3 Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes That Give That Same Tangy Flavor
Here's what to use instead.
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Balsamic vinegar, like a lot of vinegars, is a kitchen staple that comes in handy fairly often. Whether you’re enjoying fresh baked bread, making a salad dressing, or creating a sauce or marinade, the rich and dark, sweet and sour nature of balsamic vinegar proves useful and delicious.
But what if you don’t have any in your cabinets at the moment? What is the best balsamic vinegar substitute to use? Thankfully, there’s a few simple fixes to get the same tangy flavor.
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What is Balsamic Vinegar?
Balsamic Vinegar originates from Modena, Italy. It is made from fermented wine grapes aged for years in barrels. It is sweet and fruity but also tangy as all vinegar is. Balsamic vinegar is so versatile, and that’s one reason we love it. But traditionally, this vinegar was used for antipasto recipes, meats and fish, salads, and sometimes fresh fruit.
What to Substitute for Balsamic Vinegar
Vinegar and Sugar: Use a simple ratio of red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar and sugar when creating a substitute for balsamic vinegar. Red wine vinegar will be more similar to balsamic. For every tablespoon of vinegar, add ½ teaspoon granulated sugar, brown sugar, or honey. Balsamic vinegar is sweet, so it is important to replicate that if you are trying to make do with what you have. If you want the consistency to be as similar as the real thing, brown sugar will help create a thicker, molasses texture as would honey. If it is not quite sweet or thick enough, just add more sweetener.
Red Wine Vinegar, Soy Sauce, and Grape Jelly: Since balsamic is made from grapes, adding grape jelly to red wine vinegar might not be the worst idea. Combine one tablespoon of red wine vinegar, one teaspoon of grape jelly and ½ teaspoon of soy sauce for a little savory richness. The result is a tangy sauce that mimics the real thing well.
Balsamic Vinaigrette: If you didn't realize balsamic vinegar and balsamic vinaigrette are different ingredients, you're not alone. What is the main difference between the two? Balsamic vinaigrette is mixed with olive oil and often used in dishes like salads as a dressing, but it still works well as a substitute for vinegar. Olive oil will not hurt many recipes that balsamic will go on. In fact, it might even help bring out more flavor in your food.
Read the original article on All Recipes.
