A recipe calls for rice vinegar but you don’t have it? Thankfully there are many alternatives you can use that will do the same job as rice vinegar!

Rice vinegar is a beloved staple in many kitchens, cherished for its delicate flavor and subtle tang. It’s particularly popular in Asian cuisines, where it lends a gentle acidity to dishes like sushi rice, stir-fries, salad dressings, and marinades.

Its unique ability to enhance flavors without overwhelming them makes it a versatile ingredient.

But what happens if you’re in the middle of cooking and realize you’re out of rice vinegar? Or perhaps you’re looking for a substitute that better suits your dietary needs or preferences?

Don’t worry—there are plenty of alternatives that can mimic the role of rice vinegar in your recipes, allowing you to create dishes that are just as flavorful.

In this guide, we’ll explore several substitutes for rice vinegar, each with its own unique flavor profile. Whether you’re aiming for something close in taste or looking to experiment with a slightly different twist, we’ve got you covered. For each alternative, we’ll explain:

• What it tastes like: How its flavor compares to rice vinegar.
• How to use it: The ideal ratios for substitution.
• Where it works best: The types of recipes where it truly shines.

What is rice vinegar?

Rice vinegar is a type of vinegar made from fermented rice. It has a mellow, slightly sweet flavor and lower acidity compared to many other vinegars, making it an essential ingredient in various Asian cuisines. 

It is perfect for establishing balance in recipes because of its subtle flavor, which complements food without overpowering it. 

Rice vinegar is an essential ingredient in sushi rice, which gives it its distinctive tangy-sweet flavor in Japanese cooking. It adds depth and brightness to stir-fries, pickled vegetables, and dipping sauces in Chinese and Korean cookery. It is also a widely used component in marinades, sauces, and fusion cuisine due to its mild flavor and adaptability.

Rice Vinegar Substitutes: The Best Alternatives

These are the best rice vinegar substitutes that you can use:

1. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of the most common substitutes for rice vinegar. It’s a staple ingredient and is available practically everywhere.

Made from fermented apple juice, it has a tangy, slightly fruity flavor that mimics rice vinegar’s mild sweetness. Though it is slightly more robust in flavor, its versatility makes it a go-to replacement.

In fact, you can substitute apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar in almost any recipe, including marinades and sushi rice. Do keep in mind that it could become more noticeable if used in things like pickling.

How to Use It

To replace rice vinegar, use apple cider vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. For recipes that need a sweeter note, add ¼ teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon of ACV to balance the flavors. Stir the mixture well before incorporating it into your recipe.

Best Uses

Apple cider vinegar works well in dressings, marinades, and sauces where a touch of fruitiness enhances the dish. It’s a great choice for coleslaws, Asian-inspired salads, and dipping sauces.

2. White Vinegar with Sugar

White wine is vinegar is made from fermented white wine. It’s a great addition to sauces and salad dressings because of its mild, slightly acidic flavor.

It’s sharper and more acidic than rice vinegar, but it’s got a similar flavour profile so with a simple adjustment, it can be an effective substitute.

Rice vinegar is sweeter so adding sugar softens its harshness, making it a closer match to rice vinegar’s mild sweetness.

How to Use It

Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with ¼ teaspoon of sugar for every tablespoon of rice vinegar your recipe calls for. Stir thoroughly to ensure the sugar dissolves completely. This mixture can then be used in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute.

Best Uses

This combination is excellent for pickling vegetables, sushi rice, and sweet-and-sour dishes where a slightly sharper tang won’t overpower the flavors.

3. Champagne Vinegar

Champagne vinegar, derived from fermented champagne, offers a delicate, lightly tangy flavor that closely resembles rice vinegar’s mild profile.

It can be substituted for rice vinegar in any recipe because to its extremely mild flavor, which adds a subtle touch without overpowering the finished dish. It’s a lighter option that works great in marinades and dressings.

How to Use It

Substitute champagne vinegar for rice vinegar in equal amounts. No additional sugar is typically needed, as its natural mildness already aligns well with rice vinegar.

Best Uses

This option is perfect for light dressings, mild marinades, and sauces where subtlety is key. It’s particularly excellent in vinaigrettes for salads with fruit or delicate greens.

4. Lemon or Lime Juice

For a natural, citrusy substitute, lemon or lime juice can stand in for rice vinegar. You can replace rice vinegar with a little lemon or lime juice if you’re using it to give recipes like salad dressings, slaws, or sauces a little zing.

