How Much Rice Vinegar to Substitute for Lemon Juice
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Rice Vinegar comes across milder than Lemon Juice.
How much rice vinegar equals one tbsp lemon juice?
Use 3/4 tbsp rice vinegar per tbsp lemon juice.
Health notes
Compared with Lemon Juice, Rice Vinegar has: less calories (18 vs 22 per 100g in Lemon Juice) and less carbs (0g vs 6.9g per 100g in Lemon Juice).
Using rice vinegar as a lemon juice substitute in baking
Use 3/4 tbsp rice vinegar per tbsp lemon juice; milder acid, no citrus aroma.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
3/4 tbsp per tbsp juice; good in stir-fries and Asian-style pan sauces.
- Slow Cook
3/4 tbsp per tbsp juice; gentle tang that fits braises with soy or ginger.
- Steaming
3/4 tbsp per tbsp juice; drizzle over steamed fish or vegetables.
- Raw Cold
3/4 tbsp per tbsp juice in dressings; softer tang, less bright than lemon.
- Drinks
3/4 tbsp per tbsp juice; unusual in citrus drinks, better suited to savory mixes.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Frying
Not recommended: thin liquid won't crisp and adds nothing to the fry.
- Grilling
Not recommended: too mild to stand up as a finishing splash on grilled food.
FAQ
- How much rice vinegar equals one tbsp lemon juice?
3/4 tbsp. For a typical recipe:
- 1 tbsp lemon juice → 0.75 tbsp
- 2 tbsp lemon juices → 1.5 tbsp
- 3 tbsp lemon juices → 2.25 tbsp
- Can I substitute rice vinegar for Lemon Juice in baking?
Yes. Use 3/4 tbsp rice vinegar per tbsp lemon juice; milder acid, no citrus aroma. Not recommended: thin liquid won't crisp and adds nothing to the fry.
- How much rice vinegar to use as a lemon juice substitute?
Milder and rounder than lemon, with no citrus aroma; add a little zest to bring back brightness.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
Rice vinegar comes across milder than lemon juice.
- How does texture change when substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
Rice vinegar same thin, watery liquid with no pulp; no thickening or texture change under heat.
- What else should I know about substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
For stir-fries, dressings, and braises. Expect a milder, rounder tang without the citrus aroma lemon brings. Skip grilling and frying, where a stronger finishing acid or crisp texture matters. Best in dishes already leaning on soy, ginger, or sesame flavors.
- What still works when substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
Rice vinegar still works as a acid and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
Rice vinegar won't work as a tenderizer.
- How well does Rice Vinegar match Lemon Juice?
Rice vinegar is good on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
Rice vinegar is slightly lower in calories. Rice vinegar has no fat, sat. fat, and protein, while lemon juice has some.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Rice Vinegar for Lemon Juice?
The flavor shifts toward less acidic, less bitter, and more umami notes.