Cooking sherry is one of those ingredients that adds great flavor to many recipes. If you don’t use it often though, you may not realize that you’re completely out! The good news is there are lots of good options to use if you need a last-minute substitution.
Also known as dry sherry, cooking sherry is the product of special white grapes from Spain. It’s a versatile ingredient, appearing in many kinds of savory soups like French onion soup and lobster bisque, to quick stir-fries and tangy salad dressings.
If you’re in need of a quick substitute for the dry sherry called for in a recipe, we’ve collected 6 easy solutions you probably have close at hand in your pantry.
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Are Dry Sherry and Sherry Vinegar the Same?
No. Dry sherry is a type of white wine produced from a special variety of white grapes fermented with yeast. Sherry vinegar is made from sherry wine, similar to how red wine vinegar is made from red wine. And like other vinegar, sherry vinegar is much more acidic than dry sherry. Many recipes call for dry sherry or sherry vinegar but these products are not interchangeable.
Best Substitutes for Dry Sherry
1. Dry White Wine
If you have dry white wine on hand, it’s an ideal substitute for dry sherry. Dry sherry is slightly sweeter and dryer but you probably won’t be able to tell the difference in a recipe. Use a ratio of 1:1 to substitute dry white wine for dry sherry.
2. Sherry Vinegar
For a non-alcoholic substitute for dry sherry, look no further than sherry vinegar. Note that because sherry vinegar is much more acidic than dry sherry, you’ll use much less. Use 1 tablespoon of sherry vinegar for every ¼ cup of sherry wine in your recipe.
3. Dry Vermouth
Another option to use in place of dry sherry is dry white vermouth. If you’re not too familiar with vermouth, there are many varieties. Just be sure to use dry white vermouth, not the typically red sweet or semi-sweet varieties. These would be much too sweet and would dramatically change the intended taste of your recipe.
4. White Wine Vinegar
Similar to sherry vinegar, white wine vinegar is a non-alcoholic option that works well as a substitute. Use 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar for every ¼ cup of sherry wine in your recipe.
5. Red Wine Vinegar
You probably have a bottle of red wine vinegar in your pantry. Use 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar for every ¼ cup of sherry wine in your recipe.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Easily found in supermarkets, apple cider vinegar is another great option. You’ll need to use 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for every ¼ cup of sherry wine in your recipe.
What is a Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Dry Sherry?
Cooking vinegars are ideal non-alcoholic substitutes to use, and are easy to find at your local grocery store. Sherry vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar can replace the dry sherry called for in your recipe. Use a ratio of 1 T of cooking vinegar for every ¼ cup of sherry wine called for in your recipe.
What Can I Use to Replace Dry Sherry in French Onion Soup?
This rich and cheesy soup is full of delicious flavor. If you find yourself without any dry sherry on hand, dry vermouth, dry white wine, dry red wine or even a touch of brandy would work. For a non-alcoholic substitute, cooking vinegars like apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar are good options as well. Keep in mind that you’ll only need about 1 T of cooking vinegar for every ¼ cup of dry sherry called for in your recipe.
Best Sherry Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Sherry Vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Rice vinegar
- Lemon juice
Instructions
- Use your preferred substitute in the recipe.
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