French onion soup is a classic French dish that is made by slow-cooking caramelized onions in a beef broth. The soup is typically finished off with a slice of crusty bread and melted cheese on top. One of the key ingredients in French onion soup is wine, which adds depth of flavor and helps balance out the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
However, if you don’t have wine on hand or prefer not to use alcohol, there are several substitutes you can use in place of wine in French onion soup recipes. With the right substitutions, you can still achieve a rich, flavorful soup.
Non-Alcoholic Substitutes for Wine in French Onion Soup
Here are some non-alcoholic liquids that can be used as substitutes for wine in French onion soup:
- Beef broth – Using additional beef broth is the easiest substitute for wine in onion soup. Replace the wine with an equal amount of broth.
- Chicken broth – For a lighter flavor, use chicken broth instead of beef broth.
- Mushroom broth – Mushroom broth adds an earthy, umami flavor to the soup.
- Apple cider – The sweetness of apple cider balances with the onions well. Use non-alcoholic cider.
- Apple juice – Like cider, apple juice adds fruity sweetness.
- White grape juice – Grape juice has a similar body and fruitiness as white wine.
- Vegetable broth – For a vegetarian/vegan soup, use vegetable broth in place of wine.
Tips for Using Non-Alcoholic Substitutes
- Reduce the amount of sugar or honey in the recipe since apple cider, juice, and grape juice add sweetness.
- Dilute apple cider or grape juice with a bit of water or broth for a closer approximation of wine’s acidity.
- If using vegetable broth, add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.
- For a richer flavor, use mushroom broth or roast vegetable broth.
Alcohol-Free Wine Substitutes
In addition to the options above, there are several types of alcohol-free wine and wine alternatives that can be used in cooking:
- Non-alcoholic wine – These replicate the flavors of wines like Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon without the alcohol content.
- Grape juice concentrates – Made from concentrated grape juice, they provide the fruity essence of wine.
- Verjus – This non-fermented juice of unripe grapes offers tangy acidity.
- White balsamic vinegar – The sweetness and viscosity of white balsamic mimics some qualities of white wine.
Tips for Cooking with Alcohol-Free Wine Products
- Non-alcoholic wine can be used in a 1:1 ratio when substituting for regular wine.
- Grape juice concentrates tend to be very sweet, so start with small amounts and adjust as needed.
- Verjus has high acidity, so use sparingly at first until desired flavor is reached.
- White balsamic should replace no more than 1/4 of the total wine amount in a recipe.
Non-Liquid Substitutes
There are also some solid ingredients you can use to mimic the flavor profile of wine in French onion soup:
- Vinegar – Balsamic, red wine, sherry add characteristic acidity and fruitiness.
- Tomato paste – Adds rich, savory umami flavors.
- Dried mushrooms – Soak porcini or shiitake mushrooms in broth, then use the liquid.
- Red grape must – This paste made from crushed grapes has wine-like sweet/tartness.
- Tamarind paste or lemon juice – Provides tartness to balance sweetness.
Tips for Using Solid Substitutes
- Start with small amounts of vinegars, pastes or dried mushrooms and adjust to taste.
- Soak dried mushrooms first to extract maximum flavor.
- Add tomato paste or must at the end to preserve their flavors during cooking.
- Pair tart ingredients with a little sugar or honey to approximate wine’s profile.
Combination Substitutes
You can also combine some of the liquid and solid substitutes together for a more complex flavor profile. Here are a few suggested combinations:
- Mushroom broth + a splash of balsamic vinegar
- Beef broth + a bit of tomato paste + red wine vinegar
- Apple juice + lemon juice
- Non-alcoholic wine + verjus
- Chicken broth + tamarind paste + grape juice concentrate
Mix and match small amounts of different substitutes until you achieve the right balance of flavors for the soup.
Conclusion
With a wide variety of substitutes like broths, juices, vinegars and pastes, you can mimic the flavor profile of wine in French onion soup without using actual wine. Focus on finding the right balance of sweet, acidic and savory elements. Non-alcoholic wines provide the easiest 1:1 substitution, but homemade combinations work well too. Let your palate guide you in crafting a flavorful wine-free French onion soup.
| Substitute | Flavor Profile | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beef broth | Savory, rich | Use equal amount to replace wine |
| Apple cider | Sweet, fruity | May need to reduce other sugars |
| Grape juice | Fruity, sweet | Dilute with water for wine-like acidity |
| Verjus | Tart, bright | Has very high acidity |
| Balsamic vinegar | Tart, rich | Adds sweetness and acidity |