Substitute For Lemon Juice: 12 Best Substitutes

Looking for a great substitute for lemon juice? We might have the list you’re looking for—everything from lime juice, vinegar, citric acid, white wine, and more.

Lemon juice is a popular ingredient that can add a refreshing twist to your recipes. But what happens when life gives you everything except lemons? Then it’s time to find a substitute for lemon juice!

Aside from lemons being unavailable, it’s also possible that your personal preferences make you look for alternatives. Speaking of which, here are our top 12 substitutes for lemon juice:

• Lime Juice — 1:1 ratio
• Vinegar — 1/2 to 2/3 t for 1 t lemon juice
• Citric Acid — 1/4 t for 1 T lemon juice
• White Wine — 1/2 t for 1 t lemon juice
• Cream Of Tartar — 1/2 t for 1 t lemon juice
• Orange Juice — 1:1 ratio, adjust if needed
• Tamarind Paste — 1 t for 1 T lemon juice
• Yogurt — 2 to 3 t for 1 t lemon juice
• Pomegranate Juice — 1: ratio
• Pineapple Juice — 1:1 ratio
• Grapefruit Juice — 1:1 ratio, adjust if needed
• Buttermilk — 1:1 ratio, adjust if needed

But before we discuss what makes these substitutes excellent and get to know them better, let’s first understand lemon juice and what gives it its flavorful punch.

Understanding Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is the liquid gold from squeezing fresh lemons, and its culinary uses are endless. From savory to sweet dishes, lemon juice can do it all.

Lemon juice’s flavor is a real game-changer. It’s sour, tangy, and sweet—all at once. This unique profile can brighten up the dullest of dishes, making them burst with fresh, refreshing flavor. 

Whether you make a simple salad dressing or a complex marinade, lemon juice is one of the secrets to creating a well-balanced and vibrant flavored dish.

Top Substitutes for Lemon Juice

Now, let’s talk about alternatives for lemon juice!

1. Lime Juice

Lime juice has a bright, citrusy flavor with a slightly tart finish. It almost tastes similar to Lemon juice, only that lime juice is more acidic. 

When it comes to cooking, lime juice will help brighten up your dishes, from adding a zesty kick to savory entrees to enhancing the flavors of refreshing desserts. The ingredient is also a worthy choice for marinades and cocktails. 

Replace lime juice with lemon juice in the same amount.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar has a sharp, acidic flavor that, while not as sweet as lemon juice, can impart a similar vibrant and tangy character to your culinary creations. 

Since it has a stronger flavor than lemon juice, vinegar is not commonly used in sweet dishes. However, it shines in recipes such as marinades, where its robust flavor is a valuable asset.

Use 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoons of vinegar for every teaspoon of lemon juice.

3. Citric Acid

Citric acid has a strong, sour flavor, even stronger than lemon juice. It’s concentrated, so a tiny bit goes a long way. 

What makes it a good choice is the acidity it can bring to baking and other recipes like candy and drinks that need a precise acidity level.

Use only 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid for every tablespoon of lemon juice.

4. White Wine

White wine imparts a mild, fruity flavor, less acidic than lemon juice but capable of adding a similar bright note and complexity to dishes. It makes for a worthy substitute for lemon juice in savory recipes such as chicken piccata, fish meunière, and risotto.

Use 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar instead of every teaspoon of lemon juice needed in a recipe.

5. Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar is a sour powder that can replace lemon juice, especially in a baking dilemma, due to its acidic nature.

However, it’s essential to remember that cream of tartar lacks the liquid content of lemon juice, so you might need to introduce additional liquid into your recipe to maintain the right consistency.

Use 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar for every teaspoon of lemon juice required in a recipe.

6. Orange Juice

Orange juice can be a substitute for lemon juice. However, if your dish relies on the lemon flavor, using orange juice may alter its taste significantly. In marinades, orange juice will be less tangy than lemon. For drinks, orange juice will make them sweeter.

The general starting point for substituting orange juice for lemon juice is a 1:1 ratio. However, this isn’t a fixed rule, as the two juices differ in acidity and flavor.

Start with a 1:1 ratio and then adjust if needed.

7. Tamarind Paste

Tamarind paste can serve as an effective alternative to lemon juice for adding a tangy touch, but it’s essential to recognize their distinct flavor profiles, which can alter the dish’s overall taste.

In many Asian and Indian dishes, tamarind paste is the go-to ingredient for delivering that desired acidity and zest. 

Replace a teaspoon of tamarind paste for every tablespoon of lemon juice.

8. Yogurt

You can use yogurt as a substitute for lemon juice in certain cases due to its tangy flavor, but it won’t provide the same sharp acidity and bright taste that lemon offers. 

It can be used in marinades, baked goods, dressings, and creamy soups to impart a tangy flavor, though with a different consistency and a milder, non-citrus taste.

Replace a teaspoon of lemon juice for 2 to 3 teaspoons of yogurt.

9. Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice offers a sweet-tart profile, contrasting with the dominant sour character of lemon juice with a hint of sweet flavor.

While pomegranate can replace lemon in salads, marinades, desserts, and beverages, it imparts a fruitier flavor with varied acidity and distinct nuances.

Substitute pomegranate juice for lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio.

Tip: Due to differing acidity and sweet flavor, you may need to add a few drops of vinegar to pomegranate juice when substituting for lemon

10. Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice can act as a substitute for lemon juice in certain recipes like smoothies, marinades, cocktails, and sauces, especially where its sweet and tropical flavors are complementary. 

However, for dishes that require strong lemon flavor or pure acidity without added sweet flavor, like lemon pies or some salad dressings, pineapple juice isn’t the best substitute.

Substitute pineapple juice for lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio.

11. Grapefruit Juice

Another possible substitute for lemon juice is grapefruit juice. While both grapefruit and lemon juice are citrus and share some acidic qualities, their flavors differ. Lemon juice is more sour and bright, while grapefruit juice has a balance of sweet, tart, and slightly bitter flavors.

Start with a 1:1 ratio and then adjust if needed.

12. Buttermilk

Buttermilk, with its mild tangy flavor, can serve as an alternative to lemon juice, particularly in baking and marinades.

But keep in mind that buttermilk is creamy and doesn’t have the distinct citrus punch of lemon juice, so recipe modifications might be necessary for flavor and texture.

Start with a 1:1 ratio and then adjust if needed.

How to Use Substitutes in Recipes

Now that we have some lemon juice substitutes on our radar, let’s talk about how to use them wisely:

Quantity adjustment

Remember that different substitutes have varying levels of acidity and flavor. Start with a smaller quantity than the recipe requires and taste as you go. You can always add more if needed.

Consider the dish

Think about the dish you are making. Some substitutes work better in some recipes. For example, lime juice is a fantastic replacement for lemon juice in most Mexican and Southeast Asian dishes.

Taste and adjust

Cooking is all about personal taste. Don’t hesitate to tweak the substitute’s quantity until you achieve the desired flavor. It’s your culinary creation, after all!

The bottom line

Lemon juice is like a trusty sidekick in cooking and baking. But when you don’t have it, don’t worry! You can use other potential substitutes to save the day and still make your dishes taste great. 

From lime juice to rice vinegar, these alternatives may surprise you with their own unique flavors and possibilities. And who knows, you might discover your new favorite secret ingredient!

More About Lemon

• Does Lemon Juice Go Bad?
• How Much Juice Is In Lemon
• Recipes Using Lemon Extract
• How To Zest A Lemon 
• Lemon Cucumber Recipes
• Lemon Curd Desserts
• Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe