Today we’re going to take look at how you can choose the best apple substitute for a range of scenarios. Heads up: given my expertise in food allergies and special diets, this article is written with the assumption that you’re probably allergic to apples, or can’t eat them due to a latex allergy, oral allergy syndrome, or another medical reason.
Whilst I’ll talk a bit about apple products here and there, if you can have ingredients such as apple juice concentrate and a variety of apple types, this isn’t the substitute article for you. Well, it is if you want to learn something really neat, but the swaps I’m going to share will be non-traditional.
What Does an Apple Taste Like
Before we can properly choose a substitute for apple juice, apple sauce, and other apple products, we need to have an understanding of what we’re trying to replace.
Most apples have a good amount of natural sugar, and a fruity taste, two features we can’t ignore when trying to replace them in sweet dishes and even savory dishes. There’s also the crisp texture when its raw, and the soft almost custard-like texture you can achieve when they’re baked/roasted.
Apple juice is a more concentrated hit of sweetness since all of the fiber has been removed. Applesauce on the other hand has a sweetness level between apple juice and whole apples. Then we have apple butter, which is essentially a super concentrated, dense version of apple sauce. A good apple butter, like this one, won’t have any added ingredients.
Now, on top of all of that, each variety of apple is going to have a distinct flavor profile. Whilst some apples can taste similar to one another, if we were to take a Granny Smith and compare it to a Fuji, one might argue that a Granny Smith has a bitter flavor and a limited scope of use.
However, if you get two apples that are closer in sweetness levels, you’ll start to pick up on the nuanced flavours of floral notes, a touch of sharpness, and the refreshing sense you get from a fresh apple.
With all of this info, we can now set out on our quest to replace apples in a range of applications, and live our best apple free lives.
Best Substitute for Apple Juice
Alright, it’s time for us to get creative and replace apple juice. Homemade or store bought quince juice or pear juice will be the best substitute for apple juice.
You can use these in place of unsweetened apple juice in recipes you may be following. Pear juice is something you may be able to find at a local grocery store, but quince will need to be homemade or ordered online.
When you select an apple juice substitute, be sure to think about the sweetness of apple juice. If apple juice reads as super sweet to you, you’ll be really happy with pear juice. If the apple juice you remember was more on the mellow side, quince and white grape juice will be better choices.
Keep in mind, if you need to replace small amounts of apple juice (like a few Tablespoons of apple juice), it really doesn’t matter which substitute you use. They’re all going to pretty much come out the same.
However, if you’re trying to replace a cup of apple juice (or more), really think about the sweetness level of your substitute. Some fruits when juiced have such a powerful taste (or sugar level) that it needs to be diluted. You can combine with water until the flavour is just right for you, then measure out the portion you need for your recipe.
More apple juice substitutes:
White Grape Juice (a great substitute for recipes where the apple flavor is more in the background, product example)
Prickly Pear Juice (sometimes called cactus water, product example)
Unconventional Apple Juice Substitutes
For function, and if you love the taste of coconut, you can use coconut water a 1-to-1 substitute for apple juice. This won’t work in every recipe, but can be used where the coconut won’t clash with the other ingredients.
Diluted gold kiwi juice (a pretty good source of Vitamin C), lychee juice, and diluted papaya juice can all make for interesting apple juice substitutes. You’ll have to use them on a case by case basis, as they won’t work for every application. However, these juices can deliver on the tart, sweet, and smooth flavors found in quality apple juice.
In a tight pinch, you can swap homemade apple juice for fresh homemade cucumber juice + a little liquid sweetener such as maple syrup. It’s not the same flavour wise, but it function properly. Only use this if it’s your only option, and manage your expectations. Also, don’t drink it straight. This is for recipe use only.
Not Good Substitutes for Apple Juice
I don’t suggest juices that are highly acidic such as orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and so on. In addition to the acidity level, these fruit juices are going to lack the sweetness a lot of apple juices will bring to the table.
