Wine-Infused Main Dishes: Bold, braised, and beautifully balanced — these wine-based mains bring serious flavor to the table.
Cooking with wine is one of the easiest ways to add elegance and depth to your meals.
From rich red wine braises to bright white wine seafood, these recipes highlight the complexity and character wine brings to classic comfort food — and they’re easier to make than they look.
🍷 Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Tender, fall-off-the-bone beef simmered in a bold red wine reduction.
Perfect for cold nights or dinner parties, this dish layers aromatics, herbs, and deep wine flavor into every bite. Serve over mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.
👉 Red Wine Braised Short Ribs Recipe
🍗 Coq au Vin
A French bistro classic made with red wine, chicken, and mushrooms.
Traditionally braised in Burgundy with bacon, pearl onions, and thyme, this dish is cozy, rich, and full of Old World charm.
🍤 White Wine Garlic Shrimp
Quick, simple, and full of flavor.
Shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic, white wine, and a touch of lemon. Serve over pasta, rice, or toasted bread for an easy weeknight dinner.
👉 White Wine Garlic Shrimp Recipe
🍗 Chardonnay Chicken Thighs
Crispy, seared chicken thighs simmered in a creamy Chardonnay sauce.
The wine adds buttery acidity that balances beautifully with garlic, cream, and herbs. Serve with roasted vegetables or rice.
👉 Chardonnay Chicken Thighs Recipe
🥩 Red Wine Beef Stew
A hearty, slow-simmered stew where beef and red wine take center stage.
Loaded with carrots, potatoes, and herbs — the wine reduces into a velvety sauce that coats every bite.
🦪 Mussels in White Wine Sauce
Briny, brothy, and restaurant-quality in under 30 minutes.
Mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, shallots, and herbs — served with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
👉 Mussels in White Wine Sauce Recipe
🐟 White Wine Lemon Butter Cod
Light, flaky cod poached in a white wine, lemon, and butter sauce.
This bright, delicate dish is perfect for spring or summer and pairs beautifully with crisp white wine.
👉 White Wine Lemon Butter Cod Recipe
🥩 Syrah-Marinated Flank Steak
A bold red wine marinade that turns flank steak into a showstopper.
Syrah adds black fruit and spice notes while tenderizing the meat. Grill or pan-sear and serve with chimichurri or roasted potatoes.
👉 Syrah-Marinated Flank Steak Recipe
🍗 Wine Can Chicken (Bonus Twist on Beer Can Style)
A juicy, wine-steamed whole chicken roasted upright over a half-full can of white wine.
Infused with lemon, rosemary, and garlic from the inside out. A gourmet take on a backyard classic.
Final Thoughts: From Bottle to Braise
Wine isn’t just for sipping — it’s one of the best ingredients for adding complexity to everyday cooking.
Whether you’re reducing a red into a sauce or steaming seafood with a crisp white, these recipes prove that wine belongs in the pan as much as in the glass.
Pro tip:
- Use dry reds (like Cabernet, Syrah, or Pinot Noir) for beef and braises.
- Choose dry whites (like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay) for seafood, chicken, and light sauces.
- Avoid “cooking wines” — use what you’d drink.
Lead marketer, brewer, dad, and husband. Pretty much an all-round awesome guy. Self proclaimed coffee addict who’s been home brewing beer (among other things) for 25+ yrs. Also an aspiring pro-brewer and micro-brewery owner!
