What Is Apple cider vinegar and How Can I Use It?

Apple cider vinegar rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 689 recipes to cook with it.

What is apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is fermented apple juice. Yeast turns the sugar into alcohol, then acetobacter bacteria turn that alcohol into acetic acid. Most bottles land at 5 percent acidity, the same strength as standard white vinegar, but the flavor is softer and faintly fruity rather than purely sharp.

That gentler edge is why it shows up across so much of the savory pantry. It sharpens dressings, balances braises, cuts the fat in chili, and carries the tang in barbecue and marinades without the chemical bite of distilled white vinegar.

Raw versions look cloudy because they still hold the "mother," a haze of cellulose and bacteria. It is harmless. Shake it back in.

Cooking With Cider Vinegar

Acid is the job here. A splash at the end of a long-cooked dish wakes up flavors that had gone flat, which is why it goes into bean dishes and stews near the finish, the way it does in this Lean Healthy Grass-Fed Beef Chili.

It also pulls double duty in slaws and warm salads, where its fruitiness reads as part of the dressing rather than a correction. A poppy seed dressing leans on exactly that in Poppy Seed Fruited Slaw.

In marinades the acid loosens the surface of meat and seasons it deep. It does real work in sticky glazed wings like Mahogany Chicken Wings with Green Papaya Salad, and it anchors pickling brines, where its mild flavor lets the spices lead.

Pairing and Common Mistakes

Cider vinegar loves pork, cabbage, apples, onions, mustard, honey, and warm spices like clove and allspice. It is the backbone of Carolina barbecue sauce and German lentils, and it sings against anything sweet or fatty that needs a counterweight.

The usual mistake is adding it too early and boiling it hard. Much of the bright top note cooks off, leaving only flat sourness, so stir the finishing splash in off the heat or in the last minute.

The other trap is treating it as a one-for-one swap for white vinegar in clear pickles or for cleaning, where its color and apple flavor are not wanted.

Substitutes

White wine vinegar is the closest stand-in: same 5 percent acidity, similar soft fruitiness, swap it one for one. Plain distilled white vinegar works in a pinch but is sharper and flavorless, so use a little less and expect a harder edge.

Rice vinegar is milder and slightly sweet, fine in dressings if you accept a gentler result. Lemon juice can cover a tablespoon or two in a dressing, though it brings citrus instead of apple. Balsamic changes both color and sweetness, so reach for it only when you want that.

Buying and Storing

For everyday cooking, plain filtered cider vinegar is perfectly good and cheaper. Choose raw, unfiltered "with the mother" if you want the cloudy character or plan to drink it diluted; the mother makes no difference once it hits a hot pan.

Read the label closely. You want "apple cider vinegar" at 5 percent acidity, not "apple cider flavored" vinegar, which is distilled vinegar with apple flavoring added.

Store it sealed in a cool, dark cupboard. The acidity is self-preserving, so an opened bottle keeps for years and never needs the fridge. Over time the mother may grow back as a cloudy blob or a slimy disc. That is normal, and the vinegar is still fine to use.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is usually found in the condiments section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Apple cider vinegar is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

苹果醋

British (UK) term

Apple cider vinegar

en français

vinaigre de cidre

en español

vinagre de sidra de manzana

How much does apple cider vinegar weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using apple cider vinegar

There are 689 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Light & Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes

Light and fluffy whole wheat pancakes are vegan and egg-free: soy milk and cider vinegar make a buttermilk-style batter that puffs up tender, with whole wheat pastry flour, cornmeal and cinnamon. A wholesome breakfast.

Blueberry Tarts

Individual blueberry tarts with a flaky vinegar-butter crust and cinnamon-spiced fresh berry filling. Dusted with powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream for a rustic summer dessert.

Cocoa Cookies

Egg-free, dairy-free cocoa cookies made with silken tofu, soy milk, and applesauce. Soft, fudgy, and dusted with powdered sugar. A vegan chocolate cookie that nobody will guess is plant-based. Makes 3 dozen.

Spiced Hummus

Spiced chickpea hummus blended with cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and tahini. Food processor makes it silky smooth. Chill before serving with pita or vegetables.

Collard Green Goodness

The first time I tried this version of the recipe, I ate it for all three meals. LOVED it! If you have leftovers, toss in a can of tomatoes, a can of white beans, and whatever veggies you have in the fridge, and make yourself a tasty soup.

Spiced Pickles

Spiced gherkin pickles layered with whole cloves and cinnamon, then bathed in a hot apple cider vinegar brine sweetened with sugar and dry mustard. An old Pennsylvania Dutch crock-pickle recipe with a sweet-tart bite.

