Marsala wine substitutes
Marsala wine substitutes — 7 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Madeira wine
Same amount as the Marsala wine
Portuguese fortified wine with similar sweet, nutty characteristics.
The best substitutes for Marsala wine are Madeira, sherry, port wine, or a mixture of white wine with brandy and sugar for cooking applications.
- Best for —
- sauces
Updated 19 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Marsala wine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madeira winesauces | Same amount |
| 2 | Sherrysauces | Same amount |
| 3 | Port winedesserts | Same amount |
| 4 | White wine + brandy + sugarcooking | 1/3 cup dry white wine + 2 tbsp brandy + 1 tsp sugar per ½ cup Marsala |
| 5 | Dry white wine + vanilla extract + sugarwhen avoiding alcohol | ½ cup dry white wine + ¼ tsp vanilla extract + 1 tsp sugar per ½ cup Marsala |
| 6 | Apple juice + white wine vinegar + sugarnon-alcoholic cooking | 1/3 cup apple juice + 1 tbsp white wine vinegar + 1 tsp sugar per ½ cup Marsala |
| 7 | Cognac + white wine + sugarhigh-end cooking | ¼ cup white wine + 2 tbsp cognac + 1 tsp sugar per ½ cup Marsala |
Madeira wine
similar nutty, sweet flavor · similar texture
Portuguese fortified wine with similar sweet, nutty characteristics.
- Best for
- sauces, marinades, desserts, mushroom dishes, chicken marsala
Choose dry or sweet Madeira based on your recipe. Dry for savory dishes, sweet for desserts.
Sherry
nutty, complex, similar depth · similar texture
Spanish fortified wine with nutty, complex flavors similar to Marsala.
- Best for
- sauces, soups, marinades, mushroom dishes, cooking
- Prep
- Choose dry or sweet based on recipe needs.
Use dry sherry for savory dishes, sweet sherry for desserts. Avoid cooking sherry with added salt.
Port wine
sweeter, rich, fruity · similar texture
Portuguese fortified wine with rich, sweet flavor profile.
- Best for
- desserts, sweet sauces, when you want extra sweetness, chocolate dishes
- Prep
- Consider reducing other sweeteners in the recipe.
Port is sweeter than Marsala, so reduce other sweeteners in your recipe if using.
White wine + brandy + sugar
similar with added complexity · similar texture
Homemade combination that mimics Marsala's fortified wine characteristics.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, marinades, when you can't find fortified wines
- Prep
- Mix white wine with brandy and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
Use dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Adjust sugar to taste.
Dry white wine + vanilla extract + sugar
sweet, vanilla notes · similar texture
Non-alcoholic alternative with vanilla adding depth and complexity.
- Best for
- when avoiding alcohol, family cooking, sauces, marinades
- Prep
- Mix white wine with vanilla extract and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
This won't have the exact same flavor profile but works well for cooking applications.
Apple juice + white wine vinegar + sugar
sweet, fruity, slightly tangy · similar texture
Non-alcoholic alternative with fruity sweetness and acidity.
- Best for
- non-alcoholic cooking, family meals, when alcohol is not available, sauces
- Prep
- Mix apple juice with vinegar and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
This provides sweetness and acidity but lacks the complexity of fortified wine.
Cognac + white wine + sugar
rich, complex, slightly sweet · similar texture
Premium alternative with rich, complex flavors.
- Best for
- high-end cooking, when you want extra richness, sauces, marinades
- Prep
- Mix white wine with cognac and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
Cognac adds extra depth and richness. Use good quality cognac for best results.
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the difference between dry and sweet Marsala?
Dry Marsala (secco) has less residual sugar and works best for savory dishes, while sweet Marsala (dolce) has more sugar and is better for desserts and sweet sauces.
Can I use cooking Marsala instead of drinking Marsala?
Yes, cooking Marsala is fine for most recipes. It's often salted, so you may need to reduce salt in your recipe.
Does the alcohol cook out of Marsala wine?
Most of the alcohol evaporates during cooking, but some may remain depending on cooking time and method. For completely alcohol-free cooking, use non-alcoholic substitutes.
Can I substitute red wine for Marsala?
Red wine has a different flavor profile and color, so it's not ideal. If you must use it, consider adding a bit of sugar to mimic Marsala's sweetness.
How long does opened Marsala wine last?
Opened Marsala wine can last 2-3 months in the refrigerator. The high alcohol content helps preserve it longer than regular wine.
Tips for substituting Marsala wine
10 tips- Marsala wine comes in dry (secco) and sweet (dolce) varieties - choose based on your recipe
- Dry Marsala works best for savory dishes like chicken marsala and mushroom sauces
- Sweet Marsala is ideal for desserts and sweet sauces
- Marsala wine doesn't need to be expensive for cooking - basic quality works fine
- The wine's alcohol content helps tenderize meat in marinades
- Marsala adds depth and complexity to sauces and soups
- It pairs particularly well with mushrooms, chicken, and veal
- The wine's sweetness can help balance acidic ingredients in sauces
- Store opened Marsala wine in the refrigerator for up to 3 months
- For best flavor, add Marsala early in cooking to allow alcohol to cook off and flavors to develop