What can be used as a substitute for Burgundy wine in cooking?

Many recipes for stewed beef bourguignon call for Burgundy wine. So what if you can't find it at the store or can't afford it?

No problem, you can come up with a pretty good replacement for Burgundy!

Wine is added to meat cooking because it enhances its flavor. Both red and white wines are used in cooking. Dishes like mushroom risotto or creamy steak sauce also require wine.

Burgundy wine is produced in the Burgundy region of France. It comes in both red and white varieties, with dry red being the most common. It is made from Pinot Noir grapes.

What can replace such a rare and expensive Burgundy wine?

Many cooks make a big mistake when using wines they don't intend to drink themselves. If you don't like the taste of the wine, you won't like the dish it's in either. Therefore, it's important to approach wine substitutions wisely. What can you choose as a substitute?

1. Red wine

The best substitute for Burgundy is red wine made from Pinot Noir grapesThen the dish will have the same aroma as when using Burgundy, since it's made from the same grapes. Merlot and Cabernet are the best for this.

2. White wine vinegar with grape juice

If a recipe calls for Burgundy as a marinade for meat, you can use equal parts white wine vinegar and grape juice instead. The grape juice counteracts the acidity of the vinegar and tenderizes the meat fibers beautifully.

3. Red wine vinegar with chicken broth

If a recipe calls for Burgundy wine to make a creamy sauce, you can use red wine vinegar with chicken broth or white rice vinegar with red grape juice. Be careful with the vinegar, though. Too much will make the meat sour and ruin its flavor. Just enough vinegar is needed to impart a subtle tang.


In general, although Burgundy can be substituted in recipes, it's not an easy task. This wine is typically used for braised beef or lamb. For truly delicious meat, it's best to use red wines made from Pinot Noir. Other methods should only be used as an exception, when you need to prepare a dish using wine and don't have any on hand.

Author of the article: Natalia Semenova "TopCook"

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