Egg Drop Soup is a delightful Chinese dish that can be prepared quickly and easily, and it’s ready to be savored in less than 15 minutes! This healthy soup is made with a flavorful chicken stock base, seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, pepper, and green onions. The magic happens when raw eggs are streamed into the hot broth, creating tender and wispy egg “noodles” right before your eyes. It’s a warm and comforting recipe that’s customizable with added protein or veggies. In this article, we’ll explore the secrets of making the perfect Egg Drop Soup and discover how long it stays fresh.
The Quickest and Easiest Soup
Egg Drop Soup is not only delicious but also incredibly quick and easy to make. From start to finish, you can have a steaming bowl in just 15 minutes, and sometimes even less! Surprise your family and friends with this deceptively simple recipe that tastes as if it came from a restaurant.
Egg Drop Soup Recipe
Let’s dive into the reasons why this Egg Drop Soup should be your go-to appetizer or light meal:
- Quick: This Egg Drop Soup can be prepared in just 15 minutes, or even closer to 10! It’s the perfect dish to whip up minutes before a meal, impressing everyone with your culinary skills.
- Minimal ingredients: The star ingredients in this recipe are chicken stock and eggs. A few seasonings, such as soy sauce and sesame oil, add depth and flavor to the soup.
- Pantry-friendly: Except for green onions, all the ingredients can be found in your pantry. Once you have them on hand, you can make this soup anytime. If you’re in a pinch, you can even use dried minced onions as a substitute for green onions.
- Budget-friendly: This Egg Drop Soup recipe won’t break the bank. With simple and minimal ingredients, it’s a pocket-friendly choice.
- Minimal prep: Whisking the eggs and chopping the green onions are the only prep required for this recipe. It’s that simple!
- Versatile: While there are many variations of Egg Drop Soup, this recipe shines in its simplicity. Enjoy it as an appetizer or add your favorite proteins and veggies to turn it into a complete meal.
- Less expensive: Making a pot of Egg Drop Soup at home costs the same as a single bowl at a restaurant, if not less!
- Easy to double: You can easily scale up this recipe to serve a larger crowd without any hassle.
What Is Egg Drop Soup?
Egg Drop Soup is a beloved Chinese dish commonly found in Chinese restaurants across the United States. It consists of a warm and comforting chicken stock or broth, seasoned with pepper and green onions, and filled with silky egg “noodles.” The name “Egg Drop” comes from the method used to make the soup, where whisked eggs are dropped into hot broth while continuously stirred in one direction. This technique creates the characteristic wispy and delicate appearance of the eggs, resembling flower petals. Regardless of what you call it, Egg Drop Soup is sure to capture your heart.
Ingredients for Egg Drop Soup
This Egg Drop Soup recipe makes use of simple and pantry-friendly ingredients to create layers of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken broth or stock: I recommend using chicken stock for optimal flavor, but good quality chicken broth will also work.
- Eggs: Any large eggs will do the trick. We’ll be using both the egg yolks and egg whites.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient thickens the soup, creating a silky and smooth texture. It also helps separate the eggs.
- Soy sauce: Opt for reduced-sodium soy sauce, so the soup isn’t overly salty.
- Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil is preferable, but regular sesame oil will also work fine. Either way, don’t skip this ingredient, as it adds a delightful layer of flavor.
- Seasonings: Ground ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Ground seasonings are used for convenience in such small amounts. They make it easy to whisk everything together without the need for additional steps like sautéing garlic and ginger or making a cornstarch slurry. For an extra kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes, although it’s optional.
- Green onions: They’ll be used both in the soup and as a garnish. If you’re in a hurry, you can even use frozen green onions for the soup and skip the garnish, ensuring you always have the ingredients on hand to make this Egg Drop Soup recipe.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Egg Drop Soup
To ensure your Egg Drop Soup turns out perfectly, here are some helpful tips and tricks:
- Use high-quality ingredients: With such a simple recipe, it’s essential to use quality ingredients, especially when it comes to the chicken stock. It will provide maximum flavor.
- Use a pourable measuring cup: Whisk the eggs in a pourable measuring cup to make it easy to pour them in a thin stream. If you don’t have a measuring cup, you can use anything with a spout, such as a pitcher, or transfer the eggs to a plastic bag and snip a tiny corner off.
- Fully dissolve cornstarch off heat: Before turning on the heat, make sure to fully dissolve the cornstarch. Otherwise, it may remain clumpy and never dissolve completely.
- Stir the stock: While the stock comes to a boil, stir it occasionally to prevent the cornstarch from settling at the bottom.
- Adjust the speed of stirring: When adding the eggs, you can stir the stock as rapidly as you like to create a whirlpool. However, once you start pouring the eggs, slow down to avoid dissolving them into unrecognizable wisps. The speed at which you stir will determine the thickness of the egg ribbons, also known as “egg flowers.” For thin egg flowers, stir more quickly (but not too rapidly). For thicker ribbons, stir more slowly. Varying your stirring speed will result in a variety of thin and thick egg flowers.
- Add eggs slowly: To maintain a hot broth and allow the eggs to cook almost instantaneously, pour them into the stock slowly. This prevents the temperature of the broth from dropping too quickly, resulting in well-formed and feathery egg ribbons instead of clumps.
- Serve immediately: The charm of Egg Drop Soup lies in the sensation of savoring hot broth paired with silky egg flowers. For the best experience, serve the soup right away.
How Long Does Egg Drop Soup Stay Fresh?
Egg Drop Soup is best enjoyed immediately after cooking. The eggs retain their texture best when served right away. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, Egg Drop Soup can last for about 3 to 4 days.
Conclusion
Egg Drop Soup is a delightful Chinese dish that can be prepared quickly and easily. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, you can enjoy a warm and comforting bowl in no time. Feel free to experiment with additional proteins and veggies to customize your soup. Remember to savor it immediately for the best experience. So, whip up a pot of Egg Drop Soup and indulge in its delicious flavors. For more mouthwatering recipes, visit Family Cuisine.
