Do you need Shaoxing wine alternatives for your cooking? Whether stir-fries, sauces, or marinades, Shaoxing wine is a key ingredient in Chinese and Asian cuisine. If you run out of Shaoxing wine, here are some substitutes you can try.

Dry sherry, mirin, gin, and cooking sake are some excellent substitutes for Shaoxing wine. Non-alcoholic options like apple juice, rice vinegar, and grape juice can also be used.

Shaoxing wine is a type of Chinese rice wine known for its strong flavor with hints of sweetness. Its alcoholic content provides a crisp texture, making it a versatile ingredient in Chinese and Asian dishes.

When choosing a substitute, aim for ingredients that mimic the characteristics of Shaoxing wine. Now, let’s explore various Shaoxing wine substitutes to find the closest match.

20 Best Shaoxing Wine Substitutes

Let’s explore a variety of Shaoxing wine substitutes that you may already have on hand or can easily acquire.

1. Dry sherry

Dry sherry is a wallet-friendly and widely available alternative to Shaoxing wine. It can be substituted in recipes similarly to Shaoxing wine.

Dry sherry’s nutty, sweet, and lively flavor profile makes it a great option. However, be cautious as using too much dry sherry may overpower the dish’s taste.

According to a Reddit user, dry sherry is commonly recommended as a substitute for Shaoxing wine.

Readily available and sweeter than Shaoxing wine, dry sherry can be used in half the amount initially and adjusted to taste gradually.

2. Mirin

Mirin is a Japanese cooking wine that is a popular substitute for Shaoxing wine due to its sweet flavor, making it ideal for sweet sauces and dishes that require extra sugar or honey. The only missing element is the nutty flavor found in Shaoxing wine. You can use an equal amount of mirin in place of Shaoxing wine in your recipes.

Sake, a Japanese rice wine, is another excellent substitute for Shaoxing wine. It has a mild and sweet flavor with hints of spiciness, fruitiness, and herbal notes, making it perfect for dishes that require a sweet accent. Start by using half the amount of sake compared to Shaoxing wine and adjust to your preference.

Cooking sake, a diluted version of regular sake used primarily for cooking, is a less sweet alternative if you find sake too sweet. It retains most qualities of sake and can be used in the same quantity as Shaoxing wine in recipes.

CheongJu, a mild rice wine with a slightly sweet taste, is a suitable substitute for Shaoxing wine. While it may be harder to find, its crisp texture makes it worth trying. Start with smaller quantities of CheongJu, as you will likely need less than half the amount of Shaoxing wine in your dishes.

Dry white wine is a readily available substitute for Shaoxing wine that offers a sweet and crisp flavor. Its fruity and tangy notes complement dishes that call for Shaoxing wine. You can add a touch of lemon juice for extra sourness. Begin with ⅓ cup of dry white wine and ½ teaspoon of lemon juice to replace 1 cup of Shaoxing wine.

Using stock as a substitute for Shaoxing wine is a cost-effective option that adds flavor without alcohol content. Use an equal amount of stock and adjust to taste in your recipes.

Light soy sauce can be used as a substitute for Shaoxing wine, adding color and flavor to dishes. To mimic the flavor of Shaoxing wine, consider adding sugar and lemon juice to the light soy sauce. Start with a small amount as light soy sauce can be more bitter than Shaoxing wine.

Gin, a popular and readily available spirit, can also be used as a substitute for Shaoxing wine. While it may not provide the exact wine flavors, it adds a likable taste to dishes.Gin can be a great alternative to Shaoxing wine due to its sweet aroma and notes that complement the sweetness of Shaoxing wine. Its citrusy, bitter, and robust flavor pairs well with dishes like fish and meat, and its juniper flavor can enhance the overall taste. It is advisable to start with a small amount of gin and adjust the quantity gradually to suit your taste preferences.

