Cooking Simplified: 5 Substitutes for Red Wine Vinegar

Ever find yourself right in the middle of whipping up something amazing in the kitchen, only to realize you’re fresh out of red wine vinegar?

Yeah, we’ve been there. It’s the ultimate “Oh, no!” moment. But guess what? It’s not the end of the world.

In fact, it’s the perfect chance to get a little creative and maybe even discover a new favorite kitchen hack.

We’re about to dive into five fantastic substitutes that can save your dish and your day.

And you won’t need a culinary degree to pull them off—just an open mind and a willingness to experiment.

Ready to turn that kitchen oops into a victory? Let’s get into it.

What is Red Wine Vinegar?

As well as being an important ingredient in many cuisines, vinegar is one of the oldest flavoring agents known to man.

It is derived from fermented alcoholic beverages, including wine, cider, beer, and distilled alcohol.

This means that you are already familiar with at least one form of vinegar – apple cider vinegar – which was first made around 5000 years ago.

Red wine vinegar comes from the fermentation of red grape juice and has a tart, fruity taste.

This type of vinegar is commonly used in salads and marinades, such as dressings such as balsamic vinaigrette.

In terms of taste, red wine vinegar can be described as having acidic and sweet notes with a less intense sharpness than white or cider vinegar.

The main producers of red wine vinegar are Italy, made in Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Bologna under strict regulations.

California is another major producer with notable brands including ‘Lucini’, ‘Bertolli’ and ‘Andrea’.

Aromatized red wine vinegar is also available.

These have been infused with cloves, blackberries, garlic, and chilies.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar is a popular ingredient in many culinary dishes, known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavor.

However, if you find yourself without red wine vinegar or prefer alternative options, there are several substitutes that can provide similar characteristics.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for red wine vinegar, discussing their key characteristics and providing suggestions on proper ratios to ensure delicious results in your recipes.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Cider Vinegar	Tangy and slightly sweet with a fruity undertone	Use an equal amount of cider vinegar as a substitute
White Wine Vinegar	Mild and slightly acidic with a clean taste	Use an equal amount of white wine vinegar as a substitute
Sherry Vinegar	Rich and slightly sweet with a delicate nutty flavor	Use an equal amount of sherry vinegar as a substitute
White Distilled Vinegar	Strong and sharp with a neutral taste	Use an equal amount of white distilled vinegar as a substitute
Balsamic Vinegar	Sweet and complex with a rich, dark color	Use half the amount of balsamic vinegar compared to red wine vinegar

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Cider Vinegar

Another great vinegar substitute for red wine vinegar is apple cider.

This vinegar can be used in salads and marinades, such as dressings like balsamic vinaigrette.

Apple cider has a sweeter taste than other vinegar because it naturally contains sugar during fermentation.

It may also contain potassium sorbate, which is a food preservative.

Apple cider vinegar can be substituted in any recipe that calls for red wine vinegar.

When substituting apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar, keep in mind that it has a different taste because of its ‘sweetness’.

It’s also best to use less than the recipe calls for.

• Key Characteristics: Cider vinegar offers a tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile with a fruity undertone. It is made from fermented apple cider and works well as a substitute for red wine vinegar in marinades, dressings, and pickling.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of cider vinegar as a substitute for red wine vinegar. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

2 – White Wine Vinegar

In terms of taste, white wine vinegar can be described as being tart.

It has a smooth and sharp flavor.

In addition, it is one of the most popular varieties of vinegar alongside apple cider vinegar.

You can also find balsamic vinegar for sale on Amazon.

White wine vinegar was first produced in France and the United States.

It is also available in Italy and Germany.

White wine vinegar is made from white grape juice fermented for a short period until it turns into vinegar.

Glucose and fructose molecules combine with bacteria to create acetic acid during this process.

This change occurs because yeast changes sugar into alcohol through fermentation.

• Key Characteristics: White wine vinegar has a mild and slightly acidic taste with a clean flavor profile. It is made from fermented white wine and can provide a similar tanginess to red wine vinegar in various recipes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of white wine vinegar as a substitute for red wine vinegar. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

3 – Sherry Vinegar

Sherry vinegar is a type of wine vinegar from Jerez, Southern Spain.

It’s made by fermenting sherry wine.

Therefore, it can have a sweeter taste than other vinegar varieties because the fermentation process changes the sugar into alcohol.

In addition, it has a dark brown color.

Sherry vinegar can be substituted in any recipe that calls for red wine vinegar.

Use less sherry vinegar than the red wine vinegar called for to substitute.

This type of vinegar has a sweeter taste than other vinegar varieties and is considered one of the best substitutes for red wine vinegar.

• Key Characteristics: Sherry vinegar offers a rich and slightly sweet flavor with a delicate nutty undertone. It is made from fortified sherry wine and can add complexity to dishes requiring red wine vinegar.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of sherry vinegar as a substitute for red wine vinegar. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

4 – White Distilled Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is made by distilling alcohol into acetic acid.

It’s an inexpensive vinegar, making it a common choice for many people.

This type of wine can be used in recipes that call for red wine vinegar.

However, its taste is considered less intense compared to other wines.

White distilled vinegar is different from the other substitutes mentioned because it is made with alcohol.

However, this wine can be used in recipes that call for red wine vinegar, like salad dressings.

Its taste is considered less pungent compared to other wines.

• Key Characteristics: White distilled vinegar has a strong and sharp taste with a neutral flavor. While it lacks the complexity of red wine vinegar, it can be used as a substitute when its acidity is required in recipes such as dressings and sauces.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of white distilled vinegar as a substitute for red wine vinegar. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

5 – Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is made from unfermented juice, called ‘must’, of Trebbiano grapes.

It’s then fermented for a long period and aged in wooden casks.

The result is a rich and dark-brown vinegar that has a sweet flavor.

When using balsamic vinegar in place of red wine vinegar, be mindful that it has a sweeter flavor than other types of red wine vinegar.

This vinegar is best used when making salads and salad dressings, like Italian dressing or vinaigrette.

You can also use it in sauces, like in stir fry.

Keep in mind that the taste of balsamic vinegar is sweeter than other types of red wine vinegar.

• Key Characteristics: Balsamic vinegar offers a sweet and complex flavor profile with a rich, dark color. While it differs significantly from red wine vinegar, it can be used in moderation when a touch of sweetness and depth is desired.
• Proper Ratio: Use half the amount of balsamic vinegar compared to red wine vinegar as a substitute. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

Conclusion

All in all, when using red wine vinegar in your recipe, it is important to know that there are other wines out there that can be substituted in.

Each wine has a different taste, so keep this in mind when making your food.

If you are looking for an alternative to red wine vinegar, try cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or sherry vinegar.

Remember that all of these wines can be used in any recipe that calls for red wine vinegar.