Apple cider vinegar is a result of fermenting apple juice until it becomes acidic. This food item has been around for a long time. It is usually added as an ingredient in vinaigrette, salads, chutney, sauces, bbq sauces as well as marinades. Apple cider vinegar has a long shelf life and it can also be used for medicinal purposes, however, there is no sound evidence to suggest that it has true health properties. Even though, this ingredient is important when it comes to pickling foods, or adding acid to your meals. Because it comes from apples, apple cider vinegar is a bit sweeter and darker in colour. There may be times when you run out of apple cider vinegar for your various recipes. Below are some of the best alternatives to apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce.
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Lemon Or Lime Juice
One of the best substitutes for apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce is lemon or lime juice. Since you can use apple cider vinegar in a lot of recipes in order to add acid and sweetness, a good replacement would be using lemon or lime juice for your sauce. This alternative is perfect for preparing ribs, pulled pork, and other thick sauces in addition to BBQ sauce. You can make use of both lemon or lime, but lemon will add a little more sweetness to your dish, although lime juice can also work. Lemon or lime juice is not that difficult to find you can find lemons or lime juice in any grocery store or even in convenience stores nearby. In order to add more sweetness, you can sprinkle a bit of brown sugar while you prepare your dish. To replace apple cider vinegar with lemons or lime juice simply add one tablespoon of lemon or lime juice for every tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into your sauce.
Rice Vinegar
Rice wine vinegar can also be a great substitute for apple cider vinegar. It is sour and sweet, which is a great thing when you need to replace it with apple cider vinegar in your BBQ sauce. Normally, rice wine vinegar is reserved for Asian cuisines, but it works well in making BBQ dishes, such as sauces, pulled pork, ribs, and even coleslaw. To replace your apple cider vinegar with rice wine vinegar you can use a one to one ratio, simply add the same amount you would use when adding apple cider vinegar to your recipe. If you decide to use rice wine vinegar as a replacement for apple cider vinegar try using one that has been purchased at the local grocery store or an organic market. You can add a little bit more sugar if you want a little sweetness to your dish, but only add some sugar later because this vinegar can be very sweet.
Red Wine Vinegar
Also on our list of some of the best substitutes for apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce is red wine vinegar. Red wine vinegar comes from the fermentation of red wine into acetic acid, so it has a bit of that fruity flavour from the grapes. You can add red wine vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar to any dark sauce, such as BBQ, or dishes like stews, brisket, pulled pork, or ribs. Because it comes from a sweet fruit, apple cider vinegar is not necessarily as acidic as apple cider vinegar so you must add half a tablespoon more for every tablespoon of apple cider vinegar you replace. You can buy red wine vinegar in any grocery store, usually by the marinades and dressings section. You can also use red wine vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar when making salad dressings. If you want to add more tartness, consider adding a splash of lime juice to your recipe.
White Vinegar
Another great alternative for apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce is white vinegar. Take note that white vinegar is not the best alternative choice but it works when it comes to adding acidity to your recipe. You can also add white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar when you are pickling, making broth, sweet and sour sauces, or salad dressings. However, you may need to add a splash of lemon juice for a little bit of a more fruity flavour. To replace apple cider vinegar with white vinegar use the same amount of white vinegar, but taste as you go and add some lemon juice, if you need to. You can also find white vinegar in any grocery or convenience store.
Sherry Vinegar
Also on our list of some of the best alternatives for apple cider vinegar is sherry vinegar. Sherry vinegar is very different from the rest of the other types of vinegar because it is made from the fermentation of the fortified wine sherry. It has a tartness to it, but it also has a sweet and nutty flavour. You can use sherry vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar when preparing sauces and marinades, such as sweet and sour sauce or salad dressings. Simply use a 1 to 1 ratio when using it in place of apple cider vinegar for your sauce and other recipes. Keep in mind that finding sherry vinegar can be hard but your local grocery store may have it. Sherry vinegar is also great for adding body and colour to your recipe so try it out as a substitute and use it whenever you feel that the flavours will mix well.
Champagne Vinegar
Champagne vinegar is also another great substitute for apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce. This vinegar, as the name suggests, is a product of fermenting champagne into acetic acid. It has a flavour that is sharp and a bit tangy, but it also has a little bit of sweetness to it. Champagne vinegar also works great in making sauces, marinades, dressings, and can even be used in some broths. To use champagne vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar simply use a one to one ratio but you may need to add a bit of sweetener as well.
