🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Vegan Miso Substitute

Discover the best vegan substitutes for miso paste. Get plant-based alternatives, proper ratios, and cooking tips for vegan cooking.

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Quick Answer

The best vegan substitutes for miso paste are soy sauce + nutritional yeast + sugar, tahini + soy sauce + nutritional yeast, or Marmite/Vegemite + water. These provide umami and saltiness without animal products.

Best Substitutes

Soy Sauce + Nutritional Yeast + Sugar

1 tbsp miso = 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp nutritional yeast + 1 tsp sugar

Plant-based combination that provides umami, saltiness, and sweetness

Best for:

soupssaucesmarinadesdressings

Best vegan substitute for miso. Nutritional yeast adds umami depth and cheesy flavor.

Tahini + Soy Sauce + Nutritional Yeast

1 tbsp miso = 1 tbsp tahini + 1 tsp soy sauce + 1 tsp nutritional yeast

Creamy vegan substitute with umami and nutty flavor

Best for:

dressingsdipssaucesmarinades

Good for recipes where you want creaminess. Provides umami and nutty flavor.

Marmite/Vegemite + Water

1 tbsp miso = 1 tsp Marmite + 1 tbsp water

Fermented yeast extract with intense umami flavor

Best for:

soupssaucesmarinades

Very concentrated umami flavor. Use sparingly and dilute with water.

Tamari + Nutritional Yeast + Sugar

1 tbsp miso = 1 tbsp tamari + 1 tsp nutritional yeast + 1 tsp sugar

Gluten-free vegan substitute with umami and sweetness

Best for:

gluten-free cookingsoupssaucesmarinades

Gluten-free option with similar flavor profile to soy sauce combination.

Miso Paste (Vegan)

1:1

Traditional miso paste made from fermented soybeans (naturally vegan)

Best for:

all miso applicationssoupssaucesmarinades

Traditional miso paste is naturally vegan. Check labels to ensure no animal products added.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Traditional miso paste is naturally vegan - it's made from fermented soybeans, salt, and koji
  • 💡Nutritional yeast is the key ingredient for vegan umami flavor in miso substitutes
  • 💡Combine soy sauce with nutritional yeast and sugar for the best vegan miso substitute
  • 💡Tahini adds creaminess to vegan miso substitutes, similar to miso paste's texture
  • 💡Marmite/Vegemite provides intense umami but use sparingly as it's very concentrated
  • 💡For miso soup, use vegetable broth + soy sauce + nutritional yeast + sugar
  • 💡Check miso paste labels to ensure no animal products or fish sauce have been added

Frequently Asked Questions

Is miso paste vegan?

Traditional miso paste is naturally vegan as it's made from fermented soybeans, salt, and koji. However, always check labels as some commercial brands may add animal products.

What's the best vegan substitute for miso paste?

The best vegan substitute is soy sauce + nutritional yeast + sugar (1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp nutritional yeast + 1 tsp sugar for 1 tbsp miso paste). This provides umami, saltiness, and sweetness.

Can I use nutritional yeast as a miso substitute?

Nutritional yeast alone won't work as a miso substitute, but it's an essential ingredient in vegan miso substitutes. Combine it with soy sauce and sugar for the best results.

Is there a gluten-free vegan miso substitute?

Yes, use tamari + nutritional yeast + sugar (1 tbsp tamari + 1 tsp nutritional yeast + 1 tsp sugar) for a gluten-free vegan substitute that provides similar flavor.

Can I use tahini as a vegan miso substitute?

Yes, tahini + soy sauce + nutritional yeast works well as a vegan miso substitute, especially in dressings and dips where you want creaminess.

How do I make vegan miso soup?

Use vegetable broth + soy sauce + nutritional yeast + sugar (4 cups vegetable broth + 2 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tbsp nutritional yeast + 1 tsp sugar for 4 servings).

Summary

Discover the best vegan substitutes for miso paste. Get plant-based alternatives, proper ratios, and cooking tips for vegan cooking without compromising on flavor.