12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (2024)

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Have you ever wondered what to do with that leftover miso paste in the back of the fridge? Well now we’ve got you covered with some helpful info and tasty recipes to kick-start your kitchen adventures usingthis versatile ingredient.

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (1)

What is miso?

Miso paste is a versatile Japanese ingredient made from fermented soybeans and salt. Some versions of miso also include grains like rice or barley, seaweed, or a special type of mold known as Koji.

Is it healthy?

Miso paste is a great source of proteins and nutrients. As a fermented food, it’s also full of beneficial bacteria which contributes to good gut health. It can also help boost your immune system and help your body to fight off infection. What a superfood!

How to use miso paste?

Apart from well-known dishes such as Miso Soup, this delicious ingredient is used in sauces like Goma Dare (sesame sauce for Shabu Shabu hotpot) through deliciously savoury-sweet desserts and treats. Miso paste can also be used to make tangy salad dressings and savoury marinades.

We’ve got a delicious range of them below just begging to take a turn around your kitchen.

Now there’s no need to let that humble pack of miso wallow in the back of your fridge til you discover it months down the track. Whip up a few of these recipes and you’ll be wondering howit disappeared so quickly!

The Three Main Types of Miso Paste

Here’s a quick overview of the three main types of miso paste available so you’ll know what each type brings to the table.

White Miso (Shiro Miso)

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (2)

Made from fermented soybeans and rice, the name white miso is actually a bit of a trick, as you’re more likely to find this variety in a pale yellow colour (not to be confused with yellow miso below, which is actually brown in colour.

White miso is also known as ‘sweet’ or ‘mellow’ miso, as it has the mildest flavour of the three. It is also lower in salt than the darker varieties because it’s fermented for a shorter amount of time.

White miso is the most versatile of the three types so it’s a great all-rounder to keep in the fridge for many of the recipes below.

Shiro miso is the best choice for:

  • Condiments (such as mayonnaise)
  • Salad Dressings
  • Light Sauces
  • Desserts

Yellow Miso (Shinshu Miso)

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (3)

Fermented with barley and sometimes a small amount of rice, remember that yellow miso is actually a light brown colour.

It has a stronger, earthier flavour than white miso and just a hint of sweetness in comparison.

Shinshu miso is the best choice for:

  • Soups
  • Marinades
  • Glazes

Red Miso (Aka Miso)

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (4)

Red miso has the strongest flavour of the three main varieties of miso paste because it’s made with a higher percentage of soybeans and has been fermented for a longer time.

It’s the saltiest and most pungent of the three as well, adding some serious umami flavour to your dishes. Note that the term red miso covers all of the darker shades including dark red and dark brown.

Aka miso is the best choice for:

  • Heavier Soups
  • Heartier Marinades

Tips for choosing which miso paste to use

  • The colour of any miso paste can give you a good idea of how it will taste. Paler in colour = lighter in flavour. Darker colour = stronger and more intense umami flavour.
  • If you’re looking for a versatile miso to use in a broad range of dishes opting for yellow or white miso should do the trick. If you’ve only got red miso on hand you can still use it, but play it cool and only add a touch at a time til you’re happy with the flavour. After all, you can always add more in but you can’t take it out!
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Where to buy and how to store miso paste

Thankfully a huge variety of miso pastes are now available across the globe. You’ll find a range of types and brands on the shelves in Asian grocery stores and occasionally the Asian section at well-stocked local supermarkets. You can also head to Amazon to buy miso paste online.12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (6)

If you have any dietary issues, feel free to check the ingredients list when you buy and try to avoid brands with additives such as MSG. It’s also possible to buy organic miso paste.

How long does miso paste last?

Once opened, miso paste should be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Lighter varieties will last around nine months while darker varieties will keep for up to a year.

Now that you’re an expert on this amazing ingredient here are a few recipes we think you should try. Personally we can’t wait to try a miso infused dessert – so if that’s where you want to start there’ll be zero judgement from us. Enjoy!

