18 creative ways to use miso paste in your next meal
Add an umami kick to your next meal with these delicious miso recipes. From side dishes to Japanese-inspired mains and desserts, these creative combos will show you just how versatile miso paste is.
Miso paste is a relatively new ingredient for many Kiwi cooks but one that is rapidly increasing in popularity due to its umami characteristics. Scientifically speaking, umami is the ‘fifth taste’, following on from sweet, sour, salty and bitter. It gives a full-flavoured savoury mouthfeel to dishes, a little like a spoonful of Marmite might to a stew.
Originating in Japan, miso paste is made from soy beans, salt and koji – a type of fungus, which are fermented with rice, barley or other grains. It comes in red and yellow as well as white, which is in fact a yellowish-beige colour, and is the variety generally found in New Zealand.
Miso is extremely versatile and can find its way into soup, casseroles, dressings and sauces. Add a teaspoon at a time and taste the difference. It only needs to be refrigerated once open, and in a sealed container it will last in the fridge for months.
Ready in less than 30 minutes, this comforting miso broth recipe with chicken, barley and vegetables is great enjoyed for a simple yet comforting weeknight meal
Quick, healthy and delicious, this miso grilled terakihi donburi recipe ticks all the boxes for a weeknight meal. Serve with a cabbage and carrot salad topped with spring onions
With just a handful of ingredients you can make these flourless almond butter biscuits. You can’t taste the actual flavour of miso, but it brings a lovely richness and a touch of salt to the recipe
Roast veges get a dose of umami flavour with this tasty recipe idea. Winter vegetables are drizzled with a super savoury tahini miso dressing to create the ultimate side dish for your next roast
The combination of miso and eggplant is irresistible in this recipe. Topping it with cheese gives an extra rich flavour. For a different mix, try courgettes or steamed mussels instead of the eggplant
This miso and lemon-glazed chicken with Japanese sesame spinach and avocado salad is just as good as it sounds. Whip it up in just 30 minutes for a healthy and delicious midweek dinner.
Looking for your next weeknight winner? This recipe ticks all the boxes. Tender seared salmon and crunchy miso slaw come together to create a healthy dinner that can be on the table in just 30 mins
Miso paste adds just the right amount of saltiness and brings a beautiful richness to this roasted kumara and orange salad recipe. Any leftover dressing will keep in the fridge for up to a week
Adding miso to butter to this quinoa recipe is a lovely way to inject a little umami into everyday eats. Thickly sliced flat mushrooms are used in this dish, but any mushroom will do. Created by Emma Galloway for Taste magazine
Who said weeknight meals have to be boring? This ginger and miso eggplant recipe packs a flavour punch, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Serve with steamed greens for a filling vegetarian dinner
Nourish yourself with this wholesome and delicious walnut and miso filled eggplant with radish salad. A perfectly balanced vegetarian dish full of goodness.
The addition of miso in this simple chocolate sauce recipe adds a beautiful depth of flavour and subtle saltiness. Some will think this is a strange combination, but it’s really a perfect match
The flavour cocktail of saké, miso and butter mixed together then brushed over a beautiful cut of beef is nothing short of incredible. It’s worth hunting out these special ingredients because they will take any cut of steak from zero to hero.
This deliciously fresh Asian inspired miso dumpling soup is perfect for dinner tonight – packed with bags of flavour and just the right amount of kick!
This caramel-loaded Anzac biscuits recipe is a lovely variation on traditional Anzac bikkies we all know and love. Serve with a glass of milk, a scoop of ice cream or even as an ice cream sandwich
Filled with flavour, this lip-smackingly good chicken and vege lattice pie recipe creates a comforting, hearty family meal. It's also a budget-friendly way to make the most of a whole chicken!
Dinner doesn't get much easier than this 25 minute stir-fry recipe! Sesame beef is paired with a crunchy peanut sauce and plenty of green beans. Serve with noodles or rice for a midweek family meal
