The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) has the potential for distributed water treatment and renewable chemical synthesis. Cu is an active monometallic electrocatalyst for the NO₃RR in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, where activity is limited by the reduction of adsorbed nitrate to nitrite. Oxygen-vacancy forming metal-oxide supports provide sites for N-O bond activation in thermal reduction, impacting product distribution as well.