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January 31, 2022 in Garlic & Vinegar

10 ways to use vinegar in the Kitchen

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
white vinegar in the kitchen

My obsession with vinegar has no limit. What else is so cheap and simultaneously so useful in both the home and garden? The culinary kitchen yearns for vinegar!

We talked about vinegar in the garden already. Check. We also crossed off how to best clean with vinegar.

But what about your kitchen?

Because there are a plethora of ways you need to be using vinegar in your kitchen now to save you both time and money.

Here are 10 ways you should be using vinegar in your kitchen for cooking purposes today!

Let’s go!!

vinegar breaks down fibers in meat

Breaking down fibers in meat in the culinary kitchen

I’ve made some tough chuck roasts in my life. I know adding a tomato product or red wine can break down those fibers for a tastier and more tender pot roast.

Both do work so try them!

But did you know that vinegar can do the same trick? Yep. Especially if you add it to that tomato paste or red wine.

This is because adding vinegar to marinades or braising liquids breaks down protein fibers, so it helps tenderize the meat.

Make a marinade in the proportion of one-half cup wine, white, or cider vinegar to a cup of liquid bouillon. Add it right to the crock pot and be amazed how tender your chuck roast is 8-10 hours later!

culinary uses for vinegar

Boiled egg in the culinary kitchen

Peeling boiled eggs can be a messy and stressful job. No lie! How many times have I boiled eggs for a quick and nutritious snack only to have the mess outweigh any benefit?

The regret when I see eggshell mess everywhere and hardly any egg left because it got stuck in the eggshell mess.

It’s much easier to peel hard-boiled eggs if you add a teaspoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of salt to the water they cook in. Bigger chunks of eggshell coming off over smaller chunks for the win.

Culinary uses for vinegar

Fluffier meringue & cheese keeper in the culinary kitchen

Let’s face it, we all want fluffier meringue. Who doesn’t?

Next time you make your famous lemon meringue pie, try adding 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar to 3 egg whites.

Also, to keep cheese fresh and moist, wrap it in a cloth dampened in white vinegar and put it into an air-tight wrapping or container in the back of the fridge.

use vinegar in soups

Flavor booster in the culinary kitchen

This one surprised me big-time! With just a teaspoon of wine vinegar, you can perk up a can of soup, gravy, or sauce.

Not only does it add flavor but makes your food taste fresher.

Canned soup? I know. It’s what we eat only when we are desperate and up all night with a newborn. So we have to do what we can to make it taste better.

Vinegar used in salad dressings

Make your own vinaigrettes

I actually dislike salad dressing and won’t touch the stuff. In fact, I have an OCD with even touching the bottle. Yuck!

But Tom and the kids all like dressings so we have a problem. If left to their own devices, they all will smother their poor salad in blue cheese dressing. Double yuck.

So I encourage Tom to make his own vinaigrettes to not only spare a few calories but to also make the salad edible for those salad eaters.

Their favorite is balsamic which he adds a higher ratio of vinegar to oil.

Strawberries

Rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables

Someone who works in the local produce department where I live informed me that I wouldn’t believe the mold in the produce room.

This is where the produce you and I buy off the shelves is stored until it’s put on the shelf. And don’t even get me started on rats!

If you are not washing your produce before eating then there’s no hope.

Yes, I’m fully aware that you can buy produce washes at the store for $5-$6 for a tiny bottle. Who has money for that?

So just rinse your produce in white vinegar. It’s cheap and gets the job done. Our goal is to reduce the bacteria in our food.

you can make your own buttermilk

Buttermilk alternative

I never buy buttermilk even though so many recipes seem to require it. Even if I spot it in the store, I gag at the price thinking I’ll use it just once before it expires. There goes 6 bucks down the drain.

Bet you didn’t know you could improvise with cheap white vinegar?

Make your own buttermilk substitution by adding one tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and allow it to stand for 5 minutes to thicken.

Then use it in the recipe as you would real vinegar.

culinary uses for vinegar

Using up the last of the ketchup

Due to my condiment OCD, I am also unable to touch condiment bottles. Ewww.

But occasionally I make fries in our air-fryer and of course, Tom and the kids require ketchup.

But that doesn’t mean I like to see ketchup get wasted. To use up all those bits of tomato sauce at the bottom of the bottle, add a few drops up to 1/2 teaspoon to get the last of the ketchup out of the bottle with ease!

Use can also shake up this remaining liquid and use it as a base for marinades if you add a little onion, garlic and your other favorite spices.

One final tip…

Create firmer gelatin by adding s teaspoon of white vinegar any gelatin recipe in hot summer months to keep those molded salads and desserts firm!

Any way you use it, vinegar is so healthy and useful in the kitchen!

What do you use vinegar for?

