Got a recipe that calls for cooking with wine, but don’t want to open a bottle? Or want to avoid alcohol all together? Don’t worry: we’ve got red and white wine substitute ideas! Italian and French style recipes often call for white wine in the ingredient list. It’s used to de-glaze the pan or add a complex, acidic flavor to dishes. It adds incredible complexity to risotto or pan sauces!

Best substitutes for white wine in cooking

1. Vegetable or chicken broth.

A good white wine substitute? You can use broth as a white wine substitute in cooking! It won’t bring the acidity or complexity that wine does, but it will add a little extra flavor. You can also add a splash of white wine vinegar or a hint of lemon to add a hint of acidity, but don’t overdo it.

2. Water.

If you’re really in a pinch, you can just use water as a white wine substitute! It won’t stand in for the acidity of white wine, but will keep the liquid ratios the same as the original recipe intended.

Why to avoid cooking wine

One note: do not use cooking wine! It has a bitter flavor and should be avoided at all costs. Any dry white or red wine you’d drink will do! Or, use one of the non-alcoholic substitutes above.

Related recipes

Here are a few recipes where white wine is used to bring complexity in flavor:

• Easy Mushroom Risotto
• Classic Risotto
• Gluten Free Quiche

01

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

02

Classic Risotto

03

Gluten Free Quiche with Almond Crust

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Making a recipe that calls for Sriracha hot sauce and don’t have it? Or shopping at the store and the shelf is empty? Don’t worry, there are a few other hot sauce options that are suited for the task. Sriracha is a hot sauce that originated from Thailand made of chile peppers, vinegar, garlic and sugar (read more about its origins here). It became very popular in the US in the 2010s, often used in Thai or Japanese-style dishes, used to top fried rice, or mixed into spicy mayo.

Don’t have it on hand, or the grocery store is all out? Here are the best hot sauces to use as a Sriracha substitute.

1. Chili garlic sauce

The best Sriracha substitute? Garlic chili sauce. You might see this condiment on the table at Thai or Japanese restaurants. It’s similar to Sriracha but with a thicker and chunkier texture, made with chilies and lots of garlic. It tastes a little brighter than Sriracha and has more nuance. It lasts for months and is absolutely worth adding to your fridge!

2. Sambal oelek

Another great Sriracha substitute? Sambal oelek. Sambal oelek is an Indonesian chili sauce made of chili peppers, garlic, ginger and lime. In fact, it shares many of the same ingredients as Sriracha! However, it has a chunky texture and little to no sugar.

What about heat level? Sambal oelek is relatively as spicy as Sriracha, but because it has less sugar it may taste slightly spicier. Both rank around 2,000 Scoville units (a measure of spiciness).

3. Gochugjang

A final Sriracha substitute? Gochugjang. Gochugjang is a spicy Korean fermented condiment, made with chili powder, rice and fermented soy beans. It has a developed, nuanced flavor and is popularly used in the Korean rice dish, bibimbap. Gochugjang can vary in heat level, so use it to taste.

Related recipes

Here are some recipes where you could use this Sriracha substitute:

• Spicy Mayo
• Sriracha Aioli
• Spicy Edamame
• Three Onion Homemade Fried Rice
• Spicy Brussels Sprouts
• Broccoli Stir Fry
• Coconut Bacon
• Peanut Noodles

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Making a recipe that calls for dry sherry and don’t have it? Sake (pronounced sah-kay) is a Japanese fermented rice liquor, sometimes called rice wine. Sake has a smooth flavor with a dry finish, like dry white wine or dry vermouth. It’s used in cooking like a white wine: to deglaze a pan, tenderize meat and add complexity in flavor to sauces. Of course sake is also used in cocktails (like this tasty Sake Southside!), but today we’re talking about cooking sake substitutes.

But don’t have time to shop for it, or don’t want to spring for a bottle? Or need a non-alcoholic substitute? We’ve got you.

Best sake substitute to use in cooking!

1. Dry sherry

The best sake substitute? Dry sherry. Cooking sherry is dry white wine that’s been fortified by adding alcohol. The flavor is sharp, with a scent of apple cider and a very dry finish. The flavor is a bit stronger than sake, but it’s close. Use it as a 1:1 replacement.

2. Dry white wine

Another good sake substitute? Dry white wine. The flavor profiles of sake and dry white wine are very similar, though sake may be slightly stronger. Use a dry white wine as a 1:1 replacement. Avoid using a sweet wine, because it will give the recipe an entirely new character.

3. Dry vermouth

Another decent sake substitute? Dry white vermouth! Do not use a sweet vermouth (which are typically red) or a semi-sweet vermouth like Dolin or Lillet Blanc. These will come out entirely too sweet and change the character of the recipe. But a dry vermouth works: like what you’d use for a Classic Martini.

4. Rice wine vinegar

Need a non-alcoholic sake substitute? Try rice wine vinegar! What’s the ratio? Use 1 tablespoon vinegar plus 3 tablespoons water to replace ¼ cup sake.

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Making a recipe that calls for ketchup and don’t have it? Or need a dip for fries and realized you’re all out? Don’t worry: there are a few quick pantry tricks to make up for this iconic sauce! Ketchup is a red condiment made with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and a load of secret spices that vary based on manufacturer. You know it best as a dip for your fries and sauce for a burger, but it’s also used in recipes to add a tangy, sweet or complex nuance.

Don’t have time to shop for it? Or cooking and just realized you don’t have it? (It happens often, over here!) Here are some ketchup substitute ideas.

Best ketchup substitute

1. Homemade ketchup substitute (recipe below)

The best substitute for ketchup? Try this quick and easy homemade ketchup substitute! All you need are a few pantry ingredients and you can mix up this replacement in just a few minutes. Here’s what to mix together:

• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

For the best texture, pass it through a fine mesh strainer or sieve using a spatula. This helps it to become smoother and glossier. Or, you can skip this step and just dig in! You can also make our Homemade Ketchup Recipe.

2. Tomato paste (in a cooked dish)

Using ketchup in a cooked dish, like chili? The next best ketchup substitute is tomato paste. Add vinegar and/or honey or maple syrup using the quantities above if you have them on hand. You could also mix in a little Worcestershire sauce. Straight tomato paste is pretty bland, but it works in a pinch.

3. Tomato puree or tomato sauce (in a cooked dish)

Another decent ketchup substitute? Tomato puree or tomato sauce. These products have a looser consistency than tomato paste, and it tastes more bitter. We recommend adding vinegar and/or honey or maple syrup using the quantities above if you have them on hand. Like tomato paste, tomato sauce is bland compared to ketchup, but it works in a pinch.

Related recipes

Here are some recipes where you could use this ketchup substitution:

• Vegan Sloppy Joes
• Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Vegan BBQ Sauce
• Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich
• Homemade Cocktail Sauce
• 3-Bean Healthy Chili Recipe

Best Ketchup Substitute (in 2 minutes!)

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★★★★

4 from 1 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 2 minutes
• Yield: About ¼ cup

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Ingredients

• ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl. Press through a fine mesh sieve / strainer using a spatula: this makes for a glossier texture. 

• Category: Condiment
• Method: Stirred
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Ketchup substitute

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Making a recipe that calls for tomato puree and don’t have it? Or not sure what it is? It’s no wonder, because it’s easily confused with tomato paste and tomato sauce. What is tomato puree?

• Tomato puree is a canned sauce made of cooked, strained tomatoes. It is slightly thicker than tomato sauce, and has a more developed flavor. It’s thinner than tomato paste. In fact, in many cases it’s made with tomato paste and water! It’s usually sold in 10 to 15-ounce cans.
• Tomato paste is a very thick paste of tomatoes with a sweet flavor. It’s sold in small 6-ounce cans, since you usually only use small amounts. It’s also sold in tubes, which is very handy!
• Tomato sauce is a canned sauce made of cooked and strained tomatoes: it’s unseasoned and has a thinner consistency than tomato puree.

Making a recipe and don’t have time to shop for it? Here are some of the best tomato puree substitute ideas.

