar substitute for your dish.

Vinegar, also known as acetic acid, is the result of the fermentation of ethanol. Several food items like wine, fruit juice, molasses, beer, rice, and jaggery, can produce vinegar. White wine vinegar, a popular vinegar variant, is made by processing white wine through bacterial fermentation. It is generally used for tenderising meat or making vinaigrettes, soups, stews, etc.

White wine vinegar has the following culinary uses:

• It is an essential component used for making Béarnaise and Hollandaise sauce.
• Because of its subtle sweetness and clarifying acidity, it acts as an excellent brine for pickling fruits and vegetables,
• It helps in deglazing pans,
• It is used for braising and brightening several recipes.

Three main reasons might motivate you to look for a substitute for white wine vinegar:

• Suppose you are in a tight situation where the recipe demands white wine vinegar, but you’ve run out of the product. In that case, it’s best to use a substitute white wine vinegar. Going to a local store and buying a new bottle will take a lot of time.
• If you want a stronger acidic taste in your dish, it’s best to use a sub for white wine vinegar like lemon juice or red wine.

Still confused about what can you substitute for white wine vinegar? Then read the list of substitutes mentioned below:

Apple Cider Vinegar

• It is made using fermented apples.
• It combines a tangy flavour with subtle sweet undertones
• It has a light colour which makes it an ideal substitute

Proportion: Add 1/2 tablespoon of this white wine vinegar replacement for every 1 tablespoon of the white-wine variant.

Overall

Champagne Vinegar

• It is made using fermented champagne juice.
• It has a very light and delicate flavour
• Its mild taste makes it a suitable dipping sauce for seafood dishes, but it can also be used in dressings and marinade

Proportion: Add one and a half tablespoons of this white wine vinegar alternative for every 1 tablespoon of the white wine vinegar.

Overall

Lemon Juice

• It has a sharp sour flavour.
• The tangy taste makes it an ideal component of salad and meat dressing, marinade, etc.
• The tart flavour makes it unsuitable as a direct substitute, and hence it cannot be used in equal proportions.

Proportion: Add 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice combined with 1/2 a tablespoon of water as a substitute for 1 tablespoon of the white wine vinegar.

Overall

Red Wine Vinegar

• It is more acidic compared to white wine vinegar.
• It has a bold flavour and is made using fermented red wine.
• It has a dark red colour which makes it unsuitable for light-coloured dishes.

Proportion: Red wine is an ideal substitute for white wine vinegar in cooking to add it in the same quantity as white wine vinegar.

Overal

Rice Vinegar

Its light and acidic taste make it an excellent addition to salad dressings, sauces, pickled vegetables, and slaws.

It’s a staple in Asian cuisine and is used in stir-fry, rice dishes, and soups.

• It is made using fermented rice.
• It has a slightly acidic flavour which makes it ideal for slaws, pickled vegetables, and salad dressings.
• It is a staple component in Asian cuisine.

Proportion: Substitute one tablespoon of rice vinegar for every 1 tablespoon of the white-wine variant.

Overall

Suppose you want to preserve the taste of your dish. In that case, using the perfect white wine vinegar substitute is very important. For recipes with sweeter undertones, opt for apple cider or champagne vinegar. However, for a prominent sour taste, lemon juice and rice vinegar work better as a substitute.