These balsamic vinegar substitute is easy to make and more affordable if you're in a pinch. Balsamic vinegar is a popular ingredient in sauces, salad dressings, and marinades, but because of the aging process that it goes through, it's more expensive than other vinegars.
Apple Cider or Red Wine Vinegar, Plus Sweetener
Balsamic vinegar has a slight molasses flavor. To incorporate that into your substitute, use brown sugar, instead of granulated sugar. As you may already know, brown sugar gets its color and flavor from molasses. Using apple cider or red wine in your substitute will help to give it some of the fruitiness and tanginess that balsamic vinegar is known for. Use your substitute in place of one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Double or triple the amount, if your recipe calls for more. This sub is easy to scale to your needs.
Recipe
Combine the following:
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider or red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, granulated sugar or honey
Cooked Rice Vinegar and Sugar
Combine five parts vinegar and one part sugar in a pan; then, cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves completely. For the best flavor and color match, use a dark, aged vinegar, like Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar. Allow your substitute to cool completely before using it in your recipe.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Replace the balsamic vinegar called for with an equal amount of balsamic vinaigrette. This will add olive oil to your recipe, but that should work just fine in the types of recipes that call for balsamic vinegar.
Lemon Juice, Molasses, Soy Sauce
Mix together equal parts lemon juice, molasses and soy sauce. This will give you a good flavor (and color) approximation, and it doesn't require any fancy ingredients. Just pull a few things from your pantry and fridge and you're in business!
What Does Balsamic Vinegar Taste Like?
Balsamic vinegar has a uniquely-complex flavor that is sweet, fruity and tangy all at once. Authentic, aged balsamic also has notes of oak or whatever type of wood barrel it was aged in. The aging process results in a mellow vinegar. You'll find that it doesn't have that strongly-acidic bite that other vinegars have. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a syrupy consistency. So, when you use it in a recipe, it contributes color, in addition to flavor. Vegetables that have been roasted in balsamic vinegar are especially gorgeous.
How to Save Money on Balsamic Vinegar
The price of balsamic vinegar varies greatly. A traditionally-made bottle (one that has been aged for many years) can go for as much as a good (or really great) bottle of wine. But there are certainly more affordable bottles of balsamic vinegar to chose from. If you're on a budget, look for a condimento grade of balsamic vinegar.
That's one that hasn't been aged for as long (usually somewhere in the three to seven years range). While it won't have the same depth of flavor as a traditional bottle of balsamic, it'll have more than enough flavor to serve its purpose in your recipe.
Since the condimento designation isn't regulated, there are some fakers in the bunch -- companies that enhance the flavor of regular white or red vinegar by adding a splash of grape must.
If you want to find a good bottle of condimento balsamic, look for one where grape must is the only ingredient, or at least the first ingredient on the list.
FAQs
balsamic vinegar, substitute 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp. sugar.
What to use if I don't have balsamic vinegar? ›
For a regular balsamic substitute to use in salad dressings or general cooking use 1 part honey or maple syrup with 4 parts red wine vinegar. For an intense, aged balsamic substitute for drizzling over dishes, use 1 part honey or maple syrup with 2 parts red wine vinegar.
What is the closest dressing to balsamic vinegar? ›
Mix equal parts lemon juice, molasses, and soy sauce. This will give you a good flavor (and color) approximation and doesn't require any fancy ingredients. Pull a few things from your pantry and fridge and you're in business!
How do you make balsamic vinegar from regular vinegar? ›
It is recommended to mix 1 (red wine vinegar): 4 (honey or syrup), but if you would like to taste a thicker flavor, you could try 1 (red wine vinegar): 2 (honey or syrup), it will be more like Balsamic glaze, but of course, the substitute Balsamic vinegar may be sweeter than the regular one.
Can I use Worcestershire sauce instead of balsamic vinegar? ›
Worcestershire Sauce
As with soy sauce, you can always try adding a drizzle of lemon juice and sweetener to Worcestershire to help it replicate balsamic vinegar's flavor more closely.