Bottom Line
Whilst several liquids can each be a great apple juice substitute, it’s always going to come down to your personal preferences, individual diet needs (nutrients, calories, carbs, natural sugars, etc.), and so on.
Hopefully you’ve got some great ideas, and you’re able to test them out the next time you want to follow a recipe that calls for apple juice.
If You Need a Juicer for Homemade Options
Some of the options I’ll share can be purchased, whilst others will have to be made at home. Personally, I have 3 juicers… I know, but there’s a reason which I’ll tell you another time. Here are the two juicers I have and love: Centrifuge Juicer (link is to a similar model, mine is pretty old now) | Masticating Juicer.
Any juicer will work, and in a real pinch you can blend a fruit at high speed and strain it through a nut milk bag (but it will take a lot longer). If you plan on making homemade juice regularly, trust me, get a good juicer. I’ve never regretted the purchase of either of those juicers.
Best Substitute for Apple Cider Vinegar
Ahhhh vinegar, a versatile ingredient that plays a role in all sorts of recipes, both sweet and savory. You’ll find that it’s a popular ingredient in a range of recipes, and is usually a pantry stape for most folks. However, in your kitchen, ACV may be off limits to you, and that is A-OK. We have options.
As you read on the different sections below, keep an open mind and get excited at the prospects. Try vinegars with a fruity flavor, pick up a bottle of mirin, and try something that’s been specially aged. Each type of vinegar will bring something unique to your cooking, and will absolutely elevate your recipes.
TIPS: Remember, I’m assuming you have food allergies or some kind of dietary restriction. If you happen to be allergic to corn like me, do not ever, never, ever, ever, never ever use regular white vinegar as an ACV substitute. It’s corn derived 99.9% of the time. You’ll need to stick to other options. This brand is one of my favorites, and they’re super transparent if you have questions.
If you’re gluten free, avoid malt vinegar, as it’s usually barley derived
What Not to Use as an Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute
As you continue to read, you’ll see lots of suggestions for apple cider vinegar substitutes. However, I think it’s important to understand the selection process as well, so you’re prepared to make swaps on the fly. Teach a person to fish and all that jazz.
First, assess the colour. Apple cider vinegar is a light brown, and if you don’t know what to use as a substitute, as a good rule of thumb, choose something in a similar colour range. This ensures you don’t go too heavy in one particular direction.
Next, consider the style of the dish and the ingredients you’re using. There needs to be a type of match between the type of vinegar you select and the other ingredients. For example, a citrus vinegar wouldn’t be a great alternative for ACV in a recipe loaded with tomatoes and cheese. However, a Cabernet vinegar would be a good choice (Cabernet has a colour similar to tomatoes, Cabernet = wine = grapes = good tomato pairing).
The same is true of making a Mexican forward dish. You wouldn’t use mirin as an ACV substitute because it’s better suited for Japanese and Asian meals (mirin = rice wine vinegar).
You’ll want to think about the flavors and properties of your meal, and that will generally guide you towards the best apple cider vinegar substitute. Now, let’s look at some examples by cuisine.
Choosing an Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute by Cuisine
When it comes to selecting the best substitute, it’s all about the other ingredients in the dish and the overall flavor profile you’re aiming for. Here’s a few examples based on cuisines:
Italian
Sherry Vinegar, White Balsamic Vinegar, Champagne Vinegar, Cabernet Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar
Mediterranean
Honey Vinegar, Citrus Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Champagne Vinegar
Spicy/Pepper Heavy/Mexican
Cabernet Vinegar, Champagne Vinegar, White Balsamic Vinegar
Japanese or Asian
Mirin, Rice Vinegar, Citrus Vinegar, White Balsamic Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes in Savory Dishes
There are so many different kinds of vinegar to choose from, and each one will bring a unique taste to the table. Whilst each type of vinegar will bring acid to varying degrees, overall, this won’t make an impact on your final product.
For savory dishes, I can’t suggest enough flavored vinegars from this brand. Each one is a suitable substitute for apple cider vinegar in your savory recipes. Know that the smell can be powerful and the initial intense flavor mellows out once it’s mixed with the rest of your ingredients and coked.
