Substitutes for Red Wine in Beef Stews

Beef stock, cherry juice, or even beer can be used instead of red wine for beef stews.

Red wine is often considered a classic component of beef stew recipes. However, you may not have it readily available, or you might simply prefer not to use liquor as you cook. Your kitchen likely has several alternatives that you can use to create a worthy beef stew. Does this Spark an idea?

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Cherry Juice
- The sweet red juice of cherries can make a winning substitute for red wine in stews. However, on its own, cherry juice can be a touch too sweet for such hearty dishes. Cherry juice accompanied by other savory ingredients will make the juice more appropriate for a stew. Blend 6 tablespoons of cherry juice with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. To this, add 1 cup of beef stock. Once stirred together, the cherry juice mixture is ready to substitute for 1-1/2 cups of red wine.
Beef or Chicken Stock
- Beef stock is already a frequently used ingredient in many beef stew recipes. In a pinch, consider using a bit more of it to substitute for red wine. The use of extra beef stew is best for helping to deglaze the pan, a key characteristic of the alcohol. Pour just as much as is needed to coat the pan, then gently scrape the bottom with a spoon to help loosen the flavorful brown bits. Try chicken stock as well; it can add a unique depth of flavor to a beef recipe, particularly if you don't have beef stock on hand.
Beer
- Though red wine is the liquor of choice for beef stew, another type of alcohol can also create deep flavor: beer. After having browned the meat, and softened garlic and onions in a saucepan, pour a 12-ounce can of beer (your favorite variety) over the onions. In order to enhance the beer's flavor, include 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1-1/2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika.
Other Alternatives
- White grape juice and apple juice can be used instead of red wine in a beef stew recipe. If possible, you may want to add a touch of broth alongside the juice, to ensure the stew's flavor remains savory. One teaspoon of vinegar also works well to prevent too much sweetness. For recipes that call for a measure of 1/4 a cup of red wine (or more), there are a number of liquids that provide an alternative to wine, including clam juice and vegetable broth.