This delicious Egg Drop Soup Recipe is easily made in your kitchen with only all-natural ingredients at a fraction of the cost of eating out. It brings green onions, ginger, chicken broth, and eggs together in perfect harmony for an ultra-tasty yet simple soup.
I love serving this soup with stir-fry or Asian appetizers, such as homemade egg rolls, gyoza, Hunan chicken, beef and broccoli, and sesame chicken. It also makes a tasty addition to a small dinner party or Saturday night wok stir fry.
What is Egg Drop Soup
Egg drop soup is a Chinese chicken broth-based soup with silky streams of cooked eggs, ginger, and green onions. It is a staple of Chinese cuisine and a favorite of many other Asian cuisines, such as Japanese and Korean.
Why Make Egg Drop Soup at Home
- This soup is easy to make and comes together in less than 15 minutes.
- Tastes better than any restaurant egg drop soup.
- It is made with all-natural ingredients and without artificial flavors or colors.
- Kids love this delicious protein-packed soup. For added fun, serve with crispy fried noodles.
- This recipe has only eight ingredients and is so incredibly easy to make that even the novice cook can master it.
Egg Drop Soup Ingredients
- Cornstarch
- Chicken broth – preferably low-sodium
- Sesame oil –
- Green onion – also known as scallions
- Seasonings – ground ginger, ground turmeric, and ground white pepper
- Soy sauce – low sodium
- Eggs – large, four of them
How to make Egg Drop Soup
First, whisk the cornstarch with 1 cup of the chicken broth and set it aside for a few minutes. Then, heat a little sesame oil in a Dutch oven or a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Next, add the white parts of the green onion while stirring and cooking for about 1 minute. Add the ginger, turmeric, and white pepper while stirring, cooking for about 45 seconds. Pour in the remaining 5 cups of chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Whisk in the chicken broth mixed with the cornstarch (also known as a cornstarch slurry). It might be necessary to re-whisk it before adding. Then, bring the pot to a low simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
Beat the eggs just enough to break the yolks and slightly combine. Pour them into a pastry or zipper storage bag and snip the corner, creating a very small hole. Move the bag over the pot, gently pushing the eggs out of the bag while very slowly stirring the pot with a spoon in your other hand. The key here is very slowly. Finally, spoon the soup into bowls and garnish it with the green parts of the scallions.
Recipe Tips
- For best results, use low-sodium chicken broth so the taste of salt does not overwhelm your recipe.
- Sometimes, I use fresh grated ginger if available, or I purchase ginger paste in the refrigerator section of my local grocery store. Both are equally delicious and add a little more flavor dimension to the soup.
- The cornstarch thickens the soup a bit and aids in properly cooking and forming the egg ribbons.
- Turmeric is added because of its nice, all-natural yellow color and earthy pepper flavor. It is not an absolute must, but I highly recommend it.
- I like to use white pepper because it looks nice in a broth soup like this, but you could also use black pepper.
- Though not traditional, you can add mushrooms, peas, carrots, corn, or even finely chopped broccoli.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for the low-sodium soy sauce.
- The eggs are not tricky to make if you use a bag and snip just a very small amount off the tip. It should be just big enough for the eggs to drizzle through slowly, then move the bag around over the simmering pot. I usually stir the pot very, very slowly with a large wooden spoon, using my other hand to create those beautiful, thin egg ribbons.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over very low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
More Soups Recipes
Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth vegetable broth, or chicken stock
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 green onions chopped white and green parts separated
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 4 large eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and 1 cup chicken broth; set it aside.
- Heat sesame oil in a dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add the white parts of the green onion; cooking and stirring for 1 minute. Add the ginger, turmeric, and white pepper; cooking and stirring for about 45 seconds. Pour in the remaining 5 cups of chicken broth and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture that you set aside. Bring the pot to a low simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
- Pour the beaten eggs into a pastry bag or zipper lock storage bag and snip the corner creating just a very small hole. Move the bag over the pot gently pushing the eggs out of the bag while very slowly stirring the pot with a spoon using your other hand. The key here is very slowly.
