To sip or not to sip. With wine, why not both? The truth is, wine is wonderful for more than just drinking. If you have an open or an extra bottle on hand, don’t let it go to waste. (In fact, make sure it’s a bottle you know you already like—you don’t want to cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink!) Try adding red or white wine to create amazing sauces, new cocktails, or another layer of flavor to your dish. Wine is great for deglazing a pan, building richness in a stew, and even tenderizing meat. So go ahead and open your favorite vino or repurpose a bottle that’s a little past its prime and get cooking with these half dozen recipes that prove you can do so much more with wine than just pour it into a glass!
Mussels in Wine Sauce
This classic French dish is simple with just a handful of ingredients, but the taste is rich and decadent. In Belgium and Northern France, mussels in wine sauce is usually served with fries, but slices of thick, chargrilled country bread do the trick too. This Modern Proper recipe uses a dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Best of all, this is a one-pot meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
New York Sour
This easy-to-mix cocktail from The Spruce Eats is a fresh spin on a whiskey sour with a float of red wine on top. And no fancy bar tools needed! You can use any red for this flavorful two-layer sip, but dry, fruity options like Malbec or Shiraz serve as a perfect complement to bourbon. Technically, you’re still pouring wine into a glass here, but we thought we’d include this cool twist on the usual stemmed variety anyway!
Burgundy Pears
This one is fancy! And it’s made in a slow cooker! Seriously, you won’t believe how easy it is to pull together this elegant recipe from Taste of Home. All you have to do is gather your ingredients and let them simmer. While a Burgundy is ideal, you can also use a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve the desired richness.
Red Wine BBQ Chicken
This finger-licking-good recipe from Food & Wine is a great way to finish up that open bottle of red in the kitchen. The sweet, sticky barbecue sauce it yields can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to cook the chicken. You could also use this sauce as a condiment on burgers or sandwiches.
Pasta with White Wine Sauce
This comfort dish from Food52 is simple to make and oh-so-delicious. Though best prepared with a dry white, a Chardonnay would work too. (Just try to avoid a sweeter wine like Moscato.) Feel free to improvise with this recipe by adding mushrooms, spinach, or more fresh herbs. And why not sip a glass from the open bottle while cooking?
Red Sangria
Okay, so this is another wine-based beverage served in a glass, but sangria deserves a food group all of its own! Not only can you make a red wine or a white wine sangria, but the choice of fruits is totally up to you too. You don’t need a high-quality bottle for this crowd-pleasing recipe from Delish—any average bottle of Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon will do—just have fun with the ingredients and take advantage of the seasons. Citrus, peaches, berries, and cherries are great for a summer mixture, while pears, cranberries, and pomegranates will warm up those winter months.
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