Substitutions For Cooking With Alcohol

Bratwurst marinated in beer and onions … a splash of sherry to enhance cooking juices … chicken braised in wine… Alcohol can add to the flavor, tenderness and texture of your meals – but what if you, your family or your guests don’t drink?

It is easy to make quick, flavorful substitutions for alcohol in recipes:

For white wine, use an equal amount of white grape juice, apple juice or nonalcoholic wine.
For red wine, use an equal amount of red grape juice, cranberry juice or nonalcoholic wine.
For port wine, rum, brandy or sweet sherry, use an equal amount of apple juice plus one teaspoon vanilla extract.
For two tablespoons of bourbon, use one to two teaspoons of vanilla extract.
For beer in soups, stews and other cooked dishes, use an equal amount of non-alcoholic beer, apple cider or broth.

Choosing to avoid alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite recipes made with beer, wine or distilled spirits.