Cooking times of alcohol | Honest & Rare (2024)

23.02.2023

by Anastasia Hartleib

The use of alcohol in cooking is not uncommon, as it is often used for cooking, baking, marinating and even as a flavoring agent in various dishes.

However, it is important to know that not all types of alcohol are suitable for cooking and that care must be taken when using alcohol. It is also good to know how long it takes for the alcohol to cook down to ensure that a dish does not contain any residual alcohol.

Use of alcohol in the kitchen

Alcohol can be used for various purposes in the kitchen. For example, it can be used to deglaze pan-fried dishes, to flavor sauces and stews and even as an ingredient in desserts.

Not all types of alcohol are suitable for cooking. Alcohols with a high alcohol content, such as brandy, vodka or rum, are best suited for use in the kitchen.

How long does it take for alcohol to boil away?

How long it takes for the alcohol to evaporate depends on the cooking method and the amount of alcohol used. When alcohol is placed in a hot pan, it begins to evaporate immediately.

However, how long it takes for the alcohol to evaporate completely depends on the cooking temperature and the amount of alcohol added. It usually takes around 2 to 3 hours for the alcohol to evaporate completely when added to a dish that is cooking on a low heat. When cooking at high heat, e.g. frying or sautéing, it can take as little as 30 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate.

As you can see, the time it takes for alcohol to evaporate completely varies depending on the type of preparation, the heat used for cooking and the alcohol used.

Cooking times of alcohol | Honest & Rare (2024)

FAQs

How long does alcohol need to cook off? ›

Sorry to spoil the party, but here's the real deal: Simply heating alcohol, or any other cooking liquid, does not make it evaporate as quickly as a child's allowance in a candy store. The longer you cook, the more alcohol cooks out, but you have to cook food for about 3 hours to fully erase all traces of alcohol.

What temperature does alcohol boil at? ›

The boiling point of alcohol is the temperature at which the liquid will change into a gas. The boiling point of ethanol, the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, is 78.3 degrees Celsius (173.14 degrees Fahrenheit).

How much alcohol remains in a dish that has been simmered for 1.5 hours? ›

Baked/simmered dishes with alcohol stirred into mixture:
Baked/simmered dishes with alcohol stirred into mixture:Percent Retained
1 hour cooking time25%
1.5 hours cooking time20%
2 hours cooking time10%
2.5 hours cooking time5%
2 more rows
Oct 14, 2013

How long does it take for marsala to reduce? ›

Reduce marsala – Add marsala, turn up heat to high and boil for 3 minutes or until reduced by half.

What happens if you don't cook off alcohol? ›

Although alcohol remains, it's highly unlikely that dishes cooked with alcohol will cause intoxication. The amount of wine, beer, or spirits found in most recipes is so small that, even if left uncooked, an adult would never feel its effects.

Can kids eat vodka sauce? ›

Add in vodka and cook it until evaporated. This is where you'll cook off the alcohol content, so this recipe is completely safe for those who don't drink, are pregnant, or children.

Can a toddler eat food cooked with wine? ›

The choice is up to you. You may choose to use cooking methods that help to reduce the alcohol content and use less alcohol in a dish to make it safer for your child. Otherwise the safer option is to choose to leave out alcoholic drinks when preparing food for babies and children.

How much alcohol is left in food after cooking? ›

Depending on the cooking method and how much alcohol is used, anywhere from 4 to 85 percent of the alcohol may remain. After 15 minutes of cooking, about 40 percent of the alcohol remains. Even after an hour of cooking, about 25 percent is left, and 10 percent remains after two hours.

What is a good substitute for alcohol in cooking? ›

Some extracts can be used in place of alcohol, for example, rum extract plus water in place of rum. Other substitutes include coffee creamers and coffee syrups. However, amounts vary widely and are not equal. It's best to test, beginning with small amounts and increasing as necessary.

How long will a bottle of Marsala keep once opened? ›

A well-sealed and refrigerated opened bottle of Marsala can last for 4-6 months, retaining a large extent of its original taste profile.

Is it better to cook with dry or sweet Marsala? ›

Though both were acceptable, tasters found that dry Marsala offered more depth of flavor, while sweet Marsala added sweetness and some flavor but wasn't as complex. The takeaway? For both savory and sweet applications, we suggest using dry Marsala if a recipe doesn't specify a style.

What can you use instead of heavy cream in Marsala sauce? ›

To make this recipe a little lighter than your traditional Italian chicken marsala, you will see that I've created this recipe using full fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream.

Will alcohol cook off in a slow cooker? ›

Raw alcohol will evaporate at 78 C, importantly even with conventional cooking techniques, not all the alcohol will burn off. When using a slow cooker the internal temperature may only just get to this important temperature, and because of the lid any alcohol that does evaporate will return back into the cooker.

How long does it take for isopropyl alcohol to evaporate? ›

50% or 70% Isopropyl Rubbing alcohol evaporates in minutes (5-7 min) after disinfecting the surface. The Fumes are not hazardous, so you can safely use it repeatedly.

Can Muslims eat food cooked with alcohol? ›

Halal consumers should simply not cook with alcohol. In addition, for multiple reasons, it's not advised for Muslims to bring alcohol into their homes for cooking. When eating in restaurants, Halal consumers are advised to ask if the food contains alcohol and to avoid it.

Can you eat food cooked with wine while breastfeeding? ›

Alcohol added to food during cooking does evaporate, but some alcohol will still be left. So, if you are eating dishes cooked in alcohol, for example, red wine chicken, you may wish to refrain from breastfeeding your baby for the next 1-2 hours.

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