Out of Red wine vinegar, one case
Red wine vinegar substitute for marinades
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 marinades are white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar. Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust the acidity to taste.
- Best for —
- marinades
One casethe full red wine vinegar card
Why it works
Red wine vinegarRed wine vinegar provides acidity and tanginess to marinades, which helps tenderize meat and add flavor. 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 vinegarmarinades | Same amount |
| 2 | Apple cider vinegarmarinades | Same amount |
| 3 | Balsamic vinegarmarinades | Same amount |
| 4 | Lemon juicemarinades | Same amount |
| 5 | Sherry vinegarmarinades | Same amount |
White wine vinegar
clean · similar texture
Clean, light vinegar that works well in marinades. Good for when you want similar acidity without color.
- Best for
- marinades, when you want light color, when you want clean flavor, chicken marinades, fish marinades
White wine vinegar has similar acidity to red wine vinegar but won't add red color to your marinade.
Apple cider vinegar
fruity · similar texture
Fruity vinegar that works well in marinades. Good for when you want fruity acidity.
- Best for
- marinades, when you want fruity flavor, when you want mild acidity, pork marinades, vegetable marinades
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 marinades. Good for when you want sweetness and depth.
- Best for
- marinades, when you want sweetness, when you want complexity, beef marinades, lamb marinades
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 marinades. Good for when you want citrus flavor.
- Best for
- marinades, when you want citrus flavor, when you want fresh acidity, fish marinades, chicken marinades
Lemon juice provides fresh acidity but with citrus flavor instead of vinegar.
Sherry vinegar
nutty · similar texture
Nutty, complex vinegar that works well in marinades. Good for when you want depth and complexity.
- Best for
- marinades, when you want complexity, when you want depth, beef marinades, pork marinades
Sherry vinegar has a nutty, complex flavor that adds depth to marinades.
How it behaves in this recipe
Marinades need acidity to tenderize meat and add flavor. Red wine vinegar provides this acidity, but other vinegars can work just as well.
Tips for substituting red wine vinegar
5 tips- Marinades need acidity to tenderize meat and add flavor
- All vinegars work well in marinades, but consider the final flavor you want
- Marinate meat for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 24 hours
- Consider the color you want when choosing your substitute
- Marinades are great with meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables
Notes on red wine vinegar
- Use white wine vinegar for clean flavor that works well in marinades
- Use apple cider vinegar for fruity flavor that works well in marinades
- Consider the flavor profile you want when choosing your substitute
- Use balsamic vinegar for sweetness that works well in marinades
Questions
5 questionsWhat can I substitute for red wine vinegar in marinades?
You can substitute white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar for red wine vinegar in marinades. Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust to taste.
Can I use white wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar in marinades?
Yes, white wine vinegar works well in marinades. It has similar acidity but won't add red color to your marinade.
Can I use apple cider vinegar in marinades?
Yes, apple cider vinegar works well in marinades. It has a slightly different flavor but similar acidity to red wine vinegar.
Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar in marinades?
Yes, balsamic vinegar works well in marinades. It's sweeter than red wine vinegar, so reduce other sweeteners if using.
Do I need to adjust the recipe when substituting vinegar in marinades?
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.