Out of sake and mirin?

Substitute for Sake and Mirin: Japanese Cooking Guide

Use this

Rice Vinegar + Sugar

Use the same amount with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup as the sake and mirin you are replacing

Best for teriyaki sauce

For sake and mirin substitutes, use rice vinegar + sugar (1:1 ratio with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup), white wine + sugar (1:1 ratio with 1-2 tsp sugar), or apple cider vinegar + sugar + water (1/2 cup vinegar + 1/2 cup water + 2 tsp sugar = 1 cup total).

At a glance

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

Sake and Mirin substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of sake and mirin, use
1	Rice Vinegar + Sugar	Same amount, with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup
2	White Wine + Sugar	Same amount, with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup
3	Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar + Water	1 cup total per ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup water + 2 tsp sugar
4	Chicken Stock + Rice Vinegar + Sugar	1 cup total per ½ cup stock + ½ cup vinegar + 1-2 tsp sugar
5	White Grape Juice + Rice Vinegar	1 cup total per ⅔ cup juice + ⅓ cup vinegar

Every sake and mirin substitute

Ranked, with the exact amount and what changes

1. Rice Vinegar + Sugar
Use the same amount with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup
Non-alcoholic alternative that mimics both sake and mirin
What changes
Best for
teriyaki sauce, marinades, glazes, family cooking
Taste
similar acidity with sweetness
Texture
similar
Adjust sugar amount based on desired sweetness (more for mirin, less for sake)
2. White Wine + Sugar
Use the same amount with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup
Alcoholic alternative with similar complexity to sake and mirin
What changes
Best for
cooking, marinades, sauces, fusion dishes
Taste
similar complexity
Texture
similar
Use dry white wine and adjust sugar for sweetness level needed
3. Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar + Water
Use 1 cup total for every ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup water + 2 tsp sugar
Readily available alternative for both sake and mirin
What changes
Best for
general cooking, when other options unavailable, budget-friendly cooking
Taste
more acidic but balanced
Texture
similar
More acidic than sake/mirin, adjust sugar to taste
4. Chicken Stock + Rice Vinegar + Sugar
Use 1 cup total for every ½ cup stock + ½ cup vinegar + 1-2 tsp sugar
Non-alcoholic combination with umami depth
What changes
Best for
soups, stews, braised dishes, family cooking
Taste
similar umami profile
Texture
similar
Provides umami depth similar to sake and mirin
5. White Grape Juice + Rice Vinegar
Use 1 cup total for every ⅔ cup juice + ⅓ cup vinegar
Sweet and tangy non-alcoholic alternative
What changes
Best for
sweet glazes, marinades, kid-friendly dishes, dessert sauces
Taste
sweeter but balanced
Texture
similar
Naturally sweet, perfect for mirin-heavy recipes

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

How it behaves in this recipe

When substituting for both sake and mirin, it's important to consider the recipe's overall flavor profile. Sake is drier and less sweet, while mirin is sweeter and has lower alcohol content. The best substitute should provide both acidity and sweetness while maintaining the cooking properties of both ingredients.

Tips

For teriyaki sauce, use rice vinegar + sugar as it provides the right balance of acidity and sweetness
When substituting for both sake and mirin, consider the recipe's overall sweetness needs
White wine + sugar works best for fusion dishes that benefit from alcohol complexity
For non-alcoholic cooking, rice vinegar + sugar is the most versatile option
Adjust sugar amounts based on whether the recipe calls for more sake (less sweet) or mirin (sweeter)
Test your substitute in a small batch to ensure the flavor balance is right
For authentic Japanese flavor, rice vinegar + sugar is closest to the original taste profile

Notes on sake and mirin

For authentic flavor: rice vinegar + sugar
For fusion dishes: white wine + sugar
For budget cooking: apple cider vinegar + sugar + water
For umami depth: chicken stock + rice vinegar + sugar
For sweet dishes: white grape juice + rice vinegar

Questions

What's the best substitute for both sake and mirin?

Rice vinegar + sugar (1:1 ratio with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup) is the best substitute for both sake and mirin. It provides similar acidity and sweetness without alcohol.

Can I use white wine as a substitute for sake and mirin?

Yes, white wine + sugar (1:1 ratio with 1-2 tsp sugar per cup) works well as a substitute for both sake and mirin, especially in fusion dishes.

How do I adjust the sweetness for different recipes?

Use less sugar (1 tsp per cup) for recipes that call for more sake, and more sugar (2 tsp per cup) for recipes that call for more mirin.

What's the best non-alcoholic substitute for sake and mirin?

Rice vinegar + sugar is the best non-alcoholic substitute. For extra umami, use chicken stock + rice vinegar + sugar.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar?

Yes, apple cider vinegar works as a substitute, but it's more acidic. Use the same ratio but you may need to adjust the sugar amount to balance the acidity.

More sake substitutes

Browse the full guide, or the 2,551 ingredients in the index.

Sake substitutes Browse all ingredients

At a glance

Every sake and mirin substitute

1. Rice Vinegar + Sugar

2. White Wine + Sugar

3. Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar + Water

4. Chicken Stock + Rice Vinegar + Sugar

5. White Grape Juice + Rice Vinegar