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste… Including Dessert!

Soups

Quick Japanese Miso Soup

Make this quick and easy miso soup recipe in just 10 minutes! Filled with the rich umami flavours of dashi and miso paste, enjoy this classic Japanese soup as a main or side for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Quick Japanese Miso Soup

Tsukemen Dipping Ramen Noodles with Miso

Dunk your ramen noodles into a rich broth of miso flavoured tsukemen! This easy dipping ramen recipe is a super fun treat to whip up for lunch or dinner, and it's ready under 20 minutes.

Tsukemen Dipping Ramen Noodles with Miso

Miso Nikomi Udon – Miso Udon Soup

When it’s cold outside, make miso nikomi udon! This warm and comforting miso udon soup is filled with chicken, mushrooms and fried tofu to fill you up. The dashi and miso infused broth is full of umami flavour and will warm you up from the inside out.

Miso Nikomi Udon – Miso Udon Soup

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (10)

Ozoni Miso Soup with Mochi Rice Cake | Chopstick Chronicles

Ozoni is a traditional Japanese New Year’s specialty food made from miso soup with vegetables and mochi (rice cakes). It’s healthy and very delicious!

Ozoni Miso Soup with Mochi Rice Cake | Chopstick Chronicles

Stir Fries / Noodles

Japanese Mapo Tofu Udon Noodles

These spicy Japanese Mapo Tofu Udon Noodles are totally delicious, packed with flavour and ready in 10 minutes! A lighter take on the traditional Chinese version, it's a super satisfying dish perfect for lunch or dinner.

Japanese Mapo Tofu Udon Noodles

3 Ingredient Miso Butter Scrambled Eggs

Just 3 ingredients are all you need for the creamiest miso butter scrambled eggs ever! Whip up this Japanese inspired breakfast in only 10 minutes.

3 Ingredient Miso Butter Scrambled Eggs

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Honey + Miso Stir Fry | A Beautiful Mess

This particular stir fry recipe is so yummy because it features a thicker sauce with honey and miso flavours.

Honey + Miso Stir Fry | A Beautiful Mess

Salad Dressings

Quick Coleslaw with Japanese Style Creamy Salad Dressing

Your new go-to recipe when you need an awesome salad on the table – FAST! Our quick coleslaw is tossed together with a bright and creamy Japanese style salad dressing you’ll be using again and again.

Quick Coleslaw with Japanese Style Creamy Salad Dressing

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (15)

Sesame Ginger Miso Dressing | Savory Sweet Life

A light savory with a touch of sweet Asian Sesame Ginger Miso salad dressing recipe, similar to the kind served in gourmet restaurants. Only takes a couple minutes to make.

Sesame Ginger Miso Dressing | Savory Sweet Life

Sauces & Glazes

Goma Dare – Japanese Sesame Sauce

A creamy, nutty, Japanese sesame sauce known as Goma Dare. It's perfect for dipping pork and veggies in shabu shabu hot pot, drizzling over crisp salads or freshly cooked noodles.

Goma Dare – Japanese Sesame Sauce

Yakiniku Sauce – Japanese BBQ Sauce

Ready to make your new favourite sauce? This easy Japanese yakiniku sauce is the ideal BBQ companion for grilled meats. Use it as a marinade or dipping sauce!

Yakiniku Sauce – Japanese BBQ Sauce

Quick Miso Butter Recipe

Try this amped up miso butter recipe next time you want to bring delicious umami flavour to your cooking! Includes loads of uses and recipes ideas too.

Quick Miso Butter Recipe

Simple Miso Salmon

Fry up this melt-in-your-mouth miso salmon in just 10 minutes! Slathered in a classic Japanese combination of miso, sake and more – you’ll never have boring fish again.

