10+ Wonderful Ways to Cook With White Wine
Even if you aren’t a big wine drinker, you should try to incorporate it in the kitchen. White wine adds an amazing depth of flavor to everything from chicken and pasta to steak sauce and fish. And there’s no need to break the bank on an expensive bottle of wine, if you plan to cook with it. Truly, any cheap bottle of wine will do.
So, whether have a bottle of white wine kicking around in the fridge that needs to be used, or you just want to experiment the best ways to cook with wine, we’ve put together over 10 white wine recipes for a splashing good time.
And if you are a wine drinker, don’t forget to grab another bottle. Because what pairs better with white wine dishes than more white wine?
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Fish in Herbed White Wine & Caper Sauce
Inspired by a classic French recipe, this fish in herbed white wine and caper sauce calls for just a few ingredients that probably live in your pantry already.
Ingredients
1 medium shallot, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup capers, rinsed and dried
1 teaspoon salt, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 6-ounce walleye (or other lean, white fish) filets
Directions
In a one-quart pot, combine the shallots, wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Boil until liquid reduces to 1/4 cup, approximately 7-10 minutes.
Chop the butter into small pieces, reserving 2 tablespoons to cook the fish.
When the liquids are reduced, take the pot off the heat and stir in 4 tablespoons of butter, the capers, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, thyme and oregano. Let stand on the stove to keep warm, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce emulsified.
In a large saute pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the remaining salt on the fish filets and place them skin side up in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side, then carefully turn the fish. Cook until the fish is cooked through, about 4-6 minutes more. Move the fish around to keep it from sticking to the pan, reduce the heat if the pan starts to burn.
Transfer the cooked fish to a serving platter or plates. Immediately pour the sauce into the hot saute pan, scraping up the browned bits; it will bubble up quickly, keep stirring until the pan drippings have been dissolved. Pour sauce over the fish and serve.
Photo Courtesy of A Couple Cooks
Easy White Wine Sauce
A simple mix of garlic, shallot, butter, flour, white wine, heavy cream, parmesan, and salt, this easy white wine pan sauce is super versatile and has a tangy, savory flavor that’ll have you slurping up every last drop.
Garlic and shallot are quickly sauteed before being combined with flour to create a roux. Cream and white wine are then slowly added to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Toss your white wine sauce with pasta and a squeeze of lemon or drizzle it all over some oven-roasted chicken breast.
Photo Courtesy of Salt and Lavender
Creamy Chicken in White Wine Sauce
Creamy, savory, and oh so satisfying, this time-saving chicken recipe comes together in just under half an hour, but is still impressive enough to serve to guests.
Chicken is fileted into thin cutlets before being dredged in flour. The chicken is then cooked in butter before being finished off with a white wine pan sauce.
Serve your creamy chicken with a side of buttery pasta and green beans.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
White Wine Braised Short Ribs with Buttered Mushroom Cream Sauce
If you’re of the mind that only red wine pairs well with beef, this recipe from Half Baked Harvest just might change your mind.
With instructions for slow cookers, Instant Pots, and stovetops, this recipe calls for you to quickly sear your short ribs before cooking them low-n-slow with onions, garlic, and white wine.
Serve your short ribs over a bed of mashed potatoes and a healthy pour of homemade cream sauce.
Photo Courtesy of Spend With Pennies
Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Shrimp scampi is another one of those recipes that’s simple to toss together, but always looks (and tastes) amazing, and dare we say elegant.
Butter and olive oil are warmed in a large skillet before garlic, red pepper flakes, and shrimp are tossed in and quickly cooked.
Wine is added for flavor and to deglaze the pan before being drizzled over the shrimp. Serve your shrimp scampi over a bed of angel hair pasta or alongside crunchy bread for sopping up all that salty, lemony goodness.
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Béarnaise Sauce
Creamy, herby, and oh-so savory, béarnaise sauce is your new favorite steak sauce that you just haven’t tried yet.
Made up of egg yolks, salt, butter, tarragon, parsley, and an infused vinegar, béarnaise sauce is a thick sauce that’s just the right consistency to blanket over a juicy steak.
Keep this recipe in your back pocket for a fancy steak dinner at home for Valentine’s Day!
Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen
Asparagus, Artichoke & Shiitake Risotto
Featuring asparagus, artichoke, and shiitake mushrooms, this risotto is the perfect way to warm up for spring!
Arborio rice is slowly cooked with chicken broth, one cup at a time, before asparagus, artichokes, and shiitake mushrooms are added at the last minute.
Though risotto can take a little time, it’s more than worth the wait. Serve it alongside oven-roasted chicken or salmon.
Photo Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven
Mulled White Wine
Maybe you’re not a fan of red wine. Maybe you had enough of it over the holidays. Maybe you’re just in the mood for something a littler lighter. Whatever you fancy, mulled white wine is a thing, and it’s deliciously different than its traditional red wine counterpart.
A simple combination of white wine, oranges, brandy, honey, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise are brought to a simmer on the stovetop before simmering for up to 3 hours to get all that warm flavor infused.
Enjoy your mulled white wine during the cold winter months snuggled up next to the fire. Cozy!
Find the full recipe at Gimme Some Oven
More White Wine Recipes
Cioppino from Saveur
White Wine Pound Cake from Allrecipes
Coq au Riesling from Food & Wine
White Wine Poached Pears from The Spruce Eats