36 Delicious (And Sometimes Surprising!) Ways to Use Miso Paste

Miso (a fermented bean paste) is a staple in Japanese cuisine—but it’s also the perfect way to add a generous dose of salty umami to whatever you’re cooking or baking. It comes in a few different varieties, each with their own level of intensity, all ready to be the secret ingredient in your next recipe. You’ll often find miso in savory recipes like soups, dressing and sauce—but it lends itself to sweet treats, too. Just take these brownies, for example. Instead of granulated salt, we use white miso, which amps up the chocolate and brings a sharper contrast to the sweetness. The final flourish? A miso glaze, which takes the salty-sweet pairing to the next level.