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Egg Drop Soup Recipe

Last Updated: January 22, 2021
This content is created following our Recipe Development Procedure, and reviewed by our RDNs. However, the content does not constitute a medical or nutritional consultation. Read our Medical Disclosure.
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Nutritionally reviewed by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD on February 25, 2020 — Recipe developed by Luna Regina

When you think about any egg drop soup recipe, you probably think of something hot and comforting, enough to warm your chilled self on a winter’s day. But don’t limit yourself to cold days, you can definitely enjoy this healthy soup during any season.

This soup is amazingly tasty. The chicken broth itself is flavorful with delicate sweetness coming from corn and shiitake mushrooms, then there’s the added warmth of spice from sesame and soy sauce.

egg drop soup recipe

It’s light on calories but full of fiber and protein and umami-rich, which makes egg drop soup a great way to start your meal.

What Is Egg Drop Soup?

So, what is egg drop soup? It is a typical Chinese soup made of chicken broth, beaten egg, and several interchangeable ingredients that can be added depending on your preference, such as seafood, vegetables, or meat. 

There are other variations of egg drop soup in many countries, such as tourin from France, or haferflockensuppe from Germany.

Is Egg Drop Soup Healthy?

Low in fat and sodium, this egg drop soup recipe contains vitamins A and C, and minerals that offer some great health benefits.

Thanks to carrots, this soup has a significant amount of vitamin A (18 percent of the daily recommended intake). This powerful antioxidant helps support your immune system, bone health, and eyesight.

Shrimp is famous for its calcium profile and some impressive health benefits. Calcium is a key element in growing new bones, keeping your bones strong, and maintaining your muscle function.

Egg Drop Soup Ingredients

This staple Chinese soup is light, savory, and simple enough to serve as a warming dish for a family dinner. Consisting of three main elements: chicken broth, eggs, and cornstarch, it doesn’t take much time to combine the soup for a wonderful meal.

ingredients

Egg drop soup is the definition of hearty simplicity. Our recipe calls for:

  • Shrimp
  • Chicken broth
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Corn
  • Carrot
  • Peas
  • Eggs
  • Cornstarch

When it comes to egg drop soup recipes, if you master the base, you can add whatever your heart desires and always have it turn out well.

How to Make Egg Drop Soup

Step 1: Prep shrimp

Prep shrimp: Shell and devein shrimp. 

step 2: stir fry vegetables

Stir-fry vegetables: Heat olive oil in a soup pot. Stir-fry carrot, corn, peas, and mushrooms over medium-low heat for 3 minutes.

step 3: add chicken broth

Add chicken broth: Add in chicken broth, shrimp, and salt. Cook over high heat and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to simmer. 

step 4: add cornstarch

Add cornstarch: Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Whisk until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Swirl into the soup and mix well with a spatula.

step 5: add eggs

Add eggs: To add eggs, drizzle the beaten egg mixture slowly into the soup while stirring the soup with a whisk.

step 6: add oil

Add oil: Drizzle over sesame oil and soy sauce. Turn off the heat.

step 7: serve

Serve: Garnish with ground pepper and cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.

What Goes with Egg Drop Soup

What makes this egg drop soup recipe so popular all across the world is that it’s so simple to make. With a chicken broth base, you can go out of your comfort zone and combine infinite other ingredients into the soup.

1. Corn

Corn is a popular add-in to egg drop soup recipes for many reasons. Its vibrant yellow color makes the soup look more attractive while the crunchy texture offers a more diverse mouthfeel for the eater.

2. Cabbage

There is a whole universe of vegetables that can be combined with this recipe. Cabbage is a great choice since it not only brings out a naturally sweet taste but also improves the fiber content of your soup bowl.

3. Mushrooms

The soup can be enhanced by mushrooms, especially shiitake mushrooms. Not only packed with protein, mushrooms also offer a unique hearty taste and meaty texture that many people love.

4. Tofu

Tofu can be a healthier choice for your soup. Besides, it can replace any protein ingredients to turn the soup into a vegetarian-friendly version.

what goes with egg drop soup

Egg Drop Soup Nutrition

1. Calories

One serving of our egg drop soup recipe contains 179 calories and 1.4 grams of saturated fat. We recommend serving this soup as a side and combining it with a healthy main dish to make up 750 calories for lunch or dinner.

2. Carbs

There are 10.2 grams of carbohydrates in one serving of this soup recipe. This number takes about 4 percent of the recommended amount of daily carb intake. 

3. Protein

Egg drop soup is a protein-packed dish that everyone will love to have. A small bowl contains 18.9 grams of protein, which accounts for 38 percent of the total recommended protein for a day.

