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Give Me Umami » Recipes » Condiments

Garlic Miso Butter for Veggies, Meat, and More (Quick & Easy)

Updated: Apr 2, 2025 · Published: Nov 27, 2024 by Kurumi · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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Stock this garlic miso butter in your fridge to save yourself on busy weekdays! The balance of savory and aromatic flavors is so addictive.

miso butter in a bowl.

Miso butter is a versatile condiment made from miso and butter (check out How to Use Miso Butter for usage ideas).

It tastes like creamy butter with the earthy tones of miso, along with salty and umami-rich flavors.

If you love the miso butter combo, be sure to check out my Salmon with Miso Butter and Scallion Sauce—I think you'll love it! 🙂

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Notes on Ingredients
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • How to Make Miso Butter
  • How to Use Miso Butter
  • Storage Instructions
  • FAQs
  • More Recipes with Miso
  • 📖Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Versatile: You can use this miso butter on pretty much anything—pasta, veggies, toast, you name it!
  • Easy to Customize: Want to make it your own? Add in things like citrus zest or nuts to create your perfect miso butter!
  • Lasts Long: This miso butter keeps well in the fridge and freezer, making it great for meal prepping.

Notes on Ingredients

See the recipe card for the full ingredients list.

ingredients for garlic miso butter.
  • Miso: Use whatever miso you have on hand, but I like to go with shiro (white) or light-colored miso for this recipe. It adds a hint of sweetness and keeps the butter's light color. You can find miso at your local Asian grocery store, in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores, or online.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Add-in Ideas: This recipe includes garlic because it adds a nice aroma to dishes, but you can of course omit the garlic, or add citrus zest and juice, chives or scallions, black pepper, sesame oil, nut/seed butter, and other ingredients to create your own miso butter.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Swap the miso for gluten-free miso.
  • Vegan Version: Swap the butter for vegan butter.

How to Make Miso Butter

softened butter in a bowl.

Step 1: Microwave the butter for 10-15 seconds until it becomes soft

miso, butter, and minced garlic are mixed in a bowl.

Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well

garlic miso butter on parchment paper.

Step 3: If you have leftovers, place them on parchment paper and wrap them like candy

garlic miso butter wrapped with parchment paper like a candy.

Step 4: Store in the fridge!

How to Use Miso Butter

You can use this miso butter in so many recipes!

  • Put miso butter on baked salmon, chicken, or steaks.
  • Spread miso butter on toast.
  • Stir-fry veggies such as sweet potatoes, green beans, bok choy, and carrots with miso butter (add sesame oil and/or gochujang to change up the flavor!).
  • Mix miso butter into warm rice.
  • Mix miso butter into soup to make it creamy.
  • Mix miso butter with pasta or other types of noodles (mushrooms pair well!).

Storage Instructions

Wrap the leftovers in parchment paper to form a log shape, then twist the edges like a candy wrapper. Store in the fridge for up to 2-4 weeks or in the freezer for up to several months.

FAQs

What is Miso?

Miso is a common condiment in Japan, usually made with rice and/or soybeans. It’s great for your health—especially your gut—thanks to the fermentation process. Check out my guide to miso and become a miso master!

More Recipes with Miso

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • salmon topped with miso butter scallion sauce on a plate.
    Salmon with Miso Butter Scallion Sauce (Easy 20 Minutes Recipe)
  • miso soup with shimeji, tofu, and wakame in a bowl.
    Simple Miso Soup with Tofu, Mushrooms, and Wakame Seaweed

💌 If you created this recipe and liked it, please let me know by leaving a comment below or tagging me on Instagram (@giveme.umami). I'd love to see your creation!

📖Recipe

garlic miso butter in a bowl.

Garlic Miso Butter for Veggies, Meat, and More (Quick & Easy)

Stock this garlic miso butter in your fridge to save yourself on busy weekdays! The balance of savory and creamy flavors is so addictive.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course condiments
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 8 servings
Calories 68 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ stick
  • 2 tablespoons miso (see Note 1)
  • 1 garlic clove minced or crushed
  • Add-ons such as citrus zest and juice, and ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Soften the butter: Microwave 4 tablespoons unsalted butter for 10-15 seconds until it's soft but not melted.
  • Mix the butter and miso: Stir the butter and 2 tablespoons miso together until well combined.
  • Add garlic: Toss in 1 garlic clove (minced or crushed) and mix it all up.
  • Serve or store: Serve right away or wrap it in parchment paper and store it in the fridge for later!

Notes

  • (Note 1)  Types of miso: You can use any kind of miso—shiro (white), aka (red), etc. I recommend using white miso if you want to keep the color of the butter. Be aware that aka (red) miso tends to be saltier, so adjust the amount accordingly.
 
Serving Suggestions
You can use this miso butter in so many ways! Try it on baked salmon, chicken, or steak, or spread it on toast. It’s also great for stir-frying veggies like sweet potatoes, green beans, or bok choy—add sesame oil or gochujang for extra flavor! You can mix it into warm rice, soups, or even pasta (mushrooms go really well with it).
 
Storage Instruction
Wrap the leftovers in parchment paper to form a log shape, then twist the edges like a candy wrapper. Store in the fridge for up to 2-4 weeks or in the freezer for up to several months.
Keyword miso

Comments

  1. Kurumi says

    April 02, 2025 at 6:19 am

    5 stars
    I’ve been eating miso since I was a baby (well, once I was old enough for it!), but this miso butter is a whole new way to enjoy miso! The balance of richness and saltiness is perfect—I couldn’t stop eating toast with this miso butter. Let me know how you enjoy miso butter in the comments! I’d love to hear more ways to use it.

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Hi, I’m Kurumi! I share practical and traditional Japanese recipes and tips to incorporate Japanese cooking into daily lives.

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