What is Balsamic Vinegar
I have been cooking for years now, and I have proven that some things in the kitchen are better when they are aged. There’s nonna and her cooking, there’s wine, there’s cheese, and there’s vinegar.
But this aged vinegar is not just your ordinary vinegar it’s actually more like a wine than vinegar–it’s the sweet, tangy, glimmering black liquid of balsamic vinegar.
Premium Balsamic Vinegar– Blazing Bella (500ml)
What is in balsamic vinegar
What is balsamic vinegar made of/from: From Trebbiano white grapes must (whole pressed grapes together with juice, skin, seeds, and stems), balsamic vinegar is a prized Italian possession that has a royalty background since 1000 AD.
Health benefits of balsamic vinegar: You know why it’s a prized possession? Because making this delicate condiment is painstakingly laborious yet equally heavenly satisfying when tasted.
With countless of recipes you can do with balsamic vinegar, it’s no wonder you can run out of it. You may also think twice about buying one because of its “royal” price range when there are commercial-grade ones that do not match the level of delicacy.
When I mean “royal”, I mean $400 a bottle of the so-called Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale of either Modena or Reggio Emilia, Italy. So, it’s really important to have the slightest idea of the taste and kind of original, traditional balsamic vinegar to be on the right
path of flavor or color substitutions.
This is also one of the reasons why we have substitutes for balsamic vinegar–the authentic is just super expensive and the taste is way incomparable with the ones at your local grocery store.
So, our list includes balsamic vinegar variants and some recipes you may have to whip it up yourself. These recipes do not involve any barrel and will not harm your Cinderella tippy toes, so don’t worry and let’s begin.
7 Balsamic Vinegar Substitute
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Fruity vinegar and sugar
For me, the easiest and the fastest substitute for balsamic vinegar is 1 tablespoon of apple cider mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar. This equation can replace 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
You have the tanginess of apple and the molassey-sweetness of sugar that almost replicates the sweetly sour balsamic vinegar. You may also opt to use fruity vinegar in place of apple cider.
Make sure you mix them well to dilute all that sugar crystals and have a perfect dressing for your salad.
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Red Wine Vinegar and Sugar
Considered the best substitute for balsamic vinegar is red wine vinegar. For 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, you need one 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of white or brown sugar.
Brown sugar has that oaky taste of the balsamic vinegar’s barrel but you can also replace the brown or white sugar with honey (using the same measurement for the sweeteners) for your fish recipe.
Why not give sherry wine vinegar a try and to replace red wine vinegar in this recipe? It will surely give a different flavor profile to your dish.
You might think red wine vinegar is exactly what balsamic vinegar is, right? Well, you’re absolutely mistaken. From origin to production process, down to its color and taste, there are lot more differences than similarities with red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar.
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Non-fruity Vinegar and Sugar
You have probably used this white acidic liquid in your cooking as often as the seasons change or you have probably used it for life hacks instead, am I correct?
Well, I don’t blame you because even Reader’s Digest has 150 uses of vinegar and even cooking is not one of them.
So in a small pot, you’re going to use 5 cups of any vinegar mixed with 1 cup of sugar that you will cook in low heat until all the sugar is dissolved. To match the color of black beauty of balsamic vinegar, you may use brown rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar.
Both brown and Chinese black vinegar came from rice and is meticulously prepared like their cousin. You can also make your own homemade brown rice vinegar.
Let it cool first before using with your roasted vegetable lasagne or just drizzle to your brunch meal.
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Balsamic Vinaigrette
The only difference between balsamic vinegar to its vinaigrette counterpart is olive oil. Basically, it’s a 3-to-1 ratio—3 parts oil and 1 part vinegar. If you watch this, balsamic vinaigrette is so easy to make and is best to replace balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing.
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Malt vinegar
If balsamic vinegar may have an oaky flair to it, malt vinegar has some barley beer-y goodness to it. Malt vinegar is an excellent substitute for balsamic vinegar if you’re going for a more intense taste than a mellow one.
Just tone the malt vinegar down with some sugar (according to your taste) to achieve the balance in balsamic. Make sure to completely dissolve the granules before using them.
It’s an incredible gastrique to try with your balsamic vinegar recipes.