4. Sodium

Being so tasty and hearty you might think this dish would have a lot of salt, but this egg drop soup recipe is quite low in sodium, only about 320 milligrams per serving.

How Do You Make Flavorful Soup?

Use good-quality broth: some store-bought products deliver high sodium, so our advice is to look for low-sodium or unsalted broth. Or you can make your own, and freeze it until you’re ready to use it. 

Sweat vegetables: simmering the vegetables over low heat allows them to steam in their own juices. This is a simple way to achieve a deeper savory flavor for the whole soup. 

Season with soy sauce: soy sauce is rich in umami savory flavors. Adding it will turn even a plain soup into something moreish. 

Add fresh herbs: adding fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and parsley after your soup is cooked gives another level of flavor and helps marry the dish together. 

Be creative: Like many soups, this luscious liquid is quite versatile. To boost the fiber content you can add other vegetables like bok choy or asparagus; they pair nicely with egg drop soup flavor.

You can also use crab meat instead of shrimp in this recipe. For a vegetarian version, tofu is a great idea. Think about what you like and add extra ingredients to suit your taste buds.

How Long Does Egg Drop Soup Last?

This egg drop soup can be kept in the fridge for about 3 days. And it’s easy to do.

Simply let the soup cool completely at room temperature. Then put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.

how long does egg drop soup last

Can You Freeze Egg Drop Soup?

Yes, you can. Freezing soup is simple and you can make it ahead of time for a busy night.

Eggs can become rubbery after being frozen, so you should freeze the broth without adding them in. When reheating the soup base, add them in fresh before serving. 

This simple trick helps you avoid unpleasant texture while still preserving the delicious flavor of the soup.

What to Serve With Egg Drop Soup

This egg drop soup is so versatile, so you can have it as an appetizer for lunch or dinner at home. There are some great Asian options you can choose to pair with it:

  • Sweet and sour chicken
  • Chicken teriyaki
  • Kung pao chicken

If you are looking for some healthy and comforting soup ideas, our cabbage soup is another great option.

healthy egg drop soup recipe
5 from 1 vote

How To Make Egg Drop Soup

Avatar for Luna ReginaLuna Regina
With a small soup pot and minimal ingredients, this egg drop soup recipe can be whipped up in 20 minutes. The key to making the soup more flavorful is to bring the soup to a boil and add a teaspoon of both sesame oil and soy sauce. The result is a glorious comforting soup with a silky texture and tasty egg bites.
Print Pin Review
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 179 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz raw shrimp
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp cilantro
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp less sodium soy sauce
  • 1 oz shiitake mushroom sliced
  • 2 cups unsalted chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 oz corn
  • 2 oz carrot chopped
  • 1 oz peas
  • 2 eggs

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; Purchases made via these links may benefit us at no additional cost to you. Read our Affiliate Disclosure.

Instructions
 

  • Shell and devein shrimp.
  • Heat olive oil in a soup pot. Stir-fry carrot, corn, peas, and mushrooms over medium-low heat for 3 minutes.
  • Add in chicken broth, shrimp, and salt. Cook over high heat and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to simmer.
  • Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Whisk until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Swirl into the soup and mix well with a spatula.
  • To add eggs, drizzle the beaten egg mixture slowly into the soup while stirring with a whisk.
  • Drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce. Turn off the heat.
  • Garnish with ground pepper and cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. This soup can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving. Simply cook up the shrimp and vegetables and refrigerate.
  2. When you are ready to make the soup, add these to the chicken broth and seasoning, bring to a boil and garnish.
  3. Make sure that the cornstarch and water are mixed well, as the cornstarch settles quickly in the hot soup. You can use more or less starch if you want a thicker or thinner soup.
  4. This soup can be enjoyed in warm or cool weather. It’s best to serve the soup hot after cooking.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How To Make Egg Drop Soup
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 179 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 196mg65%
Sodium 317mg14%
Potassium 352mg10%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 2560IU51%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 67mg7%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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homemade egg drop drop soup recipe

Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Asian, Chinese, Side Dishes, Soups & Stews

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About the author

Luna Regina

I'm Luna Regina. Welcome to Healthy Kitchen 101 where true wellness starts with eating right. I hope you will enjoy the healthy recipes, cooking tips, and reviews on our website. Have a great time!

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Sherry AbneySherry Abney

    August 20, 2020 at 7:40 am

    I don’t think I can make this dish any better. Can you show me how to turn this into a main dish?

    Reply

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Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Nutritionally reviewed by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD on February 25, 2020 — Recipe developed by Luna Regina
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