Best Cooking Wines of 2026
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Cooking wines are a popular ingredient in many kitchens. These wines are specifically made for cooking and are not meant for drinking. They add flavor, depth, and complexity to dishes like sauces, stews, and marinades. Cooking wines are made from a variety of grapes and are often fortified with brandy or other spirits to increase their flavor profile. They are also salted to make them shelf-stable and to enhance their cooking properties. Cooking wines come in both red and white varieties, and can be found in most grocery stores. They are a great addition to any home cook's pantry.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Cooking Wines
Soeos Shaoxing Rice Wine, 21.64 fl oz
Soeos Shaoxing Rice Wine is widely used in every Chinese restaurant to add authentic flavor to any Asian dish. It can bring out the full flavors of stir-fries, soups, marinades, and elevate pan-fried dumplings with just a few splashes. The wine should be used when the temperature in the pot is the highest during the cooking process. SOEOS is a well-known spice and herb brand that ensures expertly produced fresher ingredients for every kitchen.
52USA Mirin Cooking Wine 16.9 OZ
The 52USA Mirin Cooking Wine is a great addition to your kitchen if you enjoy Japanese cuisine. It brings an authentic taste to your dishes, making sauces, marinades, and glazes more flavorful. You can also use it to enhance salad dressings, sushi rice, or ramen noodles, adding a special touch to everyday meals. Made with natural sugar, this mirin offers a healthier option with less sugar and fewer calories, helping you cook with better ingredients. Plus, the convenient 16.9-ounce bottle size fits perfectly in your kitchen for easy access whenever you need it.
52USA Shaoxing Cooking Wine
52USA Shaoxing Cooking Wine is an authentic Chinese rice wine that adds a distinct flavor and aroma to dishes. It is a famous variety of huangjiu, fermented from rice, and originates from the Shaoxing region in China. 52USA Shaoxing wine is commonly used in Chinese restaurants for almost every savory dish. However, it contains wheat.
Soeos Mirin Rice Cooking Wine
Soeos Mirin is an essential ingredient for your Japanese cooking needs. This rice wine, sweeter than sake, enhances a variety of dishes, from marinades to sauces. Made with premium short-grain rice and all-natural sugar, it guarantees high quality in every drop. The beautiful, BPA-free plastic bottle not only protects the flavors but also makes pouring and resealing easy. With Soeos, your satisfaction is a priority, so you can feel confident in your purchase and cooking adventures.
Soeos Mirin Japanese Cooking Wine
Soeos Mirin Japanese Cooking Wine, made with premium short-grain rice and granulated sugar, is a versatile ingredient used in a variety of foods and culinary preparations. It adds a sweet and acidic taste to food and gives it a glossy finish. The BPA-free plastic bottle is designed to protect the delicate flavors of the mirin while being easy to pour and re-seal. It can be used as a marinade for meats, fish, poultry, and tofu, as well as a salad dressing. Soeos offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Soeos Shaoxing Cooking Wine 51.24oz (1500ml)
Soeos Shaoxing Wine is a versatile Chinese cooking rice wine widely used in savory dishes. It adds an authentic flavor to Asian stir-frys, soups, and marinades. This cooking wine enhances pan-fried dumplings and is essential in Asian dumpling fillings, marinades for roasted meats like char siu pork, seasonings for stir-fries, and red-cooked dishes. Expertly produced by Soeos, this rice cooking wine is favored by chefs for bringing fresher ingredients to every kitchen. Soeos values customer satisfaction, ensuring your questions and concerns are addressed promptly.
Eden Mirin Rice Cooking Wine, 10.1 fl oz
Eden Mirin Rice Cooking Wine is made of U.S.A. Lundberg organic short grain brown rice. It is an essential ingredient in dashi noodle broth, teriyaki sauce, marinades, and sushi rice. Eden Mirin is mildly sweet with a hint of sour and salty flavors. It is low in sodium and carbohydrate, fat-free and cholesterol-free. Mirin is a source of naturally occurring amino acids, organic acids, and enzymes. Eden Foods is a principled natural food company, providing healthy and nutrient-rich mirin.
Premium Shaoxing Cooking Wine 33.81 Fl Oz
The Premium Shaoxing Cooking Wine is a value-sized red cooking wine used in Asian cuisine. Made of water, rice, wheat, salt, and caramel, a bottle of 33.81 FL OZ (1000ml) is 50% more than regular red cooking wine. It's a widely used ingredient in Chinese restaurants and can remove the fishy smell of the food, making dishes appetizing. It is better in marinade, richer in flavor, and has a fragrant aroma than other brands. Shaoxing Wine is a great alternative to Mirin Japanese cooking wine, which is sweeter.
