15 Best Miso Paste Substitutes for Cooking
Finding the perfect miso paste substitute when you don’t have any on hand isn’t as difficult as you may think. While it can be somewhat challenging to replicate the unique umami taste of miso, many great miso paste substitutes offer a similar flavor that retains miso’s depth and complexity.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top miso paste substitutes for cooking that work in a multitude of recipes. From soy sauce to tahini, each miso paste substitute brings its own unique flavor profile and benefits, ensuring you never miss out on the rich taste that miso paste imparts.
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What Is Miso Paste Used for in Cooking?
Miso paste is a traditional Japanese condiment made from fermented soybeans. The fermentation process also involves a mold called koji, made from grains like rice or barley, which gives miso its unique, savory umami flavor. In cooking, miso paste is used to impart a rich, umami flavor to both simple and complex recipes.
It is commonly dissolved in water to make miso soup, a staple of Japanese cuisine. Beyond soups, miso paste is used as a marinade for meats and fish, such as for miso-glazed salmon, providing a savory glaze that enhances the natural flavors of the protein. Miso also serves as a flavorful base for sauces, dressings and dips. Additionally, miso can be incorporated into stir-fries, vegetable dishes like Japanese eggplant, stews and even some desserts.
As such a unique ingredient with so many potential uses, enrolling in cooking classes near you or online cooking classes is an excellent idea to learn more about how to cook with miso. In these professional chef-led classes, you may even gain tips on using miso paste substitutes, ensuring you can achieve similar flavors when miso paste is not available.
The 15 Best Miso Substitutes
1. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a good miso paste substitute because of its deep umami flavor, which closely mimics the taste profile of miso. It can be used in almost any dish that calls for miso where a salty, savory kick is desired.
Use half the amount of soy sauce compared to miso paste when making this substitution. This 2:1 miso paste to soy sauce ratio is necessary because soy sauce is more liquid and potent. Adding to taste and adjusting other salty ingredients in your dish is also recommended.
2. Tamari
Another excellent miso paste substitute is tamari, a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce. It has a similar umami flavor as miso (and soy sauce) but with a slightly richer taste. Tamari works well in stir-fries, soups and salad dressings.
Use tamari in a 1:1 ratio as a miso paste substitute, adjusting for taste as necessary. Notably, tamari works well as an alternative for all kinds of miso, including as a yellow, red or white miso paste substitute.
3. Coconut Aminos
Using coconut aminos is a soy-free and gluten-free option, making this ingredient an ideal miso paste substitute for those with dietary restrictions. This alternative has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor than other substitutes like soy sauce, making it an excellent white miso substitute for sweeter recipes like soufflé pancakes with miso maple syrup. Replace miso paste with coconut aminos in a 1:1 ratio, adding a touch of salt or a pinch of dried seaweed to enhance the umami flavor if using it in a savory recipe.
4. Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is a great miso alternative for savory dishes, providing a strong umami flavor but with a distinctly fishy taste. It's best used in small quantities in soups, stews and marinades. This alternative does have a few drawbacks, such as not being suitable for vegetarian and vegan dishes and only being a good choice for dishes that work well with a fish-based flavor profile.
As a miso paste substitute, use about one-third of the amount of miso called for. Adjust the salt level of your dish accordingly as well since fish sauce is quite salty.
5. Tahini
Tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds, is a surprising yet effective miso paste substitute due to its creamy texture and nutty flavor. It's particularly useful in dressings, dips and sauces. The sesame flavor profile also works well in a variety of Asian dishes that commonly use miso.
When using tahini as a miso paste substitute, opt for a 1:1 ratio. Adding a splash of soy sauce or tamari to introduce the necessary umami element is a great idea as well, creating a balanced flavor profile.
6. Umeboshi Paste
Umeboshi paste is a Japanese condiment made from pickled plums that offers a salty, tangy flavor. It works well as a miso paste substitute in sauces and dressings, especially if your recipe will work with a slightly sweet and tangy kick.
Substitute umeboshi paste for miso paste in a 1:1 ratio, but be mindful of its strong, tangy flavor and adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences. As with other alternatives for miso paste, enhancing umeboshi paste with soy sauce for added umami is recommended.
