Can I Use Lemon Juice Instead of Vinegar in Salsa?

Preserving salsa requires using vinegar, bottled lemon juice or bottled lime juice. Adding acid will prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

Use vinegar that has 5% acetic acid. Do not use homemade vinegar. Do not substitute vinegar for lemon juice unless the recipe gives that substitution. Vinegar is less acidic than lemon or lime juice and will result in an unsafe salsa.

You may safely substitute an equal amount of bottled lemon or lime juice for vinegar in recipes using vinegar.

Sources:

• Canning Salsa Safely pdf – University of Wisconsin
• Sassy Safe Salsa at Home pdf – Kansas State University