From soothing soups to salad dressings to savory marinade, miso is the secret ingredient that can shake up flavors in everything you cook. Here are some delicious miso recipes you want to make over and over again.
Miso 味噌, or fermented soybean paste, is an indispensable staple in Japanese cooking. We love it for its umami-packed flavor, all-purpose uses and healthy probiotic. In Japan, miso comes in many varieties and it is usually categorized by the ingredients, color and taste.
With its exceptional versatility and long shelf life (yes, most miso can be stored up to one year), miso is like the one secret ingredient that can transform any weak, bland dish. One spoonful is all you need to add complexity and richness. Whether you’re using it as a key flavor or complementary booster, miso works well in soups, salad dressings, sauces, dips, roasted vegetables, grilled meats and much more.
If you already have a tub of miso in the back of the fridge, it is time to scoop this fermented goodness out and make the most out of it. Here are 15 delicious miso recipes on how you can use every spoonful of the miso you have!
15 Delicious Miso Recipes
1. Grilled Miso Chicken 鶏の味噌漬け焼き
Do you agree that we all need more easy chicken recipes in the rotation? If you prefer lean breasts, this Grilled Miso Chicken recipe will a reliable one to lean on. The key is to pound the breast fillets thinly so they cook faster and evenly. Brush with ginger miso marinade, it will be no lack of flavors!
2. Gobo and Miso Takikomi Gohan 牛蒡と味噌の炊き込みご飯
Tired of plain rice? Switch it up with Takikomi Gohan. This nutritious Japanese rice dish is adorned with vegetables, meat, and mushrooms. The added miso brings another layer of depth.
3. Miso Dengaku (Tofu, Eggplant, Daikon & Konnyaku) 味噌田楽
Slathered in sweet & savory miso glaze, Miso Dengaku with tofu, eggplant, daikon, or konnyaku has been enjoyed in Japan since the 1500’s. They make a delightful vegetarian spread on the dinner table.
4. Spicy Miso Chicken スパイシー味噌チキン
Made into attractive ‘tulip’ shape, these spicy miso drummettes will be a hit at your summertime parties. Doused in spicy sriracha sauce and savory miso, the flavor is bold and unforgettable. Make a large batch because they will be gone in seconds!
5. Boiled Squid with Miso Vinaigrette イカの酢味噌和え
Tender squid dressed in a sweet-tart miso vinaigrette, this Japanese-style tapas dish makes a great appetizer for backyard party or movie night. Bring out the beer or white wine to enjoy!
6. Miso Salmon 味噌サーモン
Wild salmon fillet marinated in a sweet and savory miso marinade, this Miso Salmon is as simple as it can be to get your Omega 3 intake any night of the week. Enjoy with the aromatic ginger rice!
7. Homemade Miso Soup 味噌汁
The Japanese drink miso soup almost every day with different ingredients. This homemade miso soup recipe shows you how you can make it the authentic Japanese way.
8. Miso Glazed Eggplant 茄子の味噌焼き
Eggplant, so good on its own, but when it’s glazed with miso and grilled until lightly charred, the vegetable can really shine. Use the long, slender Japanese/ Asian eggplant if possible.
9. Miso Katsu 味噌カツ
Who could possible say no to crunchy deep-fried pork cutlet? This Miso Katsu (味噌カツ) – a Nagoya specialty, will be your new family favorite!
10. Miso Cod (Black Cod with Miso) 銀ダラの西京焼き
If you are looking for a classic Japanese recipe for serving dinner guests, this Miso Cod will make a pretty impressive main dish. Prep it ahead, have a quick broil in the oven, and dinner is ready. Easy but no lack of elegance.
11. Spring Mix Salad with Sweet Miso Dressing 味噌ドレッシング
Spring Salad Mix with Sweet Miso Dressing is possibly the easiest salad you can make for your family. The leftover dressing even goes well with steamed vegetables or chilled/grilled tofu!
12. Tonjiru (Pork & Vegetable Miso Soup) 豚汁
When the cold weather calls for a nourishing soup, a hot bowl of Tonjiru will warm you from the inside out. Root vegetables such as gobo (burdock root), daikon and carrots are used in this pork based soup stock for an umami-pack flavor.
13. Miso Ramen 味噌ラーメン
Flavored with pork and chicken broth with a mix of toppings , this steamy bowl of Miso Ramen is going to satisfy your noodle craving.
14. Grilled Corn with Miso Butter 味噌バタコーン
Corn on the cob grilled until nicely charred and brushed with sweet miso honey butter – this is going to be your favorite of enjoying the summer time must-have.
15. Negi Miso Chicken ネギ味噌チキン
Negi is a type of giant Japanese green onion. You can use both leeks and scallion/green onion as a substitution to make the delicious sauce that go with the pan seared chicken. Once you taste the savory, umami flavor, you’ll want to make this chicken recipe over and over again.
Learn More Miso for your Miso Recipes?
Have fun experimenting with miso in your everyday cooking! If you wish to learn more about miso, click here. Thank you so much for reading and till next time!
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Hi Nami, thank you so much for sharing so many recipes. i have tried a lot of them. you are my go to if i need to whip up some home cooked japanese food. Nowadays, i cook a ton of japanese food just because it is simple and healthier than other type of food. I like that most of the recipes call for common ingredients that are already staples in my pantry (sake, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, salt,)
Hi Hokidoki! You’re welcome! Thank you for trying many of my recipes and I’m happy to hear you enjoy them. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I think it’s great that we have a few essential condiments that we can work together for many recipes. 🙂
Love this list Nami! I always have white and red miso in my fridge, so it’s nice to have a few more miso recipe ideas on hand for when I need a quick & easy weeknight dinner. I’ve made miso soup a lot, but I’ve never tried tonjiru – need to give that a try for sure! And that sweet miso salad dressing looks so good, I always love Japanese inspired salad dressings. Thanks for the awesome list Nami! 🙂
Hi Shannon! Among all types of miso soup, Tonjiru is my favorite! It’s so delicious… Hope you will give it a try one day. Thank you for your kind comment.
In Kyoto I tried the most amazing dish of chilled pork miso on top of chilled sprouts at a gyoza shop called gyoza hohei. I never thought miso could be sooooo good 🙂
Hi Alexis! Oh that sounds wonderful! We have so many ways to enjoy miso in different dishes. Hope to share more recipes using miso in different ways.
Wow I learned something new here which is good as I have a large miso packet on my fridge. The corn and salad is something new to me
Hello nami, for the Japanese recipes that require miso that you recommend? In my Asian grocery store you get Marukome and Hikari
Hi Ruth! I love Hikari Miso ever since I found my favorite miso (after trying different kinds for a while). Here’s my favorite:
https://www.justonecookbook.com/pantry_items/miso/
A long time ago, I had raw Japanese cucumbers with a bumpy miso on them. It was delicious. After some research, I think it was Moromi Miso. I want to buy some to enjoy with my veggies, but can’t find it. Would you know if this is the correct miso for vegetables? Help!
Hi Cheryl! Yes, that’s the miso you eat with raw vegetables. I had never made moromi miso on my own, and usually, we buy it from a store. You can make homemade, but I think you need bean koji (not rice koji) which I don’t know where I can source it…. I don’t think I’ve seen Moromi Miso in my local Japanese grocery store but I’ll take a look next time I go. I wish it’s easier to find…