As the holidays approach, many of us will be cooking for friends and family….as well as enjoying holiday goodies made by others. I have many “foodie” conversations with friends and there is a general MYTH about cooking with alcohol.
Please don’t shoot the messenger, but the truth is….Alcohol does not ALL “cook off” in the heating process!
When it comes to cooking with alcohol, it's natural to wonder how much alcohol actually cooks off during the process. While it's true that heat applied during cooking evaporates some alcohol, it's difficult to determine the exact percentage that remains. The amount of alcohol that evaporates depends on various factors such as cooking time, cooking method, heat level, and the specific dish you're preparing.
It's important to keep in mind that not all alcohol evaporates completely. In fact, some alcohol may still remain in the food even after prolonged cooking. The actual percentage varies, but estimates suggest that around 25-50% of the alcohol content can still be present. One study showed that food baked or simmered in alcohol for 15 minutes still retains 40 percent of the alcohol. After an hour of cooking, 25 percent of the alcohol remains, and even after two and a half hours there's still 5 percent of it. Sauces containing alcohol that are brought to a boil, then removed from the heat can retain up to 85% of the alcohol. Cherries Jubilee and desserts that “flame” can retain up to 75% of the alcohol.
For those in recovery, and for those of us who have friends and family members in recovery this information is vitally important! For some of us, a small percentage of alcohol remaining in a sauce is no big deal. However, for others, even the smallest amount is dangerous!
In our home, I choose to not cook with alcohol in order to support my husband’s recovery. At times, I make substitutions (chicken broth for white wine, etc). Other times, I skip recipes altogether when appropriate substitutions can’t be made.
Whatever you have on your menu this holiday season, please be mindful to inform your guests if you have dishes that were cooked with wine, beer, etc. All of the alcohol will not be gone.
Psalm 40 supports individuals and families who are seeking recovery. Please reach out if we can help!
Wishing you all a wonderful and sober holiday!
