10 Best White Wine Vinegar Substitutes

If you need white wine vinegar substitutes, you’re in the right place.

From rice and sherry to balsamic and honey vinegars, there’s plenty to choose from.

Just about everyone has a bottle of white wine vinegar in their pantry because it’s versatile and affordable. 

Plus, it’s just the thing for adding a touch of acidity to dressings, sauces, and marinades.

But what do you do when you run out? 

Use something else, of course!

If there’s one thing you must be while cooking, it’s flexible. So let’s check out some of the best white wine vinegar substitutes so you can finish dinner.

10 Easy Substitutes for White Wine Vinegar

The best replacements for white wine vinegar are vinegars mixed with other flavors.

You’ll want that second flavor to be sweet or bright to help your dish retain its signature tangy taste.

Champagne vinegar works best. However, you can move beyond alcohol for your flavor combo.

For example, honey vinegar and rice vinegar make suitable replacements, too.

The following lists ten of the best white wine vinegar substitutes. I’ll also tell you how much of each you should add, so keep reading!

1. Champagne Vinegar 

The best substitute for white wine vinegar is Champagne vinegar.

The two smell and even look the same. And while their flavor profiles are slightly different, it’s not super noticeable. 

Champagne vinegar is lighter, so you’ll need to add a bit more. The general ratio is 1.5 to 1. 

This should work well in pretty much every recipe. But if you’re making a dressing, you may need to reduce the other liquids slightly so it’s not too thin.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 1/2 tablespoons of Champagne vinegar.

2. Lemon Juice + White Wine

Lemon juice on its own isn’t my favorite white wine vinegar substitute.

Yes, it’s naturally acidic and has plenty of bright, tart flavor. But it lacks depth and sweetness.

That’s why you’ll add white wine!

This simple blend is my go-to because I always have lemons and white wine in the house.

Plus, it mimics white wine vinegar in a way some other swaps can’t.

You can use white vinegar instead of lemon juice if you prefer. But I enjoy the citrus of lemon and find it more well-rounded.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice + 1/2 tablespoon of white wine.

3. Sherry Vinegar

Sherry vinegar and white wine vinegar have similar flavor profiles, so it’s safe to use them interchangeably.

Sherry is a little lighter and sweeter, but not by too much.

It’s also a bit fruity, but that won’t change the taste of the recipe too much.

You can use this replacement in practically any recipe that calls for white wine vinegar.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of sherry vinegar.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple cider vinegar is another popular substitute for white wine vinegar. And honestly, it’s mostly because it’s convenient.

In fact, it’s probably more common in most people’s pantries than white wine vinegar.

It has a tarter, zestier taste than white wine vinegar. And it may even add a slight fruitiness to some recipes. 

Therefore, it works best in dishes with bright, fresh flavors. Dressings and sauces benefit from it, but I don’t always enjoy it in marinades.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

5. Rice Vinegar 

Rice vinegar is much more prevalent in Asian cuisine than American. Even so, you can use it instead of white wine vinegar in a pinch. 

It has a mildly sweet flavor and is less acidic than white wine vinegar. But it works in marinades, sauces, salads, and more.

Just be sure to get rice wine vinegar and not seasoned rice vinegar. The latter has added sugars and salts, which you’ll notice in the final dish.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar.

6. Honey Vinegar 

Honey vinegar isn’t something we use in the U.S. that often. It’s hugely popular in Italy, Spain, and other European countries, though. 

If you do happen to have some on hand, you’re in luck: it’s an easy one-to-one substitute for white wine vinegar.

In fact, the two have very similar tastes. It’s not quite as spot-on as Champagne vinegar, but it’s close – especially if you lift it with a squeeze of lemon juice.

And you can use it in practically any recipe that calls for white wine vinegar.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of honey vinegar.

7. Red Wine Vinegar

Champagne vinegar is the best substitute for white wine vinegar.

But red wine vinegar is probably its most common substitute. That’s because it’s so much easier to find.

Just as white wine is more robust than Champagne, red wine is stronger than white.

So, in most recipes, red wine vinegar will be a little more noticeable than white. And, of course, you’ll see the color in light recipes.

You may notice subtle flavor differences, too.

For example, recipes with red wine vinegar will be a little more acidic. Most people won’t notice, though, and if they do, they generally don’t mind.

This replacement works best in dressings and marinades.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.

8. White Vinegar + Sugar + Water

Believe it or not, you can also use regular old white vinegar to replace white wine vinegar.

However, to do so, you’ll have to do a little kitchen alchemy. 

Here’s the recipe you’ll need to replace one tablespoon of white wine vinegar: 

• 3/4 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/4 tablespoon water
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon sugar (adjust to taste)

White vinegar has less natural sweetness than pure lemon juice. Therefore, to make it an adequate substitute, you must add sugar.

Just don’t overdo it. 

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and sugar solution.

9. Balsamic Vinegar

This one might surprise you since balsamic vinegar has a much more robust flavor than white wine vinegar.

That’s why I recommend only using a small amount as a substitute.

Start slow and add more as needed. Otherwise, it can quickly overpower everything else in the mix.

That said, it works well in a pinch. Especially in recipes with other bold flavors.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1/2 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.

10. Fruit Vinegar

Most people are familiar with apple cider vinegar. But that’s not the only fruit-based vinegar you can buy.

There are various fruit and berry vinegars, all with distinct flavors. 

Of course, certain flavors work better than others. 

For example, orange vinegar and pear vinegar have lighter, brighter tastes. Therefore, they work better as replacements for white wine vinegar than plum or mango vinegars.

Most swap out at a one-to-one ratio. However, you may want to add less to begin with.

How to Substitute: Swap 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar with 1/2 tablespoon of fruit vinegar. Add more as needed.

Other Great Substitutes to Keep On Hand

Red Wine Vinegar Substitutes
Soy Sauce Substitutes
Buttermilk Substitutes
Mirin Substitutes