Best tomato puree substitute

1. Tomato paste + water.

The best tomato puree substitute? Equal parts tomato paste and water! This makes a flavor and texture almost exactly like tomato puree. In fact, that’s what’s in most cans of tomato puree anyway. For ½ cup tomato puree, substitute ¼ cup tomato paste + ¼ cup water.

2. Tomato sauce

Another good tomato puree substitute? Tomato sauce! The flavor is less developed than tomato puree, but in many recipes you might not notice a difference. You can use it as a 1:1 replacement, keeping in mind the texture is slightly looser than puree.

3. Marinara sauce or pizza sauce (in a pinch)

Need a tomato puree substitute in a pinch? Try marinara sauce or pizza sauce. It’s important to note that these sauces are flavored, often with garlic or herbs, whereas tomato puree is unflavored. These sauces will add a distinctly Italian flavor to your recipe, so make sure that you’re okay with that before proceeding. This works with pasta, but less with something like a homemade ketchup.

Related recipes

Here are some recipes where you could use this tomato puree substitution:

• Vegan Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Tomato Puree Substitute

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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 1 minute
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 1 minute
• Yield: ½ cup

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Don’t have tomato puree, or realized you’re all out while you’re cooking? Here’s the best tomato puree substitute to use in recipes.

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Ingredients

• ¼ cup tomato paste
• ¼ cup water

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Instructions

1. Mix the tomato paste together with water. Use immediately. 

• Category: Essentials
• Method: Stirred
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Tomato puree substitute

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Making a recipe that calls for dry sherry and don’t have it? Sherry is a fortified wine made in Spain: it’s made by adding grape liquor to white wine. The flavor is sharp, with a scent of apple cider and a very dry finish. It’s got a very unique flavor, so it’s worth finding for a recipe that calls for it! Often, cooking sherry is used to deglaze a pan, which leaves behind a nuanced, complex flavor.

But don’t have time to shop for it, or don’t want to spring for a bottle? Or need a non-alcoholic substitute? We’ve got you.

Best sherry substitute

1. Dry white wine

The best sherry substitute? Dry white wine! Sherry is dry white wine that’s been fortified by adding alcohol, so it’s pretty close to a bottle of dry white already. The finish of a sip of sherry is sharper and dryer than a wine, which is a little sweeter. However, you might not be able to tell the difference when you use wine in place of a cooking sherry.

Use a dry white wine as a 1:1 replacement. Avoid using a sweet wine, because it will give the recipe an entirely new character.

2. Dry vermouth

Another decent sherry substitute? Dry white vermouth! Do not use a sweet vermouth (which are typically red) or a semi-sweet vermouth like Dolin or Lillet Blanc. These will come out entirely too sweet and change the character of the recipe. But a dry vermouth works: like what you’d use for a Classic Martini.

3. White wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or sherry vinegar

Need a non-alcoholic dry sherry substitute? Try a cooking vinegar! Good options include white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or sherry vinegar. What’s the ratio? Use 1 tablespoon vinegar to substitute for ¼ cup dry sherry.

Related sherry recipes

Here are some recipes where you could use this dry sherry substitute:

• Vegetarian French Onion Soup

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Making a recipe and can’t find cremini mushrooms? We’ve got your back! Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bella mushrooms, are small edible fungi with a round brown top and a robust savory flavor. They’re the same variety as white button mushrooms, but a stage older: so their flavor is more developed. They’re also a younger version of a portobello mushroom, the most meaty and savory mushroom of them all. So you’ll probably be able to guess what the best substitutes are…

Best cremini mushroom substitute

Remember: cremini = baby bella!

Before you start, remember that cremini mushrooms are the same as baby bella mushrooms! So if you’re at the store and can only find baby bellas: they’re one and the same! Grab a package of baby bellas and you’re done.

1. White mushrooms, aka button mushrooms

The best cremini mushroom substitute? White mushrooms, otherwise known as button mushrooms. White mushrooms are the same variety as cremini mushrooms, just a stage younger in development. This means white mushrooms won’t have quite the same developed savory flavor as the cremini, but they’re pretty close: and they have a very similar shape and size. This makes them the perfect 1 for 1 replacement.

