I gladly share what I’ve learned while looking for the best red wine substitute. I hope you find it as helpful as I have. Vinegar is a pantry staple at my house because it has a sharp flavor. I use it primarily for vinaigrettes, marinades, and pickling, but also as a condiment. And I also recommend it for meat to amp up the flavor factor.
Does Red Wine Vinegar Go Bad?
Balsamic vinegar is an excellent substitute because it’s tart. It does tend to be a little sweet, but that has never presented a problem for me. If your recipe has sugar, you may want to reduce it a tad, so it doesn’t turn out overly sweet. Replace it with an equal amount for a savory salad dressing, especially with olive oil.
Tips on Using Vinegar
Red Wine Vinegar Substitutes
Balsamic Vinegar Balsamic vinegar is a great substitute because it’s tart. It does tend to be a little sweet, but that has never presented a problem for me. If your recipe has sugar in it, you may want to reduce it a tad so it doesn’t turn out overly sweet. Replace it with an equal amount for a mouthwatering salad dressing, especially with olive oil. White Wine Vinegar The counterpart of red wine vinegar is also a fabulous alternative for it. While they differ in color, they have similarities in flavor. Substitute the same amount as the red wine vinegar the recipe calls for. Sherry Vinegar Its subtly sweet and rich flavor and acidity are not as strong as red wine vinegar. However, it’s perfect for grilling fish, roasting beef, and marinating vegetables. It also makes delicious marinades and dressings, and a few drops really liven up soups. Substitute red wine vinegar at a 1:1 ratio. Apple Cider Vinegar It’s slightly sweeter and fruitier than red wine vinegar, but it still works well with savory dishes (make sure it doesn’t have added sugar). It does have a more robust flavor, so if you decide to use it, start with a third of what the recipe calls for and add more if you want. Rice Vinegar This vinegar has a similar acidity to apple cider vinegar and lacks red wine vinegar’s intense flavor profile. That means you may need to increase the amount slightly to substitute. You can start with a 1:1 ratio and then add more if needed. This one goes perfectly with Asian dressings, marinades, and sautees. Lemon or Lime Juice Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a refreshing twist of acidity to your food, making it a fair (though not ideal) substitute for red wine vinegar. The downside is it doesn’t have the rich umami flavor red wine vinegar has. You can successfully use it in small amounts at a 1:1 ratio. Tamarind Paste I love tamarind’s sweet sourness. And although I love to use it as a lemon juice sub, I occasionally use it to sub small amounts of red wine vinegar, particularly in marinades. It works best as a meat tenderizer in meat marinades, besides being super yummy. Start with a small amount, and increase until you reach your preferred taste. Red wine vinegar has a distinct flavor, making it easy to identify. Different kinds of vinegar work for various dishes. What is your favorite way to use red wine vinegar? Let me know below in the comments.❤️
