Out of mirin?

Mirin Substitutes for Cooking

Use this

Sake + Sugar

1 cup sake + 1 tbsp sugar

Close matchBest for Japanese cooking

For cooking, the best mirin substitutes are sake + sugar, dry sherry + sugar, or rice vinegar + sugar. Use 1:1 ratio and maintain the sweetness and acidity for authentic cooking results.

At a glance

Every option on one screen. Tap a name for detail.

Mirin substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of mirin, use	Result
1	Sake + Sugar	1 cup sake + 1 tbsp sugar	Close match
2	Dry Sherry + Sugar	1 cup dry sherry + 1 tbsp sugar	Close match
3	Rice Vinegar + Sugar	½ cup rice vinegar + ½ cup water + 2 tbsp sugar	Different taste
4	White Wine + Sugar	1 cup white wine + 1-2 tbsp sugar	Different taste
5	Chicken Broth + Sugar + Vinegar	½ cup broth + ½ cup water + 1 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp vinegar	Different taste

Every mirin substitute

Ranked, with the exact amount and what changes

1. Sake + Sugar
Close match
1 cup sake + 1 tbsp sugar
Traditional Japanese rice wine with added sweetness.
What changes
Most authentic substitute for mirin in cooking applications.
Best for
Japanese cooking, teriyaki sauce, when you want authentic flavor, traditional recipes, Asian dishes
Mix sake with sugar until dissolved. This provides the closest flavor profile to authentic mirin.
2. Dry Sherry + Sugar
Close match
1 cup dry sherry + 1 tbsp sugar
Fortified wine with added sweetness.
What changes
Excellent substitute for mirin in cooking when you want depth and complexity.
Best for
cooking, marinades, when you want depth, sauces, glazes
Add sugar to dry sherry and mix well. Provides similar cooking properties to mirin.
3. Rice Vinegar + Sugar
Different taste
½ cup rice vinegar + ½ cup water + 2 tbsp sugar
Acidic vinegar with sweetness.
What changes
Good substitute for mirin when you want the sweet-tart balance.
Best for
cooking, when you want acidity, Asian dishes, sweet-tart balance, sauces
Mix vinegar with water and sugar. Adjust sweetness to taste.
4. White Wine + Sugar
Different taste
1 cup white wine + 1-2 tbsp sugar
Sweet wine alternative.
What changes
Good substitute for mirin in cooking when you want wine-based flavor.
Best for
cooking, marinades, when you want wine flavor, sauces, general cooking
Add sugar to white wine to taste. Use dry white wine for best results.
5. Chicken Broth + Sugar + Vinegar
Different taste
½ cup broth + ½ cup water + 1 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp vinegar
Non-alcoholic alternative.
What changes
Perfect substitute for mirin when avoiding alcohol in cooking.
Best for
cooking, when avoiding alcohol, non-alcoholic recipes, family cooking, halal cooking
Mix broth with water, sugar, and vinegar. Adjust sweetness and acidity to taste.

This page covers one situation. For the full ranked comparison, see all 6 mirin substitutes.

How it behaves in this recipe

When substituting for mirin in cooking, it's important to maintain the right balance of sweetness, acidity, and depth that's characteristic of Japanese and Asian cuisine. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar cooking properties and flavor complexity that mirin contributes to dishes.

Tips

Mirin adds sweetness and helps tenderize meat in cooking
It's essential for authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce and glazes
Mirin helps balance salty flavors in Japanese and Asian cooking
Use real mirin for best results, not 'mirin-style' seasoning
Mirin can be used in marinades, glazes, and dipping sauces
Store mirin in a cool, dark place like other cooking wines
Add mirin substitutes at the right time in cooking - usually during the cooking process
For best cooking results, taste your dish and adjust seasoning to compensate for different flavor profiles

Notes on mirin

Use different rice wines (sake, shaoxing) for varying flavor profiles
Try adding different vinegars (rice, white wine) for varying acidity levels
Experiment with different sweeteners (sugar, honey, maple syrup) for varying sweetness levels
Consider using different broths (chicken, vegetable) for non-alcoholic alternatives

Questions

What's the best substitute for mirin in cooking?

Sake + sugar is the best substitute for mirin in cooking. It provides the most authentic flavor profile and cooking properties.

Can I use rice vinegar instead of mirin in cooking?

Yes, rice vinegar + sugar works well as a substitute for mirin in cooking. Use 1/2 cup vinegar + 1/2 cup water + 2 tbsp sugar for best results.

Why doesn't my mirin substitute work in cooking?

Common issues include using the wrong ratio, not accounting for sweetness differences, or adding substitutes at the wrong time. Always follow cooking techniques for best results.

Can I use dry sherry instead of mirin in cooking?

Yes, dry sherry + sugar works excellently as a substitute for mirin in cooking. It provides similar depth and complexity of flavor.

What's the best non-alcoholic substitute for mirin in cooking?

For non-alcoholic cooking, chicken broth + sugar + vinegar works best as a substitute for mirin. It provides mild sweetness and acidity without alcohol.

More mirin substitutes

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Mirin substitutes Browse all ingredients

At a glance

Every mirin substitute

1. Sake + Sugar

2. Dry Sherry + Sugar

3. Rice Vinegar + Sugar

4. White Wine + Sugar

5. Chicken Broth + Sugar + Vinegar