Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (2024)

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This easy Chinese egg drop soup is ready in less than 15 minutes and tastes just like the soup at your favorite Chinese restaurant! It's made with eggs, ginger, green onions, and mushrooms.

By

Garrett McCord

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (1)

Garrett McCord

Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated September 07, 2023

34 Ratings

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (2)

In college one of the dishes I relied on was my own version of egg drop soup. It was simple, tasty, comforting and (most importantly) budget friendly.

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (3)

An Inexpensive Crowd Pleaser

As I started to make it more and more I began to notice that friends started to drop by for dinner with increasing frequency.

This was fine as all I had to do was add a bit more chicken stock and soy sauce and toss in another beaten egg. I could feed my guests cheaply and enjoy their company.

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (4)

Just Like Restaurant Egg Drop Soup!

For years I ate what I thought had been faux egg drop soup cobbled together by a hungry student, however, it was only recently I discovered that my recipe was actually quite accurate.

With the addition of some cornstarch and the use of white pepper, this homemade soup is dead ringer for the soup at your favorite Chinese-American restaurant.

How to Make Egg Drop Soup

As mentioned above, making a quick batch of this soup couldn't be easier.

  • First, make a quick slurry of cornstarch and a little stock—this helps dissolve the cornstarch so that it doesn't clump up when you add it to the soup. Set this aside so that it's ready when you need it.
  • Second, combine the bring the broth to a boil with all the flavoring ingredients: ginger, soy sauce, green onions, white pepper, and mushrooms.
  • Third, whisk that cornstarch slurry into the broth.
  • Last but not least, add the beaten eggs while gently stirring the soup so they fan out in ribbons.

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (5)

Tips for Making Egg Drop Soup

The cornstarch is key to this endeavor. It not only thickens up the soup just enough to give it body, but it also helps keep the eggs silky and tender. Don't skip it! (FYI, you can add a little extra cornstarch if you'd like a thicker soup.)

Also important is to stir the pot slowly—not rapidly—as you add the eggs. You want enough movement to make ribbons, but not so much that the egg just dissolves into barely-there wisps.

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Eat Right Away!

Egg drop soup is a meal that is best served as soon as it's ready, so tell your guests to be at the table with spoons in their hands!

This is also not a soup that keeps or reheats very well, so make only what you will eat right away.

Looking for More Chinese Recipes?

  • Hot and Sour Soup
  • Sweet and Sour Chicken
  • Ginger Beef Stir Fry
  • Chicken Soup with Ginger and Shiitake Mushrooms
  • Kung Pao Chicken

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (7)

Quick and Easy Egg Drop Soup

Prep Time7 mins

Cook Time13 mins

Total Time20 mins

Homemade chicken stock is the best for this. Also, if you can't locate any of the mushroom types indicated in the recipe, crimini (aka: baby bellas) will do just fine. Or, you can just leave them out all together.

Ginger is what makes the soup hot and spicy. Dial it down to 1/4 teaspoon if you want a more mild soup.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken stock,homemadepreferred, divided

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 3/4 cup enoki mushrooms or sliced shiitake mushrooms

  • 3 green onions, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce if cooking gluten-free)

  • Scant 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

Method

  1. Make the cornstarch slurry:

    Measure out 1/2 cup of the stock and mix with the cornstarch until dissolved.

  2. Bring the soup ingredients to a boil:

    Place the remaining chicken stock, mushrooms, green onions (reserving a few for garnish), ginger, soy sauce, and white pepper in a pot and bring to a boil.

    Stir in the cornstarch slurry and reduce the heat to a simmer.

    Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (8)

  3. Stir in the beaten eggs:

    Slowly pour in the beaten eggs while stirring the soup slowly. The egg will spread out into ribbons.

    Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (9)

    Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (10)

  4. Serve:

    Turn off the heat and garnish with a few more chopped green onions. Serve immediately.

