How to Make Egg Drop Soup at Home

Learn how to make egg drop soup with this quick and easy recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to make this deliciously light and healthy soup from scratch, which is simply bursting with flavor.

egg-drop-soup

If you haven’t tried egg drop soup before, where have you been livin’? It’s a staple dish at basically every Chinese restaurant across the country and one of my personal favorites. A big bowl of this is the ultimate nostalgic comfort food for me. 

Now, there are varying levels of fame with all things. But this homemade egg drop soup recipe is up in the higher tier in my little world. I have received countless recipe requests for it over the years. It is the one recipe I keep promising myself I will put on my website if only to be able to pass on a link when folks ask for it! And here it is.

If you’re looking for an easy soup recipe, I don’t think y’all will find a quicker or easier recipe than this one. I mean, it’s made from scratch and ready to eat in 15 minutes. Who can argue with that? First, you need to gather your ingredients: cornstarch, chicken broth, ground ginger, garlic salt, eggs, white vinegar, sesame oil, mushrooms, and green onion. 

You start by bringing the first 4 ingredients to a boil, slowly pouring in the eggs to get that quintessential wispy effect, add the vinegar and sesame oil, and top your soup with mushrooms and green onion. It’s that simple! 

I bet you’re ready to get in the kitchen to make it yourself now, right? Well, keep scrolling to learn how to make egg drop soup and for all the answers to your FAQs.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Cornstarch
  • Chicken broth
  • Ground ginger
  • Garlic salt
  • Beaten eggs
  • White vinegar
  • Dark sesame oil
  • Mushrooms
  • Green onion

How to Make Egg Drop Soup at Home

In a large saucepan, stir together cornstarch, broth, ginger, and garlic salt.

Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute.

Reduce heat to medium-low.

Slowly pour the beaten egg into the boiling broth, stirring with a fork, until the eggs are cooked (approximately 1 minute).

Stir in vinegar and sesame oil.

Top with mushrooms and green onion.

Storage

  • This is a dish best served immediately. However, when stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the leftover soup will last for about 4 days. Reheat it on low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • I don’t recommend freezing the soup as it just ruins the texture.

Recipe Notes

  • The trick for getting wispy strands of cooked egg in your broth is to beat them with a fork first and then slowly pour them into the pot while stirring the broth.
  • Feel free to swap the chicken for vegetable broth if vegetarian. Because the egg is a main ingredient, this isn’t a vegan recipe.
  • Traditionally, you use shitake mushrooms, but any thinly sliced mushrooms will work. 
  • Here are some easy ways to make this recipe work for you:
    • Use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger.
    • Add a tablespoon of soy sauce when you add the broth and other ingredients initially.
    • Add half a teaspoon of white pepper (traditional ingredient) or black pepper.
    • Substitute the garlic salt for regular salt. Or swap it for garlic powder and add a pinch of salt. The choice is yours.
    • Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives instead of sliced green onion.
    • Use normal sesame oil instead of dark sesame oil.
    • Top with some other veggies, like chopped bok choy or spinach. Tofu is another option.
    • Add 1/8 teaspoon of ground turmeric to enhance the flavor and yellow color.

Recipe FAQs

The main ingredients in egg drop soup are eggs, chicken broth, cornstarch, seasonings, and sliced green onions on top.

What is egg drop soup?

Egg drop soup is a healthy Chinese soup recipe that includes beaten eggs cooked in chicken broth. It’s usually paired with sliced green onion on top.

Is egg drop soup healthy?

Yes, egg drop soup is considered a healthy recipe. It’s low-calorie but packed full of protein and flavor.

Egg drop makes you feel better when you’re sick for 2 main reasons. Firstly, your stuffy sinuses will love the steamy broth. Secondly, the egg gives you the perfect boost of protein without weighing you down, compared to a heavy meat dish.

Why is Chinese egg drop soup so thick?

The chicken stock and cornstarch combine to make a thick soup broth.

What country is egg drop soup from?

It’s a traditional Chinese soup recipe.

How do you make tomato egg drop soup?

You’ll need 1 large or 2 small tomatoes, cut into chunks. Saute them in the pot for about 5 minutes until soft. Then continue with the recipe as instructed.

How do you make wonton soup?

First, prep the broth as instructed. But before you add the eggs, stir in about 10 ounces of frozen wontons (a.k.a Chinese dumplings). Let them cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, then continue with the recipe. Alternatively, top your soup with fried wonton strips.

How do you serve the soup?

The soup is the perfect main dish. But you can also serve it as a side dish with another Asian-inspired meal. Some options include:

You may also like these scrumptious soup recipes:

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Copycat Recipe)

Easy Chicken and Rice Soup

Easy Vegetable Soup (A Dieter’s Best Friend)

Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Vegetable Soup (Low-Carb Version)

Easy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Egg Drop Soup

Learn how to make egg drop soup with this quick and easy recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to make this light and healthy soup from scratch.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: egg, soup
Servings: 4
Calories: 84.3kcal

Ingredients

  • 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, stir together cornstarch, broth, ginger, and garlic salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low.
    1.5 tablespoons cornstarch, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Slowly pour eggs into the broth mixture, stirring with a fork, until the eggs are cooked (approximately 1 minute).
    2 large eggs, slightly beaten
  • Stir in vinegar and sesame oil.
    1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
  • Top with mushrooms and green onion.
    1/2 cup thinly sliced mushrooms, 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion

Nutrition

Calories: 84.3kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

~Maya Angelou

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26 Comments

  1. I feel really silly, but I cannot see the recipe for the soup on this page! Help, Christy! I’d really like to see how to make this Famous stuff!!

  2. Christy, I made this soup last night along with your Beef and Broccoli which I’ve made several times in the last few months. What a great dinner! I used to make my own simple version of egg drop soup just with chicken broth, eggs, and green onions. This version is SO much better. Thanks!! I’ll definitely be making it this way from now on. I’m going to be trying your Chicken Teriyaki soon and I’m sure that will be great too.

      1. Hi again, Christy. I forgot to mention that I just ordered two copies of your magazine for my mother and me. I can’t wait to get it! ๐Ÿ™‚

        1. HEY! I’m so sorry about you not being able to access the recipe. I logged in to add some info to this post last week and apparently accidentally deleted it! I appreciate you letting me know because I have restored it now and am about to email the recipe to you in pdf format so you have it without having to come back ๐Ÿ™‚ The magazine was available on newsstands for a limited time. I’m not sure if they have it anymore but it may be in the online store at Hoffman ๐Ÿ™‚

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