You’re midway through making your stir-fry only to find you don’t have any rice vinegar left. Have no fear! There are a number of pantry staples you can use to mimic rice vinegar’s sweet and sour flavor in all your favorite dishes.
What Is Rice Vinegar?
Rice vinegar, also known as rice wine vinegar, is a type of vinegar made from fermented rice. The vinegar actually undergoes two fermentation processes: First, to convert the sugar into alcohol (rice wine) and then to acid. The result is a slightly tangy, acidic flavor that is more mild than that of white vinegar or red wine vinegar, but not as sweet as rice wine (a.k.a. mirin).
The ingredient is a staple in many Asian cuisines, and is often used to add flavor to sushi rice, dressings, sauces, pickles, and stir fries. It’s available in white, brown, black, and red varieties, depending on the type of rice used.
Rice Vinegar Substitutes
If you find yourself without rice vinegar and you don’t want to make a run to the store, there are several pantry staple ingredients that can be used as a substitute for rice vinegar in a pinch:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
The closest match to rice vinegar’s sweet-to-sour ratio is apple cider vinegar. Both are more mild and share a subtle sweetness. Unsurprisingly, apple cider vinegar does have a hint of apple flavor, but it’s quite subtle and translates to some dishes more than others, like pickling recipes for example.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar to rice vinegar.
2. White Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar is your next best option behind apple cider vinegar. Its mild flavor is similar to rice vinegar and won’t overpower the dish. It’s a good bit more acidic than rice vinegar, but you can sweeten it up by adding ¼ teaspoon sugar for every tablespoon of vinegar.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of white wine vinegar to rice vinegar.
3. Champagne Vinegar
Another wine vinegar with a delicate flavor suitable for using in place of rice vinegar is Champagne vinegar. It pairs especially well with seafood marinades and sauces.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of Champagne vinegar to rice vinegar.
4. Sherry Vinegar
The final wine vinegar to make the list is sherry vinegar. It has a subtle sweetness and nuttiness that makes it similar in taste to rice vinegar.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of sherry vinegar to rice vinegar.
5. Lemon or Lime Juice
This one might seem out of place, but lemon or lime juice is going to add that acidity that your dish is missing without rice vinegar. However, both leave a distinct citrus flavor that may or may not work with the recipe you’re making.
- Use a 2:1 ratio of citrus juice to rice vinegar, or to taste.
6. Mirin (Rice Wine)
Although rice wine is essentially rice vinegar without the acid, it’s not our top choice as a substitute for rice vinegar. It does add a similar umami flavor, and can be substituted for rice vinegar in a pinch, but it will add significant sweetness to your dish. You can attempt to counteract this sweetness by leaving out any additional sweeteners called for in your recipe.
- Use a 1:1 ratio of rice wine to rice vinegar.
Can You Substitute White Vinegar for Rice Vinegar?
Pure distilled white vinegar is hiding in just about every kitchen cabinet, but it’s far too harsh to be a suitable substitute for rice vinegar. It’s on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to acidity, which is why it’s often used for household cleaning.
Recipes That Use Rice Vinegar
Now that you know what you can and can’t sub for rice vinegar, check out these top-rated recipes that put the condiment to use.
- Ahi Sushi Cups
- Perfect Sushi Rice
- Rice Vinegar Basting Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce and Marinade
- Easy Asian Dipping Sauce
Related:
- How to Make Perfect Sushi Rice at Home
- The Differences Between the Six Most Popular Types of Vinegar
- Browse our entire collection of Asian Recipes.
