Sherry substitutes
Sherry substitutes — 5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Dry white wine
Same amount as the sherry
Dry white wine with a bit of sugar is the best substitute for sherry.
- The tweak —
- Add a pinch of sugar to mimic sherry's slight sweetness.
- Best for —
- most recipes
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of sherry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dry white winemost recipes | Same amount |
| 2 | Dry red winehearty dishes | Same amount |
| 3 | Apple cider vinegar + waterwhen you need acidity | ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup water |
| 4 | White wine vinegar + waterwhen you want similar acidity | ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup water |
| 5 | Chicken broth + white wine vinegarwhen you want umami and acidity | ¾ cup broth + ¼ cup vinegar |
Dry white wine
Similar acidity and depth to sherry
- Best for
- most recipes, deglazing, sauces, when you want similar wine flavor
- Texture
- Similar liquid consistency
- Prep
- Add a pinch of sugar to mimic sherry's slight sweetness.
Most similar substitute, add sugar for sweetness.
Dry red wine
Richer and more intense than sherry
Richer, more intense flavor than sherry.
- Best for
- hearty dishes, when you want richer flavor, red meat dishes, when you want more intensity
- Texture
- Similar liquid consistency
- Prep
- May add color to light dishes.
Richer flavor than sherry, may add color.
Apple cider vinegar + water
Tangy and acidic, different from sherry
Acidic alternative with similar tanginess.
- Best for
- when you need acidity, deglazing, when you don't have wine, vegetarian dishes
- Texture
- Similar liquid consistency
- Prep
- Mix apple cider vinegar with water. Add a pinch of sugar for sweetness.
More acidic than sherry, add sugar for balance.
White wine vinegar + water
Similar acidity to sherry with wine notes
Similar acidity to sherry with wine flavor.
- Best for
- when you want similar acidity, deglazing, sauces, when you want wine flavor
- Texture
- Similar liquid consistency
- Prep
- Mix white wine vinegar with water. Add a pinch of sugar for sweetness.
Similar acidity to sherry, add sugar for sweetness.
Chicken broth + white wine vinegar
Umami-rich with acidity, different from sherry
Umami-rich alternative with acidity.
- Best for
- when you want umami and acidity, soups, sauces, when you want depth
- Texture
- Similar liquid consistency
- Prep
- Mix chicken broth with white wine vinegar. Add a pinch of sugar for sweetness.
Adds umami depth, similar acidity to sherry.
Questions
4 questionsWhat type of sherry should I use for cooking?
Dry sherry (like fino or manzanilla) is best for most cooking applications, while sweet sherry works well in desserts.
Can I use cooking sherry?
Cooking sherry often contains salt and preservatives. It's better to use regular sherry and adjust seasoning separately.
What's the difference between sherry and regular wine?
Sherry is fortified with brandy, giving it higher alcohol content and a more complex flavor profile than regular wine.
Can I substitute white wine for sherry?
Yes, dry white wine is the best substitute for sherry in most recipes. You may want to add a small amount of sugar to mimic sherry's slight sweetness.
Tips for substituting sherry
6 tips- Sherry is a fortified wine with a distinctive flavor
- It adds depth and complexity to sauces and soups
- There are different types of sherry - dry and sweet
- Dry sherry works best for savory dishes, sweet sherry for desserts
- Sherry can be used for deglazing pans and adding depth to sauces
- Store sherry in the refrigerator after opening to maintain quality