Out of Dry sherry, one case
Dry sherry substitutes, in depth
9 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Dry white wine
Same amount as the dry sherry
The best dry sherry substitutes are dry white wine (1:1), dry vermouth (1:1), or rice wine (1:1). For non-alcoholic options, use white wine vinegar + water (1:1) or apple cider vinegar + water (1:1).
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- general cooking
One casethe full dry sherry card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of dry sherry | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dry white winegeneral cooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Dry vermouthcooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Rice wine (Shaoxing wine)Chinese cooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | SakeJapanese cooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | White wine vinegar + waternon-alcoholic cooking | ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup waterTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Apple cider vinegar + waternon-alcoholic cooking | ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup waterTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Chicken broth + white wine vinegarsoups | ¾ cup broth + ¼ cup vinegarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 8 | Marsala wineItalian cooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 9 | MirinJapanese cooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Dry white wine
similar taste and texture
The closest substitute to dry sherry with similar acidity and depth. Provides the same wine flavor profile without the fortified wine characteristics.
- Best for
- general cooking, sauces, soups, deglazing, when you want authentic wine flavor
Use the same amount as dry sherry. Choose a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for best results.
Dry vermouth
similar taste and texture
Fortified wine similar to sherry with herbal notes. Provides the same fortified wine characteristics and depth as dry sherry.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, when you want fortified wine flavor, French cooking, deglazing
Dry vermouth has herbal notes that work well in many recipes. It's a fortified wine like sherry, so it provides similar depth.
Rice wine (Shaoxing wine)
similar taste and texture
Chinese cooking wine with similar depth and umami flavor. Good for Asian cooking and provides authentic flavor profile.
- Best for
- Chinese cooking, Asian stir-fries, when you want umami flavor, authentic Asian dishes
Shaoxing wine is the traditional substitute in Chinese cooking. It provides similar depth and umami characteristics.
Sake
different taste, similar texture
Japanese rice wine with clean, dry flavor. Good substitute for dry sherry in Asian cooking and provides similar acidity.
- Best for
- Japanese cooking, Asian dishes, when you want clean flavor, sushi rice
Sake has a cleaner, more delicate flavor than sherry. It works well in Asian cooking and provides good acidity.
White wine vinegar + water
different taste, similar texture
Non-alcoholic alternative that provides acidity similar to dry sherry. Good for when you need the tang without alcohol.
- Best for
- non-alcoholic cooking, when you need acidity, deglazing, sauces, when alcohol isn't desired
Mix equal parts white wine vinegar and water. This provides acidity without alcohol content.
Apple cider vinegar + water
different taste, similar texture
Non-alcoholic alternative with fruity acidity. Provides tanginess and depth without alcohol content.
- Best for
- non-alcoholic cooking, when you want fruity acidity, deglazing, sauces, vegetarian dishes
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. This provides fruity acidity without alcohol content.
Chicken broth + white wine vinegar
different taste, similar texture
Non-alcoholic alternative that provides umami and acidity. Good for soups and sauces where you want depth without alcohol.
- Best for
- soups, sauces, non-alcoholic cooking, when you want umami flavor, French onion soup
Mix chicken broth with white wine vinegar. This provides both umami and acidity without alcohol content.
Marsala wine
similar taste and texture
Italian fortified wine with similar characteristics to sherry. Provides depth and complexity in cooking.
- Best for
- Italian cooking, when you want fortified wine flavor, sauces, mushroom dishes
Marsala has similar fortified wine characteristics to sherry. It works well in Italian cooking and provides good depth.
Mirin
different taste, similar texture
Japanese sweet rice wine with mild sweetness. Good for Asian cooking and provides similar depth to sherry.
- Best for
- Japanese cooking, Asian dishes, when you want mild sweetness, teriyaki sauce
Mirin is sweeter than dry sherry, so you may need to adjust other sweeteners in your recipe. It provides good depth in Asian cooking.
How it behaves in this recipe
Dry sherry serves as a cooking wine that adds depth, acidity, and complexity to dishes. The best substitutes work because they provide similar wine characteristics, acidity, and depth. The choice of substitute depends on the cuisine (Asian vs. Western) and whether alcohol is acceptable in the recipe.
Tips for substituting dry sherry
12 tips- Dry sherry is a fortified wine that adds depth and complexity to dishes - choose substitutes that provide similar characteristics
- For authentic flavor, dry white wine is the closest substitute to dry sherry
- For Asian cooking, rice wine (Shaoxing) or sake work better than white wine
- For non-alcoholic cooking, use vinegar + water combinations or broth + vinegar
- Dry sherry is often used for deglazing - any substitute should provide good acidity for this purpose
- In French onion soup, dry white wine or dry vermouth work best as substitutes
- For Chinese cooking, Shaoxing wine is the traditional and best substitute
- When using vinegar substitutes, start with less and add more to taste
- Fortified wines like vermouth and Marsala provide similar depth to sherry
- For stir-fries, rice wine or sake work better than white wine
- In mushroom dishes, Marsala wine provides excellent flavor similar to sherry
- For sauces, any wine substitute should be reduced to concentrate flavor
Notes on dry sherry
- For a quick non-alcoholic substitute, use lemon juice mixed with a small amount of sugar
- Make your own cooking wine by mixing white wine with a small amount of brandy
- For emergency situations, use a combination of water and a small amount of vinegar
- Consider using vegetable broth with a splash of vinegar for non-alcoholic depth
- For a different approach, use a small amount of Worcestershire sauce for umami depth
Questions
10 questionsWhat's the best substitute for dry sherry in cooking?
Dry white wine is the best substitute for dry sherry in most cooking applications. Use a 1:1 ratio and choose a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Can I use dry vermouth instead of dry sherry?
Yes, dry vermouth is an excellent substitute for dry sherry. It's also a fortified wine and provides similar depth and complexity. Use a 1:1 ratio.
What's a good non-alcoholic substitute for dry sherry?
Mix equal parts white wine vinegar and water, or apple cider vinegar and water. For more depth, use ¾ cup chicken broth with ¼ cup white wine vinegar.
Can I use rice wine instead of dry sherry?
Yes, rice wine (especially Shaoxing wine) is an excellent substitute for dry sherry, especially in Asian cooking. It provides similar umami flavor and depth.
What's the best substitute for dry sherry in French onion soup?
Dry white wine or dry vermouth work best in French onion soup. They provide the acidity and depth needed for the classic flavor profile.
Can I use sake instead of dry sherry?
Yes, sake can work as a substitute for dry sherry, especially in Asian cooking. It has a cleaner, more delicate flavor but provides good acidity.
What's the difference between dry sherry and cooking sherry?
Cooking sherry often contains salt and preservatives, while dry sherry is pure wine. For best results, use dry sherry or dry white wine instead of cooking sherry.
Can I use Marsala wine instead of dry sherry?
Yes, Marsala wine is a good substitute for dry sherry. It's also a fortified wine and provides similar depth and complexity in cooking.
What's the best substitute for dry sherry in Chinese cooking?
Shaoxing wine is the traditional and best substitute for dry sherry in Chinese cooking. It provides authentic flavor and umami characteristics.
Can I use red wine instead of dry sherry?
Red wine can work as a substitute but will change the color and flavor of your dish. Dry white wine is a better choice for most recipes that call for dry sherry.