Now, depending on the recipe, fresh lemon juice, jarred lemon juice, and citrus juices can be used instead. They’ll add some sour notes, a bit of a tangy flavor, and make for an interesting meal.
Tip: The brand that I’ve linked to, each bottle has a little cheat sheet and tells you which type of veggies and/or protein are is suited for the vinegar.
One More Tip: Some of those flavoured vinegars will be a fantastic choice for oil + vinegar as a dip for bread (as a change from the typical oil + balsamic vinegar).
Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute in Salad Dressings
Depending on the types of salads you like to eat, vinegar may be a common ingredient you find yourself working around.
To choose a suitable substitute in salads, you need to assess the amount of vinegar that’s used. If you’re replacing a small amount of apple cider vinegar, it’s not a huge deal which substitute you choose. However, if you’re replacing a large amount of apple cider vinegar, you really have to think about the overall desired taste, acidity levels, and so on, to choose the best replacement.
Generally speaking, in salads, the best substitutes will be flavored vinegars such as sherry vinegar, champagne vinegar, citrus vinegar, Cabernet vinegar, and many others. This is the brand that I absolutely adore for flavored vinegar.
Once you know how much vinegar you need, also consider the other ingredients in the salad dressing recipe, as well as the salad ingredients. For example, if it’s a citrus leaning salad, don’t use a Cabernet vinegar. A citrus vinegar, honey vinegar, or even champagne vinegar would be better choices.
In all homemade salad dressings, the vinegar substitute will be a 1-to-1 substitution. If the recipe calls for 85mL (3 ounces) of apple cider vinegar, use the same amount of the substitution you choose.
Personally, I find flavored vinegars to be so robust, and they add a complex flavor your final product. They really will be some of the best substitutes, however, not everyone is ready to take that plunge. Know that in a pinch, you can use white vinegar, or even white wine vinegar. When doing that, consider adding some herbs to round out the flavor profile.
Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute in Baking
When it comes to apple cider vinegar in baking, it’s a pretty easy swap. The best options are white vinegar, rice vinegar, and lemon juice. Each one of these alternatives will be a 1-to-1 substitute. Here are a few baking examples for you:
Banana or Zucchini Breads: Recipe calls for 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, use 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar, rice vinegar, or lemon juice.
Chocolate Cake: Recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, use 2 teaspoons of rice vinegar or white vinegar. Don’t use lemon juice with chocolate, as the the vinegars will be a more suitable substitute.
Cookies: Recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, use 2 teaspoons of rice vinegar or white vinegar. In the case of cookies, if there’s a flavoured vinegar that will pair well with the cookie flavour, you can use that as well. For example, a vanilla cookie could pair well with champagne vinegar.
If your cookies are lemon or fruity cookies, use the lemon juice swap instead.
Apple Cider Vinegar Substitute in Barbecue Sauce and Ketchup Recipes
The nice thing about finding a suitable apple substitution for the application of BBQ sauce and ketchup is that recipes tend to call for small amounts of the vinegar. Some will call for as low as a teaspoon of vinegar, which means, it’s super easy to replace. At small amounts, it more about the tang and hint of acid, rather than any kind of apple flavour.
A great option will be white vinegar (corn derived 99% of the time), followed by rice vinegar. Both will have a similar level of acidity as the ACV.
You can flex your creativity and try options like sherry vinegar or oak aged vinegar. However, these types of vinegars have a bit of a higher acid level than ACV, so start with a little less, taste, and adjust as needed.
A classic BBQ sauce is going to ball for ingredients such as brown sugar, paprika (bell pepper derived), spices (onion, garlic, etc.), and molasses. In a traditional recipe, I wouldn’t lean into lemon, lime, or other citrus acids.
On the flipside, if you’re making banana ketchup, peach BBQ sauce, or any other condiment with a fruity flavour (including apricots, strawberries, etc.), lean into the citrus fruits as the apple cider vinegar alternative. In that application, the citrus fruits can really shine.
