11 Awesome Ways to Enjoy Miso That Go Beyond Soup

No doubt you’ve enjoyed a comforting cup of miso soup at a Japanese restaurant. Miso, a fermented soybean paste, adds a complex, rich flavor to all kinds of dishes – umami, but also salt and a touch of sweetness. Plus, since it’s fermented, it has gut-friendly probiotic benefits, and it’s rich in B vitamins, vitamin K, and other nutrients.

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Look for miso in the refrigerated section of your supermarket, and keep it in the fridge at home. It’s very flavorful, so a little goes a long way – luckily, it’s inexpensive, and it will last several months. Use a little bit to add depth to dressings and sauces, fold a small spoonful into tuna or chicken salad, or try any of the recipes here to incorporate more of it into your diet.

One more thing to know about miso: In general, the darker the miso, the more strongly flavored it is. We like to keep white miso on hand; its milder flavor makes it super versatile. Once you grow accustomed to using it, try experimenting with other types of miso.

1. Asian Cabbage Slaw

Take a break from mayo-dressed slaw and try this version, made with red and green cabbage and a vibrant dressing starring miso. It comes together in just 15 minutes, and it’s even better if you let it sit in the fridge for an hour before serving. Perfect for a barbecue, or just to serve on a weeknight with grilled chicken or fish. 

Try this recipe from The Rustic Foodie

2. Easy Baked Miso-Glazed Cod

A super-quick low-prep fish dish that feels restaurant worthy but is simple enough for any weeknight – sign us up. Make some rice (or cauliflower rice) and toss a salad, and your healthy, flavorful dinner is ready.

Try this recipe from Fearless Dining

3. Chocolate Covered Miso Peanut Butter Truffles

Hold up: Miso in a dessert? Oh, yes. Miso adds a touch of savory, salty depth to these peanut butter truffles, and dark chocolate brings the whole thing together. Make them for a friend, or just to keep for yourself in case of a chocolate emergency (that’s totally a thing).

Try this recipe from Sweet Lizzy

4. Maple and Miso Glazed Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots are great on their own, but add some miso and they become extra special. The saltiness and umami in the miso balances out the sweetness of the maple and the caramelized carrots. Though these are dressed-up enough for company, they’re also easy enough to throw together on a weeknight.

Try this recipe from Just One Cookbook

5. Vegetarian Sesame Soba Noodles

Sometimes you just need a bowl of noodles – why not make it healthier with plenty of vegetables, the goodness of buckwheat in the soba, and a healthy sauce featuring miso? Bonus: You can enjoy this dish hot or cold.

Try this recipe from The Floured Camera

6. Miso-Glazed Eggplant

Eggplant is so mild on its own, it soaks up the flavor of whatever accompanies it. In this dish, that’s miso, plus maple syrup, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. After you cook the eggplant in a skillet, you brush it with the flavorful miso glaze, then quickly broil it to make it sticky and sweeter. 

Try this recipe from The Conscious Plant Kitchen

7. Creamy Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are a fantastic way to get in more veggies – and the perfect excuse to eat with your hands. Wrapped up in these lettuce leaves is a super-flavorful mix of protein-rich shredded chicken breast tossed in a creamy, peanutty miso sauce. Fold in grapes for a pop of sweetness that adds something extra.

Try this recipe from Pinch of Yum

8. Ginger Miso Dressing

Salads just got a wake-up call thanks to this punchy dressing, loaded with flavor thanks to miso, lots of ginger, and sesame oil. Try it on a salad that includes a sweet element, like mandarin orange segments. It also works on noodles, roasted vegetables, and grain bowls. 

Try this recipe from The Delicious Life

9. Crispy Marinated Tofu

Here’s a perfect recipe for meal prep, since it’s better the longer you marinate it. Whip up the marinade while you press the excess liquid out of the tofu, marinate it (ideally overnight), then bake or pan-fry to crisp perfection. Enjoy this tasty tofu on salads, with sauteed veggies, or on top of a rice bowl.

Try this recipe from Liv Vegan Strong

10. Miso Roasted Chicken

Chicken breasts get a bad rap for being… less than exciting, but it’s so easy to make them delicious thanks to a simple paste with miso, ginger, and garlic. This would also work well on chicken thighs, if you prefer dark meat. While it bakes, stir fry some veggies to go on the side.

Try this recipe from Platings and Pairings

11. Sesame Ginger Miso Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salads were all over TikTok for a while, and we love them still, whether they’re trending or not. This version, with ginger and miso, features thin ribbons of cucumber, topped with edamame, shredded carrots, and sesame seeds. It’s beautiful and refreshing, healthy and so satisfying.

Try this recipe from Snixy Kitchen

Read next: 7 Fermented Foods to Add to Your Diet