Bill's Veggie Burgers

Lentil and potato veggie burgers bound with cornmeal and brightened with mustard, soy sauce and vegetable juice. Plant-based, freezer-friendly patties that hold their shape on the grill or in the oven.

Braised Leeks & Mushrooms

Savory and succulent, these braised leeks and shitake mushrooms are a delightful vegan dish that will leave you wanting more. This recipe combines the delicate flavors of leeks and shitake mushrooms with the rich taste of sherry and a hint of citrus from the orange. It's perfect for a cozy night in or to impress your guests at a dinner party.

Barbecued Flank Steak Sandwiches

Barbecued flank steak sandwiches pile thin-sliced steak tossed in a quick smoky-sweet chipotle BBQ sauce onto hoagie rolls with grilled red onion. Bold, saucy, and built for a fast cookout lunch.

Apple & Fennel Roast Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cranberry Chutney

Apple and Fennel Roast Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cranberry Chutney

Baked Potato Salad

Hot potato salad layered with a tangy mustard-vinegar sauce, green peppers, carrots, and melted cheese. A warm, vegetarian twist on classic potato salad.

Rich Tomato & Rice Soup

Vegan tomato rice soup blended creamy with soy milk and garlic, brightened by apple cider vinegar and finished with cooked rice and toasted sunflower seeds. Dairy-free comfort.

Amazing Roast Chicken with Honey Glaze

Wow, the chicken came out so moist and juicy. Roasting the chicken breast-side down at first really made a huge difference, which insured the juicy breasts. The honey glaze was an excellent addition to the chicken. We served it with mashed potato and honey-glazed carrots. A satisfying and delicious meal.

Gluten Free Casein Free Chocolate Avocado Muffins

Chocolate muffins packed with nutrients from an avocado you won't detect and protein from Quinoa Flakes!

Stolichnyi Salat - Table Salad or Russian Salad

Classic Russian Olivier salad with boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, chicken, apples, and orange in a creamy egg yolk, mayonnaise, and sour cream dressing. Chilled overnight for deep, layered flavor.

Black Bean Slaw with Soy Ginger Dressing

A delicious saw, love the idea of adding black bean into this crunchy and tasty slaw. The soy-ginger dressing goes deliciously well with all the veggies. A great side dish to be aside with summer BBQ.

Beets & Carrots with West Indian Spices

Sugar beets and carrots covered a sweet, tangy, warmly spiced coating. West Indian spices and ginger.

Austrian Quick Pickled Red Onions

Austrian quick pickled red onions in an apple cider brine with bay leaf, allspice and peppercorns. Bright pink, sweet-tart and warmly spiced. Pile onto dark rye with paprika cheese, burgers, or fish tacos.

Thai Pasta & Seafood Salad

Thai pasta seafood salad tosses chilled shrimp and scallops with rice vermicelli, cucumbers, peppers, and cilantro in a peanut ginger dressing. A bright, refreshing summer dinner with a kick.

Slow cooker Baked Beans

Bean lovers will love this delicious from-scratch Crockpot baked beans dish that features deep, rich flavors of coffee, molasses, and bacon. Instant Pot Baked beans instructions are also included.

Lexington Red Coleslaw

Not your normal creamy coleslaw. The Lexington style coleslaw is tossed with ketchup, vinegar, and hot sauce, so it tastes quite sweet, sour and slightly spicy. A perfect side dish with Lexington style pulled pork.

Pulled Pork For Two

Spice rubbed bone-in blade chop replaces the traditional pork butt to deliver a smaller quantity of pulled pork without waiting half a day to cook.

Applesauce Brownie Cupcakes

Nothing is better than enjoying a brownie and a cupcake at the same time. These delicious, moist yet low-fat brownie cupcakes will make it happen.

Quick & Easy Sweet & Sour Slaw

So easy to make, and it was sweet, sour and very flavorful. Forget the store-bought coleslaw mix, this simple yet tasty recipe takes no time, cost-effective, and tastes delicious.

Taco Sauce

I needed taco sauce to the filling of Easy Bean Burritos. This sauce fulfilled my expectations. Thanks very much. PS. Hot as fire.

Black Bean, Veggie & Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

This is a vegetarian version of black bean-taco salad. The dressing is so refreshing and tasty, which makes this bean and veggie salad taste still delicious.

Barbecue Portobello Quesadillas

Pan-sauteed mushrooms are mixed with a mixture of barbeque sauce, tomato paste, cider vinegar and pickled chipotle pepper, which makes a delicious filling to the quesadillas. An easy, tasty yet wholesome week-night meal.

Three Bean Salad with Sweet Bell Peppers & Artichoke Hearts

Easy to make, and it's loaded with yumminess and packed with goodness.

