The 8 Best Sherry Vinegar Substitutes

ByKristina S

While you’ve probably heard of sherry vinegar, it probably isn’t something you keep in stock as a pantry staple like white vinegar or red wine vinegar. Sherry vinegar has a complex, nutty flavor that’s not present in other vinegars. So what should you do if a recipe calls for sherry vinegar and you don’t have any on hand but want to replicate its unique flavor profile? Well, you can use a few substitutions. However, these substitutes won’t exactly nail the flavor of sherry vinegar, but they’ll be fine if you’re in a pinch.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.

What Is Sherry Vinegar?

Sherry vinegar is vinegar made from Spanish sherry wine primarily from the Andalusian province of Cádiz. The area the vinegar is produced in is known as the Sherry Triangle, which is a triangular area between the city of Jerez de la Frontera and the towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María.

For sherry vinegar to be classified as proper sherry vinegar or vinagre de Jerez, it has to be aged for at least six months in oak barrels. It must also only be aged within the Sherry Triangle and must have a minimum of 7 degrees acidity. The longer sherry vinegar is aged, the more complex and rich its flavor becomes. 

What Does Sherry Vinegar Taste Like?

As previously stated, the age of sherry vinegar affects its taste. In general, sherry vinegar is not too acidic or strong and is slightly sweet. It also has a nutty flavor from being aged in oak. Lighter-aged sherry vinegar is tart, bright, and sharp, while older sherry vinegar has a more intense bold woody flavor. 

How to Use Sherry Vinegar 

One of the most common uses for sherry vinegar is in gazpacho soup – a splash of sherry vinegar is added to the soup before it’s served. Sherry vinegar has many other culinary applications such as:

  • Adding to salad dressings for a rich, tangy flavor
  • Use in marinades to tenderize and flavor meats and seafood
  • Stir into sauces and pan reductions for depth and complexity
  • Splash into soups and stews to brighten the taste
  • Drizzle over roasted vegetables for a subtle acidity
  • Mix into vinaigrettes for sandwiches and grain bowls
  • Use in cold dips and salsas for a mild tang
  • Add to pickling brines for a unique flavor twist
  • Incorporate into homemade mayonnaise or aioli for extra zest
  • Use to deglaze pans after sautéing to capture flavorful bits
  • Blend into fruit salads or chutneys for balance
  • Add a small amount to deviled eggs or potato salads for richness

Why Use a Substitute?

Although sherry vinegar has a unique flavor profile, it’s not as commonly used in many recipes as other types of vinegar. While lower-quality sherry vinegar is inexpensive, most people aren’t going to go out of their way to buy a bottle just to use it occasionally. Also, it might be wasteful to have several different types of vinegar, when you can usually just use one type of vinegar in place of the others. Additionally, some people just don’t like the taste of sherry vinegar and would prefer to use a substitute instead. These are all solid reasons for seeking out sherry vinegar substitutes, so read on to see what to use in its place.

8 Best Sherry Vinegar Substitutes

Unless otherwise stated, all of the following substitutes can be used at a 1:1 ratio for sherry vinegar.

Sherry Wine and White Wine Vinegar

While sherry wine on its own isn’t a good substitute for sherry vinegar, when mixed with a bit of regular white vinegar, it can be a good substitute. While this combo won’t necessarily mimic the more complex flavors of sherry vinegar, it will have a similar mild sweetness and acidity.

Combine one part sherry to two parts white wine vinegar. For example: 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar = 1 teaspoon sherry wine + 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar.

Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar is one of the most commonly suggested substitutes for sherry vinegar although it has a different flavor profile. While red wine vinegar doesn’t have the nuttiness of sherry vinegar, it is bold and fruity with a similar acidity. Red wine vinegar also has a nice bold flavor, which makes it a great substitute for sherry vinegar in most recipes.

White Wine Vinegar

Since white wine vinegar is the one vinegar that most people keep in stock, it’s one of the easiest sherry vinegar substitutes to use. White wine vinegar does have a lower acidity and milder flavor than sherry vinegar. It is also less sweet. White wine vinegar is a good substitute in lighter dishes.

Champagne Vinegar

Champagne vinegar is another great alternative to sherry vinegar because it has a similar level of acidity and flavor complexity. It is more delicate and less sweet than sherry vinegar, so it would be good to add a pinch of sugar or a bit of honey when using champagne vinegar as a substitute.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Since it’s made from apples, apple cider vinegar has a very fruity flavor profile, making it quite different from sherry vinegar. It also has a distinct taste, so apple cider vinegar shouldn’t be used to replace sherry vinegar in all recipes. Apple cider vinegar is a good replacement in pan sauces. However, it is more acidic than sherry vinegar, so you should use less to start and adjust to taste.

Balsamic Vinegar

While balsamic vinegar isn’t the top choice for a sherry vinegar substitute because of its stronger and sweeter flavor, it’s something many people already have in their pantry. However, balsamic vinegar should be used sparingly as a substitute because of its strong flavor and color.

(Unseasoned) Rice Wine Vinegar

Rice wine vinegar is sweeter and less acidic than other vinegars, which makes it a decent sherry vinegar substitute. Since it has a mild taste, it won’t affect a recipe’s flavor that much. Make sure to use unseasoned rice wine vinegar as seasoned rice wine vinegar has added sugar, salt, and other flavorings.

Citrus Fruit Juices

If you’re really in a pinch and you’re out of other vinegars, you can use a bit of lemon, lime, or other citrus fruit juices. These juices will add a sweet tang to dishes, but won’t have the same acidity or nuttiness that sherry vinegar has. However, you’ll only want to use a small squeeze of juice or your dish will end up tasting too much like whatever citrus fruit you used.