SaurabhTarragon vinegar is basically a homemade vinegar that has dried tarragon herbs. It’s widely used in French cuisine especially for making bearnaise sauce for savory meats and vegetables. Other than it provides a flavor to the vinegar, the leaves are also very edible and mix well with salads and other food.
I know tarragon vinegar is quite irreplaceable when it comes to taste and kick, but when it’s not available, you can always replace it with just fresh or dried tarragon leaves. You can also substitute it with Dried Tarragon Leaves, champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar, fruit vinegar, malt vinegar, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar.
Tarragon Vinegar Substitutes
1. Dried Tarragon Leaves
If you run out of your tarragon vinegar it’s pretty easy to substitute it with just dried tarragon leaves. Just grab some of those plain white vinegar, mix it with a tablespoon of dried tarragon friends, and a few chopped shallots.
If you don’t have some dried tarragons, just use freshly chopped tarragon leaves. It still works some wonders and the same flavor as usual. Tarragon leaves are readily available in grocery stores near you. Better as well if you have an herb plant that you can always harvest with whenever you run out.
2. Champagne Vinegar
Most champagne vinegars are usually made out of grapes from pinot noir or chardonnay. This type of vinegar has a very distinct base that has bacteria or with the mother just like how kombuchas are made. The vinegar is then fermented and lets age to attract some acetic acid.
Unlike other wine vinegars, champagne vinegar is more light and easy to take. That’s why it’s a perfect substitute for tarragon vinegar because it’s flavorful, light, and not too overwhelming. A tablespoon of champagne vinegar will substitute for a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar. You can use it when making tomato sauces or a glaze for roasted meats or veggies.
3. White Wine Vinegar
It’s a vinegar made from any white wine. It could be any white wine even the champagne vinegar would fall in this category. Other than that, you can also do riesling, Moscato, pinot grigio and so much more. You will never run out of choices and most of them are all good. Be spontaneous and go out of your comfort zone.
A tablespoon of white wine vinegar can substitute a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar. It blends well when marinating with any type of fish. It takes out all the fishy smell from its meat. You can also use it for meats and vegetables as well.
4. Fruit Vinegar
Fruit vinegar is very beneficial for health since it lessens the risk of getting high cholesterol levels and even heart diseases. It’s a given that most fruits are healthy with less sugar. Also, it absorbs all the minerals and vitamins from the food when incorporated with fruit vinegars.
There are so many you could choose from plum, blueberry, pear, raspberry, and even tomato vinegar. It’s very perfect for making salad dressings and meat marinades. It could get sour, to and with a hint of sweetness. One to two tablespoons can substitute a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar.
5. Malt Vinegar
Malt vinegar is made out of germinated dried barley grains. Then these grains are being malted that produces maltose. These so-called maltose are then brewed and turned into an ale that goes through a fermentation process until it changes its color to light brown. Then this color signifies that it’s already ready to be used as vinegar.
Brown colored vinegar-like malt vinegar are softer and even sweeter compared to tarragon vinegar. Just the smell is quite too strong unlike other vinegar so if you’re not sensitive to smell, then this is for you. Two tablespoons of malt vinegar can replace a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar.
6. Rice Vinegar
In Asia, Rice Vinegar is quite common and widely used for most cuisines. Since there’s a huge variety of rice being farmed all around Asia, they tend to make a lot of products that came from rice. Rice vinegar is also on the sweeter side and not too sour.
This vinegar is perfect for making dips like the luscious sushis in Japan and seasoning for some vegetables and meat dishes. It’s a perfect mixture of sweet and sour fusion. Two tablespoons of rice vinegar can replace a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar.
7. Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar originated from Italy also known as Aceto balsamico. But unlike other vinegar, balsamic is quite concentrated and pretty thick. The flavor is also quite strong and very rich. So consider using a little amount of it before it gets a little too much.
A teaspoon of balsamic vinegar can substitute a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar. It’s always perfect for salad dressings mixed with olive oil, salt, and pepper. It also goes well with cheese and mayonnaise, too.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider vinegar is by far the most famous and common fruit vinegar out of the rest. It’s also the healthiest especially if you got the one “with the mother”. It’s known for aiding weight loss and even eliminates risks of getting high cholesterol levels. It’s made from apples and fermented until it develops some acetic acid to turn into vinegar.
Apple cider is very flexible and can be used for anything. From salad dressings, seasonings and marinades it can perform very well. Apple cider can be strong, too so a teaspoon of it can replace a tablespoon of tarragon vinegar.
Key Takeaway
Vinegars in general are pretty easy to substitute since there’s a lot of alternatives that are available out there. When you run out of tarragon, never panic because you can always replace it with just any vinegar.
All kinds of vinegar are the same because of their sour flavor. But it just only differs in flavor, color, and smell. It’s all up to your preference and purpose. As long as it works, know that it could never go wrong!
