Marsala Wine Substitute (2024)

How to use it:

You can replace marsala with the same amount of Madeira using a simple 1:1 ratio. Use madiera as a marsala wine substitute for cannoli or in authentic tiramisu. It will give your sweets that nutty, caramel flavor that you are looking for with just a hint of fruitiness.

1.2. Dry Sherry

Sherry is an easy-to-use dry marsala wine substitute. While the flavors of sherry are not as rich and complex as marsala, it will still give your dish a tasty wine flavor.

Be sure to use drinking sherry rather than cooking sherry which has a better taste and fewer additives.

How to use it:

Replace marsala with sherry using a 1:1 ratio. Taste your food and, if you find that the flavor of the sherry is too strong, add a splash of sweet vermouth. This will help add a little bit of a sweeter flavor to the dish that is sometimes missing when you use straight sherry.

1.3. Port

Port has a very similar taste and texture to Marsala. It is a very good substitute however it can be pretty pricey. Port wine is typically meant for drinking rather than cooking so it has a higher quality than most Marsala wines.

How to use it:

Replace marsala with port using a 1:1 ratio. Port can be a good substitute for marsala wine for cooking chicken, tiramisu, or cannolis. It tends to be best in sweeter dishes rather than for seafood applications or savory dishes.

Also, check out my mascarpone substitute guide which can be very helpful when making tiramisu!

1.4. Pinot Noir

Can you use red wine instead of marsala wine? Yes, you can!

Pinot Noir is a good wine substitute for Marsala. Pinot Noir has a nice bold flavor and can easily be found in any liquor store. It is a little less sweet than Marsala but that can be adjusted for by adding more sugar to your recipe.

Pinot Noir has a thinner consistency than Marsala so you may want to cook your sauces a little longer to thicken them up when using this alcoholic marsala substitute.

How to use it:

Use ¾ cup of Pinot Noir for every 1 cup of marsala. Add a teaspoon of sugar to the recipe as well, stirring it in as you add the wine. This will give the sweet taste that is missing when you substitute wine for marsala.

1.5. White Wine and Brandy

If you do not have a fortified wine on hand, you can make your own! Combining white wine and brandy makes a tasty, homemade fortified wine that is perfect for use in place of marsala. Marsala is actually made with brandy so this substitute will come very close to the original.

How to use it:

Whisk together ½ cup of dry white wine with 2 teaspoons of brandy and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Use this mix to replace ½ cup of marsala in any savory recipe. It is one of the best marsala wine substitutes for making chicken marsala!

1.6 Amontillado Wine

Amontillado is a type of Spanish sherry that has a similar taste and texture as Marsala. It is a very good dry marsala substitute and can be used in the same manner. Amontillado is also a nice wine to sip as an aperitif so be sure to grab a bigger bottle!

How to use it:

Use Amontillado to replace marsala using a 1:1 ratio in any savory recipe. It is great for sauces and marinades.

2. Non-Alcoholic Marsala wine substitutes

2.1. White Grape and Sherry Vinegar

If you are looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for Marsala wine, white grape juice is your best choice. However, it is best to mix in some sherry vinegar and vanilla extract to get that tasty Marsala flavor. I love this substitute because all of the ingredients can be found right in the grocery store.

You can also use red grape juice to replace marsala but the white juice has a closer, slightly sweet flavor to marsala. If you do use red grape juice, skip the vanilla extract in the directions below.

How to use it:

Mix ¼ cup of white grape juice with 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use this mix to replace ½ cup or marsala wine. This marsala wine alternative is good for both sweet and savory applications.

Also, check out my vanilla extract substitutes which may come in handy next time you bake!

2.2. Chicken Stock

Chicken stock is probably the best marsala non-alcoholic substitute for marsala wine in chicken marsala. It fits with the chicken flavor already in the dish and will help make a nice, tasty sauce. Chicken stock does not have the sweet aromatics of marsala wine but you can adjust for this using balsamic vinegar and a little sugar.

How to use it:

To make the perfect marsala wine substitute for chicken marsala, replace ½ cup of marsala wine with ½ cup chicken stock, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and one teaspoon of sugar. Mix the chicken broth mixture into your recipe exactly the same way you would add the marsala. This marsala cooking wine substitute is definitely best in chicken dishes or other savory applications and not for a sweet dessert.

2.3. Figs and Herbs

You can get the sweet, complex flavor of marsala by mixing figs, rosemary, sage, and a little bit of balsamic vinegar. This blend is great for using to replace marsala in dessert recipes (check out these amazing Italian dessert recipes, many of which use marsala wine!). The fruit puree will have a much thicker texture than marsala so keep this in mind when cooking.

How to use it:

Add ½ cup dried figs, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon rosemary, and ½ teaspoon sage to a food processor. Pulse to make a thick, smooth paste. One tablespoon of this mix can be used as a marsala wine substitution to replace ¼ cup of marsala wine in any sweet or savory recipe.

2.4. Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic can be a very good marsala substitute because most people already have it at home. However, it is important to keep in mind that balsamic is much stronger than Marsala and has a very potent, tangy taste. It is best to cook the balsamic, turning it into a sweet, thick liquid before using it to replace marsala.

How to use it:

Add ½ cup of balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer the balsamic for about 5-10 minutes until there is only ¼ cup of liquid left in the pan. Let the mix cool then use it to replace marsala using a 1:1 ratio.

You may also be able to find pre-made balsamic reduction in the grocery store which you can simply use straight out of the bottle to replace marsala.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of Marsala wine?

You can use balsamic vinegar as a marsala replacement but you should keep in mind that vinegar is much stronger than marsala. It is best to make a reduction using the balsamic to thicken and sweeten the potent ingredient. Boil ½ cup of balsamic vinegar until it has reduced to ¼ cup of liquid. Let the vinegar cool then use it as a 1:1 marsala substitute.

What can I use instead of Marsala wine in tiramisu?

Madiera wine, port, or a fig puree & herb mix is the best substitute for marsala in tiramisu. You want to choose a sweet marsala alternative rather than a dry marsala substitute. A balsamic reduction would also work well to give that sweet and tangy flavor that you are looking for.

What kind of wine can you use instead of Marsala?

Pinot noir, sherry, Madiera or white wine mixed with brandy are the best wine substitutes for marsala. Be sure to read the details above to see exactly how to use these replacements correctly and make the best dinners and desserts that have that iconic marsala taste!

Have you tried this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your dessert turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!