7. Salt
As simple as it may seem, salt can be used as a miso paste substitute when you're primarily looking to replace the salty component of the ingredient. Use about one-quarter teaspoon of salt as a miso paste substitute, and consider adding a dash of soy sauce or a bit of vegetable or meat bouillon to round out the flavor with some umami.
8. Marmite or Vegemite
Marmite or similar Vegemite, both of which are yeast extract spreads, are packed with umami flavor, making them good miso paste substitutes. It's best to use these alternatives in soups and stews that need a rich and savory base.
Due to its strong taste, use about half the amount of yeast extract spread as you would miso paste. This will add the rich, savory depth to your dishes which is desired without overpowering them.
9. Anchovy Paste
Another fish-based substitute for miso paste is anchovy paste. This alternative offers a concentrated umami flavor, similar to miso, though with a distinct fishy taste which can slightly alter the flavor profile of your dish.
It's ideal for use in sauces, dressings and marinades, especially if the recipe includes fish already. Use about one-third the amount of anchovy paste as you would miso paste because it is very potent. Balance the flavor by adjusting the saltiness and adding a splash of soy sauce if needed.
10. Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce provides a complex, umami-rich flavor profile that can sub for miso paste in certain dishes. Try using it in marinades, dressings and soups in a 1:1 ratio to replace miso paste.
However, be aware of its thinner consistency and unique blend of flavors, which may slightly alter the taste of your dish. Many brands of Worcestershire sauce also include anchovies, so be sure to check the ingredients if you have dietary restrictions and are considering using the condiment as a miso paste substitute.
11. Preserved Lemons
Likely the most interesting sub for miso paste on the list, preserved lemons add a unique salty and tangy flavor to recipes that initially call for miso. Preserved lemons work well in sauces, dressings and marinades. Use finely chopped preserved lemons in a 1:1 ratio as a miso paste substitute and consider adding a bit of soy sauce or tamari to enhance the umami flavor.
12. Shio Koji
Shio koji is a Japanese seasoning made from rice, salt and koji mold, known for its umami and slightly sweet flavor. It’s a great white miso paste substitute in marinades and glazes.
Replace miso paste with shio koji in a 1:1 ratio, keeping in mind that it has a milder flavor, so you might need to adjust the quantity to taste or add a splash of soy sauce for a richer and slightly salty taste. You may also need to blend the shio koji and even add a little water to create a paste consistency closer to miso.
13. Natto
Natto, otherwise referred to as fermented soybeans, provides a strong umami flavor similar to miso paste. It’s best used in soups, stews and sauces where other ingredients can balance out the distinctive and potent taste.
Substitute natto for miso paste in a 1:1 ratio, mashing it to a smoother consistency and potentially adding a little water if needed. Be prepared for its distinct, somewhat sticky texture and strong aroma. This more unique flavor and texture profile may mean that adding natto to taste bit by bit is optimal instead of directly replacing it in a 1:1 ratio.
14. Vegetable Bouillon
Vegetable bouillon is a convenient and flavorful miso paste substitute. It’s perfect for use in soups, stews and sauces. Replace miso paste with vegetable bouillon paste in a 1:1 ratio, but be aware of its salt content and adjust the seasoning of your dish accordingly to avoid oversalting. This alternative to miso paste works well in plant-based dishes that originally call for miso paste to mimic the rich taste of meat, such as in a hearty vegan shepherd’s pie or rich vegan mushroom gravy.
15. Black Garlic
Black garlic offers a sweet, tangy and umami-rich flavor, making it a unique miso paste substitute. It works best in savory dishes and as a sub for darker, richer varieties of miso paste. Black garlic can be used in a 1:1 ratio, ensuring it is blended to a smooth consistency in your sauce, stew or marinade.
Discovering the best miso paste substitute can make you unbeatable in the kitchen, allowing you to recreate the umami-rich depth of flavor that miso provides, even when it's unavailable. From soy sauce and tahini to fish sauce and black garlic, each alternative offers unique benefits suited to different recipes and dietary preferences.
Now that you have the answer to the question: “What can I substitute for miso paste?”, all you have to do is try a few alternatives out in your recipes. In doing so, you may even find a new favorite ingredient to add to other dishes.
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