Does anyone have ideas for substitutes for alcohol? I know I can substitute white grape juice for white wine, but I need ideas for subs for red wine, red wine vinegar, and the many different alcohols that people use in cooking (brandy, rum, beer, etc). I know most of the alcohol burns off in the cooking process, but I don't buy alcohol or keep it in the house. Any ideas?

I am so glad you asked this, I would love to know the answer too.  I cant buy any alcohol to cook with (I turn 21 in march).  and I think even after I turn 21 I would be uncomfortable cooking with it (i dont think i would know even what to look for to cook with) and so many recipes I see require some sort of alcohol.

~Star

I use chicken or beef stock. I'm sure it changes the taste of the recipe a little but we don't have any alcohol in the house either.  If it's a small amount of alcohol in the recipe, I don't make any substitution, I just leave it out. 

dvokm5:

Does anyone have ideas for substitutes for alcohol? I know I can substitute white grape juice for white wine, but I need ideas for subs for red wine, red wine vinegar, and the many different alcohols that people use in cooking (brandy, rum, beer, etc). I know most of the alcohol burns off in the cooking process, but I don't buy alcohol or keep it in the house. Any ideas?

 

Yes, you can purchase a rum extract in the spice aisle of the supermarket; a good Balsamic vinegar is a nice substitute for red wine, and there are several "cooking sherries" in the aisle with  Ketchup, A-1, and other condiments.

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian