What can I use instead of Mirin?

Sake + sugar: 1 Tbsp sake + 1/2 tsp sugar. Sweet sherry or sweet white wine: Sweet sherry, 1:1 + pinch of sugar.

What changes when you substitute Mirin?

Nothing noticeable. Different flavor accent.

Substitute for Mirin

What it does in a recipe: Sweet rice wine: gloss, sweetness, and depth in Japanese cooking.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Sake + sugar

per 1 Tbsp mirin

US1 Tbsp sake + 1/2 tsp sugar

Metric15 ml + 2 g

CommonBaking-safe ✓VeganDairy-freeGluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeContains alcohol

Mirin is sweetened sake.

What changes: Nothing noticeable

Best for: Japanese cooking

Sweet sherry or sweet white wine

per 1 Tbsp mirin

USSweet sherry, 1:1 + pinch of sugar

Metric1:1

SpecialtyBaking-safe ✓VeganDairy-freeGluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeContains alcohol

Similar sweetness and body.

What changes: Different flavor accent

Best for: Braising, sauces

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Mirin?: Sake + sugar: 1 Tbsp sake + 1/2 tsp sugar. Sweet sherry or sweet white wine: Sweet sherry, 1:1 + pinch of sugar.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Mirin?: Sake + sugar (per 1 Tbsp mirin) — US: 1 Tbsp sake + 1/2 tsp sugar. Metric: 15 ml + 2 g.
What changes when you substitute Mirin?: Nothing noticeable. Different flavor accent.

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