Apple Cider Substitutes
There are so many different types of ciders in the world, including the non-alcoholic variety, and the alcoholic beverage.
For replacing sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic), drinks such as ginger ale are an excellent choice. You can also make something delicious at home using a carbonator and C02. You can make your carbon water and add it to spiced quince juice or spiced pear juice for a lovely beverage.
Since alcohol isn’t my specialty, I’d encourage you to read up on the different types of ciders. Then, read this article on choosing apple cider substitutes.
Also note that a hard cider will need to be replaced with a different method, so specifically research “hard apple cider substitute” if that’s your end goal.
Best Substitutes for Fresh Apples (snacking, etc.)
You have quite a few options for raw apple substitutes. Here are some choices (in order from best to “that’s not as close to an apple as I was hoping for”:
- Asian Pear
- Quince
- White Peach or White Donut Peach (the white version of peach tends to taste a lot less like peach and more neutral with a touch of sweetness)
- Green or Red Pears
- White Nectarine
- Green Grapes
- Gold Raspberries (barely any tartness when compared to red raspberries)
- Golden Kiwi
All of these substitutes can be used in the same ways as raw apples such as lunches, dipping, serving on the side of meals, fruit salad, and so on.
Apple Substitutes for Slaw
There are a lot of homemade slaw recipes that call for green apple because it delivers a nice hint of sharp that can cut through the creamy, fatty, or rich foods it’s paired with.
For a slaw application, a combination approach could would be an excellent substitution. I’d suggest 2 parts Asian pear to 1 part kohlrabi (or jicama), and a little lime zest to top it off. Combined, these are going to give you good body, crunch, freshness, and a pop of acid.
The nice thing about that combination is that it won’t clash with the other vegetables in your slaw recipe, and will take on other acids pretty well that may also be present in your slaw.
If you can’t have Asian pear, use a combination of jicama and pomegranate seeds. Together they’ll bring in a lot of the same notes as green apples, however, the overall flavor profile will shift.
Apple Substitutes for Meat Marinades & Sauces
When apple is in meat marinades and sauces, it’s usually the form of apple juice or apple sauce.
Pure pear juice, like this one, is going to be a fantastic substitute for apples in this application. Plus, you can buy it and not have to overthink things. Pear juice will have a similar sweetness and most likely, your taste buds won’t pick up on the difference.
Pear juice is just neutral enough to pair well with salty ingredients such as soy sauce, fish sauce, and teriyaki sauce, all of which may also be in your marinade. It won’t be so sharp, or so sweet, or so bitter that it throws off the balance.
Two alternatives to pear juice will be white grape juice and quince juice (purchased or homemade).
Pear and quince juice can both substitute apple juice pretty well in a condiment recipe as well, should you run into that scenario.
When making sauces, don’t forget that you can explore different flavors. For example, yes, you can use pear juice. However, wouldn’t it be fun to try pear + pomegranate for a little kick?? Or how about using peach juice instead, so long as it doesn’t clash with the other flavors??
As you go about your cooking and baking, don’t forget that recipes are made to be tweaked, and whilst we may be apple free, we don’t need to be super rigid in our substitutions.
Apple Substitute for Applesauce
Generally speaking, apple sauce substitutions will usually need to be made at home. Having said that, we live in very modern times and you can purchase pear puree via baby food. I know, just go out on a limb with me. This product is pure pear, that’s it, just marketed to babies. Here’s another option, and they’re both organic, which I’m a huge fan of.
If nutrition is a concern for you, you’ll need to make your puree at home. Baby food is generally pretty heat pasteurized and I recently saw some 3rd party nutrition testing of major baby food brands (organic and not) and a lot of the nutrition was simply gone when compared to fresh or homemade alternatives.
However, to save time, I’d buy the baby food and call it a day. Pear puree will be a suitable substitute for apple sauce when it comes to foods such as pork chops or homemade muffins.
