30 minutes or less/basics/dinner/recipes/sides

Miso Pasta Salad Recipe

Posted February 25, 2014 by Stephanie
miso pasta salad recipe

Miso is one of those super versatile ingredients that I find myself using more and more. Miso is like Pink. Not pink the color, but Pink the artist. It seems like she’s never in the spotlight, drama-wise, at least, but in the last ten years, she’s had countless hit songs. I’m not a Pink fan, but somehow when I hear her songs, they kind of sound sort of familiar. Miso is just that like that — in the background, but always lurking, always familiar and always delicious.

miso pasta salad recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

I think of miso paste as super ubiquitous, but I actually did have a hard time finding it once. It was when we were living in Palm Springs. I asked at Ralph’s (the major grocery store chain) and the clerk asked her manager, but they only had instant miso soup — not exactly what I was looking for, but a good try. What I learned: if you’re looking for miso paste and you live somewhere with a lack of Asian grocery stores or Whole Foods, head to your local health food store, they usually have a pretty good selection.

miso pasta salad recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

It’s totally worth it to seek out and buy a tub of miso paste. It stays good for quite some time in the fridge and it’s for so much more than just soup! Here, I stirred some into oil and rice vinegar for a quick salad dressing with a umami-filled kick.

Miso Pasta Salad Recipe
serves 2, generously

Miso Dressing

  • 1 tablespoon white miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • squeeze of lemon juice
  • pepper to taste

Salad

  • 1 cup of your favorite shaped pasta
  • 1 cup sliced red peppers
  • 1 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup shredded chicken (optional)
  • miso salad dressing, to taste
  • sliced green onions
  • sesame seeds, black or white

In a small bowl, whisk together the miso dressing ingredients. Taste and season with pepper.

Cook your pasta according the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, peppers and cucumbers. Add the miso dressing a bit at a time, tossing and tasting. Top with green onions and sesame seeds and enjoy!

miso pasta salad recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Other miso-filled goodness: Miso Toast and Eggs, Asparagus and Miso

16 Comments

  1. Yukiko says:

    Must try! I love miso+pasta! Do you think tofu could be used instead of chicken?

  2. Jesse says:

    it’s officially time to invest in miso paste.

  3. Nalliiz says:

    Åh det där måste jag prova!

  4. Denise says:

    I’m a sucker for miso and this pasta salad is definitely calling me. Looks lovely!

  5. Steph says:

    Yay, another way to use miso! I’ll be making this. Thanks again for the recipe, Steph.

  6. Chantal says:

    This is a very good combination!

  7. Chantal says:

    Very nice way to combine miso and salad!

  8. Meredith says:

    This is one I definitely have to try! (And indulge on some noodles with) I came over here from momofuku for 2 and I LOVE your new blog!

    1. steph says:

      Thanks so much Meredith! And yes, I think this dressing would be fabulous on a noodle salad!

  9. Shannon says:

    This is a quick, easy, and delicious recipe, perfect for a last minute lunch! It’s also very versatile– I subbed zucchini for cucumber, and didn’t have any rice wine vinegar on hand so I used balsamic instead. The end result turned out fantastically delicious, even with my changes. Highly recommend this!

  10. Melissa says:

    Oh man, this is amazing recipe. I made it two ways, your way for myself and blended with silken tofu and mixed steamed veggies for my Crohn’s person. I made a large portion of your dressing, going to use it on a slaw.

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