Don’t Have Vinegar? 4 Alternatives Can Save Your Dishes Instead (2024)

FAQs

Don’t Have Vinegar? 4 Alternatives Can Save Your Dishes Instead? ›

White vinegar substitute: If you need a different vinegar to substitute for white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar. You could also swap in lemon or lime juice, depending on your recipe. When you're canning or pickling, there are no comparable substitutes.

For 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, substitute 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, one tablespoon of lime juice, or 2 tablespoons of white wine. These substitutes won't give you the same health benefits, but they will come close to the intended flavor in recipes.

Depending on the variety, vinegar can bring a sour, tangy, sweet, mild, malty, woody or even buttery flavor to your dish. It can also be used to color or discolor foods. Because of its unique ability to break down proteins, vinegar is also used as a marinade to help tenderize meats and veggies.

Some produce is acidic enough to safely can with hot water. Some produce requires added acid in the form of lemon juice or vinegar to make this process safe. Other foods require a pressure canner.

Baking Soda

It helps break down grime, neutralize odors, and acts as a mild abrasive. Simply add one cup of baking soda to the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum, then run a hot water cycle on the longest setting. Baking soda will leave your washing machine fresh and clean.

Powerful Solvent: Rubbing alcohol is a potent solvent that can effectively dissolve dirt, grease, and certain stains. Its fast-evaporating nature ensures that surfaces dry quickly, leaving them clean and streak-free.

If you don't have any vinegar on hand, there are some alternatives that are similarly effective. "Similar to vinegar, baking soda can act as a bleach alternative to whiten garments or brighten colorful fabrics," says LaLonde. "Baking soda also works to neutralize odors and provide a deeper clean."

Does vinegar expire? ›

The only real side effect from leaving vinegar to its own devices is that its acidity will gradually decrease over time, making it less potent. This is why a "best by" date can be found on the bottle, but it's still perfectly fine long past that — it isn't an "expiration date," by any means. Vinegar does not expire.

- Add some sugar or honey to the dish. Sugar and honey can counteract the sourness of vinegar and add some sweetness to the dish. You can start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.

White vinegar substitute: If you need a different vinegar to substitute for white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar. You could also swap in lemon or lime juice, depending on your recipe. When you're canning or pickling, there are no comparable substitutes.

We can say that aged balsamic vinegar has an indefinite shelf life. However, it would be convenient to use the product once opened, within two to three years, and the one that has yet to be opened, within five years. After that time, its color may change, and the flavor will no longer be as bright and fresh as before.

White vinegar is stronger than apple cider with a higher percentage of acetic acid. Reach for apple cider vinegar when you want to add flavor to salad dressings and sauces. Choose distilled white vinegar when you want to pickle foods or add acidity without imparting any extra flavors.

Lemon juice imparts a fresh, citrusy tang whereas vinegar tends to have a sharper, more pungent taste. They are, however, similar enough in acidity that one can confidently replace vinegar with lemon juice in most recipes, particularly in applications such as dressings, marinades, and certain baked goods.

If you don't have any vinegar on hand, there are some alternatives that are similarly effective. "Similar to vinegar, baking soda can act as a bleach alternative to whiten garments or brighten colorful fabrics," says LaLonde. "Baking soda also works to neutralize odors and provide a deeper clean."