From Asian to Japanese cuisine, rice vinegar is widely used in salad dressings, pickles, marinades and even in sautéed vegetables. It has sweet and acidic taste similar to apple cider vinegar, but a bit less sour and harsh.
When you want a slight acidity with natural sweetness in a dish, consider adding a tablespoon of rice vinegar to highlight the flavor. However, the sweetness can be interrupting in certain savory dishes.
What to eat with rice vinegar? Rice vinegar is used to give a kick of sweet flavor in pickling, sushi rice, dipping sauce, stir-fry and marinating meat, vegetables, and tofu.
With various uses for rice vinegar, the mild acidity and touch of sweetness pairs wonderfully with other condiments such as peanut and sesame oil, soy sauce, wasabi, and honey.
Furthermore, herbs and spices including cilantro, pepper, and star anise give a bold touch of flavor. When it comes to meat or seafood, salmon is highly compatible protein source to consider with rice vinegar.
Rice vinegar is less acidic than most other vinegars, which is why it adds a mellow and sweet taste to many dishes. Whether using in dressings or marinades, it allow hint of sweetness without overpowering the finish.
Not only in cooking, this type of vinegar is even used in refreshing summer drinks. If you are looking for fresh new inspiration to play with rice vinegar, then this article details the flavors and foods to pair with for success. Read through to learn more.
Do you put rice vinegar in rice?
Yes, you can put rice vinegar in rice. In fact, rice vinegar adds a sour, sweet, and funky flavor to the already mildly sweet rice.
Rice vinegar is a great addition to plain and bland rice, especially with sushi rice. Before making sushi, the rice is typically seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt after the it is fully cooked.
The acidity in rice vinegar breaks down the starch in rice, making it possible for every grain to absorb more liquid. This gives the rice a rich, fluffy texture and prevents the rice kernels from sticking together.
What food goes with rice vinegar?
Rice vinegar is widely used in cooking methods including stir-fried veggies, french fries to make crisp and sharp, pickling cucumbers, or even marinating meat and tofu to give an acidic sweetness.
The complex flavor in rice vinegar helps to give the dish a salty, sweet, and tangy taste. Other foods to pair with rice vinegar are noodles and soups in Asian and Japanese cuisine.
Here is an ingredient list for items that blend wonderfully with rice vinegar:
- Meat: salmon, chicken
- Vegetables: cucumber, ginger, scallions
- Fruits: lemon
- Rice: sushi rice
- Herbs: cilantro, dill
- Seeds: sesame seeds
- Spices: coriander, black and pink pepper, star anise
- Condiments: honey, mirin, soy sauce, wasabi
- Food: noodles, creamy and potato soups
- Oils: peanut, sesame
What flavor goes well with rice vinegar?
In rice vinegar, a pinch of honey, mint, cardamom, and anise seed makes a delicious combination that can be sprinkled on fruits for simple and light dessert.
On the other hand, sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger can result in a pungent taste that can be used on salads if you want to give a savory Asian twist.
Here are classic flavor combinations that go well with rice vinegar:
- rice vinegar + soy sauce + sesame oil + sriracha + garlic
- rice vinegar + sushi rice + white sugar + vegetable oil
- rice vinegar + cucumber + dill + sugar
- rice vinegar + hoisin sauce + soy sauce + ginger
- rice vinegar + olive oil + tomatoes + chicken
Eat with Rice Vinegar: Conclusion
Rice vinegar gives an added taste of sweetness and acidity to the food, and it is often used as a condiment, marinade, or sauce. Furthermore, it plays a roll in sushi rice to create sticky, sweet, and salty rice to serve with various sashimi.
As a result, creativity is the key to having excellent food combinations to eat with rice vinegar.
Some foods that go well with rice vinegar include stir-fries, french fries and chips, tofu, pickling, dipping sauce, and marinating sauce.
Even though it has sweet flavor, it goes well with other condiments such as sesame oil, soy sauce, wasabi, and honey depending on the recipe.
From chicken to salmon, there are many ways to create marinating sauces with rice vinegar to achieve a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
From herbs to spices and seeds, use this guide to create wonderfully delicious meals using rice vinegar to enhance the culinary experience.