What can I use if I don't have vinegar? ›
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.
What is the difference between balsamic vinegar and regular vinegar? ›
Unlike regular vinegar, balsamic vinegar is made from crushed grape juice, typically from the Trebbiano grape variety, which undergoes a meticulous aging process. The most defining characteristic of balsamic vinegar is its rich, dark color and syrupy consistency.
Is rice vinegar similar to balsamic vinegar? ›
Like rice vinegar, balsamic boasts a more mellow flavor profile and plenty of sweetness. But although balsamic stacks up in terms of acidity, it has a much deeper and richer flavor, so it won't take a backseat like rice vinegar does.
What is the difference between cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar? ›
Apple Balsamic Vinegars are produced through the fermentation of crushed and cooked grapes, with an infusion of apple essence after the grape must is fermented into vinegar. It is less acidic and is sweeter than Apple Cider Vinegar.
What's another name for balsamic vinegar? ›
Condimento ("dressing") balsamic vinegars may be labeled as condimento balsamico, salsa balsamica or salsa di mosto cotto.
To qualify, the base of the vinegar has to be grape must— whole pressed grapes complete with skin, juice, seeds, and stem. While balsam is a thing, the sticky plant resin has no role in the creation of balsamic vinegar.
Is there alcohol in balsamic vinegar? ›
Balsamic Vinegar is Non-Alcoholic
Even though Balsamic Vinegar derives from the alcoholic fermentation of the grapes, it does not contain alcohol. In fact, the fermentation process that transforms sugars into vinegar occurs thanks to specific bacteria that convert the sugars into acetic acid.
Can you substitute balsamic vinegar for brown vinegar? ›
Both sweet and luxurious, balsamic vinegar adds a rich, low-acid flavor to dressings, glazes, and sauces. Since it's aged like wine, it tends to be more expensive than other kinds of vinegar. For 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, substitute 1 tablespoon of either brown rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar.
What can I use if I don't like balsamic vinegar? ›
For every 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, substitute 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar plus ½ tsp. sugar.
Can I use lemon juice instead of balsamic vinegar? ›
To create a condiment akin to balsamic vinegar, mix equal parts lemon juice, soy sauce, and molasses. Whisk vigorously so the molasses is fully incorporated, and voilà! You've got a bright, tangy swap for balsamic vinegar.
Is there a substitute for white balsamic vinegar? ›
Standard Vinegar Substitution Ratios
White Wine Vinegar: For every 1 tablespoon of white balsamic vinegar, use 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar. This provides a mild and slightly tangy flavor that is closest to white balsamic vinegar. Rice Vinegar or Rice Wine Vinegar: Substitute with a 1:1 ratio.
Can you replace soy sauce with balsamic vinegar? ›
If soy isn't the preliminary ingredient in your recipe, balsamic vinegar can work in a pinch. It's tangy, dark hued, and adds some brininess, perhaps even brightening up your recipe. Use it in an equal ratio, and you may need to add a bit more salt to the recipe.
Is balsamic reduction the same as vinegar? ›
Balsamic Reduction Vs.
Balsamic vinegar is an intensely flavored vinegar made from grapes. It is often used to make balsamic glaze or reduction. Balsamic reduction is made by allowing balsamic vinegar to simmer for around 15-20 minutes. It also requires some aromatics to make it more flavorful.
Can you have balsamic vinegar by itself? ›
While balsamic vinegar can be consumed on its own, it's typically used as a condiment or in salad dressings. Drinking it straight may have a strong flavor that some find unpleasant. It's acidic, so consuming large amounts might irritate the throat or stomach. Moderation is key.
Does balsamic vinegar need to be re? ›
If you're using balsamic vinegars primarily for salads and like them chilled, they can be refrigerated. If you're using them for sauces, marinades, and reductions, store them in a cupboard. The shelf life of balsamic vinegar should be between 3-5 years.
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