Qian Hu Shaoxing Rice Cooking Wine
Qian Hu Cooking Wine is an essential ingredient for anyone looking to elevate their Asian dishes. This rice cooking wine brings a distinct umami flavor that can transform your meals, making them taste just like those from your favorite Chinese restaurant. It's a traditional staple in many recipes, perfect for stir-fries, marinades, and braised dishes, giving you versatility in your cooking. Whether you're preparing savory meats or sweet sauces, this wine adds depth and a delightful aroma to your food, enhancing the overall taste experience for you and your guests.
Eden Mirin Rice Cooking Wine 10.1 oz
The Eden Mirin Cooking Wine is a great choice if you want a natural and healthy option for your cooking. It contains no hydrogenated fats or high fructose corn syrup, which means you can avoid unhealthy additives that some foods have. You also won’t find bleached or bromated flour in this product, so it stays closer to its natural form. Plus, it is free from synthetic nitrates or nitrites, which are chemicals often added to processed foods. This makes the Eden Mirin Cooking Wine a cleaner and safer choice for enhancing your dishes with authentic flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of wine is good for cooking?
Dry red or dry white wines are generally the best options for cooking, unless a recipe specifically calls for a fortified or dessert wine. For example, Merlot is a good choice for red wine, while Sauvignon Blanc is a suitable option for white wine in cooking.
2. Is there a difference between cooking wine and regular wine?
Yes, there is a difference between cooking wine and regular wine. Cooking wine contains added salt and preservatives, which give it a longer shelf life. The salt is added to enhance the flavor of the dish. However, some people may find the saltiness overwhelming.
3. What is Marsala cooking wine used for?
Marsala cooking wine, a fortified wine from Sicily, is commonly used in cooking to create rich, nutty, and caramelized sauces. It adds a unique flavor to dishes and is highly regarded in the culinary world. It's important to note that Marsala wine should be from Sicily to ensure its authenticity and quality.
4. What are the different types of cooking wine?
There are several types of cooking wines, including Marsala, Sherry, Sauternes, and Rice Wine. Each type has its own distinct characteristics and is used in specific dishes. The main difference between cooking wines and regular drinking wines is the quality, as cooking wines are typically not of the same high standard.
5. Does wine matter in cooking?
Yes, wine can make a significant difference in cooking. It can enhance the flavors of a dish, whether used in a slow-cooked meaty sauce, as a splash in risotto, or as a marinade. Wine adds depth and complexity to the overall taste of the dish.
6. What can I use if I don't have cooking wine?
If you don't have cooking wine, you can use alternatives such as alcohol-free red wine, beef broth, chicken broth, red wine vinegar (mixed with water for similar flavor), cranberry juice, or pomegranate juice. These substitutes can provide similar flavor profiles in your cooking.
7. Is it OK to use cheap wine for cooking?
Using cheap wine for cooking is generally acceptable. The unique characteristics and qualities of an expensive bottle of wine may not be fully appreciated in the cooking process. Since the wine is primarily being used for cooking purposes, it is often more cost-effective to use affordable options.
8. What can be substituted for cooking wine?
If you need a substitute for cooking wine, you can use alternatives like alcohol-free red wine, beef broth, chicken broth, red wine vinegar (mixed with water for similar flavor), cranberry juice, or pomegranate juice. These substitutes can provide similar flavors in your dish.
9. Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of cooking wine?
Yes, apple cider vinegar can be a suitable substitute for white wine in cooking. It has a similar flavor profile with acidity and subtle sweetness, resembling wine. You can use the same amount of apple cider vinegar as you would use wine in a recipe.
10. Do you cook with sweet or dry Marsala?
The choice between sweet (dolce) or dry (secco) Marsala depends on the purpose. Sweet Marsala is generally recommended for baking, while dry Marsala is better for savory cooking. However, a semi-dry (semisecco) Marsala can be a versatile option for both sweet and savory dishes.
During our cooking wine research, we found 24 cooking wine products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 66,617 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cooking wines list. We found that most customers choose cooking wines with an average price of $11.52.
The cooking wines are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cooking wines, including Soeos, 52USA, Eden, NPG, Qian Hu. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!
Cooking Wines Comparison Table
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| Brand | Soeos | 52USA | 52USA | Soeos | Soeos | Soeos | Eden | NPG | Qian Hu | Eden |
| Flavor | Regular | Mirin | Regular | Mirin | Mirin | Shao Xing Huadiao Rice Wine | Mirin Rice | Shaoxing | Premium Cooking Wine | Mirin Rice |
| Units | 21.64 Fluid Ounces | 16.9 Fluid Ounces | - | - | - | 51.24 Fluid Ounces | 10.1 Fluid Ounces | 1.00 Liters | 25.36 Fluid Ounces | 10.1 Fluid Ounces |
| Body Description | Rice wine with a typical flavor of Shaoxing wine, made from rice, water, wheat, and salt. | - | Light | - | Full | Medium | - | Premium Shaoxing Cooking Wine with richer flavor and larger volume than regular brands | - | - |
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