White Miso substitute

Best substitute

Yellow Miso

Use the same amount as the white miso you are replacing

Best for soups

The best substitutes for white miso are yellow miso, red miso, soy sauce with sugar, or tahini with soy sauce depending on the recipe and desired flavor profile.

Other white miso substitutes

Ranked, with the exact amount to use

2Red Miso
Use ½ tbsp red miso for every 1 tbsp white miso
Stronger, saltier miso paste with deeper umami flavor
What changes
Best for
hearty soups, marinades, sauces, when you want stronger flavor
Taste
strong umami, salty
Texture
similar
Prep. Use half the amount and add a pinch of sugar to balance the stronger flavor.
Much stronger than white miso. Use half the amount and add a pinch of sugar for sweetness.
3Soy Sauce + Sugar
Use 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp sugar for every 1 tbsp white miso
Combination that provides umami and sweetness similar to white miso
What changes
Best for
marinades, sauces, dressings, when miso isn't available
Taste
umami, sweet
Texture
liquid
Prep. Mix soy sauce and sugar together. Adjust sweetness to taste.
Lacks the fermented depth of miso but provides similar umami and sweetness.
4Tahini + Soy Sauce
Use 1 tbsp tahini + ½ tbsp soy sauce + ½ tsp sugar for every 1 tbsp white miso
Sesame paste with soy sauce provides similar umami and creaminess
What changes
Best for
dressings, sauces, dips, marinades
Taste
umami, nutty
Texture
creamy
Prep. Mix tahini, soy sauce, and sugar together until smooth.
Provides creaminess and umami but lacks the fermented complexity of miso.
5Miso Paste (Any Type)
Use the same amount
Any available miso paste can work as a substitute with flavor adjustments
What changes
Best for
soups, marinades, sauces, general cooking
Taste
varies by type
Texture
similar
Prep. Use directly but adjust amount based on the miso's strength and saltiness.
Adjust amount based on strength. Lighter miso = use more, darker miso = use less.
6Fish Sauce + Sugar
Use ½ tbsp fish sauce + 1 tsp sugar for every 1 tbsp white miso
Provides umami depth and sweetness, though with different flavor profile
What changes
Best for
soups, marinades, sauces, when you want umami depth
Taste
umami, fishy
Texture
liquid
Prep. Mix fish sauce and sugar. Use sparingly as it's very potent.
Very different flavor but provides similar umami depth. Use sparingly.

What is White Miso?

White Miso is Mild, sweet fermented soybean paste with a light color and delicate flavor, used in Japanese cooking.

Cooking tips

Choose your substitute based on the recipe's flavor requirements and available ingredients
For mild flavor: use yellow miso or reduce the amount of red miso
For soups: any miso type works, but adjust the amount based on strength
For marinades: soy sauce + sugar works well as a simple substitute
For dressings: tahini + soy sauce provides creaminess and umami
For sauces: start with less of stronger miso types and adjust to taste
For glazes: yellow miso works well, red miso for stronger flavor
For vegan recipes: avoid fish sauce and use plant-based alternatives
For Japanese dishes: try to use actual miso if possible for authentic flavor
Always taste and adjust seasoning when using substitutes

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between white, yellow, and red miso?

White miso is mild and sweet, yellow miso is slightly stronger, and red miso is the strongest and saltiest. They're made with different fermentation times and ingredients.

Can I use soy sauce instead of white miso?

Soy sauce alone won't provide the same flavor, but mixing it with sugar can create a similar umami and sweetness profile for some recipes.

Is tahini a good substitute for white miso?

Tahini alone isn't a good substitute, but mixing it with soy sauce and sugar can provide similar creaminess and umami flavor in some applications.

How long does miso last in the refrigerator?

Miso paste can last for months or even years in the refrigerator due to its high salt content and fermentation process. It may darken over time but remains safe to use.

Related substitutes

More sauces & condiments substitutes

White Miso substitute

Other white miso substitutes

2Red Miso

3Soy Sauce + Sugar

4Tahini + Soy Sauce

5Miso Paste (Any Type)

6Fish Sauce + Sugar