Miso Mayo Dressing

Why You’ll Love Miso Mayo Dressing

There are times when a salad demands a bold salad dressing. It is not because the salad ingredients are dull but because they need a strong partner to create the winning combination. 

This recipe has complex umami flavours. The combination of white miso paste and mayonnaise creates a rich umami flavour profile that is savoury and deeply satisfying.

The rest of the ingredients provide a balanced recipe adding brightness to enhance the overall taste.

The miso mayo sauce is incredibly versatile as it can also be used as a dip for vegetables, a spread for sandwiches and burgers or a sauce for grilled meats and seafood. 

We love the creamy textures that coat ingredients evenly while the ingredients are easy to find. Our easy-to-follow instructions make this miso mayonnaise recipe quick to prepare.

If you love Japanese flavours, this recipe captures the essence of Japanese cuisine, giving you some Asian-inspired dressings.

And it’s delicious. Promise!

What is Shiro Miso?

Shiro miso, also known as white miso, is a type of Japanese miso paste that is lighter in colour and milder in flavour compared to other varieties of miso. 

Shiro miso ranges from pale yellow to light beige in colour and has a smooth and creamy texture. It is generally lighter and smoother than darker miso varieties.

It has a mild, slightly sweet flavour with a subtle umami taste. The fermentation process for shiro miso is shorter than that of darker miso types, resulting in a less pronounced fermented flavour.

It is typically made from soybeans, rice or barley, salt, and koji (a type of mould used in fermentation). The ratio of soybeans to grains in the miso paste affects its flavour and texture.

Due to its mild flavour, shiro miso is versatile and commonly used in Japanese cuisine for soups (such as miso soup), marinades, dressings, sauces, and glazes. It can also be incorporated into non-traditional dishes for added depth and umami such as our miso glazed purple carrot salad and barley.

What Does Miso Sauce Taste Like?

Miso sauce has a distinctive taste that combines salty, savoury, and slightly sweet flavours with a hint of umami richness. The exact taste can vary depending on the type of miso used (such as white, red, or mixed), as well as additional ingredients added to the sauce. 

Miso sauce is known for its umami flavour, which comes from the fermentation process of soybeans and grains (like rice or barley). This savoury taste adds depth and complexity to dishes.

It is naturally salty due to the salt used in its fermentation. Miso sauce retains this saltiness, which can be adjusted based on the amount of miso paste used.

Some miso sauces may also have nutty or earthy undertones. We love it so much we have used it in our forbidden rice salad and miso baked salmon and miso cannellini bean salad with salmon.

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you need for miso mayo dressing:

• Ginger: Grated ginger adds quintessential Asian flavour profiles to any recipe. Love the subtle heat and peppery finishes.

• Mayonnaise: Get yourself the best mayonnaise you can find. Whole egg mayonnaise is our preference and since it’s Japanese-inspired, Kewpie would make for an excellent choice too.

• White miso paste: This is quite a stock standard Asian grocery item so you should be able to find it in the Asian or Japanese section of your regular supermarkets. Otherwise head to any Asian grocer and you will be able to find it.

• Soy sauce: Avoid using dark soy sauce for this dressing as the flavours are too strong and the consistency won’t be right. Use light soy sauce or normal soy sauce instead.

• Lemon: Add a good squeeze of lemon for some tart flavours and to balance out the strong flavours.

Variations and Substitutions

Spicy miso mayo: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sriracha sauce for a spicy kick.

Herbed miso mayo: Mix in finely chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or chives for added freshness and flavour.

Garlic miso mayo: Add minced garlic cloves or garlic powder for a robust garlic flavour.

Sesame miso mayo: Stir in a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil or sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for a nutty taste.

Mayonnaise substitutes: Use vegan mayonnaise for a plant-based version. You can also substitute with Greek yoghurt or sour cream for a lighter option with a tangy flavour.

Miso paste alternatives: Instead of white miso, try yellow miso for a slightly stronger flavour, or red miso for a deeper, more intense taste.

Ginger: If you can’t get your hands on fresh ginger or because it’s simply too expensive, use ground ginger powder instead.

Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce, with a similar salty flavour.

Lemon juice replacement: Don’t have fresh lemons? Replace with vinegar (like rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar) for a tangy alternative.

Instructions

Step by step instructions for how to make miso mayo dressing:

Peel and grate the ginger to yield ¼ tsp.

In a large mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, white miso paste, ginger, soy sauce and juice of ½ lemon. 

Season with salt and pepper. Mix until it is well combined.

How To Store

Store any leftover dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir or shake well before using it again.

Best Salad For This Dressing

Purple Kale Salad with Rainbow Chard

Yes, we still eat kale and yes, it is delicious! This Purple Kale Salad mixed through with the umami flavours of the miso mayonnaise dressing will convert the haters. Not only does it taste good but the vibrant colours make for a stunning looking salad!