This Roasted Garlic Miso Soup Recipe is so flavorful, comforting, and healthy too (it’s filled with vitamins and minerals)! The soup can be made vegan by using vegan dashi stock, or you can go with the seafood-based (awase) stock as I do.
You may be wondering, what is miso soup? Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that is made by mixing miso (a fermented soybean paste) with dashi stock.
I also added a whole bulb of roasted garlic to mine (yummm). Ingredients like tofu, nori, and scallions are common additions, but you can customize them to your liking.
I’ll talk more about all of this below. And if you love asian soups, you have to try my Chicken Manchow Soup and Tom Yum Noodle Soup recipes!
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Roasted Garlic Miso Soup Recipe
Table of contents
Miso soup is great as a starter, but it can also be enjoyed as a full meal. I would say this recipe makes 2 to 3 entree bowls and 8 to 9 smaller appetizer bowls. It just depends on how much you’re serving each person.
The Ingredients
- Dashi Stock (more on that below)!
- Whole Roasted Garlic Bulb
- Miso Paste (I used Red)
- Scallions
- Dried Seaweed
- Tofu
You can also add or substitute ingredients. If tofu isn’t your thing, you can try adding shrimp or chicken (or a mix). If you want to bulk it up with carbs, add some ramen or udon noodles.
Not a fan of seaweed? Try using kale, cabbage, or other greens in its place. Mushrooms, bok choy, edamame, and/or broccoli can be added as well.
It’s very customizable according to your preferences!
How to Make Traditional Miso Soup Recipe
Traditional and authentic Japanese miso soup always starts with a flavorful dashi stock. You may be wondering what that is (as was I until recently). I’m going to point you in the right direction!
Jon and I made miso soup a while ago, but I’m quite sure we just added miso paste to water or vegetable broth, and then added tofu, seaweed, etc. I know for sure we didn’t make dashi. I would have remembered buying fish flakes and dried kelp…
You can use vegetable broth or water as a dashi substitute in this roasted garlic miso soup recipe, but where’s the fun in that? It won’t taste as good and isn’t authentic.
I suggest making time (it only takes about twenty minutes) to make homemade dashi for a traditional miso soup!
Dashi Stock
As I do with all my published recipes, I did some research on the subject beforehand. I especially wanted to do this for a recipe from a different culture to ensure I was doing it justice.
While digging deeper into how to make miso soup the right way, I was introduced to the world of dashi stock and realized how much of a staple it is in Japanese cooking.
It’s a savory broth adding umami to dishes like miso soup, noodle soup, and more. No wonder why Japanese soups are so flavorful and delicious!
Now that I learned all about dashi stock and how to make it at home (it couldn’t be easier, trust me), I wanted to share what I found with you all.
There are several types of dashi. Some ingredients used are kombu (dried kelp), bonito (fish) flakes, and shiitake mushrooms. The ingredients are sometimes combined, depending on which dashi you decide to make.
Just One Cookbook created How To Make Dashi (The Ultimate Guide), which is how I learned, and I can confirm her instructions and dashi stock recipes are on point! Easy to follow, and so flavorsome.
Below, I have provided some details on my favorite dashi option (awase dashi), as well as a vegan option (shiitake and kombu).
Awase Dashi
Awase dashi is what I use for this roasted garlic miso soup recipe. I’m going to be making it all the time now since I have lots of leftover kombu and katsuobushi.
This type of dashi stock is made by simmering kombu (dried kelp) in water, followed by katsuobushi (bonito flakes, which come from a tuna-like fish that is dried, fermented, and then smoked).
Kombu and bonito flakes can usually be found in an Asian grocery store; however, if you don’t have one of those near you, you can find them on Amazon and I’m sure other places, too.
Shop Awase Dashi Ingredients on Amazon
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This is the seafood-based dashi recipe I used, and it comes out perfect every time. You just need to double the recipe! You have to scroll down a bit and look for the Awase broth (if that’s the one you’re using).
Recipe: Awase Dashi (Japanese Soup Stock)
Vegan Dashi
I haven’t tried making this vegan shiitake kombu dashi recipe (yet), but I can imagine it’s amazing since Just One Cookbook knows a thing or two about making dashi! It’s a great alternative to the seafood-based awase dashi above.
How to Roast the Garlic
There is nothing better than the smell of garlic roasting in the oven! I usually need to restrain myself from squeezing the whole roasted garlic bulb onto a plate and eating it plain.
I just love roasted garlic. To this soup, it adds another layer and an even deeper flavor that is addictively good.
Love roasted garlic and other vegetables? Give these recipes a try, too:
- Pasta with Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Sauce
- Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup with Cheesy Garlic Bread
I like to use parchment paper and butcher’s twine to wrap my garlic bulbs when roasting, but you can also use foil if you prefer. Jen from Peel with Zeel wrote an entire article on roasted garlic, which is super helpful if you’ve never roasted garlic before or want to try roasting garlic in something other than aluminum foil!
