So, you’re in the middle of a recipe and realize you’re out of lemon juice? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Lemon juice is a fantastic ingredient, adding a zippy, citrus flavor to foods and drinks. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of the culinary arts—fresh, fine, and sour. But when life doesn’t give you lemons, don’t get sour! There are plenty of alternatives to try. Here are 10 substitutes that will save your dish:
Top Lemon Juice Substitutes
- Lime Juice: Lime juice is one of the best lemon juice substitutes. Both fruits have similar pH levels, so you get the same effect. It has a similar taste to lemon juice, making it the best overall substitute. Lime juice is a fantastic lemon juice alternative in cooking, preserves, and jams. Replace lemon juice with an equal amount of lime juice.
- Best Used In: Salad/vegetable dressings, sautés, desserts, cocktails, marinades, and deglazing.
- Orange Juice: Oranges are another great citrus fruit that can be used as a lemon juice alternative. The acidity of orange juice emulates lemon juice, so it’s fantastic in dishes where you need acidity. Similar to lime juice, orange juice can be substituted with a 1:1 ratio in most cases.
- Best Used In: Dressings, garnishes, or sauces.
- Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar can be a fantastic substitute for lemon juice. Though rice vinegar has a strong taste, it has a similar acidity and freshness to lemon. It has a sweeter, milder taste than its counterparts. Replace lemon juice with equal amounts of rice vinegar. This is one of the best substitutes for lemon juice for those with citrus allergies.
- Best Used In: Rich dishes and soups.
- Citric Acid: Citric acid is a naturally occurring acid, sometimes concentrated in a powder. This is what makes lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits tart! Citric acid often comes in a powdered form, so use it as a substitute for baking. Mix one teaspoon of citric acid with ½ cup of water to substitute ½ cup of lemon juice.
- Best Used In: Baking cake, dressings, and marinades.
- Cream of Tartar: Like citric acid, cream of tartar is an acidic powder sold in most grocery stores. It is found in baking powder (not baking soda), so it is a great substitute in baking recipes like cakes or muffins. To get just the acidity of lemon juice, cream of tartar is an excellent substitute. To substitute cream of tartar with lemon juice, combine ¼ teaspoon of citric acid with a teaspoon of water.
- Best Used In: Baking recipes like cakes or muffins.
- White Wine Vinegar: Vinegar has a strong acidic taste, so it’s a popular lemon juice substitute when acidity is needed. Replace the lemon juice called for in recipes with equal amounts of white wine vinegar.
- Best Used In: Salad dressings, marinades, and to deglaze pans.
- White Vinegar: White vinegar is a decent replacement for lemon juice. It has a similar acidity level to the other kinds of vinegar, but it has a much stronger taste. This makes white vinegar a suitable substitute when a recipe calls for acidity, but not a lemon taste.
- Best Used In: Recipes where acidity is needed, but not a lemon taste.
- Grapefruit Juice: Grapefruit juice can also work as a substitute.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar is another alternative.
- Lemon Zest: Lemon zest can also be used as a substitute.
Other Substitutes
- Wine Vinegar: Vinegar will add the freshness you’re looking for in lime juice so can work as a substitute – better than no acid. Start with less and add more as needed.
- Tomato Juice: This will add a completely different flavor but can work as a substitute for lemon.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop of sour cream or yogurt will bring some delightful freshness and acidity to your dish.
- Hot Sauce: A hot sauce like Tabasco will bring a lot of freshness to replace your lime. And you’ll also have the interest from the heat as well.
Tips for Choosing the Right Substitute
- Consider the flavor profile: Think about how the substitute’s flavor will impact the final dish.
- Start with small amounts: When using a substitute, start with a smaller amount than the recipe calls for and add more to taste.
- Adjust other ingredients: You may need to adjust other ingredients in the recipe to balance the flavors.
Final Thoughts
With these substitutes, you’ll never have to worry about running out of lemon juice again! Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your perfect alternative.