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    Home » Recipes » Sauce

    Miso Sauce

    Published: Feb 15, 2024 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    pinterest image of miso sauce with text overlay that reads easy, vegan, 5 ingredients miso sauce

    Miso sauce is an easy, versatile sauce that adds a flavorful punch! This tasty, vegan sauce is great for dipping, dressing, and making everything taste better.

    white countertop with clear bowl of miso dressing with a silver spoon next to a container of miso paste and a microplane with fresh ginger.
    • About Ginger Miso Sauce
      • Ingredients
        • Recipe Cost
    • How to Make Miso Sauce
    • Recipe Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • How to Make Allergy-Friendly
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • What is Miso Paste
      • Different Types of Miso
        • Why Should You Eat Miso
        • Where to Find Miso
      • What Does Miso Dressing Taste Like
      • Nutrition Benefits
      • How to Use Miso Sauce

    About Ginger Miso Sauce

    Miso has a rich, irreplaceable umami flavor, so if you're looking to level up a meal or dish, this miso sauce recipe undoubtedly does the trick.

    Mixed with grated ginger, a touch of sesame oil, and rice vinegar to brighten the miso sauce, you'll love the combination of flavors that can be used as a sauce for chicken, fish, tofu, and veggies.

    You can use it as a salad dressing, miso dipping sauce, marinade, or sauce for any dish.

    rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, small bowl of water, fresh ginger root, and white miso container on white counter.

    Ingredients

    Ginger: Fresh ginger is what you'll need for this miso sauce. Peel and grate the ginger to start. You can also finely mince the ginger, but grating the ginger helps it mix into the sauce more evenly.

    Miso: White miso, or Shiro miso, is the type of miso used in this miso sauce recipe. It has a milder flavor and is easier to find than other miso varieties. Be sure you always use a clean spoon to scoop out miso paste so you don't contaminate the miso paste, which can last for a long time in the fridge.

    Rice vinegar: The vinegar adds some acidity to this rich sauce that helps brighten it. I usually use rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar, depending on what is in my pantry (or what the store has available). You can substitute with apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lime juice.

    Sesame oil: Either toasted sesame oil or regular sesame oil will work well. Remember that a little bit goes a long way with sesame oil, so don't go overboard here. Also, taste your sesame oil before using it because it can easily go bad (in fact, I like to keep my sesame oil in the fridge to help prevent it from going rancid too quickly).

    Water: Pretty self-explanatory but you'll use the water to thin the sauce out a little bit. You can use less what for a thicker sauce or more water for a thinner sauce.

    Recipe Cost

    • Ginger 1 teaspoon: $0.36
    • Miso paste 4 tablespoons: $0.92
    • Rice vinegar 3 tablespoons: $0.21
    • Sesame oil 1 teaspoon: $0.09
    • Water 2 tablespoons: $0

    TOTAL COST: $1.58 or $0.40/serving (Based on San Diego Sprouts 2024)

    Note this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Be sure to scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

    six photo collage with grated ginger in a white bowl, miso paste added to the grated ginger, water being added to bowl, and a finished bowl of miso sauce.

    How to Make Miso Sauce

    Time needed: 5 minutes

    It is so easy to make this miso sauce. Simply grate the fresh ginger, whisk everything together, and you're done! Here are the exact steps for how to make miso dressing:

    1. Grate the fresh ginger into a bowl.

    2. Add miso.

      Stir ginger and miso together.

    3. Add vinegar and sesame oil.

    4. Stir together.

    5. Add water.

      Stir together.

    6. Enjoy!

      white bowl with kale, brown rice, carrots, and mushrooms topped with a miso dressing with miso, fresh ginger, and extra miso sauce in background.

    Recipe Tips

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Miso: If you'd like a richer miso flavor, use yellow or red miso.

    Vinegar: In place of the rice vinegar in this miso sauce, use rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lime juice.

    Oil: Either sesame oil or toasted sesame oil will work. I typically use toasted sesame oil because it is often easier to find.

    In a pinch, olive oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil could work. However, you will be missing a flavor component that could dull the sauce a little. You might want to try adding a little more olive oil if needed because it doesn't have as strong of a flavor as sesame oil does.

