Out of Red wine vinegar, one case
Red wine vinegar substitute for salad dressing
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 salad dressings are white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar. Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust the acidity to taste.
- Best for —
- salad dressings
One casethe full red wine vinegar card
Why it works
Red wine vinegarRed wine vinegar provides acidity and tanginess to salad dressings, which helps balance the oil and other ingredients. 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 vinegarsalad dressings | Same amount |
| 2 | Apple cider vinegarsalad dressings | Same amount |
| 3 | Balsamic vinegarsalad dressings | Same amount |
| 4 | Lemon juicesalad dressings | Same amount |
| 5 | Sherry vinegarsalad dressings | Same amount |
White wine vinegar
clean · similar texture
Clean, light vinegar that works well in salad dressings. Good for when you want similar acidity without color.
- Best for
- salad dressings, vinaigrettes, when you want light color, when you want clean flavor, Greek salad
White wine vinegar has similar acidity to red wine vinegar but won't add red color to your dressing.
Apple cider vinegar
fruity · similar texture
Fruity vinegar that works well in salad dressings. Good for when you want fruity acidity.
- Best for
- salad dressings, vinaigrettes, 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.
Balsamic vinegar
sweet · similar texture
Sweet, complex vinegar that works well in salad dressings. Good for when you want sweetness and depth.
- Best for
- salad dressings, vinaigrettes, when you want sweetness, when you want complexity, glazes
Balsamic vinegar is sweeter than red wine vinegar. Reduce other sweeteners in the recipe if using.
Lemon juice
citrus · different texture
Fresh acidity that works well in salad dressings. Good for when you want citrus flavor.
- Best for
- salad dressings, vinaigrettes, 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 salad dressings. Good for when you want depth and complexity.
- Best for
- salad dressings, vinaigrettes, when you want complexity, when you want depth, Spanish cooking
Sherry vinegar has a nutty, complex flavor that adds depth to dressings.
How it behaves in this recipe
Salad dressings need acidity to balance the oil and other ingredients. Red wine vinegar provides this acidity, but other vinegars can work just as well.
Tips for substituting red wine vinegar
5 tips- Salad dressings need acidity to balance the oil and other ingredients
- All vinegars work well in dressings, but consider the final flavor you want
- Store dressings in the refrigerator for up to a week
- Consider the color you want when choosing your substitute
- Dressings are great with salads, vegetables, and grilled meats
Notes on red wine vinegar
- Use white wine vinegar for clean flavor that works well in dressings
- Use apple cider vinegar for fruity flavor that works well in dressings
- Consider the flavor profile you want when choosing your substitute
- Use balsamic vinegar for sweetness that works well in dressings
Questions
5 questionsWhat can I substitute for red wine vinegar in salad dressing?
You can substitute white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar for red wine vinegar in salad dressings. Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust to taste.
Can I use white wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar in salad dressing?
Yes, white wine vinegar works well in salad dressings. It has similar acidity but won't add red color to your dressing.
Can I use apple cider vinegar in salad dressing?
Yes, apple cider vinegar works well in salad dressings. It has a slightly different flavor but similar acidity to red wine vinegar.
Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar in salad dressing?
Yes, balsamic vinegar works well in salad dressings. It's sweeter than red wine vinegar, so reduce other sweeteners if using.
Do I need to adjust the recipe when substituting vinegar in salad dressing?
Generally no ratio adjustment is needed, but consider the flavor differences. White wine vinegar is clean, apple cider vinegar is fruity, and balsamic vinegar is sweet.