- Finally spoon the soup into bowls and garnish with the green parts of the scallions.
Notes
- For best results use low sodium chicken broth so the taste of salt does not overwhelm your recipe.
- Sometimes I use fresh grated ginger if it is available. Or I sometimes purchase ginger paste in the refrigerator section of my local grocery store. Both are equally delicious and add a little more flavor dimension to the soup.
- The cornstarch thickens the soup a bit and aids in the proper cooking and forming of the egg ribbons.
- Turmeric is added because of its nice all natural yellow color and its earthy pepper flavor. It is not an absolute must but I highly recommend it.
- I like to use white pepper because it looks nice in a broth soup like this but you could use black pepper as well.
- Though it is not traditional you can add mushrooms, peas, carrots, corn, or even finely chopped broccoli.
- To make it gluten free simply substitute gluten free soy sauce or tamari for the low sodium soy sauce.
- The eggs are not tricky to do at all if you use a bag and snip just a very small amount off the tip. It should be just barely enough for the eggs to come through then simply move the bag around over the simmering pot. I usually stir the pot very very slowly with a large wooden spoon using my other hand to create those beautiful thin egg ribbons.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Jocelyn
This egg drop soup recipe is one of my fave Chinese soups! I have been making it for months and I love it! Thank you for sharing this quick and yummy recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Jocelyn!
Mary Lynn
This is one of my husband’s faves, and he hasn’t had it in a long time. It would be nice to try out your homemade recipe at home.
Beth Pierce
Enjoy, Mary Lynn!
Olga W
I like easy-to-make soups. My oldest son is picky, and it is hard to get him to eat enough protein but he loved this. It is always a win win when we love it and he enjoys it too!
Beth Pierce
That is always a good thing!
Carole C
I have forgotten about this wonderful soup. Thanks for reminding me.
Beth Pierce
No problem!
Ebonie
I tried your recipe for dinner tonight and it was a hit! My kids thought an Iron Chef made this recipe tonight! Saving this recipe so I can make it again!
Beth Pierce
That is great! Kids are so entertaining!
Rosa K
Ginger is such a tasty addition to this soup. I loved it. There is something really relaxing about making your own homemade soups.
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more, Rosa!
Emily Dickens
I absolutely love egg drop soup! I’m going to try making this over the weekend, but with veggie broth since I’m a vegetarian. Hopefully it tastes just as wonderful as your original!
Beth Pierce
It will still be delicious! Enjoy!
Kimmie Lawrence
Egg drop soup is such a comforting dish, especially on chilly days or when you’re feeling under the weather. This recipe was simple yet delicious, perfect for a quick and nourishing meal. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I can’t wait to make it again~
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kimmie! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Julie D
I’m not a big soup maker but this recipe is so easy and so yummy! I like to add tumeric for me because of it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks for this amazing egg drop soup recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Julie! So glad that you liked the egg drop soup!
Benedict
This is really good soup! I order egg drop soup all the time when we eat at Chinese places, and it’s just as good if not better than the ones I’ve ordered.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Benedict! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Kathy Stanford
I have everything but cornstarch! Do l have to use that?
Beth Pierce
Yes
Carol Busche
Wonderful recipe, i had everything but green onions so i diced a bit of white onions and sprinkled chives on top. Amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Carol! So glad that you liked the soup!
Gwen Lybert
We add shrimp & tofu. YUM!!!
Everything Enchanting
Oh so yummy 😍. This soup is something my family would certainly enjoy!
Terri Steffes
I’ve never been a fan of egg drop soup, but this looks delicious. I may have to give this a try.
Amber Myers
I love this soup. It’s been ages since I’ve had it so I will have to make this.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
This sounds like a yummy version of the soup. We often have it with little pieces of chicken and sweetcorn too.
Roxane
Do you think it would turn out alright if I omit egg yokes and just use egg whites???
Beth Pierce
I think so. I googled it and it says that you can do it.
Roxane Rudick
Thanks!!!
