Five Alternatives to Sherry

Because of its sweet and fruity flavor, sherry is often offered as an aperitif before a big dinner. It is also a favorite cooking component in soups, stews, sauces, marinades, and baked goods. It is produced in the Spanish region of Jerez from fermented white grapes and brandy. Fino, Manzanilla, Oloroso, and Amontillado are just a few of the varieties available.

Since sherry is not the most frequently found component in pantries, you may find yourself in need of a sherry alternative when making a recipe that specifically asks for it.

Fortunately, there are many of non-alcoholic sherry substitutes available. These pantry staples can perfectly replace sherry without sacrificing flavor if used in moderation and diluted as needed. Don’t let your stew, soup, or sauce lack even a hint of that delectably sweet flavor—check out our guide on the top 5 sherry alternatives.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

When diluted with water, apple cider vinegar, which is readily available, works well as a replacement. You can use ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup water in place of every cup sherry that your recipe calls for. For marinades, soups, sauces, and stews, use apple cider vinegar instead of sherry; do not use it for desserts.

2. Port Wine

You should continue on if you’re not familiar with port wine. Because of its sweetness and richness, port, a sweet red fortified wine from Portugal, is often drunk as a dessert wine. Use an equivalent amount of port wine in recipes calling for a cup of sherry to achieve the same flavor, especially in creamy soups, stews, sauces, and meat marinades.

3. Vanilla Extract

You may easily replace the sherry in sweet meals that use it as a sugar substitute with vanilla essence to achieve a similarly sweet taste. Use only two teaspoons of vanilla extract for every two tablespoons of sherry due to its high concentration; replace the lost liquid by combining the two teaspoons of vanilla extract with four teaspoons of water.

4. Fruit Juice

Fresh fruit juice may be a preferable substitute for sherry when making a sweet dessert, particularly if it’s intended for children and you don’t want to use any alcohol when cooking. Instead of sherry, use an equal amount of orange, apricot, peach, or pineapple juice; if it’s too thick, thin it out with a few tablespoons of water. Fresh juice tastes better and is naturally sweeter than store-bought juice, so if you can get your hands on some, use that instead.

5. Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar can be used in place of sherry in savory recipes and marinades to achieve a similar flavor profile in the finished product. To avoid an overbearing vinegar flavor, dilute or use modest amounts of red wine vinegar. Use two teaspoons red wine vinegar diluted in one cup chicken broth for every cup of sherry called for in your recipe.

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