    How to Make Allergy-Friendly

    This miso sauce recipe is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free, and dairy-free. Because miso is made from soybeans, it is not soy-free and can't be made soy-free.

    It's also vegetarian and vegan.

    hand stirring together miso sauce in a white bowl on a blue table.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    Too thin: If you want a thicker sauce, add a teaspoon of miso paste until it has the consistency you like. You might also want to add a little extra grated ginger.

    Too thick: Add extra water 1 tablespoon at a time. You could also add broth to thin it out without diluting the flavor too much.

    Too much miso: Add additional water or broth to taste. Start with 1 tablespoon of liquid at a time. If the ginger or vinegar flavors become too muted, add more grated ginger or vinegar one teaspoon at a time to taste.

    Make Ahead Ideas

    This miso sauce is best if you make it ahead of time, so it has time to develop the flavors. And I love that I can keep this in the fridge for at least a week.

    Storage Suggestions

    Keep this in an airtight glass or plastic container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It is possible to freeze the miso sauce for up to 6 weeks, but the texture will change once thawed.

    clear bowl of miso sauce with silver spoon next to a red microplane with fresh ginger, a container of miso paste, a bottle of sesame oil, and a bottle of rice vinegar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is miso sauce made of?

    Miso sauce is made of white miso, fresh ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and water.

    Is miso sauce the same as soy sauce?

    Miso sauce is different from soy sauce. Miso sauce is made from miso which is a soybean paste, and soy sauce is a liquid condiment. They have different flavors since they are fermented in different ways.

    What does miso sauce taste like?

    Salty, earthy, slightly fishy (in a good way), savory white miso mixes with peppery & fragrant ginger, acidic vinegar, and rich sesame oil.bowl of miso sauce, container of white miso paste, next to two Miso Brown Rice and Kale Bowls topped with salmon.

    What is Miso Paste

    Miso is a soybean paste fermented with koji (or koji mold) and salt. There are different types of koji used to ferment the miso including rice koji, barley koji, and soybean koji. It is fermented for 3 months up to 3 years.

    Different Types of Miso

    Generally speaking, the color of miso is based on the fermentation period as well as what the soybeans are fermented with and how much.

    White miso (the kind used in this recipe) is lighter since it is fermented for a shorter time, and it is fermented with a large percentage of rice koji.

    If you are just starting out with miso, I recommend white miso. It's also better for milder flavors like sauces and dressings. Plus, white miso is typically easier to find at most grocery stores.

    Red miso is fermented with a higher percentage of soybeans and it is fermented for a longer time. As a general rule of thumb, the darker the miso means the longer the fermentation process, and the more intense the flavor.

    There are a variety of miso types to explore. For more interesting info on miso, check out the Umami Information Center website.

    white bowl with white miso paste and grated ginger next to a container of miso paste with a silver measuring spoon.

    Why Should You Eat Miso

    Miso is great and not just because it adds a unique flavor.

    Since miso is fermented, it is packed with beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion (i.e. probiotics).

    Miso is full of vitamins & minerals including copper, manganese, and Vitamin K. It also has phytonutrients, including antioxidants, phytosterols, and soy isoflavones.

    Where to Find Miso

    You can find miso in your grocery store's refrigerator section.

    It's usually in health food stores and most large grocery stores. I've found miso at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Rouses, Von's, Ralph's, and some Trader Joe's.

    What Does Miso Dressing Taste Like

    This miso sauce is indescribably good. The flavors are hard to pinpoint, but they all work together so well.

    Salty, earthy, slightly fishy (in a good way), savory miso mixes with peppery & fragrant ginger, acidic vinegar, and rich sesame oil.

    Miso has such an interesting flavor that you just need to try it to understand. If you've ever had miso soup, you'll know what I mean. Honestly, there is no substitute for miso because its flavor is so unique.

    clear bowl with miso sauce on a plate with baked tofu on a blue tabletop.

    Nutrition Benefits

    Not only is this miso sauce delicious, but it's also highly nutritious. Plus, since sauces make everything taste better, it might encourage you to try new foods or have more variety in your diet. For example, it's great for serving over roasted, sauteed, or steamed veggies.

