This Homemade Egg Drop Soup Recipe is just like your favorite Chinese takeout soup. With just a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes, you can have warm and comforting egg drop soup at home. This post has been sponsored by Eggland’s Best. All thoughts and reviews are my own
My family has a thing for Chinese takeout, we just can't quit it. I do try to limit how often I order, though, because it's not the healthiest dining option. A few years ago I tried making my favorite Chinese takeout entree, Egg Foo Young, and it was an incredible success— it's not an authentic recipe, but it's super delicious and easy to make! It also satisfies most of my takeout cravings!
That leads me to a new recipe that I made, inspired by another favorite Chinese takeout item— Egg Drop Soup.
I have no idea why it took me so long to try to make my own Egg Drop Soup because it's the most basic recipe ever. I almost feel dumb ordering it out now that I know easy it is to prepare, and I actually think my version tastes better. Oh, and did I mention this is10 Minute Egg Drop Soup!? Yes! It's ready in only 10 minutes!
The great thing about homemade egg drop soup is that you can season the broth to taste before you drop the eggs in. For example, we're big Sriracha fans, so we add a couple of drops to our broth (again, not authentic— but so good!). You can also make egg drop soup with corn, chicken, noodles, cabbage, and other veggies or additional spices....it's totally customizable!
Egg Drop Soup Recipe
Egg Drop Soup Ingredients:
- 2 Eggs
- 4 cups chicken stock - I used a good bone broth!
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. garlic salt
- ⅛ tsp. Black Pepper
- 3 scallions, sliced
Omit cornstarch is youlike a thinner egg drop soup, alternatively, add an additional ½ tablespoon if you like a thicker soup.
How to Make Egg Drop Soup:
1. Mix 3 ½ cups chicken stock, ginger, garlic salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir cornstarch into the remaining ½ cup chicken stock and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk 2 Eggland's Best eggs. Set aside.
3. When seasoned chicken stock comes to a boil, add in cornstarch mixture. Stir. Add sliced green onions.
4. Bring broth to a rolling boil. Once achieved, stir the broth with a non-slotted spoon in one direction. While stirring, slowly pour in eggs. Eggs will cook as soon as they hit the broth. Top with extra green onions, if desired.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. garlic salt
- ⅛ tsp. Black Pepper
- 3 scallions, sliced
Instructions
- Mix 3 ½ cups chicken stock, ginger, garlic salt and pepper in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir cornstarch into the remaining ½ cup chicken stock and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk 2 Eggland's Best eggs. Set aside.
- When seasoned chicken stock comes to a boil, add in cornstarch mixture. Stir.Add sliced green onions.
- Bring broth to a rolling boil. Once achieved, stir broth with a non-slotted spoon in one direction. While stirring, slowly pour in eggs. Eggs will cook as soon as they hit the broth. Top with extra green onions, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 135Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 480mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g
Can Egg Drop Soup Be Frozen?
Technically, yes, egg drop soup can be frozen— but I wouldn't recommend it after cooking as the eggs can get rubbery. Instead, make and freeze the egg drop soup broth and then add fresh eggs after it has thawed on the stovetop.
Is Egg Drop Soup Keto?
This egg drop soup recipe is not keto as written. For keto egg drop soup, you would have to omit the cornstarch, which thickens the soup. Flavorwise, egg drop soup should taste the same with or without cornstarch.
Is Egg Drop Soup Healthy?
Good news! Egg drop soup is healthy and low in fat and calories per 1 cup portion size. If you're watching your salt intake, choose a low-sodium chicken broth and omit garlic salt, or substitute with garlic powder.
Other Recipes You Might Like:
- Egg Foo Young Recipe
- Copycat Chinese Takeout Recipes
More Soup Recipes:
- Tom Yum Soup
- Slow Cooker Taco Soup
- Instant Pot Kale Soup
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Copycat)
FAQs
A substitute for MSG in egg drop soup is to use umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce, fish sauce, nutritional yeast, or chicken or mushroom bouillon for added depth of flavor without MSG.
Why is my egg drop soup so thin? ›
It's okay if you have to adjust while cooking – if it's too thin, add more cornstarch. If it's too thick, add more water, stock, or broth.
