Sherry vinegar adds a subtle tang and savory, slightly nutty flavor to recipes, making it an excellent ingredient for dressings, marinades, and sauces. This Spanish vinegar, made from sherry wine, has a unique complexity that enhances the flavor of both savory and sweet dishes.
If sherry vinegar isn’t available, there are several substitutes that can offer a similar balance of acidity and flavor to keep your recipes on track.
What is Sherry Vinegar?
Sherry vinegar is a type of wine vinegar made from fermented sherry wine, a fortified wine from Spain. It has a milder acidity compared to white or red wine vinegar, with a slight sweet, savory and nutty undertones.
Sherry vinegar is often aged, which gives it a rich flavor and a smooth finish. You’ll typically find it in specialty grocery stores or well-stocked supermarkets, often near other gourmet vinegars.
6 Substitutes for Sherry Vinegar
Each of these substitutes can be used at a 1:1 ratio for sherry vinegar unless otherwise noted.
1. Red Wine Vinegar
Red wine vinegar offers a sharp tang and slightly fruity flavor, making it a strong substitute for sherry vinegar in most recipes. While it lacks the slight nuttiness of sherry vinegar, its bold acidity works well in marinades, vinaigrettes, and sauces.
You can find red wine vinegar in nearly every grocery store, making it a convenient and widely available alternative.
Recipes: Use red wine vinegar in salad dressings, meat marinades, and as a deglazing liquid for pan sauces.
2. White Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar has a milder flavor compared to red wine vinegar, closely matching the acidity of sherry vinegar. While it lacks the nuttiness of sherry vinegar, it’s a versatile substitute, especially for lighter dishes like seafood and delicate dressings.
White wine vinegar is commonly available in grocery stores and works well in recipes that require a clean, subtle vinegar flavor.
Recipes: Use white wine vinegar in salad dressings, sauces, and to brighten vegetables and seafood dishes.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar provides a tangy flavor with a mild sweetness, making it a good substitute for sherry vinegar in recipes that benefit from fruity notes. While it’s less complex, its versatility allows it to work in many dishes that call for sherry vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is affordable and widely available in grocery stores, making it a practical option when you need a quick substitute.
Recipes: Use apple cider vinegar in salad dressings, marinades, and recipes with pork or chicken.
4. Champagne Vinegar
Champagne vinegar has a delicate flavor with a soft tang, making it an excellent substitute for sherry vinegar in lighter dishes. It’s less acidic than sherry vinegar and lacks its nuttiness, but it provides a clean, bright flavor.
Champagne vinegar is typically available in specialty or gourmet grocery stores and pairs well with dishes where you want a subtler vinegar presence.
Recipes: Use champagne vinegar in light dressings and seafood dishes.
5. Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is also a complex-tasting vinegar and is slightly sweeter and darker. While it provides a depth of flavor, its dark color can affect the appearance of certain dishes. Use it sparingly in recipes where the darker color won’t alter the visual presentation.
Balsamic vinegar is widely available and works well in recipes where sweetness and a robust flavor are desirable.
Recipes: Use balsamic vinegar in oil-based dips, glazes, and marinades.
6. Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor that can serve as a substitute for sherry vinegar, particularly in lighter dishes. It’s less acidic and more subtle, so it works best in recipes where strong flavors aren’t needed.
Rice vinegar is widely available in grocery stores, especially in the Asian foods section, and provides a clean, delicate tang.
Recipes: Use rice vinegar in salad dressings, stir-fries, or as a brightener for soups and broths.