Easy Miso Sauce for Everything

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Miso Sauce is a simple all-purpose sauce that is great to keep on hand for veggie bowls, salads, steamed or grilled veggies, and so much more. It even works great as a marinade. This version is vegan and oil-free.

small brown and green ceramic dish filled with miso sauce and a spoon inside with bowls of rice and salad in the background.

This miso sauce is irresistibly good, offering a perfect balance of umami richness and tangy sweetness that elevates any dish. It’s versatile, easy to make, and adds a deliciously savory depth to everything from veggies to noodles.

The main ingredient in this sauce recipe is miso paste which is such a versatile ingredient to keep on hand for making quick and easy sauces like Orange Miso Ginger Dressing and even Miso Soup.

So what is miso paste?

Miso, also known as fermented soybean paste, is a traditional Japanese food. It’s a thick salty paste that can be used as a flavoring to make sauces and spreads. It is probably most commonly used for making miso soup here in the US. 

miso container with scoop of miso paste on measuring spoon

There are a number of different types and flavors of miso, but this recipe uses white miso which has a mellowslightly sweet flavor.

For those concerned about the salt in miso, this short 3-minute video Is Miso Healthy? from Dr. Michael Greger with Nutritionfacts.org should help relieve concerns.

Reasons you will love this sauce

  • Healthy and Guilt-Free: This oil-free miso sauce is a nutritious choice, offering all the rich umami flavor of miso without the added calories or fat from oil, making it a heart-healthy addition to your meals.
  • Versatile and Flavorful: Perfect for drizzling over salads, stir-fries, or roasted veggies, this miso sauce adds a burst of savory flavor to a wide variety of dishes, enhancing your favorite meals with ease.
  • Simple and Quick to Make: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, thi miso sauce is incredibly easy to whip up, allowing you to enjoy a delicious, homemade sauce in minutes.

Ingredients needed

white bowl filled with miso, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup with whisk and measuring spoons
  • Miso paste- Many grocery stores stock miso paste in the produce section near the tofu.
  • Rice vinegar- This vinegar gives the sauce a nice tangy flavor.
  • Maple Syrup- Other sweetener options might be agave nectar or date syrup.
  • Soy sauce– For those who are gluten-free, tamari is a good option.
  • Ginger- Fresh or ground ginger works well as a flavoring for this sauce.
  • Garlic- Mince your own fresh garlic or use the type from a jar.

Tips & Substitutions

  • Tangy flavor- I like to use rice vinegar, but you could also use lime juice as a substitute for the tangy flavor.
  • Garlic options- You can mince up your own garlic but, for sauces, I love to use the garlic from a jar because it has the perfect size, flavor, and texture. I like to add just a tad of the juice as well.
  • Sweetener- Let’s talk about the maple syrup ingredient. To me, it makes all the difference in taste. The amount used can be reduced, but I highly recommend using the full 1 tablespoon for this recipe.

How to make miso sauce

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

One of the things that makes this sauce great is how easy it is to make. It can be whipped up in a matter of minutes and will add loads of flavor to some of your favorite dishes.

miso in veggie broth in bowl with whisk on cutting board with diced tofu

STEP #1: Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth.

clear saucer with miso sauce and white spoon

STEP #2: Use it as a marinade for tofu, in stir-fries, or even as a dip for recipes like my veggie pot stickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find miso paste?

Many grocery stores carry miso paste in the refrigerator section or near the produce. Asian markets are a great place to find it as well.

Is this sauce gluten-free?

Tamari or even amino acids can be used as subs for the soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.

Are there other sweetener options?

Yes. Maple syrup is my favorite but other natural sweetener options are agave nectar, honey, or date syrup.

Is miso healthy?

For those concerned about the salt in miso, this short 3-minute video Is Miso Healthy? from Dr. Michael Greger with Nutritionfacts.org should help relieve concerns.

clear container with miso dressing and salad in background

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Japanese saucer with miso sauce with salad and rice in background
4.53 from 70 votes

Miso Sauce for Everything

Miso Sauce is a simple all-purpose sauce that is great to keep on hand for veggie bowls, salads, steamed or grilled veggies, and so much more. It even works great as a marinade.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 teaspoons white miso
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce tamari for gluten-free
  • 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger fresh or ground

Instructions

  • Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth.
  • Use as a marinade for tofu, in stir-fries, or even as a dip for recipes like my veggie pot stickers.
  • Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-weeks.

Video

Notes

Tips & Substitutions:
  • I like to use rice vinegar, but you could also use lime juice as a substitute for the tangy flavor.
  • You can mince up your own garlic but, for sauces, I love to use the garlic from a jar because it has the perfect size, flavor, and texture. I like to add just a tad of the juice as well.
  • Let’s talk about the maple syrup ingredient. To me, it makes all the difference in taste. The amount used can be reduced, but I highly recommend using the full 1 tablespoon and maybe even a tiny bit more.
  • Tamari or even amino acids can be used as subs for the soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free. For those concerned about the salt in miso, this short 3-minute video Is Miso Healthy from Dr. Michael Greger with Nutritionfacts.org should help relieve concerns.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 295mg | Sugar: 6g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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