Mirin substitute

For each tablespoon of mirin, mix 1 tablespoon of sake with 1 teaspoon of sugar. For an alcohol-free swap, use 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.

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What are you making?

  1. Sake + sugar

    Great fit

    1 tbsp sake and 1 tsp granulated sugar

    For this dish: Closest flavor for teriyaki and glazes, which cook long enough to reduce.

    How: Stir until the sugar dissolves. Use a drinking-quality sake. Add it early in cooking so some of the alcohol can evaporate.

    What changes: The closest match, and the swap Just One Cookbook recommends, though the taste will differ. Sake is less sweet and more alcoholic than mirin, which is why the sugar goes in.

    No major food allergens in these ingredients. Check labels on packaged products.

  2. Rice vinegar + sugar (alcohol-free)

    Works

    1 tbsp rice vinegar and ½ tsp granulated sugar

    For this dish: Works, but the glaze tastes tangier. The Daily Meal notes teriyaki may need no extra sugar.

    How: Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar first. Taste, and add a pinch of salt if it needs balance (Pantry and Larder).

    What changes: Alcohol-free, but much more acidic than mirin. Just One Cookbook does not recommend vinegar, so expect a tangier dish.

    No major food allergens in these ingredients. Check labels on packaged products.

  3. Dry white wine + sugar

    Works

    1 tbsp dry white wine and ½ tsp granulated sugar

    For this dish: Works once reduced, with a wine note.

    How: Stir the sugar into the wine. Use a dry wine; a sweet one makes the dish too sweet.

    What changes: Contains alcohol, with a fruitier flavor. Just One Cookbook does not recommend wine, but The Wicked Noodle and Eat This, Not That! both list this ratio.

    No major food allergens in these ingredients. Check labels on packaged products.

  4. Sweet Marsala

    Works

    1 tbsp sweet Marsala wine

    For this dish: Sweet and rich, which suits a glaze.

    How: Swap 1:1. If it tastes less sweet than you want, add up to 1/2 teaspoon sugar per tablespoon.

    What changes: Contains alcohol. Slightly less sweet than mirin (The Wicked Noodle, Eat This, Not That!).

    No major food allergens in these ingredients. Check labels on packaged products.

  5. White grape juice (alcohol-free)

    Works

    1 tbsp white grape juice

    For this dish: Sweet enough for a glaze.

    How: Swap 1:1. Use 100% juice. If it tastes too sweet, add a splash of lemon juice.

    What changes: Alcohol-free and sweet, with a fruity grape flavor.

    No major food allergens in these ingredients. Check labels on packaged products.

Scores are our editorial judgement from the sources below, not lab tests.

What mirin does in a recipe

Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice seasoning. Hon mirin contains about 14% alcohol (Just One Cookbook). It adds mild sweetness, shine and depth to teriyaki, glazes, simmered dishes and dipping sauces, and it balances salty soy sauce. A swap needs sweetness first, then a little acidity or wine flavor.

Swap it in your recipe with Sous Chef

A substitution is more than one ingredient line. The steps that use it change too. Sous Chef edits both on a working copy of your recipe, so the original is always one tap away.

You ask Sous Chef

"I don't have mirin."

Sous Chef edits the recipe

1 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp sake and 1 tsp granulated sugar
Added to the steps: Stir until the sugar dissolves. Use a drinking-quality sake. Add it early in cooking so some of the alcohol can evaporate.
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When not to substitute

Where mirin is a main flavor, as in teriyaki sauce or a mirin glaze, sake with sugar is the only close match. Just One Cookbook recommends it and advises against wine, sherry and vinegar.

Common questions

Does mirin have alcohol?

Hon mirin does, about 14% per Just One Cookbook. Mirin-style seasonings have 8 to 14%, and mirin-like seasonings less than 1%.

Can I use rice vinegar instead of mirin?

Yes, with sugar: 1 tablespoon rice vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar per tablespoon of mirin. It is tangier, so taste as you go.

What is the best mirin substitute for teriyaki?

Sake with sugar, 1 tablespoon sake to 1 teaspoon sugar. Just One Cookbook uses 3 parts sake to 1 part sugar.

Related

Sources

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