Elevate your dishes with this quick and easy Miso Butter recipe! It’s guaranteed to add a savory umami punch to your meals. With only two ingredients, you can create a rich miso compound butter that can be used to add flavor to all kinds of dishes – from sauces and soups to vegetable side dishes and poultry recipes. Spread it on a piece of toast or mix it into your favorite pasta dishes for a flavor explosion. You can even use it as a finishing compound butter for your ribeye steak.
Here is Why This Miso Butter Recipe Works
- Versatility: Miso butter’s unique flavor profile lends itself to a variety of dishes, from meats and vegetables to baked goods (try incorporating it into our sour cream biscuits), making it a kitchen staple for any adventurous cook.
- Depth of Flavor: The combination of miso paste and butter creates a rich, umami-packed punch, adding complexity and depth to any dish.
- Easy to Make: In just a few simple steps, you can create this luxurious blend at home, adding gourmet flair to your everyday meals.
The Ingredients For Miso Compound Butter
Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.
- Butter. I recommend using unsalted butter because miso paste has a lot of salt in it already.
- Miso paste: You can use any type of miso paste in this recipe. The darker the miso paste, the more salty it will taste.
Optional extras: garlic, freshly chopped herbs, Worcestershire sauce, Sriracha or chili paste, Parmesan cheese, or honey.
What is Miso?
Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus known as koji. The result is a thick paste that is high in protein and rich in flavor. Miso has a unique, umami-packed flavor and it is a staple in Japanese cuisine. You can use it in everything from soups and sauces to marinades and dressings.
The flavor and saltiness of miso will vary greatly depending on factors like the ingredients used, the duration of fermentation, and the specific strain of koji that is used during fermentation.
If you are on a gluten free diet, check the label. Some types of miso paste are gluten free, but not all of them.
How to Make Savory Umami Butter
Here is a brief overview to get an idea of what to expect with the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.
- Place the butter and miso paste in a dish and blend with a spoon or spatula until well combined.
- Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.
- Optionally, you can shape it into a log and wrap it in wax paper before chilling it in the fridge.
Miso Butter Ratio
The ratio we used is 2:1 (2 parts butter and 1 part miso paste), but you can adjust that to your own preference. The flavor and saltiness will vary a lot depending on the type of miso that you use.
We suggest starting with a little less miso paste and tasting it before adding more.
Recipe Variations
This amazing compound butter is a sublime blend of the umami-rich flavors of miso and the creamy, rich texture of butter. It’s a secret weapon for your recipes, adding a delightful depth to any dish. Here are some ideas for variations that you can make to this easy recipe.
- Soy Ginger Miso Butter: Add some freshly grated ginger and a touch of soy sauce. Use this variation to make miso butter fish or add it to stir-fry vegetables.
- Garlic and Herb Miso Butter: Add minced garlic and your choice of fresh herbs, such as basil or rosemary. Try it on roasted chicken, warm crusty bread, or make miso butter rice.
- Cheesy Miso Butter: Mix in grated hard cheese like Parmesan for a rich and cheesy variation. This is a great version for miso butter pasta or popcorn.
Tips for Using Miso Butter
- Choose the Right Miso: There are different types of miso, including white, red, and mixed. White miso is milder and sweeter, while red miso is more robust and salty. Choose the type that fits your taste preference.
- Taste and Adjust: When mixing, add the miso paste a little at a time and taste it before adding more. That way you you won’t overpower the flavor. If you end up adding too much miso, mix in some more butter.
- Softened Butter: Soften the butter to room temperature, as it will mix more easily with the miso paste.
- Cooking with Miso Butter: Be aware that miso butter might burn more easily than regular butter due to the sugars in the miso paste. As a general cooking guide, if you’re using miso butter to sauté or fry, keep an eye on the heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Fish: Drizzle miso butter over steamed salmon or broiled cod. The rich umami of the butter enhances the natural flavors of the fish, creating a heavenly pairing.
- Beef: Add a pat of miso butter to a burger patty when it is almost finished grilling. Or make beef and vegetable kabobs with a miso butter glaze.
- Poultry: Baste your roast turkey with miso butter for a truly unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner. It adds a savory depth to the meat and helps the skin get that perfect crispy finish.
- Vegetables: Toss your fresh, seasonal veggies in miso butter before roasting them in the oven. It adds an unexpected savory twist that will have even the veggie skeptics coming back for more.
Storage
Storing your miso butter correctly can extend its shelf life and preserve its unique flavor.
- Roll into a Log: Form your miso butter into a log shape, wrap it in parchment paper or wax paper, and then in a layer of aluminum foil. This also allows you to slice off rounds for quick use.
- Freezing: Place small portions of miso butter in an ice cube tray, freeze them, and then transfer the cubes into a freezer-safe bag. You can store it for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, miso can be used as a spread, but it has a strong, salty, and umami flavor that will easily overpower food. Using miso paste directly as a spread might be too intense for some palates, so it is often mixed with other ingredients to balance the taste.
Miso paste is a versatile ingredient that enhances the taste and nutritional profile of a wide range of dishes. Whether you’re preparing traditional Japanese meals or experimenting with innovative culinary creations, miso paste adds depth and complexity to your recipes.
Miso butter is an incredibly versatile condiment that can add depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Whether you’re using white miso for its slightly sweet, mild flavor or red miso for its rich, robust taste, there’s no denying the unique flair that this simple recipe can bring to your kitchen.
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More Recipes with Miso
Looking to add a new twist to your cooking? Miso paste might just be your secret weapon. This Japanese staple, known for its rich umami flavor, is more than just a base for soup. It can add depth and complexity to a variety of dishes, from marinades to dips. Here’s a list of recipes using miso paste to help you explore its potential.
- Miso glazed sea bass
- Miso brownie bites
- Ginger miso salmon
- Miso teriyaki black cod
- Miso hoisin salmon
- Miso glazed sablefish
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Miso Butter
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 4 tablespoons white miso paste
Instructions
- Place the butter and 1 to 2 tablespoons of miso paste in a dish and blend together with a spoon or spatula until well combined. Taste the miso butter and add additional miso paste if desired. See the notes for additional add ins.
- Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate.
- If you want to shape the miso butter into a log, spread it on a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Use a spatula to form a rough log shape and roll it into the paper. Twist the ends and let it chill in the fridge. When it gets firm, you can slice pats of miso butter to melt over fish, steak, or chicken. See the recipe notes and the post for more ideas.
Notes
- You can change the flavor profile and add one or more of the following ingredients: minced garlic, freshly chopped herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or chives, Worcestershire sauce, Sriracha or chili paste, Parmesan cheese, or honey.
- Use miso butter to add umami flavor to fish, chicken, or steak. Stir it into soups and stews to create a rich depth of flavor. Add it to pasta, rice, popcorn, and garlic bread.
- You can also use miso butter as a finishing condiment to grilled corn, sautéed vegetables, baked sweet potatoes, or mashed potatoes.
- Miso butter can be made with either red or white miso paste.
How to Store:
- Form into a log and wrap in parchment paper, twisting each end. Keep the log in the refrigerator and slice portions as needed.
- Scoop into the cavities of an ice cube tray or onto a parchment-lined plate and when solid transfer the individual portions into a covered container.
- Fill small 2-oz. portions in plastic lidded containers with the miso butter and use as needed.
- Miso butter will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month or in the freezer for three months.
