Miso Gravy Recipe

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If you’ve never experienced the magic of umami-rich, velvety sauce before, this Miso Gravy Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a comforting, flavorful twist on classic gravy that brings a subtle, savory depth from white miso paste, perfectly balancing the buttery roux and warm vegetable broth. Whether you’re dressing up mashed potatoes, drizzling over roasted veggies, or adding a unique touch to your plant-based meals, this gravy is simple to make yet impressively bold, turning everyday dishes into memorable meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Miso Gravy Recipe lies in its simplicity—just a handful of ingredients that work together flawlessly to create something genuinely special. Each component plays a vital role from texture and taste to color, ensuring your gravy is smooth, rich, and full of umami goodness.

  • Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Creates a luscious base and helps develop a golden roux for thickening the gravy.
  • All-purpose flour (2 tablespoons): The thickening agent that gives the gravy its smooth and creamy texture.
  • Vegetable broth, warmed (2 cups): Adds depth and moisture, making the gravy comforting and light.
  • White miso paste (2 tablespoons): The star ingredient that brings a mild, slightly sweet umami flavor.
  • Soy sauce (1 teaspoon): Enhances the savory notes and enriches the color.
  • Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a gentle garlicky warmth without overpowering the miso.
  • Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Provides just the right touch of spice to round out the flavors.

How to Make Miso Gravy Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Butter and Make a Roux

Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s completely melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour. Keep stirring for about 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture turns lightly golden. This process cooks out the raw flour taste and forms the roux which is crucial for giving your gravy that perfect velvety texture.

Step 2: Whisk in the Warm Vegetable Broth

Slowly add the warm vegetable broth to your roux in a steady stream, whisking constantly. This step prevents lumps and helps achieve a silky smooth consistency. Keep cooking and whisking until the gravy thickens, usually around 3 to 5 minutes. You’ll notice it coating the back of your spoon beautifully—this is what you’re aiming for.

Step 3: Incorporate the Miso Paste

In a small bowl, whisk the white miso paste with a few tablespoons of the hot gravy until you get a smooth, lump-free mixture. Then, stir this creamy miso blend back into the saucepan. This technique protects the delicate flavors of the miso and ensures it’s evenly distributed, making every bite rich and flavorful.

Step 4: Season the Gravy

Add the soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper to the gravy, giving it a good stir. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 2 minutes. This lets the flavors meld without risking overheating, which can dull the miso’s brightness. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—sometimes just a pinch more soy sauce or pepper makes all the difference.

How to Serve Miso Gravy Recipe

Miso Gravy Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Simple garnishes like finely chopped green onions or a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds can add a lovely fresh crunch and visual appeal to your miso gravy. Adding a touch of fresh herbs such as parsley or chives also brightens the dish without overpowering the unique flavors.

Side Dishes

This Miso Gravy Recipe is brilliant with classic mashed potatoes, turning them into something extraordinary. It also pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or carrots, lending them a warm, savory hug. For a plant-based main, drizzle it over grilled tofu, tempeh, or a hearty vegetable loaf to elevate the entire meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this gravy in a small decorative bowl alongside your main dishes, allowing guests to pour as much or as little as they like. Or swirl it generously over rice bowls or grain salads to infuse each bite with umami. For a fusion twist, use it as a dipping sauce for steamed dumplings or tempura veggies to turn up the flavor factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover miso gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3 days. Giving it a quick stir before storing helps maintain its smooth consistency.

Freezing

You can freeze this miso gravy, but be aware that the texture may change slightly upon thawing because of the dairy and miso. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

When reheating, warm the gravy gently over low heat while stirring frequently to prevent separation. Avoid boiling as this can dull the delicate miso flavor. If the gravy thickens too much, whisk in a little warm vegetable broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.

FAQs

Can I use other types of miso for this gravy?

While white miso is recommended for its mild and slightly sweet profile, you can experiment with yellow or red miso, but these will create a stronger, saltier flavor that might overshadow the other ingredients.

Is this Miso Gravy Recipe vegan?

This recipe uses unsalted butter, so it’s vegetarian but not vegan. However, you can easily substitute the butter for a plant-based alternative to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor.

Can I add fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?

Fresh garlic will add a more pungent and intense flavor than garlic powder. If you prefer fresh, mince it finely and add it early in the roux stage, but be careful not to burn it as it can become bitter.

What can I do if the gravy is too thick?

If your gravy thickens beyond your liking, simply whisk in a little more warm vegetable broth a tablespoon at a time until it loosens to the perfect consistency.

Can I prepare the roux ahead of time?

You can make the roux in advance and refrigerate it for up to a day, but it’s best to combine it with the broth and other ingredients fresh for the highest quality and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Miso Gravy Recipe is a total game-changer for anyone who loves rich, comforting sauces with a unique twist. It’s quick, easy, and packed with savory depth that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. I encourage you to give it a try—you might just find yourself reaching for it at every meal for that extra touch of umami magic.

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Miso Gravy Recipe

Miso Gravy Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 57 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This savory and umami-rich miso gravy combines the creamy texture of a classic roux-based sauce with the deep, fermented flavors of white miso paste. Perfect for enhancing mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or plant-based mains, this vegetarian-friendly gravy is simple to prepare on the stovetop in under 15 minutes.


Ingredients

Gravy Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups vegetable broth, warmed
  • 2 tablespoons white miso paste
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper


Instructions

  1. Make the Roux: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring constantly until the mixture turns lightly golden, forming a roux that will thicken the gravy.
  2. Add Broth: Slowly pour in the warmed vegetable broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking and whisking the mixture until the gravy thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Incorporate Miso Paste: In a small bowl, whisk the white miso paste with a few tablespoons of the hot gravy to create a smooth mixture. Then, stir it back into the saucepan to combine evenly without clumps.
  4. Season the Gravy: Add soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer gently for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Taste and Adjust: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the miso gravy warm over your favorite dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.

Notes

  • Use white miso paste for a mild, slightly sweet and less salty flavor.
  • Avoid boiling the gravy after adding miso to preserve its delicate umami flavor and nutritional benefits.
  • This miso gravy pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and plant-based main courses for an extra depth of flavor.

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