Our tofu soup combines a tasty broth with crisp veggies and bite-size tofu pieces into a warm, delicious, cozy dish.
You’ll love this recipe because it’s simple, tasty, and healthy and because you can easily customize it to your taste by choosing your favorite veggies.
Tofu soup is light yet fulfilling; you can even add noodles to make it a satisfying meal.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (1) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (1)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tofu-soup-recipe-3.jpg)
Table of Contents
- Tofu soup video
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to make tofu soup
- Variations
- Tip
- Questions
- Storage
- More tofu recipes
- More soup recipes
- Tofu Soup Recipe
Dietary Note: this recipe is suitable for a vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diet.
There are many ways of making tofu soup, from Korean soondubu jjigae to Japanese Miso soup; tofu is an excellent ingredient because of its neutral flavor and high nutritional profile.
Our tofu soup is an Asian-inspired dish you can make with basic and simple ingredients as an everyday dinner in about 30 minutes.
The best part is that you can customize it with your favorite seasonal vegetables – we show you options for all seasons.
The recipe has a good balance of protein, vegetables, and fats. It’s also fast, easy, customizable, simple to make gluten-free if needed, and perfect as an everyday meal.
We keep this recipe vegan without pork, beef, chicken, egg, clams, chicken stock, anchovy stock, or shrimp and instead use tofu as our primary source of healthy fats and plant-based proteins.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (2) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (2)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-18.jpg)
Tofu soup video
Ingredients and Substitutions
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (3) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (3)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/3-1.png)
Quantities are in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.
Tofu
Depending on your taste, you can use most types of tofu for this soup.
We like to use firm tofu or extra-firm tofu. Soft tofu and silken tofu are also excellent in this recipe.
Mushrooms
We like to use a mix of mushrooms, generally what we find at our store.
You can use white mushrooms, brown mushrooms, cremini, portobello, oyster mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms.
Dried mushrooms
Dried mushrooms add a bold flavor and umami to the soup.
We recommend using dried shiitake mushrooms, dried porcini mushrooms, or dried oyster mushrooms.
They must be soaked first in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Their soaking water should also be added to the soup, so do not discard it because it’s incredibly flavorful.
Substitute miso for dried mushrooms. You can use any miso, a couple of tablespoons, dissolved in water before adding it.
Ginger, garlic & chili
Ginger, garlic, and chili make up the flavor base for the soup. We gently fry them in olive oil so they release their flavor.
The ginger and garlic should be finely chopped. You can add more or less chili pepper based on your spice tolerance.
Substitute red pepper flakes, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or gochugaru for the red chili.
Substitute avocado oil or coconut oil for olive oil.
Soy sauce
Soy sauce adds sapidity, flavor, and umami.
You can replace it with tamari sauce or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative.
Vegetable broth
We generally use store-bought vegetable broth, especially if we want to make this tofu soup as an everyday dinner.
But of course, you can make your own vegetable stock from scratch.
Vegetables
Our go-to vegetables for tofu soup are broccoli and frozen peas. Other veggie combinations excellent in the soup are:
- Snow peas and asparagus: perfect for a spring variation of this tofu soup.
- Zucchini and bell pepper: ideal for the summer when these ingredients are in season.
- Cauliflower, frozen edamame beans, and spinach are perfect for fall and winter.
- Other veggies: these are just our suggestions; you can add other seasonal vegetables in your local grocery store. Try kale, napa cabbage, Chinese cabbage, chard, sweet potatoes, and even kimchi.
Salt & Pepper
Add sea salt and black pepper to taste, considering that the soy sauce and miso add a bold, savory flavor.
Miso (optional)
Miso paste is optional in this tofu soup recipe. We recommend it if you want to add even more flavor and umami; plus, miso is healthy for your gut.
You can use any type of miso paste.
Toppings
- Scallion or cilantro: we love adding fresh cilantro or finely sliced scallion or spring onion on top of the soup. They both add freshness and garnish the tofu soup. You can replace them with parsley, lemongrass, green onions, and chives.
- Sesame oil