69 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amie says

    January 31, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    Do you use organic nongmo vinegar when in or on your food? The cheap vinegar is made with corn and I only use it to clean. I use more expensive organic apple cider vinegar in my food. Apples and grapes are high is salicylates so vinegar is difficult in our house for those who are sensitive.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 2, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      Yep. I use Bragg when cooking, but we don’t have any allergies here so I never worry about that. I also use a bit in my pot roasts with a little red wine to tenderize! Cheap vinegar (ALDI) kind is ideal for cleaning, especially cleaning the jets in our tub which gets icky. Hope you guys are well!

      Reply
  2. Christine @ Run Plant Based says

    February 1, 2022 at 9:49 am

    Wow, so much great information here, so many uses I didn’t know. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    February 2, 2022 at 1:31 am

    I did not know about wrapping cheese in vinegar to keep it fresh, and what a great idea to rinse your produce in a vinegar solution. Just the thought of the behind the scenes stuff makes me want to hurl. I always make my own salad dressing – seems the cheapest option. But I buy buttermilk and freeze what I don’t use.

    Reply
  4. Lissa Crane says

    February 2, 2022 at 6:29 am

    I love the tip about using it to clean produce! I never realized, thinking water was enough, but mold and pests? Never again! So glad you posted that!

    Reply
  5. Carol Lawman says

    February 6, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    I adore eating nuts for snacks! I never thought about buying in bulk at stores, gross. Guess I’ll stay away from the old fashioned peanut machine at the laundromat too 🙂 Thank you for the heads up.

    Reply
  6. Stephen Jones says

    February 6, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    I use vinegar to clean with sometimes, pouring into the disposal to help with odors! Never tried this wrapping cheese up, but have used making meringue.

    Reply
  7. Chad Boyd says

    February 6, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    So many great tips! Thank you for haring these.

    Reply
  8. donna porter says

    February 6, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    I use vinegar for many uses in my kitchen. I clean with it, cook and use in recipes. Organic is the best and healthier for my recipes!

    Reply
  9. Laurie Nykaza says

    February 6, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    Great tips I can use just used vinegar today to clean my windows on my home. I always buy a gallon of it. Love your tips now I will give them a try too.

    Reply
  10. Audrey says

    February 6, 2022 at 9:40 pm

    Wow some great tips!

    Reply
  11. Betsy Pauzauskie says

    February 7, 2022 at 1:18 am

    My husband loves vinegar; but, the smell repels me. My husband laughs when I say I need a scent free vinegar. Yet I do tolerate it for cleaning & will consider trying it in the kitchen with your tips. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 7, 2022 at 8:08 am

      I agree 100%, I hate the scent of vinegar too. The taste even more! Yuck. It’s so strange to me that my kids and husband love vinegar always on their fries. Never!

      Reply
  12. Bradley Marquis says

    February 7, 2022 at 5:59 am

    great info

    Reply
  13. Pat Schwab says

    February 7, 2022 at 8:52 am

    I had heard about making your own buttermilk with vinegar but always wondered if it really works. I have shied away from making any recipes with buttermilk because just like you I would never finish the whole carton. If I see a recipe again with buttermilk I will try it now with the milk and vinegar trick. Thanks

    Reply
  14. Debbie Welchert says

    February 7, 2022 at 9:55 am

    Wow. What a lot of great ways you can use vinegar. Some I have heard of and some I haven’t. Thanks for all of the great tips.

    Reply
  15. Susan Morris says

    February 7, 2022 at 10:52 am

    I also use vinegar to clean my kitchen drains, making Italian dressings, and making shredded barbeque chicken in my crockpot.

    Reply
  16. Jill H says

    February 7, 2022 at 11:00 am

    I have used vinegar for lots of the tips you shared. I put vinegar in the water if I’m poaching eggs also.

    Reply
  17. Lisa Cress says

    February 7, 2022 at 11:19 am

    These are great tips. It’s amazing what vinegar can be used for. Thank you!

    Reply
  18. Rachel Mertz says

    February 7, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    I love using vinegar in my kitchen and for cleaning. I haven’t tried half of these ideas; I can’t wait to try using it with my boiled eggs!

    Reply
  19. Yona Williams says

    February 7, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    The ketchup tip is totally new to me and makes a lot of sense. I will pass this on to my Mom…she will be pleased.

    Reply
  20. Jennylyn Gross says

    February 7, 2022 at 4:52 pm

    wow thanks for the tips

    Reply
  21. wen budro says

    February 7, 2022 at 5:33 pm

    Thank you for the great tips. I had no idea that I could make cheese last longer by wrapping it in a vinegar cloth. With the high cost of groceries- I need to reduce food waste costs.

    Reply
  22. Kristin says

    February 7, 2022 at 6:46 pm

    Lots of great advice! And thank you for the reminder, because I need to buy more white vinegar! Just used up the last of it today cleaning my essential oil diffuser.

    Reply
  23. monique s says

    February 7, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    so many uses for it. That is amazing

    Reply
  24. Tony Platz says

    February 7, 2022 at 7:46 pm

    I run it through my coffee maker to clean it .

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 8, 2022 at 8:46 am

      Me too Tony! People don’t realize how gross coffee makers get if they are not regularly cleaned!

