Mirin Substitute

Every cuisine uses some special ingredients which are specific to that particular type of cuisine only. Most of us love to explore cuisines from around the world. Oriental cuisines such as Chinese and Japanese are popular in western countries. While you can always get authentic food at joints specialized in particular cuisines, there is really no harm in trying your hand at various oriental recipes. However, the main problem in trying the recipes on your own is that you may not always find the specific ingredients that a recipe demands. Mirin is one such ingredient which is widely used in Japanese food but not easily found in western countries. In that case, mirin substitutes can help you out.

What is Mirin?

Mirin is rice wine which has low alcohol content and a very sweet flavor. The fermentation of rice while making mirin is highly controlled as the focus is on desired sweetness rather than alcohol content. Mirin is not as popular as sake, which is a popular beverage. Sake has more alcohol content than mirin and is not as sweet as mirin. Although, drinking mirin is customary during Japanese festivals and New Year, its primary use is for cooking only. Mirin imparts a sweet flavor to the recipe. Besides, it also renders a rich glaze to grilled meats and vegetables. Mirin is mostly used for making Japanese sauces and glazes. It is also used in fish recipes to kill the strong odor of fish.

Mirin may not be readily available in western countries. You may look for it in the Asian section of grocery stores or visit shops specializing in oriental ingredients. Liquor shops are other alternative where you can find mirin. Ordering it online is yet another option you have, but then you will have to bear hefty shipping charges. In case, you cannot lay your hands on mirin, you can go for any of the following substitutes.

What is a Substitute for Mirin?

As mentioned above, mirin is a rice wine, hence it should not be mistaken for rice wine vinegar. Many people use rice wine and rice wine vinegar interchangeably. Although, this may not make much of a difference, you may miss out on authentic flavor and taste. However, there are a few other mirin substitutes that do not alter flavor or taste of the recipe in any way. One of the most common practices of mirin substitution is using sake and adding sugar to it. Since mirin is often called sweet sake, sake roughly imparts same taste and flavor to the recipe. However, you need to lower the alcohol content of sake and add sugar to it to bring it to same level as mirin. The proportion in which you should substitute sake is as follows:

1 tbsp mirin = 2 tsp sake + 1 tsp sugar

You can also use white wine in the same proportion,

1 tbsp mirin = 2 tsp white wine + 1 tsp sugar

Alternatively, one can also use dry sherry instead of mirin, but then, make sure to adjust the salt content of your recipe according to salt content in sherry. Also do not forget to add a little sugar to the sherry.

You may have to choose one of the above substitutes according to the demand of the recipe. Sake and sugar can be an ideal mirin substitute for teriyaki sauces and dips. Use sherry only if you cannot find sake or white wine. Meanwhile, look for places where you can get authentic mirin.