Zero Carb Balsamic Vinegar Alternative

This zero carb balsamic vinegar is a fantastic sugar-free and keto-friendly alternative to the popular Italian condiment!

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In my first ever zero carb foods post, I listed that all vinegars are zero carb APART from balsamic. It's certainly true - a tablespoon of an average balsamic vinegar contains 2.7g net carbs - 2.4g of those are sugar. And while that might not sound like a lot, it can add up fast!

To create a good alternative, I researched a little about this Italian specialty:

Balsamic vinegar is a very dark, concentrated, and intensely flavored vinegar originating in Italy, made wholly or partially from grape must: freshly crushed grape juice with all the skins, seeds and stems." Source: Wikipedia

As for the flavor it is very sharp, but with an underlying sweetness. I decided that red wine vinegar should be the base of my imitation version. In testing I tried low carb maple syrup, low carb honey, and granular brown sweetener. Although the brown sweetener needed to be cooked with the vinegar, it added color and a molasses-like flavor that made the result VERY like the regular version. Perhaps not as thick as a well-aged balsamic vinegar, but great for sauces, dressings, vinaigrettes, and more!

How to Make a Zero Carb Balsamic Vinegar Alternative

As mentioned above, this recipe just needs two ingredients: red wine vinegar and a brown-style low carb sweetener - I absolutely love Golden Lakanto!

Combine both ingredients in a small saucepan and place over a low-medium heat. Cook until the sweetener has completely dissolved - it will only take a few minutes.

Let cool, then transfer to a small bottle and store at room temperature.

Uses for Zero Carb Balsamic Vinegar

• Mix with a good quality EVOO and dip low carb breadsticks into it (shown below)
  
• Whipped Mascarpone Cream with Balsamic
• Make a Balsamic Dressing for lamb chops
• Baked Balsamic Chicken Thighs
• Create a simple vinaigrette (three parts olive oil to one part vinegar) 
• Marinated Strawberries

📖 Recipe

StepAwayFromTheCarbs.com

Zero Carb Balsamic Vinegar Alternative

4.75 from 16 votes

This zero carb balsamic vinegar is a fantastic sugar-free and keto-friendly alternative to the popular Italian condiment!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Net Carbs: 67

Calories: 2.8

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• ⅓ cup golden Lakanto sweetener

Equipment

• Spectrum Culinary Organic Red Wine Vinegar, 16.9 fl. oz.
• 5.5oz Glass Dispensers for Oil and Vinegar with  Caps - 2 Pc
• Anolon White Marble/Teak Wood Serving Board, 10-Inch Round

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

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1. Combine both ingredients in a small saucepan and place over a low-medium heat. Cook until the sweetener has completely dissolved - it will only take a few minutes.
2. Let cool, then transfer to a bottle and store at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 2.8kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mgNet Carbs: 67g

Notes

Zero carb recipe if zero-carb sweetener is used.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. Net carbs are calculated as the total grams carbs minus the total grams of fiber.