Great Ways To Use Apple Cider Vinegar

While it might be an acquired taste, apple cider vinegar also has a number of health benefits. Made from fermented apple cider, it is known for its sharp smell and taste. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) that contains the ‘mother’, which gives the vinegar a murky kind of look, has the good bacteria that provides your body health benefits! 

If you’re not sure how to use apple cider vinegar, here’s a few creative ways that can help you get started. 

As a salad dressing 

Jazz up the flavour of salads by mixing one tablespoon of ACV with two tablespoons of olive oil and shake up for a super salad dressing. Or try adding a few drops of apple cider vinegar to some sliced cucumber and onion for a quick and easy side dish!

You can also make a honey vinaigrette using:

• 100ml olive oil

• 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon water

• Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Combine in a jar and give it a good shake before adding a drizzle to a salad. This dressing is particularly good with leafy greens like spinach and kale. You could also try it over the top of warm mushroom salad recipe (just swap out the lemon juice). 

To soothe your stomach

For nausea, cramps or gas, try apple cider vinegar! Add a teaspoon to a glass of warm water, along with a teaspoon of honey, stir and drink. Rich in enzymes, the vinegar can help to stimulate digestive juices too, which can improve the way your gut breaks down food. 

ACV is fermented, which means it has beneficial yeast that can promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. 

For better baking

Apple cider vinegar can be used in baking recipes for leavening, just like white vinegar or lemon juice. When mixed with an alkaline base, such as baking soda, it creates a reaction that gives cakes, muffins and pancakes a nice fluffy texture!

For cleaning produce

Add a few drops of ACV to a bowl of water and rinse your fruit and vegetables with it. The antibacterial properties of the vinegar can help to remove bacteria, as well as helping to rinse off chemical residue left from the growing process. 

To banish bad breath

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, which means it can help to reduce naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth. Simply add ½ a teaspoon of ACV to a glass of water and use as a gargle. It’s also helpful for keeping a sore throat at bay — just remember to dilute the vinegar with water to avoid eroding the enamel on your teeth. 

In a smoothie 

Let the natural sweetness in a smoothie shine and get the benefits of good bacteria by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar! Combine berries, banana, almond milk and ACV to the blender and mix well. 

There are so many uses for apple cider vinegar, not just in the kitchen but in other areas of the home too. ACV can be used to get rid of odours, such as by popping a cup of ACV in the fridge overnight to help kill off any lingering unpleasant smells. 

Do you have any tips for using apple cider vinegar? Let us know in the comments!