Disclosure: As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
If you have a lot of questions about Marsala sauce, you’re not alone.We’re going to answer your top questions, including what it tastes like, how to veganize it and what kinds of wines you can substitute for Marsala wine.
Save
Let’s dive right in…
What Does Marsala Sauce Taste Like?
Marsala sauce is a very rich Italian sauce with an earthy, strongly umami flavor.The earthiness comes from the mushrooms and the wine, key ingredients in this sauce.
There is a fresh, bright taste to Marsala sauce from herbs like thyme as well as a subtle sweetness enhanced by sauteed onions.The primary flavors, however, are savory and earthy.
Marsala Sauce Texture
Most Marsala sauces will be chunky with larger pieces of mushroom and onion.They’re almost like slightly thin stews served over the main course.
The gravy-like thickness and creaminess are also noticeable characteristics.Some recipes do include (non-vegan) butter or dairy cream, which makes it heavier and richer.
Related Article: What Does Kombucha Tea Taste Like?
What Is Marsala Sauce?
You should know that Marsala sauce is not traditionally vegan, nor is its common usage.It’s generally made with Marsala wine, beef or chicken stock, mushrooms, shallots or onions, seasonings and a little flour for thickening.
You may have heard of chicken Marsala, which aptly demonstrates why this sauce is not usually considered vegan in any way.But you can absolutely make it vegan.
To make vegan Marsala sauce, use veggie stock (and vegan butter or cream if the recipe calls for these) and serve it over pasta, tofu or anything you want, really.
You Might Also Like: What Does Lavender Taste Like?
Can I Use Cabernet Instead of Marsala?
Because sweet Marsala wine is typically used in this sauce, substituting a dry cabernet will change the flavor.Ideally, you’d want to trade the Marsala for a sweeter wine like port, sherry or even pinot noir.
However, dry Marsala wines do exist, and you may even prefer a drier wine if that’s what you usually drink.If this is the case, you may really like the taste of cabernet in a vegan version of this hearty sauce.
Read Also: What Does Mangosteen Taste Like?
Can I Substitute White Wine for Marsala?
You can use any wine you’d like in your Marsala sauce, but it will alter the end product.White wine, whether sweet or dry, is often lighter with very different flavor notes.
If you were to use a white wine, a buttery chardonnay may be a good choice whereas a sauvignon blanc could be too bright and citrusy.
You can do a little taste test by taking a small amount of the sauce you’re cooking and mixing it with a drop of the wine you’re thinking of adding and see if you like it.
How Do You Make Marsala Sauce?
Now that we’ve talked about how to veganize Marsala sauce, perhaps it’s time to show you how it’s done.We’ve collected a couple of video links to guide you through the process every step of the way.
Recommended Article: What Does Maple Syrup Taste Like?
We’ll get right to the good stuff—homemade vegan “chicken” Marsala.This recipe is quick and painless, and if you don’t have sweet Marsala wine, substitute any sweeter wine you’d like.
- Sweet Marsala wine
- Veggie broth
- Mushrooms like portobellos
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Dried marjoram
- Vegan butter
- Green onions
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Vegan chicken or any mock meat
If you prefer tofu, this recipe calls for breadcrumb-dredged and pan-fried tofu with a different take on vegan Marsala sauce.Here are the ingredients:
- Tofu
- Breadcrumbs
- Italian seasonings
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- Thyme
- Marsala wine
- Veggie broth
- Vegan marinara
- Flour
Don’t forget to get a tofu press to get the water out! Check out our list of the best tofu press options if you’re considering to buy one. Not only does pressing tofu improve the texture but it also makes it more flavorful since it absorbs more flavor.
Wrap Up
Though Marsala sauce is not typically vegan, it’s very easy to make vegan with vegetable broth and plant-based butter or cream.Use it on top of anything you fancy, but pasta is great for starters.If you do a vegan version of chicken (or tofu) Marsala, serve it with greens and mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes for an authentic experience.
Further Reading: What Does Marmite Taste Like?
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
