How-To

Cooking with Alcohol

Cooking with Alcohol

Alcohol is very versatile in the culinary world. It not only adds flavour but it is also used in marinades to tenderize meat or cooked down to create beautiful glazes and delicious sauces. We have put together some helpful tips on how to use alcohol in cooking and included some of our favourite recipes to try.

Whether it’s beer, wine or liquor, alcohol can be used in several cooking applications:

  • Marinades

  • Glazes

  • Sauces

  • Flavour enhancer

  • Tenderizer

 

Notes:

Alcohol brings the flavour out in food

Use alcohol you would drink; whether it is wine, beer or liquor, use something you like the taste of 

Darker alcohols, like stout or whiskey, pair best with dark meats; similarly, lighter alcohols, like white wine or gin, match best with white meat and seafood

Some alcohol evaporates or burns off when cooking; however, many factors can affect how much alcohol is remaining

  • The big take away, if you add alcohol, it will be in the food

  • If you are pregnant, a child, recovering, etc., it is best to avoid foods with alcohol in them, even if it is cooked

How to use:

  • Start with small amounts

  • Try recipes that already have alcohol added

  • If you want to add alcohol to your favourite recipe, replace some of the water or liquid, but start small as the flavour will change how the recipe tastes

  • Stews and sauces are great places to start

  • Add red wine or beer to your favourite beef stew

  • Try white wine in a pan sauce for over pasta or fish

  • Soaking dried or fresh fruit in alcohol can add to your desserts

  • The longer you soak, the stronger the flavour

Try These:

  • Medium
    Irish Stew

    Uses stout or dry red wine

  • Easy
    Three Onion Soup

    Uses dry sherry and dry white wine

  • Easy
    Beer Marinade

    Uses beer

  • Medium
    A Pub-Style Fondue

    Uses dark ale or beer

  • Medium
    Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake

    Uses stout or other strong dark beer

  • Medium
    Pork Roast with Scotch Whisky Glaze

    Uses Scotch whisky

  • Medium
    Ginger Sabayon

    Uses Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur

  • Difficult
    Turkey with Rosemary Port Gravy

    Uses beer and port