If you are a fan of vinegar, you should know that coconut vinegar is not as popular as other vinegar choices.
Coconut vinegar is a cloudy and white vinegar from the sap of coconut blossoms. It is rich in vitamins and probiotics, which maintain the blood sugar level, burns fat, and prevent aging.
Most people love the taste of this vinegar choice because it is sweeter and has a less acidic taste. However, suppose you have a recipe that requires it, and you cannot get it around your area, or you don’t just want to use it.
You can simply settle for some other coconut vinegar substitutes, such as white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, tamarind Paste, wine, etc.
Let’s learn more about these options, underlining why they’ll make good substitutes for coconut vinegar!
Best Coconut Vinegar Substitutes
If you want to replace your coconut vinegar with something else is completely your choice; maybe because you do not like the taste or it is just not available in your area.
Whatever your reason is, we will be providing you with a list of substitutes you can use instead.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a common alternative that you do not have to stress yourself before getting to it. It is made from fermented apples and is usually not as expensive as coconut vinegar.
As a substitute for your coconut vinegar, the apple cider works well in chutneys, marinades, and tasty stews.
You can also make use of apple cider vinegar as a substitute in pickles if you don’t mind the color effect it would have on them.
The apple cider vinegar can darken the color of light-colored fruits like the oranges and even pickles. It would help if you used a dash of vinegar with a 5% acidic level or even less for best results.
2. White Vinegar
White vinegar (distilled vinegar) is one of the cheapest tablespoons of vinegar you would find in most stores as it is also used for household cleaning and not just cooking.
When using white vinegar as a substitute for coconut vinegar, you should be careful. It is much harsher than coconut vinegar because it is made with a substance known as ethyl alcohol.
3. Malt Vinegar
The malt vinegar is of two types- the brown malt vinegar and the distilled malt vinegar. They both have a very spicy and lemony taste made from malted barley.
When substituting for the coconut vinegar, ensure that you choose a distilled one as it is better for pickling and making chutney.
4. Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is one of the most popular kinds of vinegar in Italy. It has a sweet, fruity, and mildly acidic taste. What you would find in most supermarkets is the cheaper version of it, which is most times watered with wine vinegar and artificial coloring.
Balsamic vinegar is a very good substitute for coconut vinegar in meat and risotto, and it can also be used as a salad dressing.
You can use a bit more of the balsamic vinegar when substituting for the coconut vinegar because it is less strong.
5. Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar originates from Asia as it has a mildly sweet and less acidic taste when compared to coconut vinegar. It is called the rice wine vinegar in most places in Asia, although it is made from rice and not rice wine.
In most supermarkets, you would find the rice vinegar in three different types; the white rice vinegar, the red rice vinegar, and the black rice vinegar.
The best option is the white rice vinegar, as it looks almost like coconut vinegar and tastes almost the same way. It is a great substitute for stir-fries and sour dishes.
6. Lemon Juice
We all know that the best substitute for vinegar is another type of vinegar but what if your body doesn’t react well with vinegar?
Then the best option would be to go with something closely related to it. Lemon juice is an amazing substitute for coconut vinegar in baked dishes.
When using your baking soda while baking, you would need to add something acidic to bring out its taste, and the common addition is the vinegar, but since you do not want to use the vinegar, you can use the lemon juice instead.
Lemon juice is not as strong as the coconut vinegar so upon substitution, make use of a bit more lemon juice than you would’ve with the coconut vinegar.
7. Wine
This wine is not one of the best substitutes for coconut vinegar, but when you are preparing a one-bowl meal where you are required to add the coconut vinegar at the beginning of the dish, and you have none at hand, you can simply leave it out or add wine instead.
This one would not give you the same taste as coconut vinegar, but it would surely add taste to your dish.
Your sauces should use fortified wine even if regular wine worked too.
8. Tamarind Paste
The tamarind paste is made by mashing the tamarind pods, which are sour, sticky, and dark fruits that grow on a tamarind tree.
But just like wine, the tamarind paste would not provide your dish with the same taste the other vinegar substitutes would, but it would add a unique flavor to your dish.
So, if you aimed to use an alternative that tastes exactly like coconut vinegar, the tamarind paste shouldn’t be the alternative you would go for.
Related Questions
What Is the Difference Between Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Vinegar?
These kinds of vinegar are very similar as they both contain acetic acid, which is an acid that is capable of lowering the blood sugar level but the major difference between these two is that the coconut vinegar has a sweeter and milder taste when compared to the apple cider vinegar.
So, suppose you want a substitute for apple cider vinegar because you find it too acidic. In that case, you can try coconut vinegar, as it is sure to provide your dish with a similar taste but with just less acidity.
Can You Make Coconut Vinegar?
Yes, you can. Making coconut vinegar is quite easy. Firstly, you would need to ferment some coconut water or the translucent liquid in the coconut shell. For the process;
- Take some of the coconut water and filter it into a pan.
- Heat the water under low heat, add sugar, and stir until you notice that all the sugar has dissolved.
- Allow it to cool down, and once it cools down completely, pour it into a glass container, covers it tightly, and keep it in the dark for about a week.
- After a week, it would’ve turned alcoholic, and then add a mother of vinegar( a substance that contains cellulose and acetic acid bacteria) to the solution and then allow it to sit for another twelve weeks.
- After that, your coconut vinegar is ready.
Is Coconut Vinegar Healthy?
Yes, coconut vinegar has a lot of health benefits like it regulating the blood sugar level, may also promote weight loss, promoting your digestive health, and regulating blood pressure.
What Is the Acidity Level of The Coconut Vinegar?
The acidity level of this vinegar is about 2-2.5%, and t has a lot of micronutrients and a high level of phosphorus and calcium.
Is Palm Vinegar the Same as Coconut Vinegar?
The palm vinegar is translucent and white that is made from palm plants. While palm vinegar is made from sap, coconut vinegar is made from fermented coconut water. They can both be used interchangeably as substitutes for each other.
What Vinegar Does Pilipino Use?
People often use cane vinegar because a small amount of sugarcane can yield a lot of cane vinegar as little. Since they have cane abundant there, they just found a way to make it more useful.
Conclusion
Coconut vinegar is very easy to get in a lot of locations. Still, if it is not available around your region, you can opt for any of these substitutes listed above.
Some substitutes require less or more when substituting, so be very careful to know if the substitute you will be using is stronger or weaker than the coconut vinegar.
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