Simple Miso Salmon

Nikumiso – Japanese Pork and Miso Sauce

Add a burst of umami flavour to your favourite dishes with nikumiso! This easy Japanese miso meat sauce features a flavour-packed blend of pork mince and mushrooms simmered to perfection with classic Japanese seasonings.

Nikumiso – Japanese Pork and Miso Sauce

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Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Ball) with Miso Butter Sauce – Chopstick Chronicles

Miso Yaki Onigiri are delicious grilled rice balls coated in a tasty Miso Butter Sauce that are simple, and easy to eat on the go for lunch or a snack!

Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Ball) with Miso Butter Sauce – Chopstick Chronicles

Marinades & Fillings

The Best Japanese Style Burgers

Sink your teeth into these homemadeJapanese Style Burgers, guaranteed to satisfy. Angus beef mince and umami flavours get together in this crispy, succulent burger packed fullof fusion-flavours. Oh, and don't forget the winning combination of Kewpie mayonnaise and Japanese BBQ sauce.

The Best Japanese Style Burgers

Easy Gyoza – Japanese Pork Dumplings

Loaded with pork, cabbage, spring onion and authentic Japanese seasonings, Japanese dumplings are a PINCH to make! Steam fry these tasty pork gyoza until crispy and golden, then serve or freeze for later. Includes tasty gyoza dipping sauce ideas.

Easy Gyoza – Japanese Pork Dumplings

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Japanese Miso Salmon (Barbecue or Bake) | RecipeTin Eats

This Japanese Miso Salmon is 4 ingredient magic at its best. This classic Japanese miso marinade is a family recipe suited to a side of salmon or fillets. I joke that Nobu, on the most famous Japanese restaurants in the world, stole my mother’s recipe.

Japanese Miso Salmon (Barbecue or Bake) | RecipeTin Eats

Desserts & Treats

Easy Green Tea Matcha Cookies

Treat yourself to a batch of freshly baked green tea matcha cookies! Sweet, soft and deliciously chewy, with the perfect combo of matcha and macadamia chunks for a decadent crunch. Just 10 mins prep!

Easy Green Tea Matcha Cookies

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Miso Butter Cookies | Just One Cookbook

Crisp, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth, these Miso Butter Cookies make the most delicious afternoon treat! Only 7 pantry ingredients needed!

Miso Butter Cookies | Just One Cookbook

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The Best Ever Ginger + Miso Ice Cream – Drizzle & Dip

The miso has a lovely salty butterscotch flavour which when added to cream is a lot like salted caramel. It may even be better than salted caramel!

The Best Ever Ginger + Miso Ice Cream – Drizzle & Dip

These recipes are sure to help you find new and exciting ways to use up your container of miso paste. All you need to do now is decide: Which recipe will you try first?

And if you’ve already tried one or more of these tasty dishes, let us know how it turned out in the comments!

Looking for MORE delicious ingredient ideas to use up those condiments in the cupboard? Try these:

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (28)
12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (29)
12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (30)
12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (31)
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Wandercooks is an Australian recipe site reaching over 9 million views annually. Our recipes are here to inspire you with fresh and exciting food ideas from a range of Asian, European and Australian cuisines. As seen on Google.com, Today.com, Buzzfeed, Jetstar Asia and Lonely Planet.Read more...

12+ Incredibly Healthy Recipes Using Miso Paste... Including Dessert! (2024)

FAQs

Does miso paste healthy? ›

Miso is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics, known as the gut's "good bacteria." Much of the potential health benefits of miso paste are because of the fermentation process used to make it.

What can you use miso paste with? ›

Its uses are limitless. In addition to making miso soup, you can use it as a key flavor or complementary booster. It works beautifully in salad dressings, sauces, stir-fries, roasted vegetables, grilled meats and seafood, mashed potatoes, and much more!

Can you eat miso paste everyday? ›

You may want to eat miso in moderation by adding it sparingly in your day-to-day cooking, especially if you are watching your sodium intake or have high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease.

