Rice wine substitutes
Rice wine substitutes — 5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Sake
Same amount as the rice wine
Japanese rice wine with similar sweetness.
The best substitutes for rice wine are sake, dry white wine, or a mixture of white wine and sugar.
Cooking rice wine adds a gentle sweetness, a fermented savoury depth and its own mellow aroma to stir-fries, marinades and sauces, and it counts as part of the sauce liquid. That sweetness is why most of the swaps below tell you to stir in sugar or honey.
- Best for —
- Asian cooking, marinades, sauces
Updated 19 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Moisture & hydrationsecondary
- Sweetnesssecondary
- Umami & savory depthsecondary
- Aroma & flavor identityprimary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of rice wine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SakeAsian cooking, marinades, sauces | Same amount |
| 2 | Dry white wine + sugarStir-fries, marinades, sauces | 1 cup wine + 1 tsp sugar |
| 3 | MirinJapanese dishes, glazes, teriyaki sauce | Same amount |
| 4 | White wine + honeyMarinades, sauces, glazes | 1 cup wine + 1 tbsp honey |
| 5 | Chicken broth + sugarWhen avoiding alcohol | 1 cup broth + 1 tsp sugar |
Sake
Japanese rice wine with similar sweetness
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Umami & savory depth
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Misses
- Sweetness — not covered
- Best for
- Asian cooking, marinades, sauces
Use the same amount as rice wine.
Dry white wine + sugar
Recreates the sweet profile of rice wine
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Misses
- Umami & savory depth — not covered
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- Stir-fries, marinades, sauces
Add sugar to white wine to match sweetness.
Mirin
Sweet Japanese cooking wine
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Umami & savory depth
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- Japanese dishes, glazes, teriyaki sauce
Slightly sweeter than regular rice wine.
White wine + honey
Sweet and acidic balance
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Misses
- Umami & savory depth — not covered
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- Marinades, sauces, glazes
Mix white wine with honey for sweetness.
Chicken broth + sugar
Non-alcoholic alternative with umami
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Umami & savory depth
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- When avoiding alcohol
Add sugar to chicken broth for sweetness.
Questions
3 questionsWhat's the difference between rice wine and sake?
Rice wine is sweeter and has a lower alcohol content, while sake is drier and has a higher alcohol content.
Can I use rice wine instead of white wine?
Yes, rice wine can replace white wine in many recipes, especially in Asian cooking.
Is rice wine gluten-free?
Most rice wine is gluten-free, but check labels as some brands may add other ingredients.
Tips for substituting rice wine
4 tips- Rice wine adds sweetness and acidity to dishes
- It's commonly used in Asian cooking and marinades
- Rice wine has a sweet, slightly alcoholic flavor
- It pairs well with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic