The Best Homemade Clear Soup Recipe

A comforting bowl of clear soup is a delightful way to nourish your body and soul. This light and savory clear soup recipe is incredibly soothing, perfect for any time you need something gentle yet flavorful. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy parents and beginner cooks alike. Embrace the ease and versatility of this wonderful dish.

Why You’ll Love This Clear Soup Recipe

This easy clear soup recipe offers so much to love, blending simplicity with incredible flavor and wellness benefits. You’ll find yourself returning to this recipe often.

• It’s incredibly light and healthy, low in calories, and packed with nutrients from fresh vegetables. Beyond its comforting taste, many health professionals highlight the nutritional advantages of soup.
• This soup offers immense comfort, making it perfect for chilly days or when you need a gentle, restorative meal.
• Preparation is quick, and the cooking process is straightforward, fitting easily into your busy schedule.
• The flavors are wonderfully customizable; adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
• It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome meal without heavy ingredients, leaving you feeling refreshed.

Ingredients for Clear Soup

Crafting this delightful clear soup requires just a few simple, fresh ingredients that combine to create a deeply flavorful broth. You’ll be amazed at how much taste comes from these kitchen staples.

• 2 teaspoons oil
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 large sweet onion, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 large carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 4 whole scallions, sliced
• 10 button mushrooms, sliced thinly
• Salt to taste

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to customize your clear soup to your liking or use what you have.

• Broth: Use vegetable broth or mushroom broth for a vegetarian option. Beef broth also works for a richer flavor.
• Aromatics: Experiment with leeks or shallots instead of onion. A touch of star anise or a cinnamon stick can add depth during simmering.
• Mushrooms: Shiitake or cremini mushrooms offer a more intense, earthy flavor than button mushrooms. Dried mushrooms rehydrated in hot water also work well.
• Vegetables: Add a handful of spinach, bok choy, or thinly sliced cabbage in the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens. A few celery stalks can also enhance the broth’s base.

Essential Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this fantastic clear soup. These items ensure an easy cooking process and a perfectly clarified result.

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for simmering the broth.
• Fine-Mesh Sieve or Strainer: Crucial for achieving a perfectly clear broth.
• Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For precise vegetable preparation.
• Ladle: For serving your delicious soup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these clear, simple steps to create a truly delicious homemade clear soup recipe. This method ensures maximum flavor extraction and a beautiful, transparent broth every time.

1. Prepare Vegetables: Start by peeling and cutting the sweet onion into large wedges. Next, wash and cut the carrots into substantial chunks. Peel the fresh ginger root and slice it into thin rounds. Finally, peel and slice the six cloves of garlic. Having all your ingredients prepped makes the cooking process smoother.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 2 teaspoons of oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the prepared onion, carrots, and ginger to the pot. Sear these vegetables on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. This caramelization step is vital; it builds a deep, sweet, and savory flavor base for your clear soup. Don’t rush this part.
3. Add Garlic & Broth: Once the onions and carrots have begun to caramelize, add the sliced garlic to the pot. Cook the garlic for just about one minute, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and just begins to brown lightly. Be careful not to burn it. Immediately pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth.
4. Simmer for Flavor: Bring the broth mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let it simmer gently for one full hour. This long, slow simmer allows all the flavors from the vegetables to infuse deeply into the broth, creating a rich and complex taste.
5. Strain for Clarity: After simmering for an hour, carefully remove the pot from the heat. Place a fine-mesh sieve or strainer over a large, clean bowl. Slowly and gently pour the entire contents of the pot through the sieve, allowing the broth to pass through while catching all the solid vegetables. Discard the strained solids or reserve them for another use, like composting. This step is key to achieving a perfectly clear, restaurant-quality broth.
6. Serve & Garnish: Taste the hot broth and add salt as needed, adjusting to your preference. Divide the steaming hot broth evenly among four individual serving bowls. Garnish each bowl generously with fresh sliced scallions and thinly sliced button mushrooms. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade clear soup!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Clear Soup

Achieving a restaurant-quality clear soup is easier than you think with these expert tips.

• Flavor Extraction: Don’t skip searing the aromatics. This crucial step caramelizes the natural sugars, creating a deeper, more robust flavor base for your clear soup.
• Crystal-Clear Broth: Strain the broth slowly and gently through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth if you desire ultimate clarity. Avoid pressing on the solids, as this can release cloudy particles. Understanding the culinary science behind broth clarity can help in preventing cloudy stock.
• Troubleshooting Cloudy Soup: If your broth looks cloudy, it might be due to boiling too vigorously or pressing the solids during straining. A gentle simmer is key to a perfectly clear broth.
• Flavor Adjustments: Taste your broth after straining. Adjust salt as needed, and consider a tiny splash of soy sauce or a pinch of white pepper for an extra layer of flavor.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

This versatile clear soup can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are some ideas to make it your own!

Serving Ideas

• Accompaniments: Serve your clear soup alongside steamed rice, ramen noodles, or delicate dumplings for a more filling meal.
• Protein Additions: Stir in shredded cooked chicken, thinly sliced tofu, or small shrimp during the last few minutes of heating for a protein boost.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh cilantro, parsley, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added aroma and texture.

Storage Guidelines

• Refrigeration: Store leftover clear soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warm, or use a microwave.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add a few slices of fresh jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes when simmering for a touch of heat.
• Miso-Infused: Whisk in a tablespoon or two of white miso paste after straining the hot broth (do not boil miso).
• Vegetable Medley: Experiment with different vegetables like sliced bok choy, snow peas, or water chestnuts added in the last few minutes of cooking.

Nutrition Information

This clear soup is a light and wholesome choice for any meal. It’s naturally low in fat and calories, making it a fantastic option when you want something nourishing without feeling heavy. The fresh vegetables contribute essential vitamins and minerals, while the savory broth provides a comforting, hydrating base. Enjoy this simple clear soup knowing you’re fueling your body with goodness.

Nutrition per serving (approximate):

Values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Find quick answers to common questions about preparing this delicious clear soup.

• How to make soup perfectly clear? Strain your broth gently through a fine-mesh sieve, ideally lined with cheesecloth. Avoid pressing down on the solids as this releases starches that can cloud the liquid.
• What can I serve with clear soup? It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, noodles, or even a light salad. You can also add cooked chicken or tofu directly to the bowls.
• Can I freeze clear soup for later? Yes, absolutely! This clear soup recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to airtight freezer containers.
• Is clear soup healthy for colds? Yes, a warm bowl of clear soup is incredibly soothing and hydrating, making it an excellent choice when you’re feeling under the weather. It provides gentle nourishment.
• What makes a broth cloudy? Vigorous boiling can break down ingredients, releasing starches and proteins that make the broth cloudy. Pressing solids during straining also contributes to cloudiness.

Conclusion

This homemade clear soup recipe offers a wonderful balance of simplicity, flavor, and comfort. You’ve learned how to create a remarkably clear, deeply flavorful broth using basic ingredients and straightforward steps. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you crave something light and restorative, this soup is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. We encourage you to try this simple recipe and savor its soothing, versatile nature!

This homemade clear soup is light, nourishing, and packed with soothing flavor from fresh vegetables and aromatics. A perfect choice for when you need a simple, comforting meal that’s easy to digest and beautiful to serve.

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Course: Appetizer, Light Meal, Soup

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion

Calories: 60

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 tsp oil
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 large sweet onion (cut into wedges)
• 2 large carrots (cut into chunks)
• 2 inch fresh ginger (sliced)
• 6 cloves garlic (peeled and sliced)
• 4 whole scallions (sliced, for garnish)
• 10 button mushrooms (thinly sliced, for garnish)
• Salt (to taste)

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• fine mesh sieve or strainer
• Cutting Board
• Sharp knife
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Peel and prep onion, carrots, ginger, and garlic. Cut them as described so they're ready to use.
2. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and ginger. Sear for 5–7 minutes until caramelized.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant. Then pour in the chicken broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour to infuse flavor.
5. Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, discarding solids. Don’t press on solids to keep broth clear.
6. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve hot broth in bowls garnished with fresh scallions and sliced mushrooms.

Notes

Use vegetable or mushroom broth for a vegetarian option. Shiitake or cremini mushrooms add a deeper umami flavor. For clarity, strain broth through cheesecloth and don’t press the solids. Add greens like spinach or bok choy near the end of cooking for extra nutrients.

Taya Bennett

Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com