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Miso Butter Poached Onions

Delicately poached onions in miso butter, made in the glass Anyday dish, featuring tender onions in a rich and savory blend of miso paste and butter. This easy microwave recipe delivers flavorful, umami-packed onions, perfect as a side dish or topping for various meals.
Miso Butter Poached Onions
PT4M PT9M

Prep Time

4 mins

Cook Time

9-10 mins

Free Time

to practice your knife skills

If you’ve never considered onions a side-dish worthy vegetable unto themselves, this recipe will make you change your mind. Onions are cooked in a buttery miso sauce until they’re fall-apart tender. If there’s a better side dish for chicken, we haven’t seen it!

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

American, Pantry & Condiments, Vegetables, condiments, Vegetarian, Easy Thanksgiving, group__5 Ingredients or Less, Holiday, Holiday Recipes, Japanese, Onion, Deep Dish, Shallow Dish, thanksgiving, toppings Pantry & Condiments, Vegetables

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1-2
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

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To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1½ teaspoons miso 
  • 1 large onion (375g), cut into 8 wedges

Preparation

  1. Add butter and miso to the Anyday Dish. Cover with the lid (knob lifted). 
  2. Cook in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or until butter is melted. Mix until miso is fully dissolved.
  3. Add onions and stir thoroughly to coat. 
  4. Cover and cook for 9-10 minutes, or until onions are very tender.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Gourmet topping: Add a spoonful of these poached onions to your burger or hot dogs for a unique twist.
  • Vegetarian pasta dish: Toss the onions with cooked spaghetti pasta, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs for a simple yet flavorful vegetarian meal.
  • Miso butter glaze: Blend the onions into a smooth glaze or sauce and drizzle it over chicken, fish, or vegetables.
  • Simple salad addition: Mix the onions into a simple green salad with arugula, spinach, or mixed greens. Discover more salad topping ideas by exploring our collection here!

Recipe notes

  • All types of miso will work here; choose the color that fits your taste preferences the most.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

All You Need to Know About Making Miso Butter Poached Onions in the Microwave

What are miso butter poached onions?

Miso butter poached onions are onions cooked in a rich mixture of butter and savory miso paste. This method results in tender, flavorful onions with a unique umami taste from the miso and a creamy richness from the butter. Using the microwave and an Anyday dish, you can achieve tender sliced onions in just minutes with minimal effort, making it a convenient and delicious option for any meal.

Can I make butter poached onions in the microwave?

Yes, you can make butter poached onions in the microwave using an Anyday dish. Simply combine sliced onions with butter and miso paste in the dish, cover with the lid, and microwave on high until the onions are tender and slightly caramelized.

What kind of miso should I use for this recipe?

This recipe can use any type of miso. The most common varieties you’ll find in the grocery store are red, yellow, and white miso.

How can I substitute miso if I don’t have it?

If you don’t have miso on hand, soy sauce (or tamari) is a good alternative as it offers a similar umami flavor. Dashi powder can mimic the umami taste of miso, though you should adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences. Nut butter (almond, cashew, or tahini) provides a creamy texture and some depth of flavor; mixing these with soy sauce can enhance the umami effect. For a homemade miso paste substitute, try mixing equal parts soy sauce, tahini, vegetable broth, and a dash of garlic powder for extra depth.

Can I make this recipe in advance? If so, how long can I keep it?

Yes, you can prepare miso butter poached onions in advance. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days using an Anyday dish with the lid on. This keeps the onions fresh and maintains their rich flavor.

Can I freeze miso butter onions?

Yes, you can freeze miso butter onions. Use our silicone Anytime Freezer Trays to portion and freeze the onions. When ready to use, add the frozen portions to an Anyday dish or dish and reheat as needed. This method ensures that you always have a delicious side dish on hand.