What Is Black Vinegar?

13 hours ago

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Black vinegar is a dark, aromatic vinegar used throughout East Asian cooking. Several regional varieties exist, but the bottle most American cooks are likely to encounter is Chinese Chinkiang vinegar, also called Zhenjiang vinegar after the city in Jiangsu province where it originated.

Unlike sharp distilled white vinegar, black vinegar is traditionally produced from fermented grains like glutinous rice, wheat bran, barley or sorghum. Fermentation and aging give the vinegar its deep brown color and complex flavor.

What Black Vinegar Tastes Like

Black vinegar is tangy, but its acidity is softened by malty, earthy and faintly smoky flavors. Many versions also have a subtle sweetness and savory depth. It is sometimes compared with balsamic vinegar, although black vinegar is generally less fruity.

How Black Vinegar Is Used

In Chinese cooking, black vinegar is commonly used:

As a dipping sauce for dumplings and pot stickers
In noodle dressings and cold vegetable dishes
In braised pork, chicken and fish
In sweet-and-sour sauces and glazes
To brighten hot-and-sour soup and wonton soup
As a finishing splash for stir-fries

Pot stickers are often served with black vinegar and finely shredded ginger.

For an effortless dipping sauce, combine two tablespoons of black vinegar, one tablespoon of soy sauce and a few drops of toasted sesame oil. Add grated ginger or chili crisp if desired.

Black vinegar chicken with radishes

How American Cooks Can Use It

Black vinegar need not be limited to Asian recipes. Try a small amount in barbecue sauce, beef stew, roasted-vegetable dressing or a glaze for pork chops. It can also balance rich foods such as duck, short ribs and mushrooms.

Also read What Is Maldon Salt?

Use it cautiously at first. A scant teaspoon added near the end of cooking may be enough to make a sauce taste brighter and more complete.

What to Buy

Look for a bottle labeled Chinkiang vinegar or Zhenjiang vinegar. Gold Plum is a familiar, widely distributed brand made in Zhenjiang, China. Because some black vinegars contain wheat, anyone avoiding gluten should examine the ingredient and allergen statements carefully.

If black vinegar is unavailable, combine equal parts unseasoned rice vinegar and balsamic vinegar. The result will not duplicate black vinegar’s malty character, but it works as a reasonable quick substitute.

Black vinegar is inexpensive, keeps well in the pantry and has far more uses than its unfamiliar appearance suggests. Once you know how to use it, you may end up reaching for it a often as soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

Black Vinegar Recipes to Try

Black Vinegar Chicken With Radishes

A gingery, deeply savory chicken dinner with an unexpected tang

Why it works: This distinctive, contemporary stir-fry makes black vinegar a defining flavor. Glossy chicken, red radishes and cilantro give the finished dish excellent color and visual contrast.

Bon Appétit | View the recipe

1 2 3 4 5 Ribs

An ingenious five-ingredient sauce makes these ribs irresistible.

Why it works: The memorable name refers to the sauce ratio: one tablespoon Shaoxing wine, two soy sauce, three black vinegar, four sugar and five water. The finished ribs are sticky, glossy and exceptionally flavorful.

The Woks of Life | View the recipe