Miso soup is best enjoyed with some type of the main dish. Here are a few good ideas to get you started:
- Fried rice – Fried rice is a classic dish that goes well with just about any type of soup or broth. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to your liking.
- Noodles – Whether they’re buckwheat noodles, udon noodles, or even ramen noodles, noodles are a great way to soak up all the delicious flavors in your miso soup.
- Dumplings – Dumplings are another great option for soaking up the broth and taste great with just about any kind of soup or stew. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish.
- Sushi – If you’re in the mood for something a little bit more exotic, sushi is always a great option. Sliced raw fish and rice make for a delicious and healthy combination.
Here are some more main dishes to serve with miso soup along with their respective recipes:
1. Soba noodle stir fry with vegetables
This dish is healthy and flavorful. The soba noodles provide carbohydrates, while the vegetables give you essential vitamins and minerals. It is also easy to make, so it is a great weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
Soba noodles, garlic, vegetable broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, peanut oil, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli florets, green onions
Instructions:
- Cook soba noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add garlic and oil. Once the garlic is fragrant, add the noodles and all of the vegetables.
- Stir fry until tender-crisp. Add soy sauce and rice vinegar to taste. Serve with green onions as a garnish if desired.
2. Teriyaki chicken and rice
This dish is also easy to make and it is sure to please everyone at the table. The chicken is coated in a delicious teriyaki sauce and then baked. Serve it with steamed rice and some steamed broccoli for a complete meal.
Ingredients:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper, steamed rice, steamed broccoli
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Place chicken breasts on a wire rack. Brush generously with teriyaki sauce mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with steamed rice and broccoli.
3. Grilled salmon with mango salsa
This dish is light, healthy, and refreshing. The mango salsa provides a sweet and tangy contrast to the grilled salmon. Plus, it is easy to make – perfect for a summer BBQ.
Ingredients:
Salmon filets, olive oil, salt, black pepper, mango salsa (recipe follows)
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Coat grill grates with oil.
- Season salmon filets with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Serve with mango salsa.
Mango Salsa
Ingredients:
Mango, red onion, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, lime juice, salt
Instructions:
- Cut mango into small cubes.
- Add red onion, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to mango cubes. Stir until combined.
- Enjoy as a topping for grilled salmon or chicken, or serve as a side dish for tacos or burritos.
4. Shiitake mushroom and tofu stir fry
This dish is vegan and gluten-free. It is also very healthy and packed with flavor. The shiitake mushrooms add a delicious earthy flavor, while the tofu provides protein.
Ingredients:
Shiitake mushrooms, extra-firm tofu, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha sauce, green onions
Instructions:
- Remove stems from shiitake mushrooms and cut them into small cubes.
- Cut tofu into small cubes.
- In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add oil and garlic. Once the garlic is fragrant, add mushrooms and tofu.
- Stir fry until tender-crisp. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha sauce to taste. Serve with green onions as a garnish if desired.
5. Steamed bun filled with pork and vegetables
This dish is perfect for those who are looking for a hearty and satisfying meal. The pork is cooked with ginger and garlic, then served in a steamed bun with vegetables.
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper, vegetable broth, hoisin sauce, steamed buns, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli florets
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the pork shoulder. Cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes per side.
- Add soy sauce mixture and vegetable broth to skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Simmer for 2-3 hours, or until pork is cooked through.
- Remove pork from skillet and thinly slice.
- Assemble steamed buns by adding a few slices of pork, carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli florets to the bottom of each bun.
- Serve with hoisin sauce for dipping.
6. Fried rice with shrimp and egg
This dish is easy to make and can be tailored to include your favorite ingredients. The shrimp and egg provide protein, while the rice and vegetables provide complex carbohydrates and fiber.
Ingredients:
Cooking oil, onion, garlic, white rice, soy sauce, salt, black pepper, eggs, shrimp
Instructions:
- Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until softened.
