My family LOVES Chinese takeout, but it’s not something I let them enjoy regularly. Instead, I make their favorites, including Szechuan chicken, Hunan chicken, and my father’s famous egg drop soup recipe. Growing up, Dad made it ALL the time because he spent much of his teen years in a Chinese restaurant and I love making it at home because it tastes exactly like what you’d find at any Chinese restaurant.
What is egg drop soup?
We grew up calling it egg flower soup, but this soup is a traditional Chinese appetizer or side dish that features a simple mix of broth, seasonings, and whisked eggs. The eggs are ‘dropped’ into the stock to create those epic ribbons. Here are some reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
It’s easy, hearty, and delicious. It’s a no-frills soup with close-to-authentic flavors. Best of all, it’s easy to make with a short list of budget-friendly ingredients! It’s good for you! Egg drop soup is an inherently low-calorie, high-protein, and keto-friendly dish. Plus, with chicken stock as the soup base, you reap the benefits of all that collagen. A 15-minute recipe. Like hot and sour soup, this recipe results in restaurant-quality egg drop soup in less time than it would take to order takeout!
Ingredients needed
There aren’t many places to hide here, which is why using the freshest ingredients is key. This is what you need:
Chicken stock. If I have leftover chicken stock (made from roast chicken leftovers!), I prefer to use that as the flavor is unmatched, but any good store-bought low sodium broth works well. No chicken broth? Vegetable or beef broth are both fantastic options. Sesame oil. This adds a distinctively rich and nutty flavor. Soy sauce. It adds a hint of umami flavor. You can use tamari instead of soy sauce if you would prefer to make gluten-free egg drop soup. Salt and white pepper. To season the soup. Cornstarch. Combining corn starch with water creates a slurry that thickens the soup as it simmers. Eggs. Use the freshest eggs that you can get your hands on. Scallions. To finish the dish with a fresh pop of flavor. More garnish ideas. Green onions, chives, sliced ginger, and sesame seeds.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make egg drop soup
What I love about this recipe is how deceptively easy it is. It may look impressive, but don’t be fooled! Step 1 – Simmer and season the broth. Start by heating the chicken stock in a pot over medium-high heat until it boils. Reduce to low and mix in sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Step 2 – Thicken with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk the cornstarch with some water in a small bowl while you wait. Once the seasoned stock starts boiling, stir in the slurry. Step 3 – Drop in the eggs. Swirl the soup in a circular motion with a ladle to make a vortex (the same method you’d use if you were poaching an egg). Slowly pour the beaten eggs into the middle of the vortex while you continue to stir. This is how you end up with wisps of eggs. Step 4 – Simmer, then serve. Let the soup continue to cook until the eggs are set. Take the pot off of the heat, then ladle the soup into bowls and top with scallions. Enjoy!
Recipe tips and variations
Don’t rush the stock once you add the seasonings. Letting everything bubble together before adding the cornstarch will leave you with deeper layers of flavor. The speed at which you stir will determine the size of the egg wisps (AKA the beautiful egg ribbons). The faster you stir, the smaller the wisps. Stir slowly, and you’ll end up with larger pieces of egg. Only slightly beat the eggs. You can stir the whites and yolks together, but you should still be able to see stains of the whites. Use different seasonings, like garlic powder, ground ginger, or red pepper flakes. Authentic egg drop soup is known to have a distinct, vibrant yellow color. If yours isn’t as yellow as you’d like, stir in ½ teaspoon of turmeric to replicate that same gorgeous color. Add some sliced grape tomatoes for a tomato egg drop soup. Make this soup heartier by adding in some non-traditional ingredients like broccoli, mushrooms, rice, tofu, or bok choy.
Storage instructions
To store. Let the leftovers cool before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. To reheat. Gently reheat the leftover soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat to avoid overcooking the eggs. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 15-second increments, stirring in between.
Frequently asked questions
More copycat takeout recipes
Air Fryer Potstickers (with homemade pot sticker sauce) Spicy Noodles– The best meat-free 10-minute dinner recipe. General Tso’s Chicken– Even better than anything store-bought. Sesame Chicken– The sauce used to coat the chicken is chef’s kiss. Chicken lettuce wraps– My family loves this for a fuss-free weeknight dinner.
Recipe originally published March 2023 but updated to include new information, new photos, and a recipe video for your benefit.
