19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (2024)

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This collection ofdietitian-designed recipes with miso will give you plenty of ideas for ways to use miso paste in your cooking. Here you’ll find miso recipes for seafood, vegan mains, soups, salads, sides, and sauces.With this roundup, you’ll never have to ask “what to do with miso paste?” again!

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (1)

In this post you’ll find 19 healthy recipes with miso pastefrom the blog along with some answers to frequently asked questions. You can keep scrolling to explore everything, or click on the following sections to find exactly what you’re looking for:

  • what is miso paste?
  • what does miso paste do in a recipe?
  • miso nutrition benefits
  • seafood main dishes with miso
  • vegetarian + vegan main dishes with miso
  • soups with miso
  • salads with miso
  • side dishes with miso
  • sauces + dressings with miso

What Is Miso Paste?

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made from fermenting soybeans with salt and kōji (a type of mould). It will sometimes contain other ingredients, like rice, barley, or seaweed.

There are many different types of miso paste, but what you will typically see in the grocery store are either the white (lighter) or red (darker) varieties. In general, the darker the colour, the stronger the taste.

What Does Miso Do In A Recipe?

The result of this fermentation process is a thick paste that’s used to add flavour to sauces, soups, marinades, spreads, dips, and more.

Miso adds a FANTASTIC salty and umami flavour to your dishes – it’s incredibly unique and one of my personal favourite flavour enhancers to use in my cooking (as evidenced by this roundup)!

Miso Nutrition Benefits

Because miso paste is made by fermenting soybeans, it’s a natural source ofbeneficial gut microbesthat appear to play a role in many aspects of human health.

Miso is also rich in vitamins and minerals, such as:

  • manganese
  • vitamin K
  • copper
  • zinc

Please note that miso does contain a fair amount of sodium, so you likely will not need to add extra salt to any of these recipes 🙂

Seafood Dishes With Miso

In this section you’ll find seafood main dish recipes using miso paste. I particularly love miso with salmon!

1) Baked Miso Maple Ginger Salmon

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (2)

This baked miso maple ginger salmon recipe is such an easy, delicious, and nutritious weeknight dinner! You only need 8 ingredients and about 30 minutes to make the salmon. It's full of flavour and the sauce goes great with anything you pair the fish with!

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2) Salmon With Sweet Potato & Miso Coconut Sauce

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (3)

This salmon with sweet potato mash recipe is served with the most deliciously creamy miso coconut sauce! It's an easy, cozy, and healthy dinner idea that's ready in about 30 minutes. Recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.

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3) Spaghetti Squash With Kale Miso Pesto

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (4)

This healthy spaghetti squash recipe is served with a kale miso pesto and sautéed shrimp. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, and high in fibre and protein. All you need is 10 ingredients!

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Vegetarian & Vegan Recipes With Miso

In this section you’ll find vegetarian and/or vegan main dish recipes using miso paste.

4) Crispy Tofu With Maple Miso Sauce

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (5)

Baked Miso Maple Tofu (30-Minutes)

This Crispy Baked Tofu With Maple Miso Sauce is a delicious vegan protein idea that pairs beautiful with a side of veggies and grains! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and ready in 30 minutes.

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5) Tempeh Stir-Fry With Miso Peanut Sauce

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Tempeh Stir-Fry With Miso-Peanut Sauce (Vegan)

This tempeh and vegetable stir-fry is topped with a creamy miso peanut sauce for a delicious and nutritionally-balanced meal. Serve with rice or noodles!

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6) Creamy Miso Tahini Pasta

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (7)

Creamy Tahini Pasta (25-Minutes!)

This creamy, vegan tahini pasta recipe is made with one of my favourite "cheesy" miso tahini sauces. It's delicious, quick to make, and nutritious. Feel free to add extra veggies, like broccoli!

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7) Miso Mushroom Pasta

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (8)

Healthy Mushroom Pasta (No Cream!)

This mushroom pasta recipe is made with miso paste, garlic, shallots, lemon, parmesan, and parsley. It's a nutritious, lightened up pappardelle mushroom pasta made without heavy cream, butter, or wine! Can easily be made vegan, if desired.

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Soups With Miso

You may be familiar with traditional miso soup, but miso can also be used to add flavour to all kinds of soups – just like these mushroom and ramen soups!

8) Creamy Miso Mushroom Soup

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (9)

Creamy Vegan Miso Mushroom Soup

This creamy vegan miso mushroom soup is a delicious plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free alternative to the classic! It's under 10 ingredients, packed with flavour, and SO easy to make.

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9) Miso Ramen Noodle Soup

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (10)

Quick, Healthy Miso Ramen Noodle Soup

This recipe for healthy miso ramen noodle soup is warm, comforting and packed with tons of veggies and micronutrients. An easy 30-min meal!

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Salads With Miso

Miso makes an AWESOME addition to salad dressings – here are some of my favourites!

10) Warm Mushroom Salad With Miso Dressing

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (11)

Warm Mushroom Salad With Miso Dressing (Vegan)

This warm mushroom salad recipe is made with kale, farro, avocado, and topped with a delicious miso-sesame dressing. It's a hearty vegan salad that can been enjoyed as a side or a main!

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11) Quinoa Edamame Salad With Miso Dressing

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (12)

Quinoa Edamame Salad With Miso Dressing

This quinoa edamame salad recipe is made with colourful, crunchy vegetables like cucumber, celery, carrots, and purple cabbage. Tossed in an Asian-inspired miso sesame ginger dressing, this salad recipe is so flavourful and PACKED with plant-based protein!

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12) Crispy Tofu Salad With Miso Tahini

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (13)

Crispy Tofu Salad With Miso Tahini Dressing

Filled with crunchy veggies and crispy tofu, this healthy salad is satisfying, delicious, and packed with nutrients. With a creamy and rich miso sesame tahini dressing, this recipe is vegan and gluten-free. This salad is meant to be eaten cold and enjoyed as a complete meal!

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Side Dishes With Miso

In this section you’ll find delicious side dish recipes that use miso paste.

13) Roasted Miso Broccoli

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (14)

Roasted Miso Broccoli

This easy roasted miso broccoli recipe is SUCH a delicious vegetable side dish. Broccoli is roasted until it's crispy and lightly charred, then tossed in the most luscious, umami-flavoured miso sauce. All you need are 6-ingredients and under 30-minutes to make it!

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14) Cheesy Miso Mushroom Rice

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (15)

Cheesy Miso Mushroom Rice (Risotto Alternative!)

This cheesy miso mushroom rice recipe is the perfect hands-off alternative to risotto. It's gluten-free, vegetarian, and so easy to make!

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15) Japanese Sweet Potato With Miso Maple Tahini

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (16)

Roasted Japanese Sweet Potatoes (Easy + Healthy)

These oven-roasted Japanese sweet potato cubes are paired with a delicious miso maple tahini dressing. They're so easy to make, perfect for a comforting and healthy vegetable side dish! Recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

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16) Miso Mashed Sweet Potatoes

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (17)

Easy Miso Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These Miso Mashed Sweet Potatoes are easy to make, healthy, and completely vegan. This recipe is a unique and savoury take on a sweet potato side dish!

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Sauces & Dressings With Miso

In this section you’ll find recipes for a miso salad dressing and some delicious all-purpose sauces that work great on pastas, grain bowls, and stir-fries!

17) Miso Salad Dressing With Sesame & Ginger

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (18)

This 5-minute, Japanese-inspired miso salad dressing recipe is made with sesame, ginger, and garlic. It's SO flavourful and easy to make, while being vegan, gluten-free, and added sugar-free as well.

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18) “Cheesy” Miso Tahini Sauce

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (19)

5-Minute Miso Tahini Sauce

This creamy, "cheesy," and delicious miso tahini sauce is made with just 6 ingredients and takes only 5 minutes to make! It's a healthy vegan sauce that's perfect for pastas, grain bowls, and more!

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19) Miso Peanut Sauce

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (20)

Easy Miso Peanut Sauce (Vegan)

This easy homemade miso peanut sauce recipe uses only 6 simple ingredients and tastes SO delicious! It's an all-purpose sauce that can be served with a variety of meals. Recipe is both vegan and gluten-free.

Get the recipe

And there you have it –19 Easy, Healthy Miso Recipes to cook and enjoy. If you make any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag me onInstagramorPinterest– seeing your creations always makes my day. You can alsosubscribe to my email listto never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

More Ingredient Roundups To Explore

  • 10+ Healthy Recipes With Tahini
  • 30+ Healthy Recipes With Oats
  • 10+ Healthy Recipes With Kale
  • 10+ Healthy Recipes With Sweet Potatoes
  • 30+ Healthy Recipes With Chia Seeds

Get the Recipe:19 Healthy Miso Recipes, Including Miso Salmon

This baked miso maple ginger salmon recipe is such an easy, delicious, and nutritious weeknight dinner! You only need 8 ingredients and about 30 minutes to make the salmon. It's full of flavour and the sauce goes great with anything you pair the fish with! Plus, more healthy recipes with miso paste!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (21)

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Ingredients

  • 2 pieces of salmon (about 4-6 ounces each)
  • Black pepper, to taste

Miso Maple Ginger Sauce:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place salmon fillets on top.

  • Add mirin to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mirin to a boil, and allow to boil for about 1 minute.

  • Then, reduce the heat and add minced garlic. Stir around for about 30 seconds, then add miso paste. Whisk until the miso paste starts to dissolve and break down.

  • Then, add the grated ginger, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and avocado oil. Bring everything to a boil again, whisking continuously for 1 minute.

  • Once a smooth sauce has formed, turn off the heat. Spoon 1/2 of the sauce over top of the salmon fillets, coating evenly.

  • Place salmon in the oven for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness and desired doneness.

  • When salmon is cooked, remove from oven. Serve with desired sides (ideas included in notes below!) and finish with the remainder of sauce and some black pepper. Enjoy hot!

Notes

*LEFTOVERS & STORAGE:

  • Leftovers of this recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • You can either reheat the salmon (along with any grains/veggies) in the microwave for a quick meal. Or, if you’d prefer you can always repurpose the salmon in other ways. It would taste great flaked over a salad or added to a stir-fry!

