It is impossible to know if all the alcohol has left a dish even if you cook it for many hours. So, if in doubt, leave it out! We would suggest that you avoid using alcohol in a dish for kids, or if it is important to the flavour, then choosing an alcohol-free wine.
Parent Question – Is it Safe to Use Alcohol in Cooking?
Parent question: Some of my family casserole and slow cooker recipes include wine. Is it safe for my child to have these foods as they include alcohol?
Alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer are added to dishes like stews and to marinades to add flavour. But the amount of alcohol left in the finished dish is hard to measure. To lower the alcohol through the cooking, these things help:
- Cooking food on the stove or in the oven for at least an hour.
- Cooking at high temperatures like boiling or higher if using the oven.
- Using a wide pot or pan without the lid.
The amount of alcohol can stay high if:
- The food is not cooked at a high enough heat. For example, dishes cooked in benchtop slow cookers.
- The food is not cooked for long enough. For example, a stir fry with meat marinated in wine.
- The food is not cooked at all. For example, a fruit dessert with wine added.
Beginner’s Guide To Cooking Wines
FAQ
Can babies eat food with cooking wine?
Can children eat food that has been cooked in wine?
Does cooking with wine remove the alcohol?
Can you eat food cooked with wine while breastfeeding?
Can babies eat beer & wine?
It’s best not to give babies or toddlers any food that’s been cooked with liquor. But generally speaking, beer or wine can be ok. But again, the cooking method varies greatly in terms of how much less alcohol remains in the food when it’s time to eat.
Is it safe to consume beer and cheese during pregnancy?
The consumption of beer or any alcoholic beverage is strongly discouraged during pregnancy because of its potent teratogenic effect. Its effects are on the development of the neural tube that could generate different degrees of neurological damage. Cheese consumption is safe during pregnancy.
Can children eat food cooked in wine?
In fact, “available acute and chronic toxicity data of ethanol in children is limited.” However, it is clear that as children should not have alcohol on its own, it would be ideal for them to avoid eating food cooked in wine. What We’ll Be Looking At What Are The Effects Of Alcohol On Children? How Much Alcohol Content Remains When Cooking?
Can you give a child food that has been cooked with alcohol?
It depends on a number of factors, including the strength of alcohol you use, the amount of alcohol and how long you’ve cooked or simmered the alcohol for. Can I give my child food that’s been cooked with alcohol? You can, as long as most of the alcohol has been cooked off.