Why is my egg drop soup not yellow? ›
The bright yellow color is achieved naturally in this recipe with turmeric. Restaurant-style egg drop soup often uses yellow food dye to achieve that color. You can get a brighter yellow color naturally by adding more turmeric, and using pasture-raised eggs (which have a brighter yellow yolk).
What is egg drop soup made of? ›
Egg drop soup is a popular takeout staple at Chinese restaurants made with wispy beaten eggs in chicken broth. It's normally seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper, thickened with a cornstarch slurry, and garnished with chopped green onions.
What can I use if I don't have MSG? ›
Soy sauce is a good substitute, rich in umami. As with broth cubes, first check the list of ingredients to ensure that there is no MSG added. Oyster sauce, fish sauce (nam pla), and Worcestershire sauce can also be used to enhance the taste of dishes. Being high in salt, they should be used in moderation.
Can I use flour instead of cornstarch to thicken egg drop soup? ›
Yes, you can use flour to thicken egg drop soup. You will want to use about half the amount of flour, so about 1.5 tablespoons. You still whisk it together with the water, soy sauce, etc. Your soup will have a cloudiness to it rather than that clear glossy look that cornstarch give.
Is too much egg drop soup bad for you? ›
"One downside of egg drop soup is its high sodium content from soy sauce, with around 900 milligrams per cup. That is more than half of the recommended daily allowance. As is commonly known, high intake of sodium is linked to high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and kidney disease," Phillips adds.
Which is better for you egg drop soup or hot and sour soup? ›
With the egg drop soup, you get cholesterol and saturated fat from the eggs in high-sodium chicken broth. The hot and sour soup has tofu and vegetables, but is loaded with sodium-rich soy sauce. Which is worse? At about 100 calories per cup, "calorically, they're okay," says Klatell.
How do you make an egg drop? ›
Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl until it forms a slimy, gooey substance. Pour the mixture into a ziplock bag and seal it. Place the bag in a container and drop the egg on top of it. The oobleck cushion will absorb the impact, protecting the egg.
Do Chinese people eat egg drop soup? ›
In Chinese cuisine, egg drop soups have a thinner consistency than most common Western variants. Depending on the region, they may be garnished with ingredients such as tofu, scallion, bean sprouts and corn.
How to Store Egg Drop Soup. Store your leftover egg drop soup for up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Can egg drop soup be saved? ›
Egg Drop Soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, it will last about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Is egg drop soup good for your stomach? ›
This soup has so many healing benefits and is a great option for when you're feeling a cold coming on, inflamed from eating too much junk food, to help alleviate sinus pressure, cramps and many other uncomfortable situations. The bone broth is also great for your gut health and helps with digestive issues.
How do you get the ribbon in egg drop soup? ›
Stir in your eggs slowly for beautifully large egg ribbons
While cornstarch will certainly aid your quest for silky egg ribbons, it won't be of much help if you have no clue how to pour beaten eggs into a broth correctly. Before you even begin to incorporate the eggs into the soup, crank down the heat of your broth.
Why is my egg drop soup so thick? ›
Egg Drop Soup is a chicken broth based Chinese soup often thickened with cornstarch and seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, and green onions. A beaten egg is stirred in the hot soup and makes the soup thick with beautiful egg ribbons.
What is the equivalent to MSG? ›
One alternative to MSG is salt. However, salt has been proven to cause conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke when consumed in excess. Other healthier alternatives are natural taste enhancers, including garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, basil, oregano, thyme, dill, and more.
Can you substitute salt for MSG? ›
When doing salt substitutions at home, use about half a teaspoon of MSG to season a pound of meat or a dish that serves four to six people. Or, start by substituting MSG for one-third of the salt you would normally use and then adjust the seasonings from there based on your preferences.
How to get umami without MSG? ›
Fermented foods.
Foods such as soy sauce, kimchi (fermented vegetables), miso (soybean paste), and natto (fermented whole soybeans) are fermented. The fermentation process, like the curing process, also breaks down glutamate into free glutamate and gives a stronger umami taste.
What does MSG do to soup? ›
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one such ingredient that has been controversial for decades. It is one of the ingredients that some companies have committed to remove from products. MSG is a flavor enhancer commonly added to processed food products like chicken soup to boost the palatability.
