Can i substitute merlot for sherry

Since sherry is a fortified wine, it stands to reason that any other fortified wine will work in its place. Your best bet is going to be another dry fortified wine such as white vermouth. Dry versions of Maderia and marsala are also acceptable. Dry sparkling wines will also work when used in small amounts.

As with dry sherries, the best substitute for a sweet sherry is another sweet fortified wine. Examples are port , which is generally rich and sweet, as well as sweet vermouth, which is red rather than white. Sweet Maderia and marsala are also good choices. Red wines like cabernet sauvignon, grenache, malbec, merlot, shiraz, or zinfandel will also work but will lack sweetness, as will sweet dessert wines like muscat, gewurztraminer, or sauternes.

These wines should be okay if just a small amount of sherry is called for in the recipe. If you don't have access to any wine whatsoever, or if you prefer to cook without alcohol, there are a few non-alcoholic sherry substitutes to try. As a substitute for dry sherry, try apple cider vinegar. For small amounts, like a tablespoon or two, you can use it full strength, but if the recipe calls for more, it's a good idea to dilute the vinegar with water.

For a sweet sherry substitute, add a bit of sugar to the apple cider vinegar. Chicken stock and fruit juice are also decent replacements. If you need to substitute for smaller quantities in sweet recipes, vanilla extract can be used; use a teaspoon of vanilla for every tablespoon of sherry the recipe calls for. Apple cider is commonly used to substitute for sherry in cooking. It can be used in equal measure for the sherry called for in the recipe.

If using apple cider vinegar, cut the amount to one-half of what is called for and replace the remainder with water. For every 2 tablespoons of sherry called for in a recipe, substitute 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. If alcohol is the objection, use alcohol-free extract. If your local grocery store doesn't carry the alcohol-free vanilla, try your local health food store.

You can try equal measures of orange or pineapple juice. Peach or apricot juice can be used also, but will probably need thinning with water if the juice is thick. Aside from that, it is better to use something else with slightly different flavor notes than leave the drink out completely.

No matter which option you will pick, remember that you need to cook the dish long enough to burn the alcohol off. Only it this case the beverage will leave behind the concentrated flavor that gives the dish richness and depth.

Dry red and white wines are great substitutes for cooking sherry. From slow-cooked chicken and meat dishes to deglazing the pan, these sherry substitutes will provide delicious results.

You can also use any cooking wine instead of cooking sherry. Red cooking wine is one of the options you can easily find in stores. How to use: Dry red and white wines are probably the easiest substitutes for cooking sherry. Dry vermouth is one of the best cooking sherry substitutes. You can use this sweet and floral beverage in chicken and seafood dishes that call for sherry. It is also ideal for stews. How to use: You can use an equal amount of dry vermouth to replace cooking sherry. The flavor profile of brandy varies depending on its variety.

It largely depends on the type of fruit it is made from. But brandy is generally sweet, with floral and fruity hints. How to use: When using brandy as a cooking sherry substitute, make sure to cook the dish longer. As the alcohol content in brandy is higher, it needs more time to evaporate. Also, use brandy in a smaller amount than you would use wine. This beverage is much stronger. Marsala, the famous Italian fermented wine, can be quite similar to cooking sherry in terms of flavor notes.

Like sherry, it often has nutty, sweet, and fruity notes. Use Marsala as a cooking sherry substitute in sauces and sweet dishes. Port and Madeira will also work if they are what you have in your collection.

How to use: If the recipe calls for a cup of cooking sherry, use a cup of Marsala instead. If you are into cooking Chinese dishes, you may be familiar with Shaoxing cooking wine. Shaoxing wine is fermented rice wine. It has caramel notes and people often describe it as somewhat spicy and vinegary. Shaoxing cooking wine, unlike Shaoxing wine, contains added salt and preservatives. How to use: You can use Shaoxing cooking wine to deglaze your pans.

You can also add it to sauces and braises. As Shaoxing cooking wine contains salt just like cooking sherry does, you may not need to alter the amount of salt you put in the dish. Use Shaoxing cooking wine in small amounts as it has a strong alcoholic taste. Recipes generally call for only a tablespoon or two of this ingredient.

Luckily, there are several options to choose from, and you are very likely to have one of these substitutes in your fridge. Moreover, due to the different manufacturing styles, their flavor profiles can vary dramatically. When a recipe calls for fortified wines, do you have to use them? We tried adapting recipes for sherry-cream sauce with leftover Chardonnay and a port-cherry reduction with leftover Merlot.

We started by adding a sweetener, experimenting with granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and honey. Because every bottle of wine is different even within a certain varietal , a universal substitution formula is nearly impossible.