      Reply
  25. Hannah G says

    February 7, 2022 at 9:19 pm

    I love using vinegar for cleaning the whole house!

    Reply
  26. Barbara Calder says

    February 7, 2022 at 9:22 pm

    Thanks for the great tips. Congratulations on the birth of your son.

    Reply
  27. Sandra McFadden says

    February 7, 2022 at 10:40 pm

    I just love reading your reviews and helpful hints they help so much in many areas of my life.

    Reply
  28. Diane Warstler says

    February 8, 2022 at 5:35 am

    Who would have guessed that there are so many wonderful ways to incorporate vinegar into cooking! Thanks so much for the tips!

    Reply
  29. Jean F says

    February 8, 2022 at 10:12 am

    Other than cooking, I use apple cider vinegar to catch fruit flies.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 9, 2022 at 9:04 am

      Yes!!! We do too!! Great tip!!

      Reply
  30. Candace Bond says

    February 8, 2022 at 10:33 am

    these are some great tips. I always use it to wash my produce and also for cleaning. It’s great for showers

    Reply
  31. Ron Weinberg says

    February 8, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    Apple Cider Vinegar is great for acid reflux.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 9, 2022 at 9:04 am

      And I wonder if it works for heartburn which I get too?

      Reply
  32. Joanna says

    February 8, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    I use vinegar in salads, cleaning and drinking about two tsps. in water before dinner.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 9, 2022 at 9:03 am

      I wish I could do that because it does suppress appetite, but I don’t like the taste solo! Hope you are doing well =)

      Reply
  33. Marci says

    February 9, 2022 at 12:38 am

    Thanks for the great tips

    Reply
  34. JeanD says

    February 10, 2022 at 2:31 am

    I love a good tasting vinegar – We use it a lot at our house, especially in salads and dips.
    White vinegar is also a star in our home, it seems to be able to clean just about anything.

    Reply
  35. Ashley says

    February 11, 2022 at 6:15 am

    Time to go pick up one of those huge bulk bottles of vinegar from Costco 🙂

    Reply
  36. Peggy Nunn says

    February 11, 2022 at 7:13 am

    I did not realize there were so many ways to use vinegar. Thank you for the tips.

    Reply
  37. Martha says

    February 11, 2022 at 5:47 pm

    A very interesting and informative article…I will be using these in the future!

    Reply
  38. KIM DAVIS says

    February 12, 2022 at 7:11 am

    I love vinegar. It is good for so many things. And I just learned a few more. ty

    Reply
  39. Pamela Chambers says

    February 12, 2022 at 7:24 am

    Great article! I learned a lot and will be trying out some of your tips.

    Reply
  40. Chelle says

    February 12, 2022 at 7:59 am

    Vinegar has been a long standing staple in my house. My all time fav is apple cider vinegar.

    Reply
  41. sheila ressel says

    February 12, 2022 at 8:55 am

    Vinegar has so many great uses. That’s why I keep lots of it on hand at all times.

    Reply
  42. Martha DeMarco says

    February 12, 2022 at 9:48 am

    Vineger is my go to fir cleaning and it does a grest job on windows, too.Of course for salads I use all types of flavored vineger, great on veggies too.

    Reply
  43. Sharon Lopez says

    February 12, 2022 at 1:56 pm

    I use vinegar for many things, for cleaning my house and I also clean my coffee pots and mugs with it. I also cook with vinegar, adding just a tablespoon to any beef dishes will tenderize the meat.

    Reply
  44. Roberta Barragan says

    February 12, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    These are awesome tips, things I never knew before. I use vinegar for many things as well but always as a scalp and hair rinse!

    Reply
  45. Brittany Gilley says

    February 12, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    I don’t use vinegar much, but thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  46. Jenni Phillips says

    February 12, 2022 at 6:04 pm

    Vinegar is an amazing product, so is baking soda! Maybe you could do a blog post on baking soda too, I’m sure you know of some amazing uses or that too, in the kitchen and garden.

    Reply
  47. cynthia says

    February 12, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle of my clothes washer. Clothes are always soft and soap free.

    Reply
  48. Rena Walter says

    February 12, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    I use vinegar mostly for cleaning, but now I know a lot of other uses for it, thank you!

    Reply
  49. joyce wilson says

    February 13, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    I love the versatility of vinegar!

    Reply
    • Cheryll Powning says

      February 14, 2022 at 11:40 am

      We love all kinds of vinegars in this house. Thanks for all the information!

      Reply
  50. Michael Coovert says

    February 15, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    I had no idea vinegar could be used for so much.

    Reply
  51. Pat says

    February 16, 2022 at 8:58 pm

    Some of these tips were new to me! Great article!

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      February 18, 2022 at 8:24 am

      Sorry about that, it’s all fixed!

      Reply
  52. Gaye Mcgill says

    February 18, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    I’m familiar with a lot of uses for vinegar but it seems I always learn something new! Thanks for the great hints!

    Reply
  53. Leela says

    February 19, 2022 at 4:59 am

    Thanks for all the tips!

    Reply