Out of Sake, one case
Substitute for sake and mirin: Japanese cooking
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Rice vinegar + sugar
Same amount as the sake
With 1-2 tsp sugar per cup
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 (½ cup vinegar + ½ cup water + 2 tsp sugar = 1 cup total).
- Best for —
- teriyaki sauce
One casethe full sake card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of sake |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice vinegar + sugarteriyaki sauce | Same amountWith 1-2 tsp sugar per cup |
| 2 | White wine + sugarcooking | Same amountWith 1-2 tsp sugar per cup |
| 3 | Apple cider vinegar + sugar + watergeneral cooking | ½ cup vinegar + ½ cup water + 2 tsp sugar per 1 cup total |
| 4 | Chicken stock + rice vinegar + sugarsoups | ½ cup stock + ½ cup vinegar + 1-2 tsp sugar per 1 cup total |
| 5 | White grape juice + rice vinegarsweet glazes | 2/3 cup juice + 1/3 cup vinegar per 1 cup total |
Rice vinegar + sugar
similar acidity with sweetness · similar texture
Non-alcoholic alternative that mimics both sake and mirin
- Best for
- teriyaki sauce, marinades, glazes, family cooking
Adjust sugar amount based on desired sweetness (more for mirin, less for sake).
White wine + sugar
similar complexity · similar texture
Alcoholic alternative with similar complexity to sake and mirin
- Best for
- cooking, marinades, sauces, fusion dishes
Use dry white wine and adjust sugar for sweetness level needed.
Apple cider vinegar + sugar + water
more acidic but balanced · similar texture
Readily available alternative for both sake and mirin
- Best for
- general cooking, when other options unavailable, budget-friendly cooking
More acidic than sake/mirin, adjust sugar to taste.
Chicken stock + rice vinegar + sugar
similar umami profile · similar texture
Non-alcoholic combination with umami depth
- Best for
- soups, stews, braised dishes, family cooking
Provides umami depth similar to sake and mirin.
White grape juice + rice vinegar
sweeter but balanced · similar texture
Sweet and tangy non-alcoholic alternative
- Best for
- sweet glazes, marinades, kid-friendly dishes, dessert sauces
Naturally sweet, good for mirin-heavy recipes.
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 substituting sake
7 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
- 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
5 questionsWhat'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.