Smash the roasted garlic into a paste using a mortar and pestle, the back of a wooden spoon, or whatever else you can find. Spoon the garlic into a saucepan, then incorporate the dashi with the roasted garlic.
Finishing the Roasted Garlic Miso Soup
Now, I add the scallions, tofu, and seaweed and heat on low just until warmed through.
Roasted Garlic Miso Soup Health Benefits
Miso
Miso is not only filled with flavor, but it also contains several vitamins and minerals and is said to offer powerful health benefits. According to Healthline, miso may:
- Improve digestion
- Reduce the risk of certain cancers
- Strengthen the immune system
Resource | Why Miso is Healthy
Roasted Garlic
Along with miso, roasted garlic has its own set of health benefits! Garlic may:
- Regulate cholesterol levels
- Protect from cardiovascular problems
- Lower and improve blood pressure levels
- Strengthen immunity.
Resource | Benefits of Eating Roasted Garlic Cloves
FAQ: Roasted Garlic Miso Soup
Miso soup is deeply savory and comforting! The miso paste adds a rich umami flavor that’s salty, earthy, and just slightly funky, but in a good way. Roasted garlic adds that garlicky depth, balancing the savory broth.
This recipe uses red miso paste, which is fermented the longest and has the boldest, most pungent flavor. It creates a richer, more savory soup. You can also use white (shiro) miso for a milder taste or yellow (shinshu) miso for something in between.
Miso paste can clump if added directly to the pot. The easiest method is to place the miso in a small fine mesh strainer, dip it into the warm broth, and gently push it through so it dissolves evenly. If you don’t have a strainer, you can mix the miso with a small amount of warm broth in a cup, then stir it back into the soup.
No. Miso should never be boiled. Keep the heat at medium-low and avoid bringing the soup to a boil once the miso is added. Boiling can damage the beneficial probiotics and negatively affect the flavor.
Miso paste should be added toward the end of cooking. This preserves its flavor and gut-friendly properties while preventing bitterness.
The amount of miso paste is a personal preference. Since red miso is saltier and more intense, two tablespoons works well for this recipe. You can add more or less depending on how bold and salty you like your soup.
Yes. White miso will result in a lighter, slightly sweeter soup, while yellow miso offers a balanced flavor. If using a milder miso, you may want to increase the amount slightly to taste.
Yes. Miso contains beneficial probiotics, and garlic is known for its immune-supporting properties. Keeping the soup below boiling helps preserve these benefits while maintaining the best flavor.
You can prepare the soup ahead, but it’s best reheated gently over low heat. Avoid boiling when reheating to maintain flavor and texture.
This soup pairs well with rice bowls, simple salads, dumplings, or as a light starter before a Japanese-inspired meal.
Yes, as long as you use a plant-based dashi or broth. The miso and roasted garlic provide plenty of depth on their own.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and do not boil.
I’d love to hear about your experience with this Roasted Garlic Miso Soup recipe!
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More Soup Inspiration:
- Chicken Manchow Soup
- Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup [Cheesy Garlic Bread]
- Easy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon
Roasted Garlic Miso Soup Recipe.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 3 entree bowls or 8 appetizer bowls 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
This Roasted Garlic Miso Soup Recipe is so flavorful, comforting, and healthy too (it’s filled with vitamins and minerals)! The soup can be made vegan by using vegan dashi stock, or you can go with the seafood-based (awase) stock like I use.
Ingredients
- 2x dashi stock recipe (see How to Make Dashi) I make the awase seafood-based stock
- whole garlic bulb, roasted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil, for drizzling on garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons red miso paste, more to taste
- (1) 0.17–ounce package seaweed snacks (nori)
- 7 ounces extra-firm tofu, diced
- 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- ROAST THE GARLIC. Preheat your oven to 400 F. Cut the top off the garlic bulb, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then wrap it in foil or try using parchment paper (see the roasted garlic section in the post above for more details). Roast in the oven for about 40 minutes.
- MAKE THE DASHI. See “How to Make Dashi“. I made the awase dashi stock for this recipe, but there are other options (one vegan). The choice is yours! Just make sure you double (2x) the recipe. It is extremely easy to make and only takes about 20 minutes.
- COMBINE THE ROASTED GARLIC AND DASHI. Smash the roasted garlic into a paste using a mortar and pestle, back of a wooden spoon, or whatever else you can find. Spoon the garlic into a saucepan, then incorporate the dashi with the roasted garlic. Heat over medium/low heat.
- INCORPORTATE THE MISO PASTE. To make it easier to incorporate the miso paste into the dashi broth, I like to use a small fine mesh strainer. Just dip the strainer in the warmed dashi and push the miso through so it slowly strains into the roasted garlic miso soup recipe. You could also transfer a small amount of the warmed stock to a cup, stir the miso paste into that, and dump it back into the saucepan (if you don’t have a strainer). Do not let the soup come to a boil, or it may kill the healthy probiotics found in miso. Have it on a very low heat.
