Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar Made at Home

For little effort, you get one of the most beneficial pantry staples, apple cider vinegar! Learn all about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar and the various ways you can use it!

A few falls ago, one of my husband’s coworkers invited us to come out with buckets to pick apples from the trees in his overwhelmed backyard. We came home happy with three five-gallon buckets full. Then came the endless task of processing them, and figuring out what the heck we were going to do when we got sick of apple pies.

Aside from bourbon apple pork chops, apple muffins, and EVERYTHING ELSE we wound up making, I had a massive pile of apple peels, and I decided I wanted to do something more than feed them to my chickens this year. (Sorry chickens, that’s what you get for trying to eat my wedding ring).

Turning to the internet for inspiration, I quickly discovered that making apple cider vinegar required little else but clean water, apple scraps, and a bit of patience, so I set to work.

By that Christmas season, I had about 64 ounces of the stuff — pure, homemade apple cider vinegar, just ever so slightly sweet, and all the more satisfying because I had made it myself.

You guys, this isn’t a complicated process, it takes SO little effort (well, aside from all that cursed peeling). And you get one of my favorite beneficial kitchen staples ever out of the deal. Learn about the health benefits and other creative ways you can use apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Health Benefits, Uses, and Recipe

Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apples (or apple scraps). It has become a staple in many homestead pantries for its various uses in cooking, cleaning, and holistic health. 

Let’s explore some key benefits of apple cider vinegar, a few safe uses, and an easy recipe to make your own.

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

There are so many fantastic potential health benefits to apple cider vinegar. This is because it contains high levels of probiotics, antioxidants, and acetic acid. Some of the beneficial effects include:

1.Promotes Healthy Skin & Hair

Thanks to the natural antioxidants in apple cider vinegar, sipping this little concoction is akin to taking a beauty supplement — it actually helps to fight signs of premature aging caused by free radical damage (think: sunlight).

Apple cider vinegar contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that may prevent or clear up acne & dandruff.

ACV is often diluted and used as a hair rinse to promote a healthy scalp and remove product buildup.

2.Balances Blood Sugar

This one is really interesting. Several studies have shown that sipping a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar each night can actually lower your blood sugar the next morning!

It is also said that apple cider vinegar may improve insulin sensitivity. This makes it especially beneficial for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. *If you are on medication for diabetes, contact your doctor before trying this. 

3.Soothes Sore Throats

Apple cider vinegar added into hot tea is great for naturally easing sore throats.

4.Balances Gut Health

There’s a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut responsible for making digestion run smoothly and helping your body absorb nutrients properly. Sometimes this bacteria becomes imbalanced which can cause a multitude of issues. Apple cider vinegar can prevent an overgrowth of harmful bacterial and reduce inflammation in the gut. 

5.Reduces Heartburn

It sounds crazy, right? The truth is is that apple cider vinegar, when diluted with water, can actually help prevent heartburn. Since acid reflux is caused by a shortage of acid, apple cider vinegar helps to gently restore the balance.

6.Provides Manganese

There isn’t much nutrient-wise to apple cider vinegar, but it does have unusually high levels of the mineral manganese, which is responsible for everything from bone health to regulating our metabolism.

7.Aids in Weight Management

This benefit is often debated, but it has a lot of anecdotal evidence to back it. Apple cider vinegar can increase metabolism and reduce appetite which can lead to a loss of body fat when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Add 1-2 tsp to a glass of water before a meal to see how it works for you. 

8.Improves Heart Health and Regulates Cholesterol

Apple cider vinegar has been shown in some small studies to improve heart health by decreasing certain risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and reducing total cholesterol levels. This systematic review from the NIH details the results of these studies. 

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is an incredible tool to keep in your home apothecary, but it is important to use it correctly. Here are some tips to help you reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar without feeling the negative side effects.

Tips for Using Apple Cider Vinegar Safely:

• Always dilute ACV in water before consuming. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. Because of this, your tooth enamel can be damaged and your esophagus can become irritated if you consume too much undiluted apple cider vinegar.
• Try to avoid drinking apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach.
• Choose raw apple cider vinegar with “the mother”.
• Start out consuming a small amount and gradually increase to see how your body reacts.

Mix with Water

Add 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider vinegar into a glass of water with the sweetener of your choice (I use honey). Drink up! You can add water flavorings if you like as well.

Make a Smoothie

Mix a little ACV into your smoothie for an added boost.

Add to Tea

Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to a cup of hot honey lemon tea.

Make a Salad Dressing

There are multiple recipes for creating salad dressings out of apple cider vinegar. Choose one and top your salads with this tasty & healthy food!

Make Marinades and Sauces

Marinate meat and top dishes with apple cider vinegar to boost health benefits and add an extra tang to your meal. 

Make Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

Not interested in drinking apple cider vinegar? No problem! Chew it in gummy form instead! All you need for this is ACV, apple juice, honey, and gelatin.

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar: Recipe

Homemade ACV Ingredients

• Apple Chunks, Peels, and Cores
• 3 cups Water
• 3 TBSP Sugar
• Quart Jar

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Instructions

• Fill a quart jar 2/3 full of apples. You can use every part of the apple for this.
• Stir the sugar into the water (1 TBSP sugar/1 cup water). A quart jar with apples takes about 3 cups of water and 3 TBSP sugar.
• Pour the sugar water over the apples and make sure they are covered well.
• Cover the jar with a breathable lid and store in a warm dark place for 2 weeks.
• After 2 weeks, strain out the solids and compost them.
• Re-cover and allow the liquid to ferment for 4 more weeks.
• After it has reached the right taste, cover it with a lid and store it at room temperature.

**Recipe from The Homemade Household.

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Written in 2018 By Destiny Hagest, Lehman’s Hardware • Updated in 2025 by Homesteaders of America