This is because, in most recipes, the acidity of rice vinegar can be easily mimicked by the extremely acidic qualities of lemons and limes.

Although you can substitute lemon or lime juice for rice vinegar in any recipe, keep in mind that doing so will alter the finished product’s flavor and possibly give it a distinctly citrusy taste.

These juices bring brightness and acidity but lack the sweetness of rice vinegar.

How to Use It

Use lemon or lime juice in a 1:1 ratio as a rice vinegar substitute. If sweetness is desired, add ½ teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon of juice.

Best Uses

Lemon and lime juice are ideal for dressings, marinades for seafood, and dishes where a fresh, zesty kick is welcome, such as noodle salads or summer rolls.

5. Sherry Vinegar

Sherry vinegar, made from fortified wine, is richer and nuttier than rice vinegar. While it has a distinct flavor, it can be a creative alternative, especially in recipes that can handle a bit of extra depth.

How to Use It

Replace rice vinegar with sherry vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. To tone down its richness and enhance sweetness, you can add a small amount of sugar or honey—about ¼ to ½ teaspoon per tablespoon of sherry vinegar.

Best Uses

Sherry vinegar works well in marinades, stews, and roasted vegetable dishes. Its deeper flavor pairs nicely with hearty ingredients like mushrooms and root vegetables.

6. Seasoned Rice Vinegar

If you have seasoned rice vinegar on hand, it can be an easy direct substitute for regular rice vinegar. Seasoned rice vinegar contains added sugar and salt, which slightly alter its flavor profile.

How to Use It

Seasoned rice vinegar can replace rice vinegar in a 1:1 ratio, but you may need to adjust the salt and sugar in the recipe to prevent over-seasoning.

Best Uses

It’s perfect for sushi rice, salad dressings, and sauces where extra sweetness and saltiness won’t detract from the final dish.

6. Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar, while much darker and sweeter, can be used in specific recipes where its robust flavor complements the dish. This substitute is best for non-traditional uses of rice vinegar.

How to Use It

Mix 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar with 1 tablespoon of water to dilute its intensity before using it as a rice vinegar substitute. Avoid adding sugar unless the dish specifically benefits from more sweetness.

Best Uses

Balsamic vinegar is excellent for unique dressings, glazes, and marinades for grilled vegetables or proteins. Its distinct sweetness also works well in fusion recipes.

7. Mirin + Distilled White Vinegar

Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine often used in cooking, prized for its umami and subtle sweetness. When combined with distilled white vinegar, it creates a balanced substitute for rice vinegar, blending sweetness with acidity.

The combination captures the essence of rice vinegar’s delicate flavor while offering a slightly more complex profile.

How to Use It

To substitute rice vinegar, mix 2 parts mirin with 1 part distilled white vinegar. For example, combine 2 tablespoons of mirin with 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to yield a close approximation of rice vinegar. This blend maintains the sweetness and tangy acidity that many recipes call for.

Best Uses

Mirin and white vinegar are excellent for dishes where both sweetness and tanginess are integral, such as sushi rice, stir-fry sauces, or teriyaki marinades.

The slight umami boost from the mirin enhances Japanese dishes and complements ingredients like miso, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It also works well in salad dressings and pickled vegetables where a nuanced flavor is desired.

This combination is particularly suited to traditional Asian dishes, offering a harmonious balance of flavors that’s hard to replicate with other substitutes.

Key Tips for Substituting Rice Vinegar

• Consider the Dish: Choose a substitute based on the flavor profile of your dish. For delicate dishes, opt for milder substitutes like champagne vinegar. For bold recipes, white wine or sherry vinegar might add more character.
• Adjust to Taste: Always taste your dish and adjust sweetness or acidity when using a substitute to ensure a balanced flavor.
• Experiment: Substitutes can bring a new twist to your recipes. Embrace the opportunity to experiment with different vinegars to find your favorite combinations.

Conclusion

Running out of rice vinegar doesn’t have to derail your cooking plans. With these seven alternatives, you can adapt to any recipe while staying true to its essence.

Whether you’re making sushi, brightening a salad, or crafting a tangy marinade, there’s a substitute here to meet your needs. Keep these options in mind, and you’ll never miss a beat in the kitchen!