Can you just eat miso paste? ›

Grab a spoon and dig in – you CAN eat your miso paste raw! I often recommend this to people when they are trying a new variety or are considering which variety to use in a recipe. It's a great way to discover the unique taste of miso and how each variety differs in flavor.

Who should not eat miso? ›

Some people may have an allergy to soy protein and will therefore need to avoid miso and other soy-based foods. Soybeans are considered to be goitrogenic. This means if you have a thyroid issue you may be advised to minimise your intake.

Is miso paste inflammatory? ›

The consumption of miso has also been reported to exert health effects, such as fat suppression [9], anti-inflammation [10] and stroke prevention [11]. Miso contains various microorganisms, such as Aspergillus, yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

Do you need to refrigerate miso paste? ›

Miso should be stored in a covered container and to maintain its colour and flavour, refrigeration is best. As a general rule, the lighter the colour and flavour, the more careful you will need to be and refrigeration is best. Sweet miso should be consumed within three weeks of opening, white miso within 3 months.

Can you eat miso paste by itself? ›

It's ready to use straight out of the pack and doesn't require any special preparation, but it's not really meant to be eaten on its own (although no judging here!). As for that much-loved miso flavour, it's salty, savoury, a little bit meaty and sometimes can be a little funky too… in a good way!

Can I just add miso paste to water? ›

Adding it to boiling water will kill the probiotics in the miso, nixing the health benefits it typically offers, like better digestive health. Wait until the soup has been taken off the heat and then stir or whisk in miso to taste. The paste-like texture will melt into the soup thanks to the residual heat of the stock.

Which type of miso is the healthiest? ›

If you want to avoid sodium, your choice should be White. If you don't need to avoid sodium intake, then Red is the most nutritious. The site says that White Miso makes you relaxed and gives you a good night sleep.

Why does miso soup make me sleepy? ›

Miso contains amino acids that can help boost the production of melatonin, a natural hormone that helpsmake you sleepy. Bananas: An excellent source of magnesium and potassium, which can help relax overstressed muscles. They also contain tryptophan, which convert to serotonin and melatonin.

Is miso good for kids? ›

It's best to wait until after your baby's first birthday to serve food with miso and even then, to limit consumption. This is because miso is extremely high in sodium, which in excess can lead to hypernatremia, a condition of having too much salt in the blood, which affects body-water balance.

Is store bought miso paste healthy? ›

Miso is a nutrient-rich, versatile condiment definitely worth keeping on hand. The fermentation process used to produce it may be especially beneficial, potentially boosting digestion, aiding the immune system and helping fight disease.

Does miso make you gassy? ›

Probiotics are present in a variety of fermented foods, including yogurt, kefir and miso. You may notice you first have more gas when you start eating more probiotics, but those symptoms should diminish once your gut microbiome adapts to the new beneficial bacteria.

What flavors pair well with miso? ›

As a rule of thumb, pairing miso with earthy, woodsy flavors — think winter squashes like pumpkin, kabocha, and butternut; toasty, nutty flavors like brown butter, sesame, chocolate, and caramel; or hearty fruits like apples and bananas — adds its deep, dynamic flavor without being overpoweringly funky or salty.

Is miso paste healthier than salt? ›

Two bowls a day may add a half teaspoon of salt to one's daily diet, yet those who had two or more bowls of miso soup every day appeared to have five times lower risk of becoming hypertensive. So, maybe the anti-hypertensive effects of the soy in the miso exceed the hypertensive effects of the salt.

Is miso paste good for weight loss? ›

The answer to the question ”is Miso Soup Good for weight loss” is Yes! It is a low caloric meal that is excellent for weight loss. It has a significant role in digestion and can support weight management due to its probiotic content.

Is instant miso still healthy? ›

Miso instant soup is a great source of protein and healthy fats. It also contains probiotics that aid in digestion, may reduce cholesterol levels, increase bone density, lower your risk for heart disease and decrease inflammation throughout the body.

References

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