2. Portobello mushrooms

The next best cremini mushroom substitute? Portobello mushrooms, chopped into smaller pieces. Portobello mushrooms are the same variety as cremini mushrooms, just a stage older in development. This means they have an even more meaty and savory flavor. In most cases, portobello mushrooms will make your recipe taste even better!

The only situation where this won’t work is if you’re making stuffed cremini mushrooms: in this case, use white mushrooms instead since they’re a better size match.

Related recipes

Here are some of our favorite cremini mushroom recipes:

• Sauteed Mushrooms
• Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms
• Roasted Mushrooms
• Cremini Mushrooms and Onions
• Mushroom & Goat Cheese Pasta
• Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan
• Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
• Cremini Mushroom Pizza
• Brie & Mushroom Quesadilla
• Mushroom Barley Soup
• Farro with Mushrooms & Parmesan
• Grilled Cremini Mushrooms

Sauteed Cremini Mushrooms (& Substitute Ideas!)

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• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4

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Description

Here’s the best basic cremini mushrooms recipe, sauteed to perfection! If you can’t find them, substitute white button mushrooms or portobello mushrooms. 

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Ingredients

• 16 ounces cremini mushrooms (or white mushrooms or chopped portobello mushrooms)
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh thyme and oregano
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Fresh ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Clean the mushrooms, then slice them. Chop the fresh thyme and oregano.
2. In a saute pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often (the mushrooms will start to release their liquid at this point).
3. Add the herbs and kosher salt and pepper and cook another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is cooked out and the mushrooms are tender. (Taste to assess doneness.)
4. Turn off the heat and add lemon juice and stir. Taste and add another pinch salt as necessary.

• Category: Side dish
• Method: Sauteed
• Cuisine: Mushrooms
• Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Cremini mushroom substitute

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Making a cocktail that calls for bitters and don’t have it? Don’t worry, there are few options that work as a replacement! Cocktail bitters are alcohol that’s infused with herbs, fruit, spices, leaves and other botanicals. They have a bitter, herbal flavor and are used to add nuance and intrigue to cocktails. The most famous cocktail recipe to use bitters is the Old Fashioned, but there are lots of other greats like the Manhattan and Sazerac. The most popular types of bitters are:

• Angostura bitters
• Peychauds bitters
• Orange bitters

Don’t have cocktail bitters on hand? You’re in luck: there are several options for a great bitters substitute that are easy to find. We tested each one in an Old Fashioned: here are our favorites!

Best bitters substitute

1. Campari

The best bitters substitute? Campari. Campari is a popular Italian bitter liqueur that’s bright red and best known for its use in the Negroni. It’s intensely bitter and lightly sweet. It works extraordinarily well in an Old Fashioned, and it’s one of the most popular secondary liqueurs so you might already have it on hand. Use the ratio of 4 dashes bitters = ¼ teaspoon Campari.

2. Absinthe

Another bitters substitute? Absinthe. Absinthe is a popular liqueur with a black licorice finish, most popular for being banned in the US and Europe for almost 100 years. It’s now in good graces and part of popular cocktails like the Sazerac and Corpse Reviver No 2. Use the ratio of 4 dashes bitters = ¼ teaspoon absinthe.

3. Fernet-Branca or other amaro

Another bitters substitute? Any type of Amaro, a family of Italian herbal liqueurs that taste bitter (amaro means bitter in Italian). It encompasses a wide range of spirits, including Campari and the super-bitter Fernet-Branca. Fernet is so strong, you only need to use a few drops. Use the ratio of 4 dashes bitters = 2 drops Fernet-Branca or ¼ teaspoon Italian amaro.

