Look for non-alcohol wines.
Use chicken, beef or vegetable broth, depending on the dish.
If it's a cooked dish, the alcohol content is nearly all evaporated.

Do you want to substitute for strict (beliefs, health, etc) reasons, or just because the family doesn't choose to consume alcohol?

Flavors are going to be different with a broth, but still good.

In some cases (i.e. Chicken Marsala), there's just not going to be a great substitute that produces a dish that tastes exactly the same.

You can however, make a very tasty meal!!

Deanna

"No one in our families (I am speaking about generations on both sides) drinks alcohol"

I had HEARD there were people out in the world like this....

Just kiddin' (kinda)

Your answer (the serious one) was posted above. But this reminds me of my old boss who was interviewing a young lady for a job asked the question 'Are you religious and do you drink?'. The girl was a bit perplexed this question would be asked in an interview (not to mention 'illegal' LOL) answered 'No, and sometimes'. Well, my boss said "Good!..because we don't like religious nuts and we drink like fishes here!"

I almost fell over. The girl did get hired however.

Duane

Oh my, Duane! I don't know how I would have responded to your boss! Maybe with a "should I"? :) I would have fallen over for sure.

I've stopped drinking and it's amazing to me the way people respond to it...like maybe I've had a problem? Or in restaurants, sometimes the waiter/ess lifts an eyebrow, thinking "cheapskate or lush"? LOL!

I do include alcohol in my cooking and Deanna is right, without it, the flavor is not going to have the same depth.

Deanna, thanks. Adding to the mix, we are vegetarian, by choice now, but that is the way we were raised. I love to watch cooking shows, and often they inspire me to make something creative. I seldom use a recipe, nor can I replicate what I've made because I don't write it down. But sometimes I see something that looks really good I want to try, such as Steak Diane. (Yes, I can make veggie steak). Wine is a big part of the recipe. I am so ignorant I wouldn't know what to buy or where :) Do you have any suggestions?

Well, Duane, I just knew the kidding was coming! We both have at least three generations of pastors and (parochial) school teachers in a religion in which healthy living is a core teaching. Parents, siblings and their children are careful about the foods and such. DH, DS and me, not so much. Actually, I just don't like the taste of wine/alcohol and I'm sick if I do have some, so I just avoid it. Our friends are wine connoisseurs and they like us anyway, LOL.

I also do not, and never have, consumed alcohol of any kind, due to family moral beliefs. I not that oppossed to using it in cooking, since the actual alcohol cooks off, but I don't like the flavor overall, unless only a small amount is used. More, and it's too strong.

There are a lot of ways to cook dishes which are based on alcohol and have them turn out really well. I've had a lot of success in cooking dishes which are based on a lot of alcohol by using varietal fruit juices instead. For example, instead of a burgundy wine in coq au vin, I've made a really delicious coq sans vin with a mixture of varietal red grape juice and cranberry juice. Apple or pear juice, reduced down about half, works well in place of brandy. I've also bought dealcoholized wine before for use in those recipes which call for a tablespoon or two of wine, this is ok.

deninmi: Oh, geez...I completely forgot about fruit juices!! Good one!!

cotehele: It sounds like you cook like I do (wing it, don't write it down, can't repeat it), except I am definitely a carnivore! LOL

DH doesn't really like the 'taste' of alcohol in food either....and he CAN taste it! ONE time I managed to sneak in a bit of Chianti into a Cioppino and he didn't taste it. Of course, he may be suspicious because I'm staring at him to see if he tastes it!

But...........DO TELL about vegetarian steak!!

My semi-veggie daughter just moved back in and while I don't cater to her vegetarianism, I do try to keep options on hand without having to go buy Veggie burgers, etc. And, I like to experiment.

Deanna

I was going to suggest fruit juices as well...

Denninmi: using juices sounds like an art. What other juice subs do you use?

Deanna: Yes, how is feeding your DD working out? There were some interesting suggestions for quick snacks. "Making" steak - Worthington Foods makes Vegetable Steak from wheat gluten. It comes in a can. I saute with butter, soy sauce, smoked yeast, pepper, onions...what ever comes to mind at the time, and use it in beef recipes. Wheat gluten cutlets can also be made with a particular kind of flour. They are boiled in flavored broth. My step-mom usually makes some for me to use when I go visit.

With a full glass in hand.

Just kidding, sort of.

If you need acidity, fresh lemon or lime juice works in combo with above suggestions. Pineapple juice.

Pomegranate Juice is really good in chicken dishes

I never cooked with wine until about 10 or so years ago. And cooking is so much better with wine and I love Cream Sherry in chicken dishes. But you could probably use a little naturally sweetened apple juice as a substitute for the Cream Sherry.

Michelle

This list might help. I've found that a combo of juices or broth with a bit of vinegar helps in recipes calling for wine.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alcohol Substitute List

If you are seeking recipes specifically that have wine as an ingredient and want a substitute, you may want to just add broth or juice in it's place. Both my husband and I don't drink, but there are plenty of recipes that we enjoy that don't contain alcohol.

"No one in our families (I am speaking about generations on both sides) drinks alcohol. Is there any substitute that would work for dishes that use wine or other alcohol as a primary flavor ingredient?"

I wanted to add, is there a recipe that you have in mind? If nobody in your family, for generations, never used alcohol in cooking, I'm not sure why you would want to start finding recipes that use alcohol.

Pomegranate juice, apple juice sub for creme sherry, lemon and lime juice, PA juice...a whole new world of ingredients to explore, and not just as sub for alcohol.

Shambo: thanks for the list! It's just what I need.

Blizlady: I cannot stand to leave anything as it is, and get bored with the repeatedly eating the same things. There is joy in experimenting. I am interested in whatever is out there (that has never been alive, we are vegetarians). That includes dishes with alcohol I see on cooking shows. I saw Steak Diane and Crepe Suzette on America's Test Kitchen last week. It is different than anything I have made, so I want to try it. It's fun, and hopefully it will be good :)