Easy Egg Drop Soup

Cook: 10 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Chinese

A quick and comforting Chinese-inspired soup featuring delicate egg strands, savory chicken broth, and fresh green onions, perfect for a light meal or starter.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cans chicken broth
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 2 green onions, chopped fine
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch

Instructions

  1. Mix chicken broth with corn starch and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to a simmer.
  3. Slowly add the beaten egg, stirring constantly, until egg forms lacy strands.
  4. Stir in soy sauce and sugar.
  5. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider adding a dash of sesame oil or ginger to the broth. If you want to customize the soup, feel free to stir in some cooked chicken or vegetables like peas and carrots. If you don't have corn starch, you can use flour as a thickener, though it may alter the texture slightly. This egg drop soup pairs beautifully with Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this easy egg drop soup as a starter or light meal. It pairs well with a side of steamed dumplings or fried rice for a complete meal. For added texture, consider topping it with crispy fried onions or additional chopped green onions. This dish is also a lovely accompaniment to other Chinese recipes like Asparagus-Tomato Stir-Fry.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover egg drop soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the egg from becoming rubbery. If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, simply add a bit of water or broth while reheating to reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Easy Egg Drop Soup contains roughly 866 calories, with 15g protein, 175g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (36% of the Daily Value), protein (30% of the Daily Value), and potassium (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1039mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).

866 kcal 43% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 15g 30% DV
Total Fat 13.6g 17% DV
Carbs 175g 64% DV
Fiber 1.3g 4% DV
Sugar 0.4g 1% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1039mg 45% DV
Potassium 1172.5mg 25% DV
Cholesterol 517mg 100% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 126.3mcg 14% DV
Vitamin C 10mg 11% DV
Calcium 466.1mg 36% DV
Iron 4.1mg 23% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Egg Soy

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, you can easily make this egg drop soup vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth. This will maintain the soup's flavor while keeping it plant-based. You can also add tofu for protein and extra texture.

What can I add to enhance the flavor?

To enhance the flavor of your egg drop soup, consider adding a splash of white pepper for a bit of heat or some chopped mushrooms for additional depth. Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley can also brighten the dish.

How do I prevent the egg from clumping?

To prevent the egg from clumping in your soup, make sure to add it slowly in a thin stream while stirring the broth continuously. This technique will help create those beautiful, lacy strands of egg that are characteristic of egg drop soup.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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