Out of Red wine vinegar, one case
Red wine vinegar substitutes for chimichurri
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use White wine vinegar
Same amount as the red wine vinegar
The best red wine vinegar substitutes for chimichurri are white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice. Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust the acidity to taste.
- Best for —
- chimichurri
One casethe full red wine vinegar card
Why it works
Red wine vinegarRed wine vinegar provides acidity and tanginess to chimichurri, which helps balance the herbs and oil. The substitution works because other vinegars provide similar acidity and can be used in the same applications, though they have different flavor profiles.
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of red wine vinegar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White wine vinegarchimichurri | Same amount |
| 2 | Apple cider vinegarchimichurri | Same amount |
| 3 | Lemon juicechimichurri | Same amount |
| 4 | Sherry vinegarchimichurri | Same amount |
| 5 | Rice vinegarchimichurri | Same amount |
White wine vinegar
clean · similar texture
Clean, light vinegar that works well in chimichurri. Good for when you want similar acidity without color.
- Best for
- chimichurri, when you want light color, when you want clean flavor, Argentine cooking
White wine vinegar has similar acidity to red wine vinegar but won't add red color to your chimichurri.
Apple cider vinegar
fruity · similar texture
Fruity vinegar that works well in chimichurri. Good for when you want fruity acidity.
- Best for
- chimichurri, when you want fruity flavor, when you want mild acidity, general cooking
Apple cider vinegar has a slightly different flavor but similar acidity to red wine vinegar.
Lemon juice
citrus · different texture
Fresh acidity that works well in chimichurri. Good for when you want citrus flavor.
- Best for
- chimichurri, when you want citrus flavor, when you want fresh acidity, finishing dishes
Lemon juice provides fresh acidity but with citrus flavor instead of vinegar.
Sherry vinegar
nutty · similar texture
Nutty, complex vinegar that works well in chimichurri. Good for when you want depth and complexity.
- Best for
- chimichurri, when you want complexity, when you want depth, Spanish cooking
Sherry vinegar has a nutty, complex flavor that adds depth to chimichurri.
Rice vinegar
mild · similar texture
Mild vinegar that works well in chimichurri. Good for when you want mild acidity.
- Best for
- chimichurri, when you want mild flavor, when you want subtle acidity, Asian cooking
Rice vinegar is milder than red wine vinegar but works well in chimichurri.
How it behaves in this recipe
Chimichurri is an Argentine sauce that needs acidity to balance the herbs and oil. Red wine vinegar provides this acidity, but other vinegars can work just as well.
Tips for substituting red wine vinegar
5 tips- Chimichurri needs acidity to balance the herbs and oil
- All vinegars work well in chimichurri, but consider the final flavor you want
- Store chimichurri in the refrigerator for up to a week
- Consider the color you want when choosing your substitute
- Chimichurri is great with grilled meats and vegetables
Notes on red wine vinegar
- Use white wine vinegar for clean flavor that works well in chimichurri
- Use apple cider vinegar for fruity flavor that works well in chimichurri
- Consider the flavor profile you want when choosing your substitute
- Use lemon juice for fresh acidity with citrus flavor
Questions
5 questionsWhat can I substitute for red wine vinegar in chimichurri?
You can substitute white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice for red wine vinegar in chimichurri. Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust to taste.
Can I use white wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar in chimichurri?
Yes, white wine vinegar works well in chimichurri. It has similar acidity but won't add red color to your sauce.
Can I use apple cider vinegar in chimichurri?
Yes, apple cider vinegar works well in chimichurri. It has a slightly different flavor but similar acidity to red wine vinegar.
Can I use lemon juice instead of red wine vinegar in chimichurri?
Yes, lemon juice works well in chimichurri. It provides fresh acidity with citrus flavor instead of vinegar.
Do I need to adjust the recipe when substituting vinegar in chimichurri?
Generally no ratio adjustment is needed, but consider the flavor differences. White wine vinegar is clean, apple cider vinegar is fruity, and lemon juice is citrusy.