What to Substitute for Mirin?

Mirin is a traditional, sweet Japanese seasoning that, combined with soy sauce or other ingredients, gives dishes their characteristic mild sweetness and subtle umami depth. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to find in stores, or you simply want to cut down on alcohol — in situations like these, a few tried-and-tested substitutes come in handy.

Homemade Mirin From Rice Vinegar and Sugar — the Simplest Substitute

If you’re after a quick solution without alcohol or exotic ingredients, the simplest substitute is a homemade mix of rice vinegar and sugar. The standard ratio is 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar to 1.5 teaspoons of sugar or honey — just stir them together until the sugar dissolves, ideally warming the mixture gently over low heat for 30–60 seconds.

This substitute won’t replicate the subtle, rice-fermented notes of real mirin, but it works beautifully wherever a sweet-sour balance matters most — for example in stir-fry sauces, vegetable marinades, or simple Asian-style salad dressings. It’s the solution to reach for when you have neither sake nor rice wine on hand and need a substitute right away.

Sake With Sugar

Sake, the traditional Japanese alcoholic drink, is one of the closest substitutes for mirin, especially with a touch of sugar or honey added. The best ratio is 1 tablespoon of sake plus 1 teaspoon of sugar for every 2 tablespoons of mirin called for. This mix gives dishes a delicate, slightly sweet flavor while preserving mirin’s subtle rice notes. Remember to cook the dish long enough for the alcohol to partly evaporate.

Sweet Rice Wine (Shaoxing)

Chinese rice wines such as Shaoxing have a flavor profile similar to sake, and with a little sugar or agave syrup added, they can come close to mirin. Their distinctive, mildly fermented aroma pairs well with stir-fries, meat marinades, and fish dishes. As with sake, adjust the sweetness to your own taste. When preparing a sauce, it’s a good idea to add a small amount of soy sauce to boost the umami.

White Wine With Honey or Maple Syrup

If you don’t have Asian ingredients on hand, dry white wine works well too. Add 1–2 teaspoons of honey, sugar, or maple syrup to achieve a sweetness close to mirin’s. This combination gives dishes a pleasant, wine-like aroma with a gentle hint of sweetness. Keep in mind, though, that white wine tends to be more acidic than traditional rice-based drinks, so it’s worth testing the proportions before adding it to the whole dish.

Vermouth (Dry or Semi-Sweet)

Vermouth, especially white vermouth, can serve as an unusual but effective mirin substitute. It lends dishes an herbal, floral aroma that, in some recipes (such as those built around seafood), can be a genuinely interesting variation. To sweeten vermouth, simply add a teaspoon of sugar or honey per portion equivalent to 2 tablespoons of mirin. Keep in mind, however, that vermouth’s herbal notes can shift a dish’s flavor profile more noticeably than sake or rice wine would.

Apple Juice or White Grape Juice With Rice Vinegar

For anyone looking to cut down on alcohol in the kitchen, a good option is combining naturally sweet apple juice (or grape juice) with a small amount of rice vinegar. The juice brings sweetness, while rice vinegar adds a touch of tanginess and an Asian accent close to that of the original mirin. This mix works especially well in marinades and sweet-and-sour sauces. It’s worth seasoning it with a pinch of salt to sharpen the flavor and enhance the sense of umami.

Maple Syrup With a Touch of Soy Sauce

If you’re not after an alcoholic note, you can use maple syrup combined with a small amount of soy sauce (in a ratio of about 2 tablespoons of syrup to 1 teaspoon of sauce). This base adds depth to a dish while bringing a mellow sweetness. It’s worth adding a pinch of citric acid or vinegar to balance the flavor slightly. Although this substitute is fairly far from classic mirin, in many recipes it works as an interesting alternative.

What to Substitute for Mirin? — Frequently Asked Questions