Substitute For Mirin: The Top 5 Flavorful Options posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. If you love Japanese cuisine, mirin is a must-have pantry staple. If you find out that you’ve run out of mirin in your kitchen, you will need a substitute to make your meal. This article will help you find the best substitute for mirin. Mirin is made of very high-sugar white rice. It is very similar to Japanese wine sake, which is also made from rice. Mirin is a cooking sake, with a lower alcohol level than sake. It still has a generous alcohol level of 14%. Check out our list of mirin substitutes that will work just as well. Table of ContentsDifferent Types Of Mirin Mirin Substitutes: Our Test of the Best OptionsSake Rice Wine Vinegar Sherry White Wine White Wine Vinegar Mirin Substitute FAQ Different Types Of Mirin We know that mirin contains alcohol. This is why many people who are allergic to it or want to avoid it from cooking won’t use it. However, there are many types of mirin with different alcohol content. There are three types of mirin. These are hon mirin (also known as shio mirin) and shin mirin. Hon mirin, also known as true mirin, is the type that contains 14% alcohol. Shio mirin means salt mirin. This type contains 1.5% salt. This is because it is not suitable for consumption as a beverage and therefore avoids alcohol tax. Shin mirin is the type we are most interested in. It is a lower-alcohol mirin than other types. Shin mirin means new mirin. It is also known as mirin-fu-chomiryo, which means “mirin-like seasoning”. This should give an idea of what mirin is. Shin mirin is different from true mirin because it has only 1% alcohol content while still maintaining the same flavor as the original mirin. Because it has such a low percentage of alcohol, it is more suitable for people who are trying to avoid alcohol. This is why shin mirin is a great substitute for mirin if you don’t like the alcohol content of mirin and want a similar taste. Mirin Substitutes: Our Test of the Best Options Sake Shin mirin is a low-alcohol alternative to mirin, while sake is the exact opposite. It is very similar to mirin but has a higher alcohol content. Sake is often drunk in Japan as an alcoholic drink. Sake is similar to mirin in that it is made from rice fermentation. So you can expect similar tastes. One thing to keep in mind is that sake is much less sweet than mirin. Sugar content is much lower than the average recipe. You may need to add some sugar or fruit juice as a sweetener, depending on your recipe. Sake can be used to replace mirin in any of your mirin-containing recipes. It is not recommended if you don’t use mirin due to its alcohol content. However, if you don’t mind the alcohol content, you can still use it. You can substitute mirin with sake. This means that you can substitute mirin for sake if the recipe calls for one tablespoon. White sugar should be added to sweeten the sake, as sake doesn’t have the same sweetness. Two teaspoons of sugar should be added for every tablespoon of sake. Rice Wine Vinegar Rice wine vinegar is another great mirin substitute. It is also known as mirin or sake, that’s what makes it possible to make. Vinegar is made from wine. Red wine vinegar and white grape vinegar are very popular. The same goes for the most popular rice wines. Rice vinegar can be made from mirin or sake. It is important to keep in mind that rice vinegar is not rice wine and cannot be used interchangeably. The confusion lies in the fact that it can also be called rice wine vinegar. It has no alcohol content and can not be used as an alcoholic beverage. It is more acidic than rice liquor and has a similar taste. If you’ve ever tried it, it is very similar to white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. This is why you might need to add some sugar to neutralize the vinegar’s acidity. We recommend using one teaspoon of rice vinegar and half a cup of white sugar for every teaspoon of mirin in your recipe. This blend can be used in all your mirin-containing recipes. Sherry Sherry, a dry, fortified wine, is well-suited to many types and cuisines. You can expect the same depth of flavor and depth as your mirin when you use sherry in place of it. It is a dry wine but has the added benefit that it has a sweet taste due to the fortification process. This allows you to get the same sweetness in your recipes as mirin, making it a great ingredient in teriyaki recipes. Sherry is an alcoholic liquor, so if you avoid mirin because of its alcohol content, sherry won’t be a good choice. Sherry’s flavor is complex and delicate. This is similar to what mirin and other rice wine will give you. Sherry is versatile because it isn’t too strong. It is not as sweet as mirin, so it may be a bit sweeter than mirin. You might also need to add honey or sugar depending on the recipe. We recommend replacing one tablespoon of mirin with one tablespoon of dry sherry. We recommend adding white sugar to sweeten your recipe. You can add half a teaspoon of white sugar to every tablespoon of dry sherry. If you prefer, you can substitute sugar with honey or any other sweetener. White Wine In many recipes, white wine can be substituted for mirin, especially if you’re in a pinch or have no other options. Although it may seem tempting, sparkling Moscato white wines are not recommended. Moscato is not a wine you can use in many different dishes. We recommend that you use a dry white grape wine and then add some sugar. The mirin’s flavor will be replicated by the sweetness of the sugar and the tang of white wine. This is especially useful when making teriyaki sauce and lighter dishes. We recommend that you use the wine as in equal amounts. This means that for every tablespoon of mirin in a recipe, you should add one tablespoon of white wine. The sugar content is what makes the difference. White wine, unlike other mirin replacements, requires more sugar. Two teaspoons of white sugar will be required for every tablespoon of white wine. White Wine Vinegar White wine vinegar is not an alcoholic beverage, despite the name. It contains a small amount of white wine and has a sweet, acidic flavor. It can be used in many recipes as mirin replacement, adding a tang that mirin lacks. It is a good idea, to neutralize the vinegar taste, to add some sugar. White wine vinegar does not contain alcohol so it is an excellent choice for those who don’t want to use mirin. We recommend using one tablespoon white wine vinegar instead of one tablespoon mirin when calculating the number of ingredients needed for a recipe. You can add half a teaspoon of sugar at a moment until you reach your desired sweetness level. White wine vinegar is similar to rice vinegar but should be used only as a last resort. Rice wine vinegar is preferred because of its similar fermented taste. Mirin Substitute FAQ Is it possible to use mirin instead of white vinegar? Mirin contains a small amount of alcohol, but you can always substitute vinegar for it. You can get a similar taste with rice wine vinegar, but white wine can be used for white vinegar.These may not have the same taste as rice vinegar, but they are close enough to work. For each tablespoon of mirin you are replacing, you should use one tablespoon vinegar and one-half teaspoon of granulated sugar.However, the type of vinegar you use will affect how the final product tastes. The flavor of white vinegar may be stronger than if it were made from rice wine or white wine vinegar. How to make homemade mirin? Mirin adds flavor to any Japanese dish. If you love Asian cooking, it’s a good idea to have it in your kitchen.Japanese people don’t always have everything they need in their pantry. Sometimes we forget to add something to our shopping list. You can always make your mirin, which is why you should try to make it at home.Mirin can be made at home with just three ingredients: sake, sugar, water. It’s so easy! It takes only 10 minutes to make and you can make enough to avoid going to the store for more.In a small saucepan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, bring it to a boil and let it simmer for a while. Then add the sake and stir until the sake is dissolved.Stir the mixture well and let cool in a container or mason jar in the refrigerator. Now, you’re done! Can rice vinegar be used as a substitute for mirin? Mirin is a Japanese sweet rice wine that you will love if you like Japanese cuisine. Mirin is a Rice vinegar, sweet Marsala wine, and dry sherry are all great mirin substitutes.Rice vinegar can be used as a mirin substitute, provided it is combined with a few other ingredients that closely mimic mirin. A Final Thought There are many alternatives to mirin. As an alcohol-free alternative, we recommend white wine vinegar and rice wine vinegar. They are not wine, despite the names. You can also use any substitute for mirin from other options we have provided.
