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15 Best White Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes (You Already Have)

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Product Substitutes

White balsamic vinegar is a great way to add that sweet balsamic flavor to a dish without affecting its color. But you can’t always find it in every grocery store. So, what is the best substitute for white balsamic vinegar?

Champagne or white wine vinegar are the best substitutes for white balsamic vinegar since they are all made from grapes and have a natural sweetness combined with a neutral color.

But they aren’t the only options!

You might also try sherry vinegar, which has a relative sweetness to white balsamic but not as strong a taste. When including it in your meals, remember that sherry vinegar is more potent than white balsamic vinegar, so you may need to lower the amount used compared to what the recipe asks for.

But let’s look at all the options so you can make the best choice with what’s available.

white balsamic substitute lg

So now let’s look at the . . . 

15 Best White Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes

1. Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar makes an excellent substitute for white balsamic vinegar.

It is a naturally acidic liquid formed from red wine that has undergone fermentation. When used while cooking, you can expect your red wine vinegar to give your food a delicate and light flavor, similar to white balsamic vinegar.

It isn’t totally neutral in color though. But it is far less red in color than balsamic vinegar.

Red wine vinegar also works well as a topping for vegetables or in marinades, adding a crimson tint that may enhance any dish.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is a great alternative for recipes that call for white balsamic.

This vinegar can deliver the same sweet taste and tangy flavor as regular vinegar. It also comes with numerous unrivaled health benefits making it far more than just another substitution option in your kitchen.

Apple Cider vinegar also aids digestion and can help with weight loss. Plus, it is a wallet-friendly choice, unlike the more expensive white balsamic option.

3. Sherry Vinegar

Sherry vinegar is another favored substitute for White Balsamic Vinegar, which is worth the try. This type of vinegar is the perfect ingredient to give your food a robust flavor boost without being overly sour.

With its sweet and earthy notes, Sherry Vinegar has a lower acidity than many other types of vinegar. And while it doesn’t have the same depth of flavor as regular balsamic, it has a unique sweetness and complexity that can make your meals taste better than before.

Whether tossing it with a fresh green salad or marinating your favorite steak, balsamic vinegar will bring out the best in any dish. Nonetheless, many are cautious about using this ingredient over concerns of being inflammable.

People love to flambé with alcohol. But can you do that with balsamic vinegar?

And how flammable is it? You should visit my most recent article. Here I addressed your concerns, including if you can boil balsamic vinegar, and what to do if you want to flambé with it.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

4. Champagne Vinegar

Champagne vinegar makes a suitable substitute for a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. When used, it lends your dishes and recipes a lighter flavor rich in richness and depth.

Unlike traditional balsamic vinegar, champagne vinegar has a more subdued flavor that works with a variety of dishes you’re creating for dinner. It’s ideal for thin sauces, marinades, and dressings that won’t dominate the other elements in your dish. Also, because of its mild flavor, it pairs well with other components like herbs or garlic.

5. White Wine Vinegar

Due to its somewhat sour and sweet flavor that blends nicely in recipes, white wine vinegar is a good option as a white balsamic vinegar substitute. Made from white wine, it is less complex than regular balsamic vinegar but pairs well with different dishes.

Adding a tablespoon of white wine vinegar to salads and other cold meal accompaniments gives a fantastic acidity. Also, it is healthier due to the absence of fat and cholesterol compared to its dark balsamic counterpart.

6. Rice Wine Vinegar

Rice wine vinegar is an excellent replacement for white balsamic vinegar since it is light and spicy. This condiment’s mild, somewhat sweet taste complements almost any salad or meal.

Yet rice wine vinegar has its unique rich flavor, an ideal addition to various sauces, dressings, and marinades.

This versatile ingredient subtlety makes it a great addition to many dishes, primarily when used as a finishing touch for salads or as a way to brighten grilled vegetables.

7. Lemon Juice and Agave Nectar

Lemon juice mixed with a little agave nectar (or honey) is an excellent substitute for white balsamic vinegar. It has all the bright and tangy flavor without being too heavy or overly acidic. Its light citrus taste pairs well with home dishes, from salads to cooked vegetables and roasted meats.

The health benefits of lemon juice are also noteworthy. A tablespoon of lemon juice contains high levels of vitamin C, which can help strengthen your immune system and protect against colds and infections.

Balsamic vinegar is a great condiment to keep on hand if you’ve ever wanted to add a sweet and tangy flavor to your salads, pasta, cheeses, or grilled meats.

Curious about balsamic vinegar and all the different ways you can use it?

If you want to elevate your dish and wonder how Balsamic vinegar can help, visit my most recent article. Here I discussed everything from its uses and benefits to how you can tell authentic balsamic vinegar. I even talk about a special kind you can drizzle on strawberries!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

8. Fruit Vinegar

Fruit vinegar can be made from a variety of fruits, such as:

  • Berries
  • Grapes
  • Mango
  • Oranges
  • Papaya
  • Peaches
  • Plum

Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of fruit vinegar, but there are many other options available.

