Vermouth Substitute

Asked by djsyclopz. Answered on 21st January 2016

Full question

I want to try Nigella's Tarragon Salmon recipe but don't want to use alcohol. Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for vermouth? I notice also that Nigella uses vermouth in many of her recipes and wondered if I could leave it out altogether or increase the stock element. Many thanks.

Our answer

Nigella's Tarragon Salmon recipe (on the Nigella website) uses dry white vermouth and double cream to make an easy pan sauce that is spiked with fresh tarragon. For this particular recipe, if you wish to avoid the alcohol, then fish stock (broth) would be a good alternative. However make sure that the stock is not too salty to start with as it will reduce down in the pan. Once you have added the cream, taste the sauce and you may find that it needs a tiny spritz of lemon or a few drops of white wine vinegar (if this is allowed) to cut the richness of the sauce.

Generally if you can't use vermouth then extra stock (broth) of an appropriate type is the best substitute. For example for a chicken dish you could use chicken stock or possibly vegetable stock and in a risotto just use slightly more of whatever stock you are using.