Another excellent substitute will be homemade quince sauce. The easiest way to make this is to purchase, wash, and peel your quince. Cut into large pieces, omitting the core, and pop the cubes into your pressure cooker. Add a little water and cook, then blend after it cools.
Homemade sauces like these are freezer friendly, so I suggest making a good amount, then freezing in cute little jars that are one to three servings for your needs, that way, you only pull out what you need.
Apple Butter Substitute
Apple butter is essentially cooked down applesauce. Through the extended cooking, the applesauce becomes like a thick paste, with no bits of water that separates each time you open the jar.
Homemade quince butter and homemade pear butter will both be excellent choices for replacing apple butter. Both of these substitutions can deliver on the thick pasty texture, and the concentrated natural sweetness that you’ll find in apple butter.
Should you find that your butter is too tart, mix in a little organic maple syrup when serving. If you don’t want to thin out the texture, you can add a little organic maple sugar, but it won’t read as sweet as the syrup would have.
Best Apple Substitute for Green Apples
Green apples are well known for their tart flavor, and you’ll find them in all kinds of recipes. Replacing them well, in my humble free-from opinion, will take a combination approach. You’ll want to capture the tart along with the sweet, fresh, and crisp.
Here are a few fruit combinations that can give you green apple vibes:
- 80% Asian Pear + 20% Pineapple
- 70% Asian Pear + 30% Golden Kiwi
- 65% Asian Pear + 35% Honeydew Melon + Lemon Zest (or Lime Zest)
Note: If you’re not allergic to apples, try using pink lady apple as a substitution.
Apple Substitutes for Sweet Recipes
Apples have a wonderful natural sweetness that you’ll want to keep in mind when making swaps in pies, smoothies, and your favourite desserts.
For apple pie, the best apple substitutes will be green pears and quince. You can peel and dice them the same way you would apples, and they can stand up to the traditional pie spices. As a delicious alternative, consider peaches (or nectarines) in your pie as well.
For crumbles, use quince. It does very well when oven roasted for long periods of time.
If you’re making something like a pop tart pastry situation, green pears or red pears will be the best swap.
When you’re making an apple forward smoothie, I suggest using part Asian pear and part roasted quince. Quince tastes better roasted than raw, but Asian pear is fabulous when raw. By combining the two, you’re signing your taste buds up for the best of both worlds.
If you’re wanting to make desserts that are creamy, custard apple (not an actual apple) would make a great addition to the recipe. It has custard-like qualities that many people enjoy. In this scenario, another excellent choice will be eggfruit.
Answering Your Apple Substitute Questions
What’s the best apple substitute for savory dishes?
When it comes to choosing an apple substitute in savory recipes, which tend to have a more complex flavor, it’s going to start with the application. You’ll also want to take into consideration what the other ingredients in the dish are, as this can influence your decision.
You’ll also want to think about the sugar content because in some cases, you’ll want to add a touch of sweetener to boost the dish the way the apples would have.
When a savory recipe calls for diced apples, you can usually swap it with Asian pear, green pears, peeled zucchini (courgette), or peeled quince. If the recipe has ingredients such as red bell peppers, greens, or something particularly bright (like lemon), you’ll want to go with zucchini. It’s the option that will play well the best, with the other ingredients.
If the meal you’re making has delicious glazes or sauces involved (especially if they’re a little sweet), the Asian pear and green pears are the best option. When cooking recipes that read as bright, use the quince as it has a little sharpness that will compliment the brightness you’re working with.
If your recipe has a decent amount of garlic and/or onion, use the zucchini. Alternatively, you can use peeled and diced jicama, as it has a refreshing flavor with a touch of crunch.
In savory recipes, the best apple juice substitutes will be coconut water and cucumber juice with a touch of sugar. The reason is because they function as expected, but without being sickly sweet and throwing off your recipes. You can also use Asian pear in this scenario and usually come out OK on the other side.
How can I replace apple cider vinegar in a gluten free + vegan cake recipe?
In gluten free + egg free baking, when the recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, it’s usually for the sake of lift. The vinegar is an acidic ingredient that interacts with your leavening agent, such as baking soda or baking powder.
