Shaoxing wine is a traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage made from rice. It has been used for thousands of years and is still popular in modern China.
If you are looking for a substitute for Shaoxing wine, it’s best to choose a wine with some similar characteristics.
Shaoxing wine can be used in many different ways: as an ingredient in cooking, as an accompaniment to food, or even as a standalone beverage. The most common way to drink it is just by itself.
It’s important to note that shaoxing wine isn’t actually its own type of alcohol: it’s just another name for rice wine (also known as sake). So when you’re looking for a substitute for shaoxing wine, consider this option instead!
What is Shaoxing wine?
Shaoxing wine is a type of rice wine that is made in Shaoxing, China. It is made from glutinous rice, sorghum, and yeast. The rice must be soaked for at least a day before it can be cooked and fermented. The fermentation process takes about a week.
The best time to drink Shaoxing wine is during the Chinese New Year celebration because it’s believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. It’s often consumed by itself but also goes well with food like dumplings or roast duck.
The flavor of Shaoxing wine depends on what ingredients are used during fermentation. Some versions are sweet while others are dryer than others; some taste fruity while others have more of an earthy flavor profile to them.
6 Best Substitute For Shaoxing Wine
1. Non-alcoholic Meat Marinade
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option for marinating meat, try adding soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce along with fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions to your favorite bottled barbecue sauce. The Worcestershire sauce will add some extra flavor, while the soy sauce will help tenderize the meat while it marinates.
2. Non-alcoholic White Wine or Beer
For those who prefer not to use alcohol when cooking, there are plenty of options as well. A simple white wine such as chardonnay or pinot gris works great, as does beer or even apple juice! You can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar if desired to help cut through any strong flavors in your dish.
3. Stock
Stock is an easy substitute for shaoxing wine. Stock provides both flavor and liquid and can be used in place of the rice wine in any recipe that calls for it. You can make your own stock at home by simmering leftover chicken bones or vegetable trimmings with water and salt until the liquid reduces by half or more. You can also purchase store-bought stocks or broths that contain no MSG or other additives.
4. Light Soy Sauce
Light soy sauce is another easy substitution for shaoxing wine. It has a similar flavor profile as the fermented rice beverage but without the alcohol content or sweetness found in many products labeled “sherry.” You can use light soy sauce instead of shaoxing wine to add depth of flavor to your barbecued dishes, stir-fries, or steamed dishes.
5. Ume Shiso Dashi
This is a combination of dashi (a Japanese stock made from seaweed and dried skipjack tuna flakes) and umeboshi (plum), which is salty and sour. It has a similar flavor to shaoxing wine, but with more umami and less acidity. It’s made by mixing one part dashi to one part umeboshi paste, which you can buy in most Asian supermarkets or make yourself by mixing 1/2 cup water with 1/3 cup plum paste (available at Whole Foods). You can also substitute umeboshi vinegar for the plum paste in recipes calling for vinegar.
6. Mirin
Mirin is another type of sweetened Japanese rice wine that can be used instead of shaoxing wine. It has less acidity than shaoxing wine, but more sugar so it will sweeten stocks and sauces without making them taste too acidic like other substitutes might do. Mirin is sweetened with a mixture of sugar and starch, including rice (sake) and koji mold spores. Mirin is sometimes labeled as “red sake” in supermarkets.
How Is It Used?
Shaoxing wine, also known as Shao Hsing wine, is a Chinese rice wine made from glutinous rice. It is used in cooking as a flavor enhancer and has become a popular ingredient in Chinese cooking since the mid-20th century.
Shaoxing wine can be used for marinating meat and seafood, braising, steaming and stir-frying, or as a light pan sauce for fish or poultry dishes. The wine is often used to add a sweet and sour flavor to dishes such as sautéed green beans with garlic or chicken with mushrooms.
It can be added to soups, stews and sauces to give them an extra kick of flavor that goes beyond what salt alone can provide. A few tablespoons of Shaoxing can add depth of flavor to any dish without overpowering it with alcohol.
Storing
You can store Shaoxing wine for years, if you keep it in a cool, dark place and away from direct sunlight.
Shaoxing wine is best used within one year of purchase. It may last up to five years after opening if stored properly.
If you plan to store the Shaoxing wine for more than a few months, it’s best to decant it into smaller bottles or jars (like jam jars) and seal them tightly. You can also use a vacuum pump to remove any air bubbles that may have formed in the bottle.
FAQs
What is Shaoxing Wine?
Shaoxing Wine, also known as Shao Hsing Wine or Shao Hsing rice wine, is a kind of traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage made by fermenting glutinous rice, yeast and water together. It is a yellowish-brown liquid with an aroma of alcohol, rice and wheat.
Why do people prefer to use Shaoxing Wine instead of other wines?
It has a unique flavor and aroma that can be used in many Chinese dishes such as stews, braised dishes and stir-fries.
What is the difference between Shaoxing wine and rice wine?
Shaoxing wine is made from rice and water, while rice wine is made from rice and water.
Is it possible to make shaoxing wine at home?
Yes, you can make it at home. But the taste will not be as good as that of the real shaoxing wine which has been aged for many years in barrels.
What are the health benefits of drinking Shaoxing wine?
Shaoxing rice wine contains vitamin B1, B2 and B6 as well as calcium and iron compounds that can help you to improve your health condition. It also contains high levels of potassium which helps to control blood pressure and prevent heart diseases. Besides that, it has been proved that drinking two glasses of this rice wine with meals can lower cholesterol levels in the blood by 20%. The other benefits include reducing heart disease risk, lowering blood pressure levels and improving brain function by increasing blood flow in the brain tissues.
What does Shaoxing wine taste like?
Shaoxing wine has been described as having an earthy flavor along with hints of molasses, honeysuckle and brown sugar notes. You’ll also notice some smokiness in there too — that’s why it’s often referred to as “Chinese balsamic vinegar.” It’s a versatile ingredient because it pairs well with so many different types of food: seafood (especially shellfish), poultry dishes and stir-fried vegetables are all good choices for pairing with Shaoxing wine.
Can Shaoxing wine be used to cook?
Yes, it’s often used in Chinese cooking to impart a slightly sweet, woodsy flavor that’s reminiscent of Chinese barbecue. You can use it in stir-fries or baste meat or poultry while they’re roasting.
Conclusion
Shaoxing wine is a type of rice wine that is used in many Chinese dishes. It’s a great substitute for shaoxing wine in your cooking, but you have to be careful when using it.
The best way to substitute for shaoxing wine is by mixing together equal parts rice vinegar and dry sherry. You can also try substituting with a mixture of dry sherry and apple cider vinegar. If you are using these substitutes, make sure you add extra salt to the dish so that it doesn’t taste bland or flat.
