Miso Ginger Winter Soup (Printable)

A warming Japanese-inspired soup with ginger, vegetables, and probiotic miso for winter comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Broth

01 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
02 - 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
04 - 2 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach or bok choy, roughly chopped
07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
08 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Garnish

09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
11 - 1 teaspoon chili oil or pinch of red pepper flakes

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Add the sliced ginger and garlic, then simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the broth with aromatics.
02 - Add the mushrooms and carrot to the broth. Cook for 5 minutes until just tender.
03 - Remove a ladleful of hot broth and whisk with the miso paste in a small bowl until smooth and completely dissolved.
04 - Reduce the soup heat to low. Stir the miso mixture back into the pot without boiling to preserve the probiotic cultures.
05 - Add the spinach or bok choy and green onions. Stir until wilted, approximately 1 minute.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional miso or a splash of soy sauce if desired.
07 - Ladle into bowls and top with toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, and chili oil or red pepper flakes.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It feels like a warm hug for your immune system when the winter wind starts biting.
  • The prep is so minimal that you can have a bowl in your hands faster than you can find a pair of wool socks.
02 -
  • Boiling the broth after adding the miso will kill the beneficial bacteria and ruin the delicate flavor profile.
  • Scraping the ginger skin off with a spoon is much faster and safer than using a vegetable peeler.
03 -
  • Always whisk your miso in a separate bowl first to avoid finding a salty clump at the bottom of your soup.
  • A tiny drop of toasted sesame oil right before serving provides an aroma that rivals any restaurant.
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