Asian ingredient substitutes
Shaoxing Wine Substitute
For each 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, use 1 tablespoon dry sherry. The Woks of Life's most common recommendation, and the gluten-free choice. Other options: 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (clear rice wine or mijiu); 1 tablespoon dry white wine, sake or soju; 1 tablespoon chicken, mushroom or vegetable stock; 1 tablespoon mirin.
Use instead
Enter the amount your recipe calls for.
Shaoxing Wine substitutes at a glance
| Use instead | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon dry sherry | The Woks of Life's most common recommendation, and the gluten-free choice. |
| 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (clear rice wine or mijiu) | Fine as long as Shaoxing is not one of the main flavors in the dish. |
| 1 tablespoon dry white wine, sake or soju | Works in small amounts. |
| 1 tablespoon chicken, mushroom or vegetable stock | The Woks of Life's usual alcohol-free swap in stir-fries and sauces. |
| 1 tablespoon mirin | Mirin is much sweeter. Cut out or reduce any sugar in the recipe, and expect the dish to taste less Chinese. |
How much you can swap
The Woks of Life gives these 1 to 1 swaps for recipes that use less than 2 tablespoons. Above that, and in dishes where Shaoxing is a main flavor, expect the dish to taste noticeably different.
For less than 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, The Woks of Life says to use water or leave it out.
Where these swaps come from
The swaps and amounts on this page are from The Woks of Life, Shaoxing Wine: Info and Substitutions. Each option's note keeps the source's own advice on when it works. The calculator scales the published amount: substitute = published amount x (your amount / 1 tablespoon).
Other Asian pantry substitutes
Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of Shaoxing wine?
Per 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine: 1 tablespoon dry sherry; or 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (clear rice wine or mijiu); or 1 tablespoon dry white wine, sake or soju; or 1 tablespoon chicken, mushroom or vegetable stock; or 1 tablespoon mirin.
What do I use for 1/4 cup of Shaoxing wine?
1/4 cup dry sherry; or 1/4 cup Chinese rice wine (clear rice wine or mijiu); or 1/4 cup dry white wine, sake or soju; or 1/4 cup chicken, mushroom or vegetable stock; or 1/4 cup mirin. The calculator above scales any other amount.
Is there a limit to how much Shaoxing wine I can replace?
The Woks of Life gives these 1 to 1 swaps for recipes that use less than 2 tablespoons. Above that, and in dishes where Shaoxing is a main flavor, expect the dish to taste noticeably different.
What if the recipe only uses a little Shaoxing wine?
For less than 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, The Woks of Life says to use water or leave it out.