Red Tomato Marmalade

Red tomato marmalade simmers fresh tomatoes with cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spices into a tart-sweet preserve. Old-fashioned condiment that pairs beautifully with ham, cheese, or sandwiches.

Marvellous Marinated Coleslaw

I used roasted bell pepper instead of pimento, which worked perfectly well. Roasted bell pepper added delicious smokiness to the coleslaw, and it was very easy to put together. Refreshing and quite tasty.

Homemade Chunky Tomato Jam

This chunky, sweet and sour tomato jam is very tasty, it is a delicious accompaniment to serve on a sandwich, hot dog or hamburger.

Deli-Style Pasta Salad

Chock full of Italian inspired ingredients. This pasta salad is sure to please.

Caramelized Pears, Maple Walnuts Salad with Prosciutto & Goat Cheese

The salty prosciutto and creamy goat cheese works deliciously well with the caramelized pears and maple candied walnuts. It's packed with deliciousness and it's also good for you.

Quinoa, Edamame & Roasted Corn Salad with Apples & Maple Walnuts

This delicious and nutritious quinoa salad can be served as a side dish, or it can be a tasty yet wholesome meal all by itself.

Consumer Report's Chili (Scaled Down)

Classic beef chili with crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and an 8-tablespoon hit of chili powder warmed up with cumin, coriander, and allspice. Simmered until thick and adjustable from mild to wildfire.

Fresh Vegetable Salad with Miso Dressing

This quick and easy salad is very flexible, you can put whatever your favourite vegetables in, and this miso dressing almost goes well with all the veggies.

Bandit's Chili

Ground beef chili with kidney beans, a hit of cider vinegar, and a quiet pinch of allspice for warmth. A solid one-pot weeknight chili that fully comes together in an hour.

Russian Beet & Potato Salad

Russian beet and potato salad with cooked beets, potatoes, green peas, carrots, hard-boiled egg, and scallions in a tangy yogurt and cider vinegar dressing. A lighter take on classic vinegret.

Delicious Spicy Mango Chutney

Spicy mango chutney simmered with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, raisins, garlic, ginger, and dried red chiles. A bold sweet-sour Indian condiment for curries, cheese boards, and roasted meats.

Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap

Creamy avocado white bean wrap mashes white beans and avocado into a protein-rich spread, then layers in a smoky chipotle slaw of red cabbage and carrot. A no-cook, high-fiber vegetarian lunch.

Black Bean-Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

A delicious yet refreshing salad! The dressing is amazingly flavorful.

Memphis Chopped Coleslaw

A sweeter Memphis slaw featuring bold southern flavors so it can stand up to full flavor barbecue classics such as pulled pork or Memphis ribs.

Maple Barbecue Sauce

Maple barbecue sauce simmers pure maple syrup, ketchup, apple cider vinegar and Dijon into a sweet, tangy, smoky homemade sauce. Better than bottled, and great on ribs, chicken or burgers.

Grilled Sausage Sandwiches with Tomato Jam & Sauerkraut

Grilled sausage, homemade tomato jam and sauerkraut make this sandwich a winner. Enjoy the smoky, sweet and sour flavors all in one bite, and it's a great change from hot dog!

Grilled Portobello Sandwiches with Tomato Jam & Sauerkraut

Grilled portobello, homemade tomato jam, and sauerkraut create this delicious sandwich. Grilling gives the meaty mushroom a smoky flavor and tender texture, and the homemade chunky tomato jam and sauerkraut are the flavorful accompaniments.

Purple Potato Salad

This purple potato salad is a great side dish. we boiled potatoes with garlic and vinegar, which made potatoes super tasty!

Red & Green Coleslaw

Crunchy and refreshing, the coleslaw was slightly sweet and sour. Loved the dried cranberries in it, I also added one peeled and chopped green apple, our guests really enjoyed it, and gave rave reviews. Another delicious coleslaw is perfect for summer BBQs.

Picante Sauce

Homemade picante sauce with canned whole tomatoes, fresh jalapenos, onion, apple cider vinegar, and garlic. Simmered 15 minutes and served chilled with chips for a chunky, spicy Texas-style salsa.

Cabbage-Apple Slaw

Made this recipe with low-fat sour cream and a bit mayonnaise, deliciously creamy, and loved the fruitiness from the apples. This coleslaw is delicious at many ways, topping for burgers, sandwiches, even hot dogs, pulled pork...

Cabbage Bacon Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Vinaigrette

Buttermilk vinaigrette and crispy bacon bring this cabbage salad back to life. It's creamy, tasty and flavorful. A delicious way to turn an economical ingredient into a tasty dish.

All 689 recipes