Looking For Non Alcoholic Substitutes For Wine - both red and white !

Brianna Elliott RD writes:
"Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage made from fermented grape juice. Red and white wine are also popular cooking ingredients. They are included in many recipes to enhance flavour and colour. Additionally, wine is often used in cooking to provide moisture, tenderize meat or to deglaze a pan. If you don’t have wine on hand, or if you choose not to consume alcohol, there are many non-alcoholic substitutes you can use in cooking that will make your food just as delicious.

This article discusses 11 non-alcoholic substitutes for wine in cooking.

1. Red and White Wine Vinegar
Wine vinegar can replace wine in cooking without having a major impact on the taste of recipes. However, it is important to dilute vinegar with water before using it in cooking, due to its intense acidity. 

2. Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is an excellent substitute for red wine in cooking due to its similar colour, flavour and acidity.

3. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice has several properties similar to red wine, so it makes a great non-alcoholic replacement for red wine in cooking.

4. Ginger Ale
Ginger ale may replace white wine in cooking as a result of its similar acidity and sweet taste.

5.Red or White Grape Juice
Since grape juice and wine have similar colours and flavours, grape juice can be used to replace wine at a 1:1 ratio in recipes.

6. Chicken, Beef or Vegetable Stock
Chicken, beef and vegetable stock may be an effective replacement for wine in recipes, due to their similar function in cooking. 

7. Apple Juice

Apple juice is a great non-alcoholic substitute for white wine because of its similar flavour and colour.

8. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is an excellent way to add flavour and acidity to dishes, so it makes a great non-alcoholic replacement for white wine in cooking.

9. Liquid From Canned Mushrooms

Canned mushroom liquid is an excellent replacement for red wine in cooking, especially in savoury dishes.

10. Tomato Juice
Tomato juice is acidic and has a similar colour to red wine, thus making it a great non-alcoholic substitute for red wine in cooking.

11. Water
Water contributes liquid to recipes, so can be used to replace wine in cooking. However, it does not contribute any flavour, colour or acidity.

The Bottom Line
There are several non-alcoholic ingredients that have properties similar to wine and can be used as substitutes for wine in cooking. Some ingredients, such as grape juice, may replace wine equally in recipes, while others may need to be mixed with other ingredients to make an effective substitute. It is important to keep your desired flavour in mind when you are replacing wine in recipes. For example, if you are looking for a sweet taste, it is best to use a sweet ingredient. Also, you may find it helpful to do a taste test when replacing wine in cooking, to ensure you are achieving your desired flavour in a dish." 

The above is only a snippet of Brianna's article.
You can read it in full, with related research links etc. here

We bring a variety of articles, studies etc. plus recent news/views and recipe ideas to this blog, we hope something for everyone to read and enjoy.

Please note, not all may be suitable for you.

If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan