Finding the perfect tofu soup recipe can be a challenge; there are so many different varieties of soupy tofu filled broths that you could try making at home. We love our tofu soup to be hearty, wholesome, and healthy. We also love a tofu soup that has a real kick to it!
Well, we think we might just have found the perfect recipe. A delicious combination of hot and spicy ingredients perfectly balanced by its sour soupy taste. Combining spicy and peppery sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, vegetable broth, and plenty of tofu, this is one Asian-inspired dish that you won't want to miss out on.
Tips on how to cook tofu in soup at home
Hot and sour soup with tofu is an easy recipe to prepare at home. It's so simple, yet heartily comforting (especially on a cold day.)
To help you to prepare the best vegetable tofu soup, here are a few top tips and FAQs from our chefs!
How to drain your tofu
Firm tofu can be a real pain to drain, especially if you're new to the tofu game. Thoroughly drain the tofu before using it so that it can absorb the delicious hot, spicy, and sour flavours while it's simmering away on the stovetop.
Firm tofu gains its texture from its lack of moisture; it's already been pressed into shape during the production process. However, it's still not drained well enough until it's been given a good pressing.
You can do this by placing paper towels over the block of tofu and pressing down ontop using a large chopping board, but nothing is quite so effective as a tofu press.
Spicy or sour soup?
We love this vegetarian hot and sour soup recipe because it's super adaptable to personal tastes. Our recipe provides a rich balance between spicy and sour. The chilli garlic sauce gives you the fiery kick, and the vinegar adds the sour tang.
But some people prefer spice over sour, while others aren't quite so keen on a fiery soup. We suggest playing with the elements to get your perfect mix. Add a little spice, then add a little vinegar. Keep taking the broth as you simmer it and adjust it as you like.
Of course, if you prefer it on the spicier side, but your friends or family would rather it be sour, then you can pour in extra garlic chilli sauce when you're serving up individual bowls of soup with tofu.
How long does tofu soup take to cook?
Total prep time for tofu soup can be as little as 30 minutes, making this a quick meal to cook up in the kitchen on a regular weeknight. 30 minutes is the minimum cooking time frame, however, as this doesn't leave your broth too long to simmer once you've prepared all the ingredients, pressed your tofu, and chopped up all the vegetables.
For the tofu to absorb the flavours of the broth, we suggest leaving the soup to simmer on the stovetop for up to one hour before you serve. Just leave it on low heat, simmering away with all the rich flavours!
Should I simmer all the vegetables too?
You can simmer the vegetables with your broth and tofu, but just be aware that they'll become incredibly soft (especially the mushrooms.) This is all personal preference, though, because some people enjoy their vegetables soft and others enjoy them crunchy.
If your preference is crunchy, wait until the end of the cooking process to add your vegetables. It's fine to chop the vegetables up into portions and place them directly into your serving bowl too. Then when the broth is ready, pour the soup over the vegetables, and they'll be perfectly crunchy.
Can I use other vegetables too?
Our recipe calls for onions, cabbage, carrots, and green onions, but there are plenty of other vegetables that go particularly well with a hot, spicy, and sour soup, too.
Spinach adds an extra subtle layer to the soup, while ingredients such as broccoli or bell peppers create a crunchier, more distinctive texture in the broth. This recipe is extremely adaptable, so don't be afraid to experiment with your favourite vegetables.
Is tofu vegan?
If you're new to tofu recipes, you might be wondering if tofu is vegan. Well, we can assure that tofu is entirely vegan. This unique cooking ingredient has been popular for centuries in Asia and is slowly gaining ground as a versatile vegan addition to recipes around the globe.
Tofu is usually made form beancurd. The beancurd has been turned into a milk and then pressed into the distinctive blocks that you see when you purchase tofu from the shops. It's a similar process to making cheese, except there are no animal products involved at all, making tofu entirely vegan.
Will I have any leftover tofu soup?
We sincerely doubt that you'll have any leftover tofu soup after dinner, but if you do, then you can safely store the soup in your refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
When you're ready, you can reheat the tofu soup by slowly simmering it on the stovetop until it's warmed all the way through. Add more stock and more vegetables if you want to bulk the broth up for additional servings.
Try our healthy Chinese tofu soup recipe
This wonderful recipe uses a perfect mixture of tofu, vegetables, vinegar, broth, and spices to create a beautiful blend of spice, garlic, and sour. It's the sort of soup that leaves you feeling warm, comforted, and much healthier than before. What's even better, it's completely vegan!
Make this recipe yours with subtle changes in the depth of spice and flavouring or merely using different veggies.
This Chinese-inspired recipe is easy to cook at home too, so why not save our recipe and learn how to make tofu soup for your next Asian-inspired dinner?
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