- Add white rice and continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Add soy sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste. Push mixture to one side of the pan and add eggs. scramble eggs until cooked through.
- Stir in shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink and opaque. Serve immediately.
7. Grilled chicken with pineapple salsa
This dish is perfect for a summer BBQ. The chicken is marinated in a sweet and spicy pineapple salsa, then grilled to perfection.
Ingredients:
Chicken breasts, olive oil, pineapple salsa (recipe follows)
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Coat grill grates with oil.
- Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Serve with pineapple salsa.
Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients:
Pineapple, red onion, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, lime juice, salt
Instructions:
- Remove skin and core from pineapple and chop into small cubes.
- Finely chop red onion and jalapeño pepper.
- In a medium bowl, combine pineapple cubes, red onion, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste. Serve with grilled chicken or fish.
8. Spaghetti with meat sauce
This dish is simple, hearty, and satisfying. The spaghetti is cooked with a flavorful meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian spices.
Ingredients:
Ground beef, olive oil, diced onion, garlic cloves, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (optional), Italian seasoning blend, salt, black pepper, spaghetti
Instructions:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef. Cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes per side. Drain excess fat.
- Add olive oil, diced onion, and garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté until softened.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (optional), Italian seasoning blend, salt, and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Serve with meat sauce on top.
9. Brown rice bowl with stir fry vegetables and tofu
This dish is a great way to get your daily serving of vegetables. The brown rice provides carbohydrates and fiber, while the tofu and vegetables provide protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients:
Brown rice, vegetable broth, soy sauce, tofu, broccoli florets, bell peppers, carrots, red onion
Instructions:
- Cook brown rice according to package instructions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together vegetable broth, soy sauce, and tofu until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add broccoli florets, bell peppers, carrots, and red onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Add tofu mixture and cook until heated through. Serve with brown rice bowl.
10. Quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables and grilled chicken
This dish is a great way to get your daily serving of protein and vegetables. The quinoa provides carbohydrates and fiber, while the grilled chicken and roasted vegetables provide protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients:
Quinoa, vegetable broth, olive oil, diced onion, garlic cloves, broccoli florets, bell peppers, carrots, red onion, chicken breasts, salt, black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large baking dish, combine quinoa, vegetable broth, olive oil, diced onion, garlic cloves, and broccoli florets. Mix well to combine.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until quinoa is cooked through.
- Add bell peppers, carrots, and red onion to the baking dish. Mix well to combine. Grill chicken breasts on medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve a quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables and grilled chicken on top.
11. Pad Thai
This dish is a classic Thai favorite. It is made with rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, eggs, and bean sprouts. The Pad Thai sauce provides a delicious flavor profile that all of the ingredients complement well.
Ingredients:
Pad Thai sauce (recipe follows), rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, eggs, bean sprouts, peanuts
Instructions:
- Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add pad thai sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Add shrimp, chicken, eggs, and bean sprouts. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Top with peanuts and serve immediately.
Pad Thai Sauce:
Ingredients:
Tamarind concentrate, brown sugar, fish sauce, rice vinegar, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine tamarind concentrate, brown sugar, fish sauce, rice vinegar, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.
- Set aside half of the pad thai sauce for later use.
12. Spaghetti and meatballs
This dish is a classic Italian favorite that can be made easily at home. Spaghetti provides carbohydrates and fiber, while meatballs provide protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients:
Spaghetti, ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic cloves, salt, black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large baking dish, combine spaghetti and ground beef. Mix well to combine.
- In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Add to the spaghetti and beef mixture and mix well to combine.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until spaghetti is cooked through and meatballs are browned and cooked through.
No matter what main dish you choose to serve with your miso soup, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.
Since miso soup has a slightly salty taste, it goes well with dishes that are also savory. If you are looking for something light, then go for a dish with lots of vegetables. However, if you want something heartier, then choose a dish that contains meat or fish. So why not give one of these ideas a try?
