Have you ever stumbled across a recipe that calls for white vinegar when you only have apple cider vinegar on hand (or vice versa)? Don’t worry! In this article, we will answer the question, “Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar?” while also giving you information on what other substitutions might make the cut when you don’t have the right type of vinegar on hand.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- What Can I Use Instead of Cider Vinegar in a Recipe?
- What Can I Substitute For White Vinegar?
- Vinegar Substitute
- Can You Substitute White Vinegar For Apple Cider Vinegar For Health?
- White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar are Practically Interchangeable!

What Can I Use Instead of Cider Vinegar in a Recipe?
We’ve all been there.
There’s a recipe you love but are afraid to try because you don’t have the right ingredients on hand. Whether you’re wondering about Flour Substitutes For Frying When There’s No Flour or are looking for Egg Substitutes for Frying Chicken and Other Food, we have no doubt you’ve had your fair share of experiences worrying about substitutions for ingredients in recipes.
Thankfully, if you find a recipe that calls for apple cider vinegar–or ACV for short– you have plenty of options.
Check out the following substitutions for apple cider vinegar:
- White Vinegar
- White Wine Vinegar
- Lime Juice
- Lemon Juice
- Orange Juice
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Malt Vinegar
What Can I Substitute For White Vinegar?
When substituting for white vinegar, you’ll have to be careful because what you use will depend on your recipe. Nevertheless, the following tend to be excellent substitutions for white vinegar:
- Malt Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- White Balsamic Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Lime Juice
- White Wine
- Champagne Vinegar

Vinegar Substitute
Substitute For Apple Cider Vinegar
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar for recipes?
Yes, you can!
In most instances, this substitution will occur at a 1:1 ratio. Just know that apple cider vinegar may cause your finished product to be darker and more mellow tasting than if you would have used white vinegar.
Can you substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar?
Yes, however in sweeter recipes, you may consider using lemon or lime juice instead to keep with the sweetness of the dish.
Still, even if you use white vinegar, you aren’t likely to notice a much of a difference.
Can you substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce?
White vinegar can be substituted for apple cider vinegar in BBQ sauce by doing the following:1.
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of white vinegar to apple cider vinegar at a 1:1 ratio.
- Add a tiny dash of citrus juice to your white vinegar to make up for the fruity flavor that will be lacking.
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar when poaching eggs?
Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for white vinegar when poaching eggs by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of apple cider vinegar to white vinegar, one for one.
Note: Any sort of light vinegar will work for poached eggs.
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar in deviled eggs?
Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for white vinegar in deviled eggs by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- When mixing your cooked yolks with other ingredients such as mustard, salt, and pepper, match the amount of apple cider vinegar to white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio.
Can you substitute apple cider with white vinegar for popcorn balls?
Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for white vinegar when making popcorn balls by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of white vinegar to apple cider vinegar at a 1:1 ratio, though this may yield a slightly fruiter/sweeter popcorn ball than white vinegar.
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar when making pasta salad mix?
Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for white vinegar when making pasta salad mix by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of white vinegar to apple cider vinegar, one-for-one in your pasta salad mix, noting that the flavor will be mostly similar, but slightly fruitier when you do.
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar in pickles?
Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for white vinegar when making pickles, but know that the color of your pickles may be slightly darker.
In addition, you’ll likely pick up on the fruitier notes of apple cider vinegar when making pickles than you will in most other recipes. Make sure you are okay with that before attempting to use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar when making pickles.
Substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar when making pickles by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of apple cider vinegar to white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio.

Can you substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar in baking?
White vinegar can be substituted for apple cider vinegar by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- Use the same amount of white vinegar as apple cider vinegar in the recipe.
- Add a tiny dash of citrus juice to your white vinegar to make up for the fruity flavor that will be lacking or simply replace the apple cider vinegar with lemon or lime juice instead of the white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio for sweeter dishes.
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar in canning?
Just like with pickling, you’ll want to note that canning with apple cider vinegar, provided that it is 5% strength or higher, won’t be much different than using white vinegar. It may, however, impart a darker color and a mellower flavor than would white vinegar.
With the aforementioned information in mind, using apple cider vinegar for white vinegar when canning by doing the following:
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of apple cider vinegar to white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio.
- Continue with the canning process as normal.
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar for white for chili sauce?
Replace apple cider vinegar for white vinegar when making chili sauce by:
- Observe your recipe.
- Match the amount of apple cider vinegar to white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio.
Can You Substitute White Vinegar For Apple Cider Vinegar For Health?
Technically yes, but if you are using white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for health benefits, it is important to note that your white vinegar will not have the “mother” in it that ACV contains which has so many beneficial nutrients for your health.
Still, white vinegar has its slew of health benefits, though you may want to add a little citrus to your vinegar if you plan to drink it in your water.
White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar are Practically Interchangeable!
Aside from a few minor differences, white vinegar and apple cider vinegar are interchangeable in most cases.
Just remember that in some processes, such as pickling and canning, the outcome may be more noticeable in terms of color and flavor when using either type.
Otherwise, both white and apple cider vinegar are excellent substitutes for one another!