  • Easy Soups
  • Eggs
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chinese
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
159Calories
7g Fat
13g Carbs
12g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories159
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g8%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 147mg49%
Sodium 619mg27%
Total Carbohydrate 13g5%
Dietary Fiber 1g3%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 3mg13%
Calcium 38mg3%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 397mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Easy Egg Drop Soup {15 Minute Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What broth is egg drop soup made of? ›

So What Is Egg Drop Soup? In case this recipe is new to you, egg drop soup is a staple at Chinese restaurants across the United States. It's typically made with lightly-seasoned chicken or veggie broth, and filled with delicious egg “ribbons”, which are created by whisking raw eggs into the simmering broth.

Why is restaurant egg drop soup so yellow? ›

I like to drizzle sesame oil at the end for the nutty flavor. Turmeric or Yellow Food Coloring: Most restaurants use yellow food coloring or turmeric to make the Egg Drop Soup look more appetizing.

Can you just crack an egg into soup? ›

Drizzle the eggs into the hot broth.

Holding the fork used for whisking over the bowl, pour the eggs slowly through the tines, stirring the broth gently with your other hand with a wooden spoon as you pour. Let the soup simmer undisturbed for a few seconds to finish cooking the eggs.

Why is Chinese egg drop soup so thick? ›

Beating the eggs with cornstarch before adding to the broth thickens them so they will be evenly distributed throughout the broth.

How do you make a good egg drop? ›

Straws. Tape together several plastic straws around an egg to create a pointy house for the egg. The straw will absorb the force of the fall, keeping the egg safe. The bendiness of the plastic straws can also act like a car's suspension and absorb some impact!

Is egg drop soup good for weight loss? ›

Is egg drop soup healthy for weight loss? Yes, egg drop soup can be beneficial for weight loss. It's low in calories and carbs, high in protein, and can be very filling, making it a good diet-friendly option.

Why is egg drop soup good for you? ›

It is: Rich in Protein: Eggs, the main ingredient in egg drop soup, are an excellent source of high-quality protein, as is bone broth (homemade or store-bought), which usually contains 8-10 g protein per cup. You can further boost the soup's protein content by adding shredded, cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Can you eat left over 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 you eat day old egg drop soup? ›

Leftover egg drop soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 to 4 days before reheating. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. Can I freeze egg drop soup for later reheating? Yes, you can freeze egg drop soup for later reheating.

Is it OK to eat raw egg in soup? ›

A chronic illness weakens the immune system, making the person vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. No one should eat foods containing raw eggs.

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.

What goes good with egg drop soup? ›

Beef and broccoli is a Chinese takeout favorite that pairs wonderfully with Egg Drop Soup. The tender, marinated beef and the crunch of bright green broccoli offer a satisfying contrast to the soft and silky soup. The rich, savory flavors of the beef and the freshness of the broccoli add layers of depth to your meal.

Can you reheat egg drop soup the next day? ›

Can you reheat egg drop soup? Egg Drop Soup is best eaten right away as the eggs don't maintain the same texture when reheated. That being said, you can still reheat Egg Drop Soup, just be aware it's not like most soups that get better with time.

Is egg drop soup good for your stomach? ›

Yes, egg drop soup is often considered soothing for an upset stomach. Its mild flavor and easy-to-digest ingredients, like eggs and broth, can provide comfort and nourishment.

What is Chinese soup broth made of? ›

It takes more than just chicken broth and soy sauce to make a Chinese soup broth! Chinese cooking wine – the key ingredient. Just 1.5 tablespoons adds complexity and depth of flavour to the store bought chicken stock. Without it, the broth will taste “flat” ie missing something.

What is soup broth made of? ›

Broth, also known as bouillon (French pronunciation: [bu. jɔ̃]), is a savory liquid made of water in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been simmered for a short period of time. It can be eaten alone, but it is most commonly used to prepare other dishes, such as soups, gravies, and sauces.

What is egg 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.

Is Chicken Stock the same as chicken broth? ›

Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.

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