Amazing Ways To Use Miso

You may already be familiar with miso soup, but miso is one of the most versatile ingredients to have in your kitchen. It adds a delicious savoury flavour, known as ‘umami’, to your favourite dishes. It can be added to so many things, transforming anything from miso ramen and soups to pasta dishes and desserts.

Rich in protein, miso is a fermented paste that is made from soybeans. It comes in a number of different varieties, offering a whole spectrum of flavours from mild and sweet through to strong and salty. While miso is amazing as a soup, there are so many other ways to enjoy it. Try out these great options!

Miso glaze

Miso glaze is fantastic with salmon! In a bowl, whisk ⅓ cup of miso, 2 tablespoons of sweet rice wine, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil together. Once it’s all blended together, glaze fresh seafood or chopped vegetables before cooking.

Miso salad dressing

For a super simple salad dressing, try adding miso to vinaigrettes. Whisk 1 tablespoon of wine vinegar with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, then add a teaspoon of miso paste. Pour over your favourite salad and serve immediately.

Miso salad dressings are fantastic with crisp salads that have lots of cabbage, wombok or Romaine.

Seasoning alternative

Rather than cooking with salt, experiment by using miso to boost the flavour of your dishes. Try rubbing a little miso paste over chicken or turkey prior to roasting. This not only locks in a bit of moisture but also adds a rich flavour to the meat.

Miso marinade

Make a tasty steak marinade that’s sure to be a hit at dinner! Combine ¼ cup of white miso with 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, 1 crushed garlic clove and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Pop the steak in a bowl with the marinade mixture for a few hours (or preferably overnight) and cook as normal.

Miso dip

For a tasty savoury dip, try adding miso to your favourite dip recipe. Try combining 1 cup of freshly roasted walnuts with 3 tablespoons of miso paste and ¾ cup of vegetable stock in a blender and blend until smooth. It’s delicious with sliced vegetables, or with crispy pita chips.