What Is Vinegar and How Can I Use It?

If vinegar has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 1,361 recipes to try it in.

What is vinegar?

Vinegar is made from the oxidation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. The ethanol may be derived from many different sources including wine, cider, beer or fermented fruit juice, or it may be made synthetically from natural gas and petroleum derivatives.

Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are used with traditional vinegars and fermentation proceeds slowly over the course of weeks or months. The longer fermentation period allows for the accumulation of a nontoxic slime composed of acetic acid bacteria and soluble cellulose, known as the mother of vinegar.

Fast methods add mother of vinegar (i.e. bacterial culture) to the source liquid before adding air using a Venturi pump system or a turbine to promote oxygenation to obtain the fastest fermentation. In fast production processes, vinegar may be produced in a period ranging from 20 hours to three days.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup (238g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 42Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 0.0g 0%

Saturated Fat 0.0g 0%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 4mg 0%

Total Carbohydrate 0.1g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0.1

Protein 0.0g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 1% • Iron 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Where found

Vinegar is usually found in the condiments section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Vinegar is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does vinegar weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 cup	238 grams
1 tbsp	14 grams
1 teaspoon	5 grams

Spices and Herbs

Allspice 904 Allspice berries 37 Star anise 178 Aniseed 23 Bay leaves 2049 Caraway seeds 321 Cardamom pods 100 Cardamom seeds 317 Celery seeds 283 Chervil 65

In Chinese:	醋
British (UK) term:
en français:	vinaigre
en español:	vinagre

Recipes using vinegar

There are 1361 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Vegetarian burgers built from Harvest Burger mix and bulgur wheat, bound with tomato paste and parsley, then topped with balsamic-glazed caramelized onions. A satisfying meatless burger with serious chew and sweet-tangy crown.

Veg Manchurian

Vegetable Manchurian was a great combo with Egg Fried Rice.We normally make Cauliflower Manchurian as a side dish for Fried Rice.This dish ends up being a clean up dish as you can add all your veggies that you might have left overs and tastes great.

Tomato Gazpacho

Chilled Spanish tomato gazpacho blended from ripe tomatoes, garlic, onion, green pepper, and olive oil, sharpened with vinegar and a hit of paprika. No-cook summer soup served with crunchy garnishes.

Old-Style Wheat Biscuits

Old-style wheat biscuits: tender, fluffy whole-wheat biscuits made with canola oil and a quick buttermilk substitute. A homestyle baked good ready in 30 minutes flat.

Homemade Strawberry Preserves

Homemade strawberry preserves with just three ingredients: ripe berries, sugar, and a splash of cider vinegar. Hard-boiled the old-fashioned way with whole berries that hold their shape.

Rustic Lentil Stew

Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Learn how to make natural Easter egg dyes such as Spring Chicken Yellow and Easter bunny brown natural Easter egg dyes. Quick and easy egg coloring.

Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Learn how to make natural Easter egg dyes such as Spring Chicken Yellow and Easter bunny brown natural Easter egg dyes. Quick and easy egg coloring.

Refreshing Herring Salad

Refreshing herring salad tosses pickled herring with tart apple, juicy orange segments, green pepper, and grated onion in a quick oil and vinegar dressing. No cooking required.

Delicious Holiday Sugar Cookies

Holiday sugar cookies: a tender, softly leavened cut-out cookie made with sour milk for tang and lift. Great-grandma's recipe that bakes pale and soft, ready for sprinkles and icing.

Salad Dressing

Toss your favorite salad with this delicious dressing that's very quick and easy to make. Put it in an air-tight jar, and store in the refrigerator for up to weeks.

Salad Greens with Prosciutto & Shrimp

Elegant mixed greens with crispy prosciutto, sweet shrimp, and crystallized ginger in sesame-rice vinegar dressing. Light yet satisfying salad ready in 20 minutes.

Momos

This is undoubtedly an innovative low calorie snack! flour wrappers are filled with a healthy filling of Soyabean and cabbage, and steamed to make an appetizing snack. Follow the exact procedure and make the world's best momos!

Sushi Rice

Properly seasoned sushi rice with a sweet vinegar mixture, soaked and steamed for sticky, glossy grains. Includes stovetop and rice cooker methods. The foundation for homemade sushi rolls, nigiri, and poke bowls.

Favourite Classic Greek Salad

A refreshing and tasty summer salad that uses fresh and seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers. It takes no time to make, and a great side dish that goes well with any main course.

Kukul Mus Thakkali or Chicken & Tomato Curry

Kukul Mus Thakkali, a Sri Lankan chicken and tomato curry with coconut milk, lemongrass, curry leaves, fenugreek and cardamom. Marinated and simmered for rich, layered flavor.

Chocolate Chipit Snackin' Muffins

These scrumptious and easy to make muffins are the perfect snack for in between meals or as a quick dessert after dinner.

Huevos Rojo y Verdes (Mexican Red & Green Eggs)

I had these for breakfast frequently when staying in Tlaqupaque, Mexico outside Guadalajara. Here's my version that recreates this local specialty. I haven't seen them anywhere else. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

St. Patrick's Day Grasshopper Pie Cupcakes

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of a classic grasshopper pie in cupcake form! These delightful treats feature rich chocolate cupcakes topped with a silky mint mousse and a luscious chocolate ganache, all dressed up in festive green. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any occasion that calls for a minty, chocolaty dessert, these cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious.