Best Ways to Use Miso Fermented Paste Beyond Soup to Fish and Beef Dishes

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soy beans, salt and kojikin (a fungus), but other grains such as rice and barley are sometimes used.

Three types of miso are commonly available: rice miso, soybean miso and barley miso. Each miso is unique to the region due to subtle differences in ingredients and the fermentation process.

The thick and salty Miso paste (with a consistency of peanut butter) is mostly used for soups. But it should be used more often for other uses because of its subtle flavors and because it is a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals. The Chinese equivalent of Miso is doujiang.

Use your imagination, think beyond soup, and discover how Miso can be used in a variety of wonderful ways with a little courage, daring inspiration and innovation.

It is a good substitute for soy sauce and is excellent for marinades and to add depth to stews and slow cooked beef dishes.

This article explores the many ways to use Miso beyond soup and includes three recipes to get you started on a Miso adventure.

Miso makes as delightful marinade, coating or sauce really come alive
Miso makes as delightful marinade, coating or sauce really come alive. Source: Public Domain

Culinary Uses for Miso Paste, Beyond Soup

Recipe for a Miso Glaze - Ideal for, Fish Eggplant and Other Vegetable Strips

Combine the sake and mirin in a very small saucepan, Bring to the boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Mix in the sugar and miso. Use a whisk to ensure the sugar and miso paste are well combined with the liquid. Lastly, pour in the sesame oil and mix.

The mixture is simply brushed over vegetable strips before broiling, grilling barbecuing or baking.

Salmon Fillets Marinaded in Miso and Sake, Served with Soba Noodles

To make the marinade combine the miso paste, sugar, sake and mirin in a small bowl. Insert the pieces of salmon into the marinade so they are almost completely in the liquid. Leave overnight or for several hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C (325 degrees F). Wipe the salmon fillets with paper to remove the excess marinade and put them onto a baking tray, sprayed with oil. Bake for about 6-8 minutes on one side, flip and bake for another 6-8 minutes on the other side, or until cooked (test with a fork to ensure center of the fillet is cooked).

Cook the soba noodles by heating a large saucepan of water until it boils. Add the noodles and stir quickly to stop them clumping together.when the water starts to boil again, add two cups of cold water. Continue heating until the water starts to boil again and then remove the saucepan from the stove and drain the noodles. Rinse the noodles using cold running water and drain again.

Serve the salmon fillet with steamed fresh vegetables and garnish with lime wedges.

Slow-Cooked Beef Hot-Pot with Miso, Ginger and Vegetables

Add the carrots and onions to a slow cooker bowl (or a deep cast oil pot). Lightly brown the outside of the pieces of beef by frying in a pan with a little oil. Then transfer the beef to the slow cooker and add the chopped garlic, ginger and chilli.

Next add the soy, stock, sugar, miso and sesame oil to the juices in the frying pan. Let simmer briefly to dissolve the sugar and to mix in the miso paste. Add the liquid to the slow cooker bowl and then cover the bow' and cook for 5-6 hours. When this cooking as been completed, add the spring onions and cook for another 30 minutes. Add the bean sprouts and fresh herbs. Add several drops of sesame oil and serve hot.

Nutrient data for Miso Paste

Below is a summary of nutrients in 100g of Miso paste. As expected there is a large amount of salt 3g/100g. However there relatively few calories and low fat levels. Miso paste is a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Nutrient Information for 100 g of Miso Paste

Nutrients in 100 g of Miso Paste
Value mcg = micro g
Macro Nutrients
*****
Calories
204
Protein
11.7g
Carbohydrates
27.6g
Dietary Fiber
5.3g
Soluble Fiber
2.6g
Insoluble Fiber
2.8g
Fats
*****
Total Fat
6g
Saturated Fat
0.9g
Mono Fat
1.3g
Poly Fat 
3.4g
Vitamins
*****
Vitamin A IU
85.9 IU
Niacin B3
0.9mg
Thiamin - B1 
0.1mg
Riboflavin - B2
0.3mg
Niacin equiv
3mg
Vitamin B6
0.2mg
Folate
32.6mcg
Pantothenic acid
0.3mcg
Vitamin K
24.5ncg
Minerals
*****
Calcium
65.2mg
Copper
0.4mg
Iron
2.7mg
Magnesium
41.5mg
Manganese
0.9mg
Phosphorus
151.1mg
Potassium
162mg
Selenium
1.6mcg
Sodium
3602mg
Zinc
3.3mg




A miso glaze is just perfect for grilled, fried and barbecued fish - learn more about how to use miso is many unusual ways
A miso glaze is just perfect for grilled, fried and barbecued fish - learn more about how to use miso is many unusual ways. Source: Public Domain
Miso is often used for port and beef, Asian style dishes, but it can also be used for general stews and curries to enrich the flavor
Miso is often used for port and beef, Asian style dishes, but it can also be used for general stews and curries to enrich the flavor. Source: Public Domain
Miso grilled chicken is a lovely recipe. Discover the many other options for using miso in this article
Miso grilled chicken is a lovely recipe. Discover the many other options for using miso in this article. Source: Public Domain
Grilled Sea Bass with Miso-Mustard Sauce - see many other ways to use miso fermented paste in this article
Grilled Sea Bass with Miso-Mustard Sauce - see many other ways to use miso fermented paste in this article. Source: Public Domain
Speedy miso rice bowl - is easy to make using these grest recipes
Speedy miso rice bowl - is easy to make using these grest recipes. Source: Public Domain
Miso glazed salmon is a speedy dish taking only 15 minutes to cook
Miso glazed salmon is a speedy dish taking only 15 minutes to cook. Source: Public Domain
Miso soup recipe - discover the many other ways to use miso on a wide range of uses and recipes
Miso soup recipe - discover the many other ways to use miso on a wide range of uses and recipes. Source: Public Domain
Miso-Glazed Scallops with Soba Noodles - try some of the other great recipes presented here
Miso-Glazed Scallops with Soba Noodles - try some of the other great recipes presented here. Source: Public Domain
Homemade miso ramen - is easy to make using these recipes
Homemade miso ramen - is easy to make using these recipes. Source: Public Domain