Making a recipe that calls for balsamic vinegar and don’t have it? Balsamic vinegar is a popular Italian type of vinegar that is very dark in color. The flavor is like no other type of vinegar: it’s tangy, sweet, complex, with undertones of fig, molasses and cherry. It’s often reduced into a thick balsamic glaze that’s drizzled over salads, pizza, or crostini. Balsamic vinegar easy to find at your local grocery, but don’t have time to shop for it? Here are some substitute ideas.
Best balsamic vinegar substitute
1. Red wine vinegar + maple syrup or honey
The best substitute for balsamic vinegar? Here’s how to make a stand-in for balsamic: mix 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar with 2 teaspoons maple syrup. Adding sweetness to red wine vinegar gets close to the complexity and roundness in flavor of balsamic. When we tried this in a taste test, it did taste remarkably close. If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use honey or sugar (simply stir until the sugar dissolves. Keep in mind: Do not use this substitute in any recipes with “balsamic” in the title. If you’re making Balsamic Reduction or Balsamic Vinaigrette, you’ve gotta have the real thing. (Sorry.)
Related recipes
Here are some recipes where you could use this balsamic vinegar substitution:
Creamy Balsamic DressingStrawberry Salad with Balsamic VinaigretteBeet Salad with Balsamic DressingBlackberry Salad with Balsamic VinaigrettePerfect Spinach SaladBlistered TomatoesFresh Tomato SaladTomato Basil PastaGrilled Cabbage Wedges
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