Cómo sustituir el mirin con productos básicos de tu despensa
Si no tienes mirin a mano, varios productos básicos de la despensa, como el vinagre de arroz con azúcar o el shaoxing, pueden reemplazarlo.
Mirin is one of the most widely used condiments in Asian cuisine, and in Japan it's considered one of the top five for enhancing the flavor of a dish. It's a fermented condiment with around 14% alcohol, though most of it evaporates during cooking, so it doesn't leave a strong alcoholic aftertaste.
A popular alternative is to mix rice vinegar or white wine vinegar with sugar. Mirin is sweet and umami, and this combination mimics that flavor well. Since mirin is considerably sweeter, add about half a teaspoon of sugar for every tablespoon of vinegar to maintain the balance. It's the closest tasting alternative.
Traditionally, mirin is substituted with Shaoxing, the Chinese cooking wine, due to its similar flavor. As a rice wine, Shaoxing is a fundamental condiment in Chinese cuisine, capable of adding depth to any dish. If you enjoy hearty stir-fries, you probably already have a bottle in your pantry or at the top of your shopping list.
If you're looking for an alcohol-free alternative, opt for white grape juice: since wine is made from grapes, the flavors won't be too different, and it will still have that sophisticated touch. If you need something even simpler, apple juice is another option.
For those following a gluten-free diet, premium sake is the best option, as not all sakes are 100% gluten-free. Sake is also a Japanese rice wine, so the difference is almost imperceptible. It has slightly less sweetness and a higher alcohol content than mirin, but offers a rich, complex flavor that is just as powerful when paired well.
