master-cooks | Why You Shouldn't Use Cooking Wine And Just Opt For The Real Deal

Cooking wine, often found on grocery store shelves, is a product designed for culinary use but is not recommended for those who desire quality and flavor in their dishes. One of the main reasons to avoid cooking wine is its high sodium content, which is added as a preservative and can easily overpower the flavors in your dish, leaving an unpleasantly salty taste. Moreover, cooking wines typically contain additives and preservatives that can alter the natural flavors of the food. In contrast, using real wine, even if it's a budget-friendly option, enhances the depth and complexity of flavors in your cooking. Real wine contributes to the aroma and taste, providing a more authentic and nuanced culinary experience. Additionally, when you cook with a wine you also enjoy drinking, you're more likely to achieve a balance that complements the dish. Furthermore, real wine reduces during cooking, concentrating its flavors while adding acidity or sweetness that can elevate the dish. It is also a healthier choice since it lacks the unnecessary additives found in cooking wines. Ultimately, opting for real wine allows you to control the quality and taste of your meals, ensuring a more satisfying dining experience.

The ins and outs of cooking with wine

Wine is a delicious option for deglazing a pan or creating a rich reduction sauce. A sweet riesling brings a subtle sweetness to fresh mussels, while a robust red wine is ideal for a savory beef bourguignon. However, you don’t need to spend a fortune. Standard cooking wine can be found for about $4 for 13 ounces. That seems affordable, but a reputable brand like Kendall-Jackson is available at Walmart for around $12 for 750 milliliters (approximately 25 ounces), which is less than 20 cents more per ounce.

If you like to cook with wine but don’t want to finish the entire bottle, there are better alternatives to the often salty, overly sweet, and metallic-tasting cooking wine that can be stored in your pantry. You might also consider buying a multipack of smaller bottles, allowing you to open just one at a time. For instance, a four-pack of Sutter Home chardonnay mini-bottles on Amazon is actually more economical per ounce than the cooking wine at Walmart. Plus, when stored properly, unopened white wine can last one to three years, while red wine can last up to ten years. This shelf life is comparable to cooking wine, which can last three to five years when stored correctly due to its preservatives. With some smart tips for saving on wine, you can stock your pantry with the essentials for cooking whenever inspiration strikes.

Why You Shouldn't Use Cooking Wine And Just Opt For The Real Deal

The ins and outs of cooking with wine

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