Red Wine Vinegar Substitute

Making a recipe that calls for red wine vinegar and only to realize that you are all out? That can be so frustrating, but there are some substitutes that you can use in place of it that won’t change the taste much if at all.

Many recipes call for some kind of acid and the likelihood of you having all the varieties of vinegar in your pantry is unlikely, but substituting one acid for another usually works out just fine.

In this post, we are going to cover the best red wine vinegar substitutes.

Best substitutes for red wine vinegar

There are so many options that can save you when you are in a bind. An acid is an acid but they do all have their own distinct flavor.

I always say you need 4 things to get the good flavor in your food. Those 4 things are heat, salt, acid, and fat. So as long as you substitute your red wine vinegar with another acid and not just omit it you will ok and your dish will be good.

You can always use another vinegar as a substitute and then add in a little bit of red wine to keep the profiles as close as you can.

With that being said, here are some great substitutions for rice wine vinegar.

1. White wine vinegar

White wine vinegar is very similar in taste to red wine vinegar. Other than being yellowish in color rather than red, the taste is close to unnoticeable.

You can add red wine to it to keep the bold flavor and color as you will find the white wine vinegar to be milder. When substituting white wine vinegar for red wine vinegar the ratios stay the same.

If the recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar then you would add the same when using white wine vinegar.

2. Balsamic vinegar

Balsamic vinegar offers the acidity needed to substitute but it is sweeter and richer than red wine vinegar.

When substituting with balsamic you want to add in a smaller amount than your recipe calls for and add in as needed until you get the right flavor. Adding in teaspoon by teaspoon works best.

3. Sherry vinegar

Although it is a little milder and has a bit of a nutty flavor, Sherry vinegar can be used as a substitute when you are in a jam and don’t have red wine vinegar on hand.

It will really enhance rich flavors and add that vinegar taste much like red wine vinegar. You will want to add in a little at a time much like using balsamic or apple cider vinegar.

You won’t notice much of a difference in your dish when using Sherry as a substitute.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great option to use instead of red wine vinegar. It tends to be a little more fruity so you want to start off adding less than the recipe calls for.

There are great health benefits to using apple cider vinegar and it also adds a good punch when you use it in salad dressings, marinades, and sauces.

5. Lemon juice

You will want to be careful using lemon juice as a substitute. It adds the acid that you get from your red wine vinegar but it also will change the flavor of your dish a little.

It can add in a sour note if you use too much. Add in a little bit, let it render, and then taste to see if you need more. If you are going for a bold-flavored dish, I don’t recommend using lemon.

This will be great with fish, chicken, dressings, and some sauces, depending on the flavor goal.

6. Red wine

So you may not have red wine vinegar on hand but if you have red wine you can definitely add it to keep that same flavor. If you want to really mimic the same flavor add in 1 part red wine to 2 parts vinegar of choice. to your recipe.

This will give you the closest outcome to the original recipe. I mean it is red wine and vinegar. Again, don’t go overboard though, add it is slow to be sure you achieve the same taste.

7. Rice wine vinegar

A versatile vinegar is used widely in Asian cuisines. This is a comparable substitute for red wine vinegar. It is sweet and acidic but is subtle.

You can use this as a 1:1 ratio and it won’t change the flavor much if at all. Add in a little red wine if you want to have the color but otherwise, it is a great option.

This is vinegar that I use all the time.

You should also check out my post on the best creole mustard substitutes.

Substitute chart for red wine vinegar

Substitutes	Flavor profiles
White Wine Vinegar	Closest substitute
Balsamic Vinegar	Sweet and lightly acidic
Sherry Vinegar	Nutty and sweet
Apple Cider Vinegar	Fruity and acidic
Lemon juice	Sour and acidic
Red Wine	Same flavor – Mild
Rice Vinegar	Tangy and acidic