How Much Cider Vinegar to Substitute for Balsamic Vinegar
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Cider Vinegar brings a noticeably different flavor than Balsamic Vinegar.
How much cider vinegar equals one Balsamic Vinegar?
Use 1 tbsp cider vinegar per 1 tbsp balsamic.
Health notes
Compared with Balsamic Vinegar, Cider Vinegar has: less calories (21 vs 88 per 100g in Balsamic Vinegar) and less carbs (0.9g vs 17g per 100g in Balsamic Vinegar).
Using cider vinegar as a balsamic vinegar substitute in baking
Use 1:1 but add a small spoon of sugar or honey since cider vinegar lacks balsamic's natural sweetness.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 works for deglazing; sharper and more pungent than balsamic's rounder tang.
- Slow Cook
1:1; mellows some over time but stays sharper than balsamic throughout.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in dressings; expect a sharper, more apple-forward tang.
- Drinks
1:1 works in shrubs or drinks wanting a fruitier, sharper acid note.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Frying
Not recommended: thin liquid won't crisp or coat fried food.
- Grilling
Not recommended: too thin to build a glaze under direct grill heat.
- Steaming
Not recommended: better as a finishing drizzle than cooked into steam.
FAQ
- How much cider vinegar equals one Balsamic Vinegar?
Use 1 tbsp cider vinegar per 1 tbsp balsamic.
- Can I substitute cider vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar in baking?
Yes. Use 1:1 but add a small spoon of sugar or honey since cider vinegar lacks balsamic's natural sweetness. Not recommended: thin liquid won't crisp or coat fried food.
- How much cider vinegar to use as a balsamic vinegar substitute?
Sharper and more apple-forward; add a spoon of honey to close the sweetness gap.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
Cider vinegar brings a noticeably different flavor than balsamic vinegar.
- How does texture change when substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
Cider vinegar thin and watery, stays that way when heated; won't build a syrupy glaze.
- What else should I know about substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
For braises, marinades, and dressings. Expect a sharper, more pungent tang with no syrupy reduction potential. Skip glazes, grilling, and steaming since it stays thin and won't caramelize. Add a spoon of honey or brown sugar to mimic balsamic's sweetness.
- What still works when substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
Cider vinegar still works as a acid, flavor carrier, and preservative.
- What won't work when substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
Cider vinegar won't work as a sweetener and glaze.
- How well does Cider Vinegar match Balsamic Vinegar?
Cider vinegar is stretch on structure, okay on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
Cider vinegar has about x4 fewer calories. Overall, fat and sat. fat are similar. Cider vinegar has no protein, while balsamic vinegar has some.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Cider Vinegar for Balsamic Vinegar?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet, more acidic, more pungent, and less umami notes.