*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS:

  • You can use either freshly grated or ground ginger (*I’d use roughly 1/4-1/2 tsp of ground ginger – feel free to start low and adjust to taste).
  • Similarly, you can use either freshly minced garlic or garlic powder (*I’d use roughly 1/4-1/2 tsp of powder – feel free to start low and adjust to taste).
  • While I love avocado oil here, you can always use another neutral oil that you have on hand.

*SERVE WITH: Because this miso salmon recipe is a great source of protein and healthy fats, I would recommend serving it with a starch and some non-starchy veggies.

  • For a starch – I love this over a bed of whole grains like quinoa, brown or white rice, millet, or farro. You could also try it over some crispy roasted potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes!
  • For non-starchy veggies – I’d go for some sautéed leafy greens (like spinach, kale, or swiss chard) or roasted veggies like zucchini or broccoli.
  • TIP: make this a sheet pan meal by roasting veggies alongside salmon (like I did in the pictures with chopped zucchini). Aim to use a veggie that has a similar cooking time (about 15 mins) and cut into smaller pieces. Otherwise, get the veggies in the oven first and then add the salmon on the pan for the last 12-15 min!
  • This recipe makes a decent amount of miso ginger sauce, so it’s perfect for mixing in with the grains and veggies when serving.

Nutrition

As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.

Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword: dinner, ginger, maple, miso, salmon

Author: Carrie Walder

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

19 Healthy Miso Recipes | Walder Wellness, Dietitian (RD) (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest form of miso? ›

In terms of health benefits, the darker and more strongly flavored miso varieties tend to be the most nutritious. Here are a few of the healthiest types of miso: Red Miso: Made with a higher percentage of soybeans and fermented for a longer period of time, red miso has a rich, complex flavor and a dark red-brown color.

Is it OK to drink miso soup everyday? ›

Miso soup is low calorie, low fat, and high in nutrient content, so it is safe to eat daily. However, it does have a high salt content. So, those on blood thinning medication or who have heart problems (including high blood pressure and heart disease) may want to limit their consumption of miso soup.

Is miso good for your gut? ›

Miso soup contains several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and components that may improve your gut and heart health and may lower your risk of cancer. If you are on a low-salt diet, read the label on packaged miso soup to choose one that's low in sodium.

How to make miso soup without killing the probiotics? ›

Avoid high heat when cooking with it, as it will kill off the good bacteria. When making miso soup, turn off the heat and dissolve (using a muddler like this will help avoid clumps).

Who should not eat miso? ›

Because miso is made with soybeans, those who are allergic to soy should avoid miso and other soy-containing products. Miso may also be used as an ingredient in other packaged products, so it is best to read the ingredients list and label to ensure that what you're buying is free of soy.

Should you eat miso everyday? ›

Eating miso soup every day can be okay for many people, as miso is a nutritious and flavorful ingredient commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Miso is a fermented soybean paste that provides a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains beneficial probiotics that can support gut health.

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.

Why do Japanese eat so much miso soup? ›

It is believed that over three-quarters of people in Japan consume miso soup at least once a day. The origins of this popular dish can be traced back to ancient times. It became a 'daily meal' for the samurais during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), and, during the age of Japanese civil wars.

Is miso soup anti 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).

What are the disadvantages of miso? ›

A reduced salt intake is therefore highly recommended for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Miso (traditional Japanese soybean paste) is currently one of major sources of daily salt intake in the general Japanese population (4), and it has been recommended that individuals reduce their consumption of miso.

Does miso spike insulin? ›

Eating miso soup every day was associated with lower insulin resistance in a 2018 study carried out in Japan. Insulin resistance means that your cells respond less well to insulin, making blood sugar spikes more likely.

Why does miso upset my stomach? ›

But some people may have a deficiency of DAO, which can lead to histamine intolerance. In these individuals, consuming histamine-rich foods (like fermented foods) can cause allergic reactions, such as headaches and stomach upset.

Does hot water destroy miso? ›

Boiling miso can harm the probiotic bacteria. At temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit these delicate bacteria are destroyed. We recommend adding miso paste to soups just prior to serving.

Is store bought miso alive? ›

Says the 10th-generation owner Yuka Itō, “Manufacturers either pasteurize or add alcohol to their miso to halt fermentation before shipment, but homemade miso is a 'living seasoning' that still contains live microbes.

Is red or yellow miso better? ›

A longer-fermented miso that encompasses any darker red and brown varieties, red miso is generally saltier than light yellow and white miso and has a more assertive, pungent flavor. It's best suited for heartier dishes like rich soups, braises, and marinades or glazes.

Is white miso better than red? ›

Red aka miso is a type of fermented soybean paste that is darker in color with a stronger, more robust flavor compared to white miso. It's made through a longer fermentation process, which gives it a deeper and more complex taste.

What is the difference between sweet miso and regular miso? ›

Shiro miso is fermented for the shortest period of time so has the mildest flavor. In general, shiro miso tends to be used in — and contribute to — more refreshing dishes with its slightly sweet, light taste, while darker miso are more suited for hardier dishes. Shiro miso is great for soups, dressings and marinades.

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