Apple Cider Vinegar Recipes: 25 Easy and Delicious Ideas

Would you ever guess? There are countless recipes you can make with apple cider vinegar, which isn't just a great salad dressing but is also packed with health benefits. This ever-present ingredient in our pantries is packed with qualities that can contribute to our health. But first, let's look at what apple cider vinegar is.

What is apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is a food-grade vinegar made from apple cider or must. Straw-yellow in color, generally cloudier than wine vinegar, it is used as a condiment, but in recent years it has also been gaining popularity for its numerous health benefits, derived from the fact that it is made from apples.

How to use apple cider vinegar in cooking

Apple cider vinegar can be used in many ways. Its acidity helps balance flavors, especially in richer or sweeter dishes, and it can be used to create vinaigrettes and sauces, marinate meat and fish, season raw or cooked vegetables, and add a sweet and sour note to various dishes. It's particularly interesting when paired with naturally sweet ingredients, such as apples, pears, peaches, and squash, but it also works well with bitter vegetables like radicchio and chicory, and with fatty foods, from cheeses to meats. Amount is also important: its flavor should add vivacity to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.

Properties and benefits of apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains approximately 21 kcal per 100 g and is a source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Calcium and potassium play a particularly important role, as the former strengthens the heart and the body's immune system, while the latter is essential for proper heart and muscle function.

The Humanitas website—a group of highly specialized hospitals, as well as a research center and university—states: "It is also a source of pectin, a water-soluble fiber that protects cells and blood vessels and helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. It also promotes a feeling of satiety and hinders (at least partially) the absorption of fats. Finally, apple cider vinegar contains beneficial bacteria that help maintain the balance of intestinal microflora, enhancing its function. Apple cider vinegar also appears to control blood sugar levels thanks to the presence of acetic acid (although the mechanisms are not yet clear) and to reduce blood pressure. Apple cider vinegar is less acidic than wine vinegar, and is therefore preferable for those who suffer from heartburn." But be careful: "Consuming excessive amounts of apple cider vinegar can cause damage to the esophagus and other parts of the digestive tract and can have negative effects on tooth enamel. People with apple allergies should not consume it."

25 recipes with apple cider vinegar

How can you introduce potent apple cider vinegar into your diet?