Mijiu, a Chinese rice wine made from fermented glutinous rice, is another excellent substitute for Shaoxing wine. Its sweet and mellow flavor is reminiscent of sake and CheongJu, making it a versatile option for Chinese and Asian cuisines. Start with a small amount of mijiu and adjust according to your desired level of sweetness, as it has a lower alcohol content compared to Shaoxing wine.

Fujian cooking wine, a Chinese rice wine made by fermenting glutinous rice with various Chinese herbs, is a suitable alternative to Shaoxing wine. It has a mildly sweet flavor with herbal and fruity notes that can enhance the taste of dishes while helping to mask any unpleasant smells or greasiness. Use Fujian cooking wine in equal amounts to Shaoxing wine and adjust according to your taste preferences.

White wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar can be combined to create a sweet, crispy, and sour flavor profile that makes a good substitute for Shaoxing wine. Both vinegars have similar acidity levels and when mixed together, they add depth of flavor to dishes. Mix equal parts of white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar to replace Shaoxing wine in recipes.

Rice vinegar, although not a direct replacement for Shaoxing wine due to its distinct flavor, can still be used in dishes as a flavorful addition. While the final taste may differ from the original recipe, rice vinegar can add complexity to sauces, salads, and marinades. Incorporate a few tablespoons of rice vinegar and adjust to taste to enhance the overall flavor of your dishes.

Champagne vinegar, made from Chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, offers a floral and aromatic flavor that can serve as a substitute for Shaoxing wine. Begin by using half the amount of champagne vinegar compared to Shaoxing wine to avoid overwhelming the dish with its delicate yet sweet and bitter notes. Gradually increase the amount to achieve the desired taste balance.

Apple juice is a suitable non-alcoholic alternative to Shaoxing wine, providing a balance of acidity and sweetness that enhances the flavor of dishes. Use equal amounts of apple juice to replace Shaoxing wine and adjust to taste preferences. This versatile substitute works well in salads and vegetable dishes, appealing to both adults and kids with its fruity undertones.

Lemon juice offers a citrusy and acidic alternative to Shaoxing wine, adding sour notes to dishes. For a touch of sweetness, consider adding sugar to balance out the acidity. Use 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice and avoid adding too much to prevent an overly bitter taste in your dish.

Grape juice, with its sweet, sour, and fruity flavors, serves as another non-alcoholic substitute for Shaoxing wine. Its versatile profile makes it a suitable option similar to apple juice for enhancing the taste of dishes without the addition of alcohol.Instead of Shaoxing wine, you can try using white grape juice as a substitute. While it may lack the crisp texture of Shaoxing wine, it offers similar flavors without any alcohol content. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste to avoid overwhelming fruity notes in your dish.

If white grape juice alone is not enough to mimic Shaoxing wine, consider combining it with rice vinegar. This blend provides a closer approximation to the taste of Shaoxing wine due to the fruity sweetness of the grape juice and the sourness of the rice vinegar. Mixing half a cup of white grape juice with a tablespoon of rice vinegar can replace one cup of Shaoxing wine in your recipe effectively.

Another suitable alternative to Shaoxing wine is balsamic vinegar, which shares similarities in flavor with mirin. Balsamic vinegar’s sweet, tangy, and umami notes can complement Chinese and Japanese cuisines well. Start by using half the amount of balsamic vinegar compared to Shaoxing wine in your dishes.

For a non-alcoholic option, consider using non-alcoholic white wine or beer as substitutes for Shaoxing wine. These alcohol-free alternatives offer fruity and crisp flavors similar to traditional wine without the alcohol content, making them a convenient choice for various dishes.

In conclusion, there are several viable substitutes for Shaoxing wine that can enhance the flavors of your dishes. Experiment with different options like gin, mirin, balsamic vinegar, or non-alcoholic varieties to find the best fit for your recipe. Remember to start with a small quantity of the substitute and adjust according to your taste preferences. Enjoy exploring these alternatives and discovering new flavors for your culinary creations!