Cheese Fondue: White Wine Alternatives For Your Next Dip

what can i substitute for white wine in fondue

If you're looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for white wine in fondue, there are several options to choose from. The wine in fondue recipes adds flavour and acidity, which prevents the cheese from becoming stringy. To replace the wine, you can use a combination of chicken broth and lemon juice, or milk and chicken/vegetable stock. You could also try apple cider or apple juice with a splash of lemon juice, or dry non-alcoholic white wine or light beer. If you're not concerned about the alcohol content, you could also try verjus, an acidic grape juice with similar flavour notes to white wine, or red wine vinegar for a sharper taste.

Characteristics Values
Reason for substitution Allergies or intolerance to sulfites, grape proteins, alcohol, yeast or fining agents
Alcohol content Alcohol-free or non-alcoholic
Type Liquids, acids, dairy, spices
Examples Chicken broth, lemon juice, milk, vegetable stock, apple cider, apple juice, vinegar, beer, light beer, dry non-alcoholic white wine, low-sodium stock, lime juice, grapefruit vinegar, white grape juice, ginger ale, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, buttermilk, sour cream, heavy cream, yogurt, cream of tartar, neutral liquid, vegetable bouillon, non-alcoholic beer, vegetable broth, beef broth, mushroom stock, apple cider, root beer, coke, cognac, brandy, egg yolk, lime juice, white wine powder, sherry wine powder, sodium citrate, water

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Chicken broth and lemon juice

To make a non-alcoholic fondue, replace the wine with 1 cup of chicken broth and 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice. The chicken broth can be substituted with vegetable stock for a vegetarian option. The broth and lemon juice combination will ensure that your fondue has the right consistency and flavour.

Fondue is typically made with hard or semi-hard, high-fat cheeses such as Gruyère, Fontina, Raclette, or Emmental. These cheeses can withstand higher temperatures without burning or curdling. It is important to use block cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese, as the pre-shredded variety often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the melting process.

To make the fondue, start by tossing the grated cheese with cornstarch to prevent clumping. Then, in a saucepan or fondue pot, heat the chicken broth and lemon juice mixture over low to medium heat. Gradually add the cheese, stirring continuously until it is fully melted. You can also add spices such as nutmeg, paprika, or white pepper to enhance the flavour.

Once the cheese has melted, finish it off by stirring in some lemon juice. Keep the fondue at a constant low temperature while serving to prevent burning or curdling. Enjoy your delicious, wine-free fondue!

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Non-alcoholic white wine

If you're looking to make a non-alcoholic version of a classic cheese fondue, there are a few substitutions you can make for the white wine.

Firstly, it's important to understand the role of wine in fondue. The acid in the wine helps to keep the cheese from clumping together and gives the fondue a smooth, even texture. It also adds flavour.

One option is to use a dry non-alcoholic white wine. These typically have around 0.5% alcohol content, so they may not be suitable for everyone. Another option is to use a combination of milk and chicken or vegetable stock (broth). You can use a 50/50 mix of milk and stock, or just use one or the other. If you use milk, the fondue may become too rich, and if you use just stock, it could get too salty.

If you use a non-alcoholic substitute, the fondue may be less stable, so heat it gently to reduce the risk of curdling. You can also add cornflour (cornstarch) to the grated cheese before adding it to the fondue pot to help stabilise it. The fondue will also have a milder flavour, so you may want to add extra seasoning or spices.

Lemon juice is also a key ingredient when making fondue without wine, as it adds the necessary acidity. You can also add some vinegar to the stock to boost the acidity.

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Apple cider

When using apple cider as a substitute for white wine in fondue, you can use a 1:1 ratio. However, if your fondue recipe includes a significant amount of white wine, the sweetness of the apple cider may be overpowering. In this case, you can dilute the cider with water or stock.

If you are making a cheese fondue, the acid in the wine helps to keep the cheese from becoming stringy by breaking up the protein chains. Therefore, when substituting with apple cider, it is important to add an acid such as lemon juice or vinegar to the fondue to provide the necessary acidity. You can also toss the grated cheese with cornstarch before adding it to the fondue pot to help prevent clumping and create a creamier texture.

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Apple juice

When using apple juice as a substitute for white wine in fondue, it is important to use a sour variety, such as sour apple cider. You can also add a splash of lemon juice to the apple juice to increase the acidity and further reduce the risk of the fondue becoming stringy.

In addition to apple juice, you can also use other fruit juices as long as they have a clear consistency. However, it is important to note that the flavour of the fondue will be influenced by the type of juice used. For example, grape juice will have a similar flavour profile to wine, while something like orange juice may be too sweet and could overpower the other ingredients.

When substituting apple juice for white wine in fondue, use an equal amount of juice as you would wine. For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of white wine, use one cup of apple juice.

By using apple juice instead of white wine in fondue, you can create a delicious and unique dish that is suitable for a wide range of audiences, including those who are allergic or intolerant to alcohol, or those who prefer not to consume it.

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Stock and milk

If you're looking for a substitute for white wine in fondue, one option is to use a combination of stock and milk. This can be a good choice if you're looking for a non-alcoholic alternative that still provides flavour and richness to the dish. Here are some tips and suggestions for using stock and milk as a substitute:

Type of Stock

You can use any type of stock that you prefer, such as chicken or vegetable stock. If you're making a vegetarian cheese fondue, vegetable stock is a suitable option. It's recommended to use low-sodium or no-salt stock to control the salt levels in your fondue. Most ready-made stock or bouillon cubes contain salt, so look for a low-sodium version if possible.

Combining Stock and Milk

Combining stock with milk can give your fondue a nice richness. Using just stock may make it too salty, while using only milk can make it too rich. A 50/50 combination of both can provide a good balance.

Adding Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is often added to non-alcoholic fondue recipes to mimic the acidity of wine. It helps to prevent the cheese from clumping together and turning stringy. You can add lemon juice or lime juice to your stock and milk mixture to achieve a similar effect as using wine.

Heating Instructions

When making fondue with stock and milk, it's important to heat the mixture gently over low to medium heat. Add the cheese gradually and in batches, stirring continuously until it melts. This will help ensure a smooth and creamy fondue.

Spices and Seasonings

Fondue made with stock and milk may have a milder flavour compared to wine-based fondue. You can add spices and seasonings to enhance the taste, such as ground sweet paprika, nutmeg, ground white pepper, or cayenne pepper.

Cheese Selection

When making fondue with stock and milk, it's recommended to use easy-melting cheeses such as Gruyere, Emmental, or Cheddar. Block cheeses are generally preferred over pre-shredded versions, as they melt better and don't contain anti-caking agents. However, you can still use pre-shredded cheese, but it may take longer to melt.

Frequently asked questions

You can use a combination of low-sodium stock and milk. If you want to use just one, go for stock, as milk can get too rich.

Chicken stock is a popular choice, but vegetable stock can be used for a vegetarian fondue.

Lemon juice is important to add acidity and keep the fondue smooth. You can also add spices and seasonings like ground sweet paprika, nutmeg, and ground white pepper.

You can use chicken broth, ginger ale, white grape juice, apple juice, apple cider, light beer, or non-alcoholic white wine.

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