Related recipes

Here are some cocktails with bitters to try:

• Amaretto Sour
• Bitters and Soda
• Black Manhattan
• Brooklyn
• Champagne Cocktail (Classic)
• La Louisiane
• Manhattan
• Martinez
• Old Fashioned
• Pisco Sour
• Rob Roy
• Sazerac
• Singapore Sling
• Smoked Old Fashioned
• Toronto Cocktail
• Tequila Sour
• Vodka Sour
• Wisconsin Old Fashioned
• Zombie

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Making a recipe and don’t have an orange on hand? Here’s what you can do. Orange zest adds a zing and brightness to everything it touches. The zest holds the fruit’s essential oils, giving it the most pure orange flavor.

Before you start: is orange in the title of the recipe, like Orange Cake or Orange Vinaigrette? If so, you’ll want to hold out until you can find the real deal. But what’s the best way to conjure it up for a recipe where it’s in a supporting role? Here’s the best orange zest substitute.

Pro Tip: Here’s how to zest an orange!

Best orange zest substitute

1. Lemon zest.

The best substitute for orange zest? The same amount of lemon zest. Keep in mind this changes the flavor profile to lemon: but it has a complementary citrus flair. You can also use the zest of any citrus fruit like a lime, but lemon is the closest flavor match. This substitution is especially useful in baking recipes and recipes where the texture matters. It can work in savory recipes too. What’s the ratio? 1 teaspoon lemon zest = 1 teaspoon orange zest

2. Orange juice (in some cases).

Another great orange zest substitute? Orange juice. Bottled orange juice actually works relatively well as a substitute for the fresh stuff (unlike with fresh lemon juice). Avoid substituting orange juice if the liquid would hurt the recipe: for example, in a whipped cream that needs to stay fluffy and light. What’s the ratio? 2 tablespoons orange juice = 1 teaspoon orange zest

3. Orange extract

Another good substitute for orange zest? Orange extract. This citrus extract is similar to vanilla extract: you might have bought it for making angel food cake! It’s very strong and it works well in baking to bring in a strong orange vibe. What’s the ratio? ¼ teaspoon orange extract = 1 teaspoon orange zest

4. Leave it out.

Orange zest is an important ingredient to add brightness and lift to recipes. But don’t have any of the substitution ingredients above? You can omit orange zest without ruining your recipe…it just won’t taste quite as good.

Related recipes

Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring orange:

• Orange Smoothie
• How to Zest an Orange
• 10 Blood Orange Recipes to Try
• Blood Orange Margarita
• Garibaldi Cocktail
• Fennel Orange Salad
• How to Cut an Orange
• Upside Down Orange Cake

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Making a recipe that calls for kosher salt and don’t have it on hand? Kosher salt is a coarse, flat grained edible salt without additives. Cooking with kosher salt instead of table salt is transformative. Why? Two reasons: kosher salt has wider, coarser grains vs table salt. The wider grains salt food in a gentler way than table salt. Kosher salt also has no iodine, which can lend a bitter taste to foods salted with table salt. So we highly, highly recommend using this type of salt in your cooking.

First off…decide whether you need a substitute!

Can you use table salt instead of kosher salt? We don’t recommend it! Kosher salt is the perfect every day salt for recipes of all kinds. If it’s not your go to in your salt cellar: it should be! Here’s more about Kosher Salt: Explained.

But are you in the middle of a recipe and don’t have time to go to the store? We can help. Here’s the best kosher salt substitute to use in a pinch.

Best kosher salt substitute

1. Flaky sea salt (or Himalayan salt).

The best kosher salt substitute? Coarse sea salt or Himalayan pink salt. Because of the size of the coarse grains, you can use flaky sea salt as a 1:1 replacement for kosher salt. For more on the similarities and differences between the two, head to Kosher Salt vs Sea Salt.

2. Fine sea salt.

Another good kosher salt substitute? Fine sea salt. Because fine sea salt is ground so much finer, you’ll need to use less. Use ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt in place of 1 teaspoon kosher salt.

3. Table salt only in a pinch

A substitute to use in a pinch? If you must, you can use table salt. But again: we don’t recommend it! It doesn’t salt food nearly as well, and it can leave behind a bitter flavor. Use ¾ teaspoon table salt in place of 1 teaspoon kosher salt.

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.