Out of shaoxing wine?

Non-Alcoholic Shaoxing Wine Substitutes

Use this

Rice Vinegar + Sugar

Use 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine for every 1 tablespoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar

Close matchBest for stir-fries

The best non-alcoholic substitutes for Shaoxing wine are rice vinegar with sugar, apple cider vinegar with sugar, or vegetable broth with a splash of soy sauce and sugar.

At a glance

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

Shaoxing Wine substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of shaoxing wine, use	Result
1	Rice Vinegar + Sugar	1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine per 1 tablespoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar	Close match
2	Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar	1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine per 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar	Different taste
3	Vegetable Broth + Soy Sauce + Sugar	1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine per ¾ tablespoon vegetable broth + ¼ tablespoon soy sauce + ½ teaspoon sugar	Different taste
4	White Grape Juice + Rice Vinegar	1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine per ⅔ tablespoon white grape juice + ⅓ tablespoon rice vinegar	Different taste
5	Mushroom Broth + Rice Vinegar + Sugar	1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine per ½ tablespoon mushroom broth + ½ tablespoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar	Different taste

Every shaoxing wine substitute

Ranked, with the exact amount and what changes

1. Rice Vinegar + Sugar
Close match
Use 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine for every 1 tablespoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar
Mimics the sweet-sour profile of Shaoxing wine without alcohol
What changes
Best for
stir-fries, marinades, sauces, braised dishes
Add sugar gradually to taste. Use unseasoned rice vinegar for best results.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar
Different taste
Use 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine for every 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar
Provides acidity and sweetness similar to Shaoxing wine
What changes
Best for
marinades, sauces, stir-fries
Slightly more tart than rice vinegar, so adjust sugar accordingly
3. Vegetable Broth + Soy Sauce + Sugar
Different taste
Use 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine for every ¾ tablespoon vegetable broth + ¼ tablespoon soy sauce + ½ teaspoon sugar
Adds umami depth and complexity without alcohol
What changes
Best for
braised dishes, soups, sauces, marinades
Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control saltiness
4. White Grape Juice + Rice Vinegar
Different taste
Use 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine for every ⅔ tablespoon white grape juice + ⅓ tablespoon rice vinegar
Combines natural sweetness with acidity for a balanced flavor
What changes
Best for
glazes, marinades, sauces
Use 100% white grape juice without added sugars
5. Mushroom Broth + Rice Vinegar + Sugar
Different taste
Use 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine for every ½ tablespoon mushroom broth + ½ tablespoon rice vinegar + ½ teaspoon sugar
Adds umami depth and earthy complexity
What changes
Best for
vegetarian dishes, mushroom-based recipes, sauces
Use homemade mushroom broth for best flavor

This page covers one situation. For the full ranked comparison, see all 4 shaoxing wine substitutes.

How it behaves in this recipe

Stir fries: Add the substitute early in cooking to allow flavors to develop and reduce properly
Marinades: Let meat marinate for the same amount of time as with Shaoxing wine for best results
Braised dishes: Add substitute with other liquids and let simmer to develop depth of flavor
Sauces: Reduce the substitute slightly before adding other ingredients for concentrated flavor

Tips

Add non-alcoholic substitutes at the same time you would add Shaoxing wine in recipes
Taste and adjust sweetness as you cook - different brands of vinegar vary in acidity
For best results, let marinades sit for the same amount of time as with Shaoxing wine
Non-alcoholic substitutes work well in stir-fries, but add them early in the cooking process
For braised dishes, add the substitute along with other liquids and let simmer
Store homemade substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
When using vinegar-based substitutes, be careful not to over-acidify your dish
For gluten-free cooking, ensure your soy sauce substitute is also gluten-free

Notes on shaoxing wine

For a more complex flavor, add a pinch of five-spice powder to your substitute
Try adding a small amount of sesame oil for additional depth
For vegetarian dishes, use mushroom powder in your substitute mixture
Add a splash of tamari or coconut aminos for extra umami

Questions

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of Shaoxing wine?

Balsamic vinegar is too sweet and dark for most Chinese dishes. Stick to rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for better flavor compatibility.

Will non-alcoholic substitutes change the texture of my dish?

No, the texture should remain the same. The main difference is in flavor complexity - you may need to add other seasonings to achieve the same depth.

Can I use these substitutes in equal amounts?

Yes, use a 1:1 ratio for most recipes. However, taste as you go and adjust the sweetness or acidity to your preference.

Do I need to adjust cooking times with non-alcoholic substitutes?

No, cooking times remain the same. The substitutes will cook off and reduce just like Shaoxing wine would.

More shaoxing wine substitutes

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

Shaoxing Wine substitutes Browse all ingredients

At a glance

Every shaoxing wine substitute

1. Rice Vinegar + Sugar

2. Apple Cider Vinegar + Sugar

3. Vegetable Broth + Soy Sauce + Sugar

4. White Grape Juice + Rice Vinegar

5. Mushroom Broth + Rice Vinegar + Sugar