This sweet and savory miso sauce ticks all the right boxes! It's easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for drizzling over grilled dishes like chicken or fish. With just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes required, this simple sauce recipe might just become your new best friend. 😉
Get this recipe in your inbox
Enter your email below and we’ll send it right to your inbox. Plus, you'll get our latest recipes emailed each week!
So I pulled together this simple miso sauce recently when I made some roasted asparagus. It was a last-minute add to give them a little extra oomph, but when the final version came together I knew I'd be making this one OFTEN. (I've been drizzling it on everything lately!) Hope this one becomes a staple in your household too; it's quickly become my "magic sauce" here. 🙂
Did you know?
Miso paste is a Japanese seasoning made from soybeans that have been fermented by using salt and a variety of fungus called koji. The fermentation process can actually take up to a year or more, and it is this process that is responsible for altering the taste of the soybeans into the distinct "umami" flavor of miso we all know and love.
If you're looking for more super simple recipes, try this easy 4-ingredient guacamole, this 5-minute smoothie bowl or these 2-ingredient bagels! And if you love the umami rich flavor of miso, you might love other fermented food recipes too.
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Takes just 5 minutes to make!
- Freezes well for up to 2 months; a good emergency sauce to have on hand
- Versatile sauce for chicken, fish, tofu or veggies
- Makes a great salad dressing as well
- Kid-friendly and approved
🌿 Ingredients
As promised, you'll only need four ingredients to make this miso sauce. If you can't find white miso, red miso or another variety works too (confirm that it's gluten free on the packaging if that is a concern.) And you can substitute any type of soy sauce for tamari if there are no gluten concerns.
Pro tip: Look for miso in the produce or refrigerated section of the grocery store.
See recipe card below for exact quantities.
📝 Instructions
The method for this miso sauce recipe is super simple. Just place all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and use a whisk to incorporate them well. That's it! You can use your sauce as a glaze, dressing or dip immediately, or store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
📋 Substitutions
As written, this miso glaze is vegan, gluten free and dairy free. Feel free to make any of the following substitutions as necessary:
- White miso - use red miso or another variety instead (white and red are the most common)
- Maple syrup - substitute agave syrup, coconut sugar or honey (note that it will no longer be vegan if using honey)
- Rice vinegar - use apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar instead
- Tamari - use any kind of soy sauce instead, but note that it will no longer be gluten free
🔪 Equipment
I used the following equipment to make this recipe:
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
🍱 Storage
Maple miso sauce can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge, or for up to two months in the freezer.
🎉 Top tip
This is a great sauce recipe to have in your back pocket, and once you make it a couple times you likely won't even have to look at the ratios of the ingredients since they're easy to remember. Plus, miso and the other ingredients can stay fresh for many, many months in the fridge so it's totally worth having them on hand for busy nights and quick dinners ahead. 🙂
Enjoy!
💭 FAQ
White miso (shiro miso) works particularly well for a maple miso sauce due to its mild and slightly sweet flavor, but red miso (aka miso) works as well and gives the sauce a stronger, more robust flavor.
Miso is typically gluten free, containing soybeans, salt and a koji starter such as rice. However, some miso varieties are made with barley or other gluten-containing grains so be sure to check labels in the case of a gluten sensitivity or allergy.
Yes; this maple miso sauce recipe can be made ahead of time as stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.
Miso sauce can be drizzled over roasted vegetables such as asparagus, carrots or Brussels sprouts. Or, it can be used as a glaze for grilled chicken, fish, steak, or tofu. Additionally, it makes a great dressing over a rice bowl or salad.
🍳 Recipe
Quick Miso Sauce (4 Ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon white miso or red miso (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce, if gluten is not a concern
Instructions
- Mix: Place all of the glaze ingredients into a mixing bowl and use a whisk to incorporate.
- Enjoy: Drizzle over your dish just before serving, or store for later.