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Lemon juice, molasses, soy sauce
This recipe is not only easy to make but easy to remember, too! You just need equal parts of lemon juice, syrup, and soy sauce.
For 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, you just need 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of molasses, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or its substitutes. If you don’t have or can’t find molasses, brown sugar syrup or brown rice syrup is good to go.
No need for heating so just mix everything in a bowl and whisk with a fork. Adjust accordingly to taste: too sweet—add more lemon juice, too sour—add more syrup.
You can now create a gastronomic balsamic vinegar dessert like no other.
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Balsamic vinegar from wine
In this recipe, you can use any kind of red wine but make sure it’s less than 12 % alcohol content. Wines with a higher alcohol percentage than 12 will not metabolize the vinegar bacteria.
Before starting, you need to prepare:
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- 1 purpose-made vinegar crock
- 100 percent nebbiolo wine, such as barbareso, barolo or roero riserva
- 1 mother of vinegar (mycoderma acetic)
- Cheesecloth
- Coffee filter
- Sieve or fine strainer
- 2 1/2 cups of sugar
- 1-gallon glass jar
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Dilute the wine with a wine bottle full of distilled water.
- Add the mother of vinegar (the gelatinous acidic strain of bacteria in vinegar) to a purpose-made crock with a spigot at the bottom.
- Pour in the wine.
- Cover the wine with three layers of cheesecloth and use a rubber bank or kitchen string to secure them to the vinegar crock.
- Place the vinegar crock in a dark room with 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. The basement, attic, and even the closet work. You can set the crock inside a cardboard box in a room with the required temperature range.
- Leave the crock alone for 3 months and you’ll know it’s ready when you smell it.
- Strain the vinegar through a sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth over a new container. Dispose of the mother of vinegar.
- To make sure no more impurities, strain the vinegar once more using a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
- Put the vinegar in a saucepan and add 2 1/2 cups of sugar.
- In medium heat, simmer the vinegar mixture and let it reduce by half in quantity. Now, transfer the vinegar to your sanitized 1-gallon glass jar.
- Using clean and dry cheesecloth, cover the glass jar with three layers of cheesecloth. Return the vinegar in the dark area to age for at least two months. The longer the aging process, the deeper the depth of flavor.
Conclusion
It’s never easy to substitute something as unique as balsamic vinegar. But in case of running out of the authentic ones, these substitutes are a dish savior!
You might want to stock one expensive, authentic bottle of balsamic vinegar and be
creative with the 7 cheap and easy options we had today. Here’s a plus recipe for
Balsamic reduction, in case you went all-out with your balsamic vinegar.
Now you have the tricks of the trade, you better watch out on how to properly use balsamic vinegar.
I know you have some tricks of your own. Can you share your tips with us in the comments sections below or tell me which substitute for balsamic vinegar did you find most interesting? Most clever? Or most unexpected?
Tune in for a more exciting substitution technique next time!
FAQs
Q: What can I use if I don’t have balsamic vinegar?
A: You can use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or sherry vinegar as a substitute. These alternatives offer a similar tangy flavor.
Q: Is there a non-vinegar substitute for balsamic vinegar?
A: Yes, you can use a combination of grape juice and a bit of lemon juice or a mixture of honey and soy sauce for a non-vinegar alternative.
Q: Can I use regular white vinegar instead of balsamic?
A: White vinegar can be used, but it’s more acidic and lacks the sweetness of balsamic. Consider adding a bit of sugar to balance the flavor.
Q: What’s a good balsamic vinegar substitute in salad dressings?
A: For salad dressings, you can use lemon or lime juice mixed with honey or maple syrup for a fresh and slightly sweet flavor.
Q: Is there a balsamic vinegar substitute that works in marinades?
A: Yes, for marinades, use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar mixed with a little brown sugar for a similar depth of flavor.
Q: What can I use instead of balsamic vinegar in a glaze?
A: For a glaze, a reduction of red grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar is a great substitute, providing both the sweetness and acidity of balsamic.
Q: Are there any store-bought balsamic vinegar substitutes?
A: Yes, some stores sell balsamic vinegar blends or reductions that are less expensive but still provide a similar flavor profile.
