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Substitute for white wine in cooking – 7 amazing ingredients that should get you covered!

Substitute for white wine in cooking – 7 amazing ingredients that should get you covered!

White wine is a classic ingredient that is readily used in many Italian and French dishes. It adds some much-needed acidity to many dishes and gives them a unique and rich flavor. 

SubstituteRatio to White Wine
Apple Cider Vinegar1:1
Chicken Broth1:1
Apple Juice1:1 (with adjustments for sweetness)
White Grape Juice1:1 (with adjustments for sweetness)
White Wine VinegarEqual parts vinegar and water
Ginger Ale1:1
Water¾ cup for every 1 cup

Whether you use it to make chicken piccata, shrimp scampi, or steamed mussels, white wine always boosts and binds the flavors of the dish that it’s used in. With that said, if you don’t consume white wine due to personal or religious reasons or if you’ve simply run out of white wine, then there are certain ingredients that you can use in its stead. 

Read on to find out the ingredients that you can use as a substitute for white wine in cooking: 

White Wine Flavor

The flavor of white wine depends entirely on which type of white wine you’re drinking and the expertise of the winemaker who made that wine.

 Some popular types of white wine include Chardonnay, which has a buttery, crisp, or citrusy flavor, and Pinot Blanc, which has a spicy, lightly herbal, or citrusy flavor. 

Other types include Pinot Gris/Grigio, which has tartness or a sweet fruity flavor and Chenin Blanc, which has an acidic and fruity flavor.  

A bottle of white wine with white grapes in a wooden background.

White Wine Substitutes for Cooking

Here are some ingredients that you can use instead of white wine in recipes:

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing white wine substitute. It has that aged depth and slightly sweet taste that is quite similar to white wine. 

Hence, for 1 cup of white wine, substitute one cup of apple cider vinegar.

  • Use 1 cup for 1 cup of white wine.

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is a pretty great non-alcoholic white wine substitute that you can use in your recipes. You can use chicken broth in the same proportion as white wine. It will add much-needed depth to your dish, but it will alter its flavor slightly.

Moreover, if the broth is salty, then make sure to taste it before adding additional salt to it. 

  • Substitute with the same amount as white wine.

Apple Juice

If the dish you’re making requires the use of a sweeter variety of white wine, then you can easily swap it with apple juice. It will add the required sweetness to the dish. 

However, since apple juice is sweeter than white wine, make sure to add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to offset the sweetness. It’s better if you don’t use this option in salty or savory dishes and if you must, then use it sparingly.

  • Use in the same proportion as white wine, but add lemon juice or vinegar to balance sweetness.

White Grape Juice

White grape juice is another great ingredient that you can use instead of white wine in recipes. It’s best suited for recipes that are a bit sweet since it is much sweeter than white wine. You can balance the sweet flavor by adding some lemon juice or vinegar.

  • Equal amount to white wine, with added lemon juice or vinegar for balance.

White Wine Vinegar

If your recipe mentions the use of dry white wine, then you can use white wine vinegar. Even though it’s much more acidic than white wine, it has some of the same flavors. Just dilute the vinegar with equal amounts of water to balance the acidity.

  • Dilute with equal parts water; use in the same quantity as white wine.

Ginger Ale

This might seem like an odd substitute for white wine in cooking, but ginger ale has that dry, sweet taste that is an essential part of white wine. You can easily use it in the same proportion as white wine in recipes.

  • Substitute in the same proportion as white wine.

Water

Believe it or not, you can also use water as a white wine replacement. Just replace the wine with ¾ the amount of water. For instance, if a recipe calls for a cup of white wine, then use ¾ cup of water instead. Even though the water won’t add any flavor to your dish, it will surely keep it as juicy as intended so that it doesn’t become dry.

  •  Use ¾ cup for every cup of white wine.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks that you can use if you use white wine substitutes:

  • If you’re not looking for a non-alcoholic white wine substitute, then you can replace it with dry vermouth or sherry.
  • If you want a white wine substitute to use in a marinade, then your best option is a mixture of grape juice and vinegar. It will result in a succulent and tender meat dish.
  • As for making creamy risotto, its best to use chicken broth mixed with a splash of lime juice.
  • To use water as a white wine substitute in stews, add an herb in the water such as bay leaves to add some flavor to your stew.  

The Bottom Line

I hope you enjoyed reading about all of these ingredients that you can use as substitutes for white wine in cooking. Make sure to follow the tips and tricks that I’ve mentioned to use these white wine substitutes correctly and in the right proportions.

A close-up photo of a chef pouring white wine into a pan of shrimp.