Most recipes will call for a Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (but sometimes 2 tsp or 4 tsp). At this small amount, the apple cider vinegar has such a mild flavor, and other acidic ingredients also won’t make a huge impact on flavour.
The best apple cider vinegar substitute in this scenario will be white vinegar (corn derived 99% of the time) or rice vinegar. These are going to keep you around the same acidity level of the apple cider vinegar, and you won’t see a shift in performance or flavor.
What’s a good shredded apple substitute for chicken salad?
One of the best apple substitutes in this scenario will be shredded zucchini tossed in a teaspoon of sugar. That touch of sweetness will give you a hint of the sweetness the apples would have brought to the dish.
Meanwhile, shredded zucchini (courgette) has a mild flavor that won’t clash with other ingredients, and will also have a texture that’s similar to shredded apple.
If this is an Asian salad I’d suggest a combo approach of Asian pear + yellow bell pepper slices + shredded carrot or zucchini (courgette). This combo can really play well to the other typical ingredients found in an Asian chicken salad.
What are the best apple juice alternatives for a toddler?
if you’re replacing store-bought apple juice, a good swap is pear juice. This is something you can purchase at some grocery stores, and online as well.
Three other options to consider are prickly pear juice (cactus), coconut water, and quince juice (store bought or homemade). Of these three, the quince will read closest to apple, but simply requires extra work if you don’t purchase it.
Since this is for a toddler, I’d say opt for store-bought if possible since I’m sure you already have a million other things going on.
What apple sauce substitute would pair well with bourbon chicken?
My top suggestion will be homemade quince sauce. When you make it, quince sauce reads closer to apple butter than apple sauce, but it delivers on the texture and general taste. It can also stand up to the bold flavor normally found in bourbon chicken.
A homemade pear sauce can also work as a reasonable swap, but it’s not going to hit the same as applesauce (it’s better at replacing apple juice). Should you go this route, be sure to manage your expectations.
I have oral allergy syndrome as well as an apple allergy. What would be a good apple substitute for me to use?
Whilst fruits such as banana, peach, nectarine, mango, and apricot are off the menu, the good news that there are still quite a few to choose from.
In your case, I would suggest quince as your first line of defense. You can use it in place of apples for roasting, juice it and swap for apple juice, and so on.
Another option is white dragon fruit (not pink), but only in some applications. It can work well in raw applications, like on a salad.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to purchase prickly pear juice (cactus, something like this). Read the labels carefully, as some brands add ingredients you may not be able to have. If you’re able to source a safe version, try that as an apple juice replacement.
What’s a good apple juice substitute for cake recipes?
For your cake recipes, a store bought pear juice will be an excellent substitute. The flavor profiles of pear and some apples are pretty similar, which is why this is a good choice.
If you’re unable to eat pears, homemade quince juice (or store bought) will be the next best choice. You can use this in place of apple juice in your cakes and they will still have a similar flavor when compared to the original recipe.
No matter which way you go, I think you’ll be happy with the finished product. Happy baking!
What would be a good apple substitution in a fig and bacon jam?
There are quite a few fruits that can stand in for apples in a jam like that. I’d suggest:
- Quince (only if it’s cooked)
- White Peach or White Donut Peach (has a mild taste of peach and is more neutral)
- White Nectarine
- Gold Raspberries (barely any tartness when compared to red raspberries)
Each of these options will pair well with smoky, salty, savory, and sweet ingredients that are bound to be in your final product. Additionally, if your jam recipe cooks for a long time, don’t use the gold raspberries. They’ll break down more than you may want.
Now I want to make bacon jam…
What can I use as an apple cider vinegar substitute for a baking powder substitute?
I’m guessing your baking powder substitute is baking soda + apple cider vinegar.
White vinegar, rice vinegar, and lemon juice are all excellent alternatives in this application. This is a 1:1 swap, so if the recipe calls for a tablespoon of vinegar, use a tablespoon of the juice or other vinegars. Have fun!
