Rice vinegar is a staple in Asian kitchens. It’s also popular in many other cuisines. Rice vinegar comes in several varieties, including brown and white. What’s the difference between brown rice vinegar and rice vinegar?
Brown rice vinegar is made from brown rice. It’s full of flavor but isn’t as sharp as rice vinegar. Brown rice vinegar can replace rice vinegar in your favorite recipe.
What Is Brown Rice Vinegar?
Brown rice vinegar is vinegar made from unpolished brown rice. Sometimes brown rice vinegar is called Black Vinegar because it is dark.
Brown rice vinegar contains many amino acids. Amino acids are essential for a healthy body. They combine into proteins and can be used as an energy source in your body.
Is Brown Rice Vinegar The Same As Rice Vinegar?
Brown rice vinegar and rice vinegar are similar. They are made the same way. To make rice vinegar, you ferment rice in water to produce alcohol. The alcohol turns into acetic acid. All rice vinegar is acidic.
Rice vinegar, or white rice vinegar, is made from white rice. White rice vinegar is the most common type of rice vinegar. If a recipe calls for rice vinegar, this is the type of vinegar you need. Some rice vinegars are mild, while others have a sharp flavor.
Brown rice vinegar is made from brown rice. The process of making brown rice vinegar is the same as making rice vinegar:
- Boil rice and reserve any leftover water
- Combine the water with a Mother Culture
- Fill the container with water and allow it to ferment for a few weeks
After about three weeks, it should smell like vinegar and taste tangy. It’s ready to use! Strain out the rice and keep the vinegar.
What Does Brown Rice Vinegar Taste Like?
It has a full, robust flavor. It tastes slightly malty and sweet. Brown rice vinegar is more flavorful than white rice vinegar but not as sharp. I enjoy it more than white rice vinegar since it’s less tangy.
What Do You Use Brown Rice Vinegar For?
Use brown rice vinegar anywhere you use rice vinegar. Brown rice vinegar is great for:
- Making sushi
- Pickling vegetables
- Pickling meat or fish
- Salad dressing
- Seasoning soups
- Vinaigrettes
Substitute brown rice vinegar in your favorite veggie dip or sandwich spread.
What Can I Use Instead Of Brown Rice Vinegar?
You can substitute white rice vinegar if you don’t have brown rice vinegar. Your dish may taste slightly sharper or tangier. You can also replace brown rice vinegar with:
Apple cider vinegar: add a drizzle of honey or a teaspoon of sugar to help cut the sharpness of this vinegar. Apple cider vinegar adds a hint of apple to your dish, which may or may not work with your recipe.
White wine vinegar: this vinegar is tangier, so you’ll want to add a small amount of your favorite sweetener as well.
Champagne vinegar: this substitute works best with seafood or fish dishes
Don’t use plain, distilled white vinegar as a substitute for brown rice vinegar. White vinegar is too acidic and does not taste good in most recipes.
Quick Brown Rice Vinegar Dipping Sauce
Make this sauce for noodles, dumplings, or a marinade.
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or 1 tablespoon of coconut aminos)
- ¼ cup brown rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Combine all the ingredients and whisk thoroughly. Garnish with red pepper flakes, green onions, or minced garlic.
Final Thoughts
Brown rice vinegar is similar to rice vinegar. It’s made with brown rice with the bran and germ intact. Brown rice vinegar has a malty, full-bodied flavor. It’s milder than rice vinegar. Use brown rice vinegar anywhere you use rice vinegar.