    Since miso is fermented, it contains probiotics, specifically A. oryzae from the koji. This probiotic has been linked to anti-tumor effects and anti-inflammatory effects on some digestive disorders. The koji has also been studied as a prebiotic, a substance that feeds the helpful bacteria in your body.

    Miso is full of vitamins & minerals including copper, manganese, and Vitamin K. Plus, it has phytonutrients, including antioxidants, phytosterols, and soy isoflavones.

    Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant benefits. Additionally, it can help with nausea and indigestion.

    white bowl with white miso, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and grated ginger with a silver fork on a white counter.

    How to Use Miso Sauce

    This miso sauce is quite versatile and adds a flavorful punch to any dish.

    A Miso Brown Rice and Kale Bowl is perfect for using your miso sauce, but some of my favorite ways to enjoy this miso dressing are to add it with your sushi, served with tuna or salmon, tossed with cooked chicken, drizzled over sauteed green beans or broccolini, or made into a potato salad.

    Miso dressing changes a boring salad into a delicious one and can make any meal more exciting. It's a great way to start incorporating more miso into your life.

    It's great for a miso dipping sauce for baked tofu or veggies. You'll love this creamy ginger miso sauce for practically anything!

    Miso Dressing drizzled from a fork onto a bowl of salmon, kale, mushrooms, carrots, and brown rice.

    Final thoughts:

    Keeping a jar of this homemade ginger miso sauce in the fridge will make you so happy. Serve it on almost anything to keep your dishes from being boring.

    You can use it as a dipping sauce, as a dressing, or even as a marinade.

    MORE MISO RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Miso Soup
    • Vegan Greek Tofu Salad
    • Miso Glazed Salmon
    • Brown Rice and Kale Bowl
    • Miso Potato Salad
    white countertop with clear bowl of miso dressing with a silver spoon next to a container of miso paste and a microplane with fresh ginger.

    Miso Sauce

    Miso sauce is an easy, versatile sauce that adds a flavorful punch to any dish! This nutritious, vegan sauce makes everything taste better.
    4.95 from 20 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $1.58 or $0.40/serving

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
    • 4 tablespoons white miso paste
    • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoons water
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Whisk together ginger and miso paste in a glass or plastic bowl.
    • Slowly add vinegar and sesame oil.
    • Add water until it reaches your desired consistency.
    • Cover and refrigerate until use.

    Video

    Notes

    *Makes ½ cup sauce
    *Add 1-2 teaspoons more miso paste if you want a richer miso flavor.
    *Rice wine vinegar, white vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lime juice can be used in place of rice vinegar.
    *Sesame oil can be toasted or regular.
    *Keeps for about 1-2 weeks, tightly covered, in the fridge.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    Knife
    glass bowls
    Bowls
    microplane
    Microplane
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Meme

    This post was originally published on March 28, 2016. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.


    Miso Sauce Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Miso Sauce
    Serving Size
     
    2 tablespoons
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    2
    g
    3
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Sodium
     
    634
    mg
    28
    %
    Potassium
     
    38
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    5
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    15
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    11
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Malla

      January 13, 2020 at 2:00 am

      Do you use toasted sesame oil or untoasted?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Meme

        January 15, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        I use toasted sesame oil because I think it's easier to find, but un-toasted would be fine!

        Reply
    2. Brittany

      April 01, 2020 at 9:41 am

      Hello, I am excited to try this recipe and I oddly have miso paste (the harder thing to find) but no sesame oil. Do you have a suggestion for another oil to use in a pinch? Olive or Sunflower is what I have on hand tonight.

      Reply
      • Meme

        April 01, 2020 at 11:33 am

        Yay! That's exciting! I think either would work -- I'd probably use olive oil. But it's a really small amount, so it won't give too much flavor. You can test it and add more if you need to add a little extra flavor. I think it should still be tasty since the miso paste is so flavorful in its own right. If you have sesame seeds, you can add a teaspoon or two to the sauce and add it to a blender to mix together. Hope that helps!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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