Easy Substitutions

  • Apple juice or white grape juice plus a splash of cider or white wine vinegar to taste makes a good stand-in for dry white wine when deglazing pans after searing meat.
  • In recipes calling for dry white wine, use a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris. If a recipe calls for sweet white wine, try a Riesling or Gewürztraminer.
  • In recipes calling for dry red wine, use a Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon or Burgundy.
  • Port's distinctive flavor makes exact substitutions tricky, but if you don't have it, use an equal amount of Madeira or dry vermouth. For a nonalcoholic substitution, use equal parts grape juice and apple juice with 1 or 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar.
  • If a recipe calls for beer, you can use an equal amount of nonalcoholic beer, apple cider or chicken or beef broth instead.
  • Use 1 cup boiling water mixed with 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules in recipes calling for 1 cup brewed coffee.
  • Marsala and Madeira, wines often used in Italian and Spanish cooking, have distinct flavors but can be used interchangeably in recipes. If you don't have either one, substitute with dry sherry.