Fruit vinegar is a good substitute for white balsamic vinegar when adding similar flavor and acidity to a recipe. Fruit vinegar comes in many different flavors, so the possibilities are endless for creative cooking.

You can use these varieties of vinegar’s unique flavor profiles in various dishes, from salad dressings to marinades and sauces. You can even use their lightly fruity flavor for finishing touches on cooked dishes or drizzling over roasted vegetables.

9. Malt Vinegar

Malt vinegar is one of the best replacements for white balsamic vinegar when that just isn’t available. This vinegar’s deep, tangy flavor adds the perfect sweetness and acidity to any dish, making it a welcome addition to salads and sauces.

You can use malt vinegar sparingly compared to other tablespoons of vinegar since it provides a more robust flavor punch than its counterparts. It’s also cheap and simple to obtain, so you’ll always have it on hand when your food needs a little more kick.

10. Brown Rice Vinegar

Brown rice vinegar is another great choice if you’re looking for a good replacement for white balsamic vinegar. These kinds of vinegar are manufactured by fermentation and come with a dark brown color.

Brown rice vinegar gives every meal depth and a distinctive complex flavor. They also offer a mix of sweetness and acidity that goes well with a variety of foods, including seafood, salads, and soups.

11. Honey Vinegar

Honey vinegar is an ideal white balsamic vinegar substitute as it enhances the strong flavor of many different meals and gives them a lovely sweet, and tangy taste.

Honey vinegar is unique because it has a trace of sweetness, much like one may anticipate white balsamic vinegar to have. The natural sugars in honey provide a delicate sweetness that subtly enhances any meal while adequately balancing the vinegar’s sharpness.

12. Chinese Black Vinegar

Chinese Black vinegar is quickly becoming the go-to alternative for a white balsamic vinegar substitute. This unique ingredient has been used in Asian cooking for centuries and has higher acetic acid levels thanks to the lengthy aging process.

To achieve an incredibly versatile taste you can enjoy with various cuisines, you can mix Chinese Black Vinegar with other common ingredients like a mixture of soy sauce.

13. Golden Maple Syrup and White Vinegar

Another tasty substitute for white balsamic vinegar is golden or light maple syrup. Combined with other components, the syrup’s rich taste and caramel-like consistency work wonderfully, bringing out the same tart flavors as white balsamic vinegar.

When substituted with a tablespoon of white vinegar, maple syrup will improve any food’s flavor profile thanks to its slight smokiness. Experimenting with Canadian maple syrup is a fantastic approach to changing your culinary routine without compromising tasty results.

Balsamic vinegar is a popular ingredient often used in a variety of meals, including salad dressings, marinades, and sauces.

But is balsamic vinegar Keto friendly?

It would be best if you visited my most recent article for answers to this. Here I addressed what keto diets are and how balsamic vinegar factors in. I have a handy chart that shows exactly how many net carbs appear in all the different types as well as the limits for each type of keto diet.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

14. Balsamic Vinaigrette

Balsamic vinaigrette is an excellent alternative to regular white vinegar you should consider.

You can easily buy this at the grocery stores or make it by adding extra virgin olive oil and good, aged balsamic vinegar. The result is a smooth yet tangy dressing that is delicious and adaptable.

While the balsamic in it will be dark red in color, the addition of olive oil will naturally make it lighter in color.

Typically, you can replace white balsamic vinegar with an equal amount of balsamic vinaigrette. The only difference when doing so is that you may need to change your proportions by adding a little extra balsamic vinegar if you wish to add additional acidity.

15. Palm Vinegar

If you’re searching for an excellent golden balsamic vinegar replacement at the grocery stores, consider trying palm vinegar. It adds a distinctive umami taste to any dish and is a surprisingly tasty and adaptable condiment.

The flavor is delicate and nuanced, with hints of smoke, apple, and several types of wood. Palm vinegar is also vegan-friendly and has less sugar than conventional balsamic vinegar.

Final Thoughts

There is a wide range of white balsamic vinegar substitutes you can always consider for a delicious meal. These substitutes will surely fit your needs, whether you need something sweeter, fruitier, or more acidic.

Rice vinegar, honey, and apple cider vinegar are all fantastic alternatives that add distinctive tastes to recipes. But the simplest method to choose the ideal substitute for your white balsamic vinegar is to try a few different kinds and see which suits your needs the best.

Check out all my ingredient substitution articles:

15 Best Substitutes for Achiote Paste & Powder

9 Best Agar Agar Substitutes

15 Best White Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes

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15 Fool-Proof Lyle’s Golden Syrup Substitute Options

Can I Substitute Maple Syrup for Honey?

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19 Best Substitutes for Potato Starch (and when to use them)

21 Best Paneer Substitutes (for your Indian recipes)

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The great vinegar massacre. Rice, red wine, cider, malt, black, white, balsamic, and a bottle of dry sherry as well. #moving #kitchen by Will Keightley is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.

Jeff Campbell
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