Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for apple cider vinegar
Best swap for apple cider vinegar: White wine vinegar, 1:1; less fruity, slightly sharper.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Apple Cider Vinegar?
The best swap for Apple Cider Vinegar is White Wine Vinegar, 1:1; less fruity, slightly sharper. Another option is Lemon Juice, 1:1; fresh acidity, no apple note. A third option is Rice Vinegar, 1:1; milder and slightly sweeter. All 3 swaps are in the table below.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| White wine vinegar | 1:1; less fruity, slightly sharper |
| Lemon juice | 1:1; fresh acidity, no apple note Limits: Pickling and canning, where tested recipes depend on vinegar of known acidity. |
| Rice vinegar | 1:1; milder and slightly sweeter |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- National Center for Home Food Preservation, General Information on Pickling (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.