Wine substitutes
Wine substitutes — 4 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Grape juice
Same amount as the wine
Non-alcoholic grape flavor.
The best substitutes for wine are grape juice, vinegar, or stock, depending on the use.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- cooking
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of wine | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grape juicecooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Vinegarcooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Stocksoups | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Apple juicecooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Grape juice
similar taste and texture
Non-alcoholic grape flavor.
- Best for
- cooking, marinades, sauces, baking
Same grape flavor without alcohol.
Vinegar
different taste, similar texture
Acidic liquid for cooking.
- Best for
- cooking, marinades, sauces, salad dressings
Adds acidity without grape flavor.
Stock
different taste, similar texture
Savory liquid for cooking.
- Best for
- soups, stews, braising, sauces
Adds depth of flavor, no alcohol.
Apple juice
different taste, similar texture
Sweet liquid alternative.
- Best for
- cooking, marinades, baking, sauces
Adds sweetness, no alcohol.
Questions
3 questionsDoes all the alcohol cook out when using wine in cooking?
Most alcohol evaporates during cooking, but some may remain depending on cooking time and method.
Can I use any type of wine in cooking?
Different wines work better for different dishes - white wine for light dishes, red wine for hearty dishes.
What's the best non-alcoholic substitute for wine?
Grape juice works best for maintaining the grape flavor, while stock or vinegar work well for adding depth and acidity.
Tips for substituting wine
4 tips- Wine adds depth of flavor to dishes
- Use wine that you would drink
- Don't use cooking wine with added salt
- Wine can tenderize meat when used in marinades