Miso Tahini Dressing Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

FAQs

Can I use miso instead of tahini? ›

Its creaminess is a great match for miso paste especially in recipes for sauces and dressings. I often use tahini in dressings or as a dipping sauce for things like grilled artichokes and purple sweet potato fries. Miso paste could easily be swapped out for the tahini and vice versa in a 1:1 ratio in these recipes.

Similarly, this homemade miso dressing is made of simple Asian pantry items such as miso, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and fresh ginger. A little bit of grated ginger lends a refreshing zing and a kick to this savory dressing. Miso (味噌), a salty-savory Japanese condiment, is fermented soybean paste.

Made from ground sesame seeds and tasting more nutty than umami, the flavor of tahini doesn't quite match miso. But it's a great textural match. Tahini's creaminess will be well-matched for recipes with miso, especially in sauces or dressings.

Miso, a fermented soybean paste, is a culinary staple in Japan, says Sonoko Sakai, chef, cooking teacher, and author of Japanese Home Cooking. It's made using just four ingredients: cooked soybeans, grains (typically rice), salt, and koji mold, a type of fungus scientifically known as Aspergillus oryzae.

Miso, a.k.a. fermented soybean paste, is made by combining just three simple ingredients—soybeans, salt, and koji (a type of fungus cultivated on rice and other grains)—and allowing the mixture to age for months or even years.

Is miso soup actually good for you? Miso soup contains several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and components that may improve your gut and heart health and may lower your risk of cancer. If you are on a low-salt diet, read the label on packaged miso soup to choose one that's low in sodium.

These tahini dressings are usually made with low-grade sesame seeds that are often rancid or contain impurities that impact flavor and texture. Additionally, the seeds are often roasted at too high of a temperature or processed using chemicals, resulting in a bitter flavor.

At the heart of every tahini jar lies the sesame seed. The quality of these seeds significantly influences the price. High-quality, ethically sourced sesame seeds can be pricier, contributing to the overall cost of the final product.

Tahini paste is just ground sesame seeds. Period. In comparison, tahini sauce is made by thinning the paste to a consistency similar to a thick cream, typically by adding other ingredients. My family's recipe adds lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil to our tahini sauce.

Is miso dressing high in sodium? ›

Miso is a highly healthy food to eat, offering many valuable nutrients that could account for Japan's impressive health record. However, this famous fermented soy product is also known to be fairly high in sodium.

Highly nutritious

Tahini is full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. In fact, just 1 tablespoon (15 grams) provides more than 10% of the Daily Value (DV) for some nutrients.

Red Shell Japanese Miso Dressing (1 tbsp) contains 5g total carbs, 5g net carbs, 5g fat, 0g protein, and 60 calories.

Peanut butter is often recommended as a substitute for tahini, but cashew butter may yield better results. It is a more neutral nut butter and is often used as a base for plant-based dips, sauces, and salad dressings much like tahini. For those with sesame allergies, cashew butter is a seed-free alternative.

Tamari/Coconut Aminos

Both are salty and contain plenty of the same free-forming amino acids (which create that umami flavor) found in miso. For an easy miso substitute, blend a few tablespoons of either tamari or coconut aminos with a can of cooked chickpeas. If desired, season with additional sea salt.

Miso paste is a fantastic ingredient for adding delicious levels of umami to a dish – and it's not just for soup!