Kathy
This looks really good. I’ve never had this kind of soup before. I would love to try it.
Tara Pittman
My middle son loves this soup. I will be making this when he comes home for Thanksgiving.
Heather
Egg drop soup was my Nana’s all time favorite soup! I have never tried to make it before but this looks easy enough.
Sharon
Can this be frozen?
Beth Pierce
I do not recommend it.
Christie
I wonder if you put it all together except the eggs, would you be able to freeze that. Then just add eggs when you are ready to make?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can and it is best to add the eggs when are ready to reheat as you said.
Emily Flint
I had no idea egg drop soup was so simple to pull together. I’m never ordering take-out again!
Biana
Love how easy it is to make this delicious soup! I always get it at a restaurant, and it’s even better to make it yourself.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
One of my favorite soups. Especially when we’re feeling like something soothing and simple. Such an easy recipe too!
Adrianne
This does sound better than eating out! Even the simple combination of ingredients sound delicious!! I love the other soups you have suggested here also! I can’t wait to try them all!
maryanne
This egg drop soup was so flavorful and much healthier than if I had ordered it at a restaurant! Will definitely make this again!
Toni
This is really good!! Everyone at my house loved this soup!
Lizzy
Fantastic! Imma have to make this over & over! So awesomely easy! I have everything I need to make this always. My oldest son especially loves this soup! He’ll soon be making it on his own, I think. Great, easy instructions.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Lizzy! So glad that you like the soup.
Natasha
I had all the ingredients on hand so I made this recipe right away, it was so easy and quick to make. My kids loved it and almost finished everything. It is so much better than most soups in restaurants.
Katie
Looks unique and yummy! Can’t wait to try this one.
Betsy
Delcious soup! One of my favorites from the Asian restaurants! Wonderfully easy, this is so perfect to serve alongside my favorite one pot fried rice!
Victoria
I am confused on the amount of chicken broth. Reading it says cornstarch and 1 cup broth set aside and then it days add other 5 cups of broth. That is 6 cups not 18??
Beth Pierce
It is a total of 6 cups of chicken broth. One of the cups gets mixed with the cornstarch.
Liz
Soup season is one of my favorite seasons! Can’t wait to try this soup out!
Kechi
Your tips and notes are so helpful. I will make this soup this weekend; it looks like such a delight!
Jamie
Yum! I love how it all comes together and makes for a great family meal! Look so good!
Priya Lakshminarayan
My husband enjoyed this soup to the fullest! Thanks for this recipe
cyndy
This is one of our favorite soups and I had no idea it was so easy to make at home. I love the tip about the egg in the ziploc bag – genius!
Denay DeGuzman
Egg drop soup is a family favorite! It’s perfect for these cold-weather months.
Nathan
I’ve never made an egg drop soup myself, but this recipe makes it look so simple and delicious!
Cate
This soup looks fantastic! Thanks for the recipe, saving this one for sure!
Sandra McCollum
This quickly became a favorite at my house! It is really amazing!
Cathy
One of my restaurant favorites! Can’t wait to make it at home!
Allyson Zea
This looks like the perfect meal! Thanks for the easy directions!
Toni Dash
This is such an amazing soup!! My kids really loved it!
Vikki
What a simple tasty soup!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This delicious Egg Drop soup is seriously making me hungry!
Sharon Rossiter
Me too, and it is just breakfast time here. 🙂
I have all the ingredients downstairs, so thinking seriously about going down there right now to make it. 🙂
Dorothy Reinhold
This is one of our favorite take out dishes. I can’t wait to make it at home!
Pat
I freeze my fresh ginger and grate it into my soup while still frozen. I use a grater you use for zesting lemons.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip Pat!
Katie
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try this one.
Sandhya's Kitchen
Egg Drop Soup sounds delicious and so easy. I would love to have them for lunch with some ciabatta bread.
Jessica Formicola
This soup looks delightful! I can’t wait to make it for my family for dinner some time soon!
Jess
My favorite soup without having to leave the comforts of my own home!!