Spicy Miso

Savory, spicy, and mildly sweet, spicy miso is a versatile condiment that comes together in minutes from a handful of ingredients. Use it as a flavorful vegetable dip, a piquant seasoning for stir-fries, or level up your favorite ramen recipe with a spoonful of heat.

Why this Recipe Works

• The browned garlic compliments the rich, nutty flavor of the miso, giving the spicy condiment tons of depth.
• Mirin adds umami and a mild balancing sweetness, which balances out the saltiness of this condiment.
• The heat level can be adjusted by the type of red pepper powder you use and the quantity you add.

Ingredients for Spicy Miso

• ORGANIC RED MISO –Thanks to its longer fermentation time, red miso has deep umami and a rich earthy flavor. For a lighter taste, you can substitute white miso paste. Miso can be found at Asian grocery stores.
• Powdered Red Chili– Powdered red chili peppers add heat to this chili sauce, and you can adjust the level of spiciness by the type and quantity of chili powder you add. For example, Korean gochugaru tends to be less spicy, while cayenne pepper will be much more spicy. You could also substitute chili flakes, chili oil, or a chili bean paste like doubanjiang.
• Garlic– Grated garlic is browned in oil to create a nutty aromatic base for this spicy miso recipe. You could also add other aromatics here like grated fresh ginger, and chopped scallions (a.k.a. green onions).
• Mirin– This sweet rice wine balances the saltiness of the miso and adds a subtle sweetness. You can use a 2:1 mixture of sake and sugar if you don’t have a mirin. Mirin can be found in Japanese grocery stores.

Vegetable Oil – A neutral oil that allows the flavors of the garlic and spicy miso to shine through works best. For a more nutty flavor, add a teaspoon of roasted sesame oil at the end.

How to Make Spicy Miso

Heat the vegetable oil and grated garlic in a small non-stick frying pan over medium heat and sauté until the garlic turns golden brown, about 2 minutes. This step is crucial because browning the garlic develops a complex, nutty flavor that enhances the overall depth of the spicy miso.

Next, add the red miso paste and powdered red chili to the pan. Stir these ingredients into the garlic and oil until the mixture is uniform in color.

Add the mirin to the miso mixture and stir until it forms a sticky paste. If the mixture starts to clump, add some water to loosen it again.

Store the spicy miso in a sealed container or jar in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. It will keep for at least one month.

How to Use Spicy Miso

Spicy Miso Ramen

Whether you spice up a package of instant ramen noodles or plan to make your spicy miso ramen broth from scratch, this spicy miso will elevate your favorite bowl of noodles with loads of umami. To make a bowl of ramen from scratch, justheat a pot of chicken or vegetable stock and add enough spicy miso to season the broth. Boil a serving of fresh ramen noodles in a pot of water according to the package directions. Prepare your favorite topping ingredients, such as sliced chashu pork, shiitake mushrooms, soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and corn. Serve the boiled noodles with the hot broth and toppings.

Dip or Condiment

The versatility of spicy miso paste makes it an excellent dip or condiment. Serve it alongside fresh vegetables, like cucumber sticks, carrot slices, and bell pepper strips, for a healthy and flavorful snack. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, seafood, or tofu, adding a spicy and umami-rich layer to your dishes. Finally, you can add it to soups, stews, and sauces for a spicy kick and boatloads of umami.

Stir-fries

This spicy miso paste is an easy and delicious way to season any stir-fry. Start by stir-frying your choice of protein and vegetables in a hot pan with some oil. Loosen the spicy miso paste by mixing it with warm water or cooking wine to form a thick sauce and adding it to the pan, stir-frying until the ingredients are glazed in the spicy sauce.