Wine is a common ingredient in casseroles, soups, stews, risottos, desserts, and sauces. Usually it is added to a recipe and reduced by simmering or boiling to burn off the alcohol and concentrate the flavour. But what do you do if you don’t have wine, or you prefer not to use it in your cooking? Is it possible to achieve the same depth of flavour that wine offers with other ingredients? The answer is “yes”, there are substitutes that you can use that will yield excellent results. Let’s take a look at some of the options.
Other types of alcohol
Obviously if you don’t want to use alcohol this is not the solution for you, so please jump down to the next section.
If you’re out of white wine, sparkling wine is an excellent substitute, as is a lightly coloured rosé. Vermouth is also an option, but only in recipes where you are using a small quantity, otherwise it can overpower the other flavours in the dish. Red wine can be used as a substitute, but it will affect the colour of the dish so decide if you’re prepared to eat pink risotto before you splash it in.
Apple Juice
Apple juice is an excellent replacement for sweet white wine, although it should be balanced with a splash of acidity from vinegar or lemon juice to balance it out.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This is probably the best substitute for white wine of all. It has a similar flavour profile with the acidity and subtle sweetness of wine. You can do a direct swap here using the same amount of apple cider vinegar as you would wine.
White Wine Vinegar
Another good option, white wine vinegar is good as a replacement for dry white wine. It is much more acidic than white wine though so it should be diluted with water or stock. Use a ratio of 50% white wine vinegar to 50% water or stock.
Chicken or Vegetable stock
You will get flavour from stock but it lacks the acidity of white wine. Splash in some lemon juice to get a flavour closer to that of wine.
Water
If you don’t have any of the previous options available to you, water is better than nothing. Although it won’t help with the flavour of the recipe, it will help to stop your dish from drying out by keeping the liquid balance of the recipe intact.
FAQs
A good substitute for a cup of white wine is a cup of broth or vegetable stock, with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for acidity. The general rule is to add one tablespoon of vinegar for every cup of broth used. For recipes requiring ¼ cup of white wine or less, it's generally safe to omit the wine altogether.
What is the ratio for white wine substitute? ›
Another good option, white wine vinegar is good as a replacement for dry white wine. It is much more acidic than white wine though so it should be diluted with water or stock. Use a ratio of 50% white wine vinegar to 50% water or stock. You will get flavour from stock but it lacks the acidity of white wine.
Can rice vinegar replace white wine in cooking? ›
Common in East Asian dishes, rice wine vinegar can be a good alternative to white wine in recipes. It's sweeter and less acidic than other substitutes, so you may want to add lemon juice or a touch of white vinegar to achieve the desired flavor.
How much apple cider vinegar to substitute for white wine? ›
If you happen to have it on hand, apple cider vinegar is a great substitute for white wine. It's slightly sweet and has a similarly aged depth, just like wine. Add the same amount of vinegar as the amount of wine called for in the recipe.
When a recipe calls for dry white wine What do you use? ›
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and dry sparkling wines labeled "brut" are especially good choices. Fuller whites with strong, oaky flavors, like some Chardonnays, don't work as well for cooking because they are lower in acidity and don't provide as much punch as the crisper wines.
How to replace white wine in a recipe? ›
A good substitute for a cup of white wine is a cup of broth or vegetable stock, with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for acidity. The general rule is to add one tablespoon of vinegar for every cup of broth used. For recipes requiring ¼ cup of white wine or less, it's generally safe to omit the wine altogether.
How much lemon juice to substitute for white wine? ›
One cup of white wine can be replaced with a ½ cup of lemon juice and a ½ cup of water. If you don't want the acidity to be too strong, you can opt for a ¼ cup of lemon juice with water rounding out the remaining ¾.
What is a non alcoholic substitute for white wine? ›
Chicken, Beef or Vegetable Stock
Due to its similar function in cooking, stock is an excellent non-alcoholic substitute for wine. Since beef broth has a deeper color and flavor, it works best as a replacement for red wine. On the other hand, chicken and vegetable broths are better replacements for white wine.
What is a substitute for white wine when deglazing? ›
White wine vinegar: This is an ideal substitute for dry white wine, especially when its purpose is to deglaze a pan. Made from white wine, white wine vinegar has many of the same flavor characteristics, minus the alcohol. Lemon juice: This is another good substitute for deglazing.
Why do recipes call for white wine? ›
Using wine in place of some or all of the vinegar in classic beurre blanc and Béarnaise sauces will make them less acidic and more complex. Wine also adds depth to and cuts the richness of cream-based sauces. You might even want to try whisking a little white wine into your scrambled eggs or omelet before cooking.
Cooking wine tends to be higher in alcohol, coming in at around 16 to 17 percent. This is intentional, since alcohol burns off during cooking— the higher the alcohol level, the longer it takes to burn off. A cooking wine also contains salt, some preservatives and in some cases, a sweetener.
What is a good white wine to use when cooking? ›
Look for grape varietals like pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, vermentino or chardonnay. Avoid white wines like moscato or riesling, which may include words like sweet, auslese or demi-sec on their labels.
Does white wine vinegar work the same as white vinegar? ›
The flavors of white vinegar and white wine vinegar can differ sharply, as can their functions outside of culinary use, so substituting one for the other is something you should avoid if possible. Using different types of vinegar interchangeably can change the acidity level of a recipe, which can affect food safety.
What is a bottle of white wine equivalent to? ›
Drinks and units
A 750ml bottle of red, white or rosé wine (ABV 13.5%) contains 10 units. See the guide below to find out how many units are in your favourite tipple. *Gin, rum, vodka, whisky, tequila and sambuca. Large (35ml) single measures of spirits are 1.4 units.
Can I use beer instead of white wine? ›
Fortunately, whether you're already cooking or just don't want to run back to the store, there are often simple ways to substitute another ingredient you have on hand. With white wine, one of the best, most readily available swaps is refreshing (and sometimes maligned) light beer.