- ADD THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS. I now add scallions, tofu, and seaweed and heat just until the ingredients are warmed though. Read the post above for other additions and substitutions!
Notes
- You can use vegetable broth or water as a dashi substitute in this roasted garlic miso soup recipe; however, it won’t taste as good and isn’t authentic. I suggest making time (it only takes about twenty minutes) to make homemade dashi for a traditional miso soup!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Soups, Main Dishes, Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: Japanese
I woke up to find this amazing soup on my favorite blog! I know it will taste as delicious as it looks! With everyone in the country still getting sick from various things it’s so important to eat things with so many health benefits ! And knowing my daughter it will taste as good as all her recipes do! Great job honey ❤️
Thank you Mommy! 🖤🖤🖤
This recipe looks yummy and it doesn’t have a lot of complicated things. We might try it because we love to try new recipes. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Fransic! Yes it’s actually quite a short list of ingredients, and very easy recipe. It would be a great addition to your soup rotation! I hope you and your family love it. 🤗
This is such an interesting soup. I have seen miso soup on restaurant menus but had no idea the list of ingredients used to make it. It would be nice to experience the different flavors of this soup. Thanks for sharing.
I know, I find the soup interesting as well! I loved learning about making Dashi. Miso is such a nice, fermented flavor too. It’s really good! Thanks for stopping by, Kevin!
This looked so good my mouth started watering! Perfect for those who love miso soup in the winter. What a great recipe -thank you so much!
That’s my goal, Nia. ☺️ I appreciate your kind words, and I hope you love the recipe!
I love most soups and this looks delicious. Will surely give it a try. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe!
Hi Hari! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll try this miso soup recipe! Maybe it’ll become a part of your normal soup rotation. ☺️
This looks so yummy and seems easy to make as well. I have got to try this because never tried it before. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe.
Hi Fransic! It is yummy and yes, it’s quite simple to prepare! Limited ingredient, too. I hope you love the recipe if/when you decide to try it. 🤗
This looks so delicious! I love Miso soup. It’s so comforting and also wonderful for your gut! I’ll have to make this soon. 😋
Thank you so much, Rhianna! I totally agree. I hope you enjoy the recipe and thank you for stopping by. ☺️
This recipe looks yummy it’s quite simple to prepare! Limited ingredient, too Perfect for those who love miso soup in the winter. Thanks for sharing.
It sure is, Afaq! I appreciate your kind words and you stopping by. ☺️
This looked so good my mouth started watering! Perfect for those who love miso soup in the winter. What a great recipe -thank you so much!
That’s my goal, Michael. ☺️ Thank you so much for your kind words! Enjoy!
a treat to the eyes and would be trying it soon, and hope it will a treat to the tummy as well.
Thank you for your kind words, Meenu! I hope you love the miso soup. ☺️
This soup is so flavorful! This was my first time trying Miso and I would say it was a great first experience!! A must try recipe 💖
Hi Megan, I’m so happy to hear this! So glad you enjoyed the recipe and had a positive first experience with Miso. 😊
This looked so good my mouth started watering! Perfect for those who love miso soup in the winter. What a great recipe -thank you so much!
That’s my goal, Max! Yes, the garlic miso soup warms the soul on a cold day. 😊 Thank you so much for stopping by!
This looks so tasty!!! It’s definitely one I need to try, especially with the cold weather at the moment, I think it will warm me right up!
Thank you so much, Aisling!!! Yes, this soup makes me so happy on a cold, rainy day!
I love Asian food with tofu. YUMMY! And it’s healthy.
Yes, I love it too! I had some leftover tofu from this recipe, so I combined it with cauliflower, broccoli, onions, udon noodles, and a homemade stir-fry sauce. 😋
This recipe sounds delicious and very healthy. I honestly would have to remove the tofu and substitute with chicken. Thank you for sharing this easy to make dish. 🤗
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
That would be a great substitute, Natalie! I’m sure it’ll be so tasty with chicken. Enjoy! 🤗
Very interesting reading about the dashi stock especially the vegan option. My family loves miso soup with tofu but have not made our own dashi nor used a whole garlic bulb. Excited to try this out as I think it sounds a great soup to have whenever one of us are not feeling the best. Thanks!
Hi Jacq, thank you so much for stopping by! I too found the Dashi stock interesting. It’s so easy to make and certainly makes a huge difference in flavor (along with the whole garlic bulb)! I hope you and your family enjoy the recipe, especially when you’re feeling a bit under the weather. 🙂
Such a fantastic and healthy recipe! Wow, can’t wait to try it out.
I hope you love it, Alpana! ☺️
Yummm!! Such a great recipe! I will sub tofu for chicken as another person mentioned! Can’t wait to try it
That’s a great idea, Michelle! I’m sure it will be tasty and satisfying. Enjoy! ☺️