8 Mirin Substitutes for Asian Cooking

Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that is typically used in making marinades, sauces, and dressings, and added to simmered dishes like soups and stews. A little goes a long way, but a bottle won’t last forever so if you find yourself fresh out of this umami-rich seasoning, don’t worry because there are a few mirin substitutes that you can try.

Here are 8 great substitutes for mirin.

1. Sake

Sake is a lightly sweetened Japanese alcoholic beverage that has become recognizable all around the world for its unique flavor and cultural significance. It’s made from fermented rice and is often added as a key ingredient in Japanese dishes such as tempura, sukiyaki, and ramen.

Can I Use Sake Instead of Mirin?

Definitely! Both sake and mirin are staples in Japanese cuisine, so subbing one for the other isn’t uncommon. Sake contains approximately 15 to 17 percent alcohol versus mirin’s 14 percent alcohol. In some dishes, both mirin and sake are used in tandem to create a bold, umami flavor that is unmistakably Japanese.

Sake is widely considered the healthier alternative to mirin since it contains fewer calories due to having less sugar. However, most of sake’s health benefits are not related to weight loss and instead are due to its koji content, which is its fermented rice component. Because sake is made with yeast, rice, and koji, sake has high levels of vitamins and proteins. The proteins and peptides in sake help with blood alcohol metabolism, reducing cholesterol, and lowering blood triglycerides. Studies have also demonstrated a link between sake and an increase in the production of good bacteria within the gut microbiome.

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, seasoning, sushi rice

How to Substitute Sake for Mirin

Substitute 1 tablespoon of mirin with 1 tablespoon of sake.

Depending on the desired sweetness of your recipe, you may want to add a splash of apple juice to add a bit of natural sweetness to your recipe. A pinch of sugar would work just as well in case if you prefer a sweetness level more similar to that of mirin’s.

2. Rice Wine Vinegar and Sugar

Rice wine vinegar is a nonalcoholic fermented rice wine that’s often used as a mirin substitute. Compared to white vinegar, rice wine vinegar is less acidic with a slightly more delicate, sweet flavor.

Can I Use Rice Wine Vinegar and Sugar Instead of Mirin?

Yes, you can use rice wine vinegar instead of mirin in recipes where the alcohol content is not an essential part of the recipe. Cooking eliminates most of the alcohol in ingredients like mirin, so depending on the cooking time and cooking method, it may not make much of a difference if you use a nonalcoholic substitute straight away. This is especially the case with those who are allergic to alcohol and may not be able to use mirin at all in their cooking.

Rice wine vinegar is acidic and contains no sugar, unlike mirin, which is approximately 40 to 50 percent sugar. Some of the active ingredients in rice wine vinegar such as acetic acid, have been shown to have anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, seasoning, dressings

How to Substitute Rice Wine Vinegar and Sugar for Mirin

Combine 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar with 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. Use this mixture to replace 1 tablespoon of mirin in your recipes.

Rice wine vinegar is also sold as rice vinegar. These two are one and the same, and should yield the same results. Brown rice vinegar on the other hand, is different and carries a different flavor profile and is not recommended as a mirin substitute.

3. Dry Sherry and Sugar

Dry sherry is a distilled wine that is commonly used for cooking due to its low sugar content. It has a slightly acidic flavor and contains approximately 15 to 22 percent alcohol, but it lacks the distinct umami flavor of mirin.

Can I Use Dry Sherry with Sugar Instead of Mirin?

Yes, dry sherry and sugar can be used as a mirin substitute in recipes that are not so dependent on the umami flavor of mirin. Dry sherry is both delicate and complex, with crisp flavors that pair well with many savory dishes. Both mirin and dry sherry contain alcohol, so if you are trying to avoid the alcohol content in mirin, dry sherry is not a good alternative for you.

It is well known that moderate consumption of red wine offers a handful of health benefits. A new study shows that those benefits extend to dry sherry as well. Red wine contains chemical compounds called polyphenols, which help breakdown bad (LDL) cholesterol. Some of the most important polyphenols in red wine include resveratrol, catechins, tannins, and anthocyanins, which help protect against cardiovascular diseases, reduce inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, seasoning, dressings

How to Substitute Dry Sherry with Sugar for Mirin

Combine 1 tablespoon of dry sherry with ½ tablespoon of sugar and stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. Use this mixture to replace 1 tablespoon of mirin in your recipes.

4. Dry White Wine and Sugar

Dry white wine is another mirin substitute that may work in some recipes. Dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio are preferred, since they contain little to no sugars and are relatively mild in flavor.

Can I Use Dry White Wine and Sugar Instead of Mirin?

Yes, you can use dry white wine in place of mirin in many of your favorite recipes. Dry white wines have a natural sweetness to them thanks to the grapes they are extracted from, however, it’s still important to add sugar since mirin is much sweeter by comparison. Like mirin, dry white wines also contain alcohol and can have anywhere between 5 to 22 percent.

