Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

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This miso soup recipe is quick, easy to make in minutes, and tastes wonderful any time of year!

Just when Mini Chef finally arrived at a school break, of course, he comes down with a cold. Poor lil’ fella…

Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (1)

He had a really bad sore throat and was having a devil of a time swallowing anything. So I had to get creative. I had no chicken in the house to make chicken soup with and couldn’t leave the house to go to the store because I don’t leave him home by himself yet. So I had to get creative with what I had in the house.

I bought some vegan white miso paste that I used to make a peanut sauce and figured it would be great to toss in some tofu and green onions and just make a small bowl of simple soup. It felt good on his throat, great in my tummy, and he loved the rich, savory flavor (also known as umami flavor). He is definitely a miso soup fan now.

What Is Miso?

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and kōji and sometimes rice, barley, seaweed or other ingredients. (source)

It is used often in Japanese cooking. On its own, it’s incredibly salty and pungent. But mixed in with some water and other ingredients, you’ll have a wonderful, savory soup that is perfect for everything from a nice dinner to when you’re under the weather. This fermented paste has a lot of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial bacteria.

Note that there are different types of miso. Notably, white miso and red miso (which is a darker miso with a more pungent flavor). For this recipe, I used white miso, also known as Shiro miso. It is a bit lower in sodium than red miso.

What Is Miso Soup?

The miso itself, as stated above, is fermented soy turned into a fermented soybean paste. Fermented food has been shown to have many, many health benefits. But what you put into the soup once it’s been mixed with water is altogether different.

This traditional Japanese soup typically has some cut tofu and green onions. But you could add other things to this too like shredded carrots, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, some small broccoli florets, or any vegetables you prefer. It’s pretty versatile!

Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (2)

Traditional Miso Soup

Please note that this is not classic miso soup. The traditional version, like much of Asian food, has much tradition and preparation behind it. Ingredients found in an Asian market can sometimes be hard to find here. So I had to make do with what I had. And I actually got pretty close to what you get in Japanese restaurants!

Traditional Miso is made with ingredients such as dashi stock. A broth made with nori (dried seaweed, also called dried wakame) and/or kombu (dried sea vegetable). Instant dashi is something you can find in many Asian markets if you want to try it, but don’t want to mess with the broth-making process of homemade dashi.

What Type Of Tofu Should You Use In Miso Soup?

Honestly, I’m sure there is a traditional type that is most often used. But I’m not a tofu aficionado. I use the tofu that has the texture I like best. In this case, either silken tofu (very soft texture), or extra-firm tofu (for a bit of heartiness) will work well here.

Timing

This soup comes together in under 15 minutes.

Sodium

Note that miso soup is always high in sodium. So if you are watching that, make sure you use low sodium tamari and keep your portion sizes smaller. There really is no way around the higher sodium content of miso paste. At least not that I have found. But we both enjoyed this immensely!

(Nutrition data below does NOT reflect the use of low sodium ingredients)

Miso Soup Ingredients

4cupswater – I used distilled water.

4tbsp.white miso paste – I get mine at Whole Foods, but I’m sure many grocery stores carry it. If you can’t find the white version, you can use brown. It will have a deeper, earthier flavor, but it will still be delicious!

2tbsp.Tamari– This measurement is a jumping-off point. You can use as much as you like for flavor. Low sodium Tamarai is best.

7oz.firm tofu– You’ll only be using ½ a block. Cut it into ½ inch cubes.

1largegreen onion– This is for garnish, but it also adds fantastic flavor. I can’t imagine Miso soup without green onions! Just remember to slice them thin.

How To Make Miso Soup

In a medium pot, combine the water and miso. Over high heat, whisk until the miso is completely dissolved in the water. Reduce heat to medium.

Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (3)

Add in the tofu and the white part of the green onion and bring to a gentle simmer or very light boil.

When the tofu is warmed through, Stir in the tamari and serve with a garnish of the green parts of the green onion.

What To Serve With Miso Soup

Just about any Japanese dish can be paired with miso soup. But my favorite is sushi. Especially a really good avocado roll. And if you want to add noodles to this, some soba noodles are always a tasty option.

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Miso Soup Recipe

Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (8)

Miso Soup

This delicious soup is perfect any time of year. It's quick to make (about fifteen minutes from start to finish!) and can be either a first course or a lighter main course.

4 from 2 votes

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Course: Soup

Cuisine: Asian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 cups

Calories: 78kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 tbsp. white miso paste
  • 2 tbsp. tamari (or more to taste – low sodium is best)
  • 7 oz. firm tofu (½ a block cut into ½ inch cubes)
  • 1 large green onion (sliced thin)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, combine the water and miso. Over high heat, whisk until the miso is completely dissolved in the water. Reduce heat to medium. Add in the tofu and the white part of the green onion and bring to a gentle boil.

    Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (9)

  • When the tofu is warmed through, Stir in the tamari and serve with a garnish of the green parts of the green onion.

    Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (10)

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible. The data here does NOT reflect the use of low sodium ingredients.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 979mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe is from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 11/19/19.

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Miso Soup Recipe - | Healthy Soup Recipes | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Is drinking miso soup everyday healthy? ›

Miso soup is low calorie, low fat, and high in nutrient content, so it is safe to eat daily. However, it does have a high salt content. So, those on blood thinning medication or who have heart problems (including high blood pressure and heart disease) may want to limit their consumption of miso soup.

Is miso soup anti inflammatory? ›

The consumption of miso has also been reported to exert health effects, such as fat suppression [9], anti-inflammation [10] and stroke prevention [11].

Is miso soup good for your gut? ›

Miso soup contains several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and components that may improve your gut and heart health and may lower your risk of cancer. If you are on a low-salt diet, read the label on packaged miso soup to choose one that's low in sodium.

How do you make miso soup taste better? ›

If you love a vibrant taste, use your miso soup as the foundation on which you build other great flavors. Add ingredients like mushrooms, red and green peppers, edamame, onions, leeks and other vegetables. The combination of such foods thickens the broth and benefits more than your tastebuds.

Which type of miso is the healthiest? ›

In terms of health benefits, the darker and more strongly flavored miso varieties tend to be the most nutritious. Here are a few of the healthiest types of miso: Red Miso: Made with a higher percentage of soybeans and fermented for a longer period of time, red miso has a rich, complex flavor and a dark red-brown color.

Is miso good for kidneys? ›

Sodium restriction for vegetarians with kidney disease

To reduce sodium intake, the use of high-sodium foods such as meat analogs, salted nuts, miso, frozen entrees, marinated tofu products, savory snacks and meals in a cup should be limited.

Who should not eat miso? ›

Miso is generally safe for most people; however, if you follow a low-salt (sodium) diet, you may wish to limit your intake because miso has high levels. Soybeans are considered to be goitrogenic. This means if you have a thyroid issue you may be advised to minimise your intake.

Is miso good for arthritis? ›

Probiotics for Arthritis

Probiotics (the live microbes and yeast in supplements) or prebiotics (foods that promote the growth of good microbes, including yogurt, sauerkraut, miso and other fermented foods) may help restore a healthy microbiome and normalize immune function.

Does miso soup affect blood pressure? ›

Based on these studies, it has recently been scientifically proven that daily consumption of miso soup does not affect blood pressure. Drinking miso soup not only does not affect the rise in blood pressure, but it actually has the effect of preventing high blood pressure.

Does miso soup help with constipation? ›

Improves digestion: Because miso is high in probiotics, it helps the body maintain healthy bacteria levels. This bacteria contributes to digestive health, reducing gas, diarrhea, bloating and constipation.

Can diabetics eat miso soup? ›

Some studies have shown that miso soup can help improve the body's ability to control blood sugar. One 2021 study found that women with type 2 diabetes who consumed miso soup every day had lower HbA1c levels than those who didn't.

Is miso soup a full meal? ›

When you make miso soup at home, you can put a ton of ingredients including some protein (most commonly chicken, sliced pork or sea food), and it can be one complete meal… although it's conventionally considered a side dish.

What are good things to add to miso soup? ›

Popular vegetables include mushrooms, green onions thinly sliced, spinach, tofu, bean curd, wakame seaweed, nori seaweed, onions, daikon radish, and carrots. Traditionally this Japanese soup use vegetable widely available in Japan for obvious reasons. But you can add any vegetable found in your refrigerator.

What's the white stuff in miso soup? ›

Miso contains more solids than, say, a bouillon cube, which forms a clear broth when dissolved in water. So, when you stir and see whitish clouds in your miso soup, that is completely normal. If you did not prepare the miso soup and are referring to the white cubes, these are pieces of tofu.

Is too much miso soup bad for you? ›

Miso consumption is generally safe for most people. However, it does contain a large amount of salt. Thus, it may not be a good choice for individuals who need to limit their salt intake due to a medical condition. Finally, most varieties are made from soybeans, which could be considered a goitrogen.

Is miso soup good for losing weight? ›

If you're looking to shed some pounds, you'll be glad to know that the nutritional profile of miso soup can support your weight loss goals. Not only is Miso soup great for digestive health but it is also low in calories, typically containing around 40-60 calories per serving.

Does miso soup detox your body? ›

Because it is a fermented food miso is probiotic and easily digestible, making it an ideal detoxing food for the gut. Miso can also help guard against cancer, heart disease and diabetes and it can strengthen the immune system.

Is miso soup too high in sodium? ›

It is often prepared into a soup and is one of the major components of Japanese-style cooking. One serving of miso soup contains 1–2 g of salt, and the addition of salt is indispensable to miso preparation. Therefore, in some cases, it is recommended to refrain from miso soup to reduce dietary salt intake.

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