What Can I Use Instead of Mirin?

Is rice vinegar the same as mirin? While they may seem similar, mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that adds a subtle tang to dishes. Unlike sake, it has lower sugar and alcohol content, delivering a richer umami flavor in savory recipes.

Top Substitutes for Mirin

Mirin is a versatile ingredient often found in Japanese, East Asian, and fusion dishes. If you're out of mirin, don't stress—there are simple alternatives that can easily recreate its sweet and tangy taste. These pantry staples can work as perfect 1:1 replacements for mirin:

Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is a fermented condiment with a slightly salty and sweet flavor, commonly used in salad dressings, sushi rice, and various Asian marinades. Since mirin is much sweeter, add about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon of rice vinegar to match mirin's sweetness.

Dry Sherry

Dry sherry, being a type of wine, shares a similar body and flavor profile to mirin, making it a great alternative. It's sweeter than rice vinegar and has an alcohol content comparable to mirin. Depending on your recipe's sweetness level, you may want to add a bit of sugar or honey, as dry sherry is less sweet than mirin.

Sweet Marsala Wine

Marsala wine has a similar combination of sweetness, umami, acidity, and alcohol to mirin. However, it is slightly less sweet, so adding about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon of Marsala wine can help mimic mirin's flavor.

Dry White Wine

If you're out of sherry, marsala, or rice vinegar, dry white wine might be sitting in your kitchen. It can work as a 1:1 replacement for mirin, but don't forget to add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon to balance out the flavor.

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