White wine has been linked to several health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved cholesterol levels, reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases and lowered risk of developing certain types of cancers. These benefits have been linked to both red white and white wine although red wine is touted as the healthier option of the two.

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, seasoning, dressings, dipping sauce

How to Substitute Dry White Wine and Sugar for Mirin

Combine 1 tablespoon of dry white wine with 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. Use this mixture to replace 1 tablespoon of mirin in your recipes.

It is recommended that you use a dry white wine and simply add some sugar to it rather than use a sweeter white wine. This is because sweeter white wines tend to caramelize quickly, so they are not the preferred type of wine for cooking.

5. Aji-Mirin

The name aji-mirin translates to “tastes like mirin.” Just like authentic mirin, aji-mirin also contains alcohol and is the closest you’ll get to real mirin. Unless going to a specialty store, the type of mirin you’ll probably find in your local store is aji-mirin, which can certainly work in place of real mirin since it is made to cook and taste just like it.

Can I Use Aji-Mirin Instead of Mirin?

Yes, you can. While it is not exactly the same as authentic mirin, aji-mirin is the closest substitute you’ll find at most stores. What’s unique about aji-mirin is that it also adds that umami flavor to dishes, which helps enhance the dish as a whole and really ties everything together, especially if you are trying to make something taste authentically Japanse.

It’s important to note that aji-mirin is not the same as authentic mirin, and its nutritional profile certainly reflects that. Aji-mirin has a lower alcohol content than authentic mirin, but it also has a higher sugar and sodium content. Often times the commercially available aji-mirin will contain high fructose corn syrup or table sugar, offering little to no nutritional value.

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, seasoning, dressings, dipping sauce, stir-fry, ramen, batters

How to Substitute Aji-Mirin for Mirin

Substitute 1 tablespoon of mirin with 1 tablespoon of aji-mirin in a 1:1 ratio.

Aji-mirin is often sold as mirin, even though it is not the same as authentic mirin. Be sure to check the label to see whether you have aji-mirin or authentic mirin.

Authentic mirin only contains three ingredients: glutinous rice, rice koji (malt), and shochu (Japanese distilled alcohol). It does not contain any added salt. Due to its alcohol content, mirin may also be found in the liquor section.

Aji-mirin on the other hand, will have a list of ingredients that include any or all of the following: Glucose Syrup, Water, Alcohol, Rice, Corn Syrup, Salt.

6. Vermouth and Sugar

Vermouth is a flavored wine that is light and slightly tart with crisp flavors. Similar to dry white whine, vermouth contains little to no sugars and is a good substitute for mirin.

Can I Use Vermouth and Sugar Instead of Mirin?

Yes, in a pinch, you can certainly use vermouth and sugar as a mirin substitute. Vermouth comes in red and white varieties and has its own mild flavor. As such, it can be great for glazing, dressing, and dipping, especially when paired with light proteins such as white fish or chicken.

What’s great about vermouth is that it comes in alcoholic and non-alcoholic variants. If you are concerned about the alcohol content in mirin, then you can opt for the non-alcoholic vermouth.

Both red wine and white wine are considered beneficial for health when consumed in moderate quantities. This is due to its antioxidant and polyphenol content, which can offer some health benefits. Polyphenol-rich beverages such as wines and fruit juices are said to have strong antioxidant properties that can help protect against free radical damage and oxidative stress. Although polyphenol content is slightly lower in white wine compared to red wine, the noted health benefits are still applicable.

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, dressings, dipping sauces

How to Substitute Vermouth and Sugar for Mirin

Combine 1 tablespoon of vermouth and 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. Use this mixture to replace 1 tablespoon of mirin in your recipes.

It is best to use dry vermouth as a mirin substitute because sweet vermouth caramelizes too easily and thus, does not cook very well. Some types of dry vermouth are also infused with different spices and herbs, so make sure to look for plain dry vermouth.

7. White Vinegar and Sugar

Distilled white vinegar is one of the most common types of vinegar and is readily available in all grocery stores. It contains acetic acid and water, and is extremely tart and not sweet at all.

Can I Use White Vinegar and Sugar Instead of Mirin?

Definitely! White vinegar and sugar can be used as a mirin substitute, although you will have to make some adjustments to your recipe. The tartness from the vinegar with the sweetness of the sugar can work for certain dishes, although it lacks the signature umami flavor of mirin.

Vinegar is an acidic condiment that contains various nutrients and components that offer several functional properties. The nutrients in vinegar such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and sugars provide energy, help regulate cell metabolism, and improve brain development. Vinegar has also been reported to have anti-glycemic and antitumor effects.

Best for: cooking, soups, marinades, stews, meat tenderizer, dressings, dipping sauces

How to Substitute White Vinegar and Sugar for Mirin

Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with ½ teaspoon of sugar and stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. Use this mixture to replace 1 tablespoon of mirin in your recipes.