Skip to Content

8 Non-Acidic Substitutes for Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is good for a lot of things.

It’s got vitamin C, it’s good for your skin, and it has been found to boost your immune system, along with other benefits.

However, lemon juice also has a lot of acid in it.

Non Acidic Substitutes for Lemon Juice

Not everyone can stomach that.

If lemon juice‘s acidity bothers your stomach, or if you want to avoid its acidic properties for any other reason, here are 8 non acidic substitutes for lemon juice that you can use the next time you need an acidic flavor in your food or drink!

8 Non-Acidic Substitutes for Lemon Juice

Need some non-acidic substitutes for lemon juice?

Here’s a list of some delicious options:

1. Yogurt

Yogurt

If you’re looking for a non-acidic substitute for lemon juice, I’d highly recommend trying yogurt.

Yogurt has a tangy flavor and is much less acidic than lemon juice.

It’s also quite versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

To use it in your recipe, simply replace the lemon juice with an equal amount of yogurt.

If you want to avoid changing the texture of your dish, try using Greek yogurt.

It’s thicker than regular yogurt, which means that it won’t water down your recipe as much.

Yogurt can also be high in protein, so if you’re looking to increase your protein intake, this may be a great option for you.

It also contains probiotics, which may boost your immune system(source)!

2. Vinegar

Vinegar

Another option to consider if you want to avoid the acidity is to substitute lemon juice with white vinegar.

Vinegar has a sharp and sour taste, so it will give your dish a nice zing without the acidity.

Vinegar is also very healthy for you, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

How do you use vinegar instead of lemon juice?

Well just replace 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and add one more tablespoon of liquid.

For example, if you’re making soup, add one more tablespoon of water or broth.

If you haven’t tried using vinegar in your cooking before, let me tell you why you should: it aids in healthy digestion, lowers cholesterol and improves blood pressure(source).

3. Mango

mango

When you’re looking for a citrus flavor without the acid, mango is a great substitute.

Mango is much more sweet than sour, so it can add pop and brightness without all the pucker.

To use mango in place of lemon juice, replace the amount of lemon juice with an equal amount of mango.

For example, if you need 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, just add 1 teaspoon of freshly-squeezed or blended mango instead.

The replacement will be much sweeter than what you’re used to, but it’s going to have that same citrusy brightness that you love in your lemon-based recipes!

Not only does mango add great flavor to your recipes, but it also delivers some pretty delicious health benefits:

  • Rich in protective antioxidants(source)
  • Can aid with digestion(source)
  • Maintains healthy skin & hair(source)

4. Apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great option because it also has a nice bite, but with less of that sour lemon flavor.

It’s also a good idea to let your food cool off before adding the vinegar; room temperature is ideal.

That’s not all—apple cider vinegar might even help you out around the house.

It could give your digestive system a boost and may even help treat dandruff!

So next time you’re in the kitchen, try using apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice for an easy substitution!

5. Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice

It’s true that this substitute may be acidic, but not as much as lemon juice, and it’s also true that it may make your dish a little more bitter than you wanted.

But trust me—lemon isn’t the only thing that can help bring out the flavors in your food.

And the benefits of grapefruit juice go beyond just the taste.

It’s actually great for your immune system and it has high vitamin C content and antioxidant properties(source)!

So next time you’re out of lemons, why not try using grapefruit juice?

6. Milk

Milk

When it comes to adding a little oomph to your dish without the acidic taste of citrus, there are a lot of alternatives out there.

For example, vinegar is a great substitute for lemon juice, but it has its own distinct flavor as well.

And there are plenty of non-dairy substitutes that work great, too! But sometimes, you just want something with a bit more body than watery lemon juice. That’s where milk comes in.

Milk is thicker and creamier than lemon juice, and it can add a lot of depth to your dishes without making them taste strongly acidic or citrusy.

It’s great in recipes like vegetable soup and hummus.

Just remember that when you use milk as a substitute for lemon juice, you’ll probably want to use less than the recipe specifies—otherwise your recipe might be too thick!

Milk is not only a good substitute for lemon juice but also has several benefits. It contains calcium and vitamin D which is an essential part of any balanced diet(source).

7. Cream

Cream

Here’s what you do: just replace each tablespoon of lemon juice with two tablespoons of cream.

When using cream, make sure you don’t add too much as it can cause your recipe to become too wet and make it difficult to bake.

So the next time life squeezes the lemon out of your recipe, whip out some cream and watch that dish come alive!

8. Sour Cream

sour cream

Sour cream is less fat than cream, so it won’t curdle when heated, and it still has the delicious taste of lemon.

Plus, it contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are all necessary for immune system health(source).

What’s more?

It may help with digestion too.

So how do you use sour cream as a replacement?

Easy!

The ratio is 1:1—for every tablespoon of lemon juice called for in the recipe, substitute one tablespoon of sour cream.

The result will be the same amount of acidity as the original recipe required.

Lemon juice

8 Non-Acidic Substitutes for Lemon Juice

If you're someone who can't tolerate acidic foods, or if you're cooking for someone who can't eat them, you may be looking for a non-acidic substitute for lemon juice. This is a good idea because lemons are very high in citric acid—in fact, it's what gives them their distinct flavor.
Fortunately, there are a number of options you can use instead of lemon juice in your recipes that won't include the same acidic properties that lemons do. One of the best is lime juice. It has a great flavor and will help replace the tartness of lemon juice without the acidity.
Another possible substitute is grapefruit juice. While it will have a different flavor than lemon juice, grapefruit juice is still pretty tart and is also not acidic—at least when it's fresh-squeezed rather than bottled.
Other options include pineapple juice, orange juice, and kiwi fruit puree (or apple cider vinegar). If you can find sour cherries at the store, they are also non-acidic and could be a good choice for replacing lemon flavor with something closer to the original lemon taste.
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Course Juice
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Yogurt
  • Vinegar
  • Mango
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Grapefruit juice
  • Milk
  • Cream
  • Sour Cream

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of the alternatives on this list.
  • Prepare the rest of your ingredients.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword Non Acidic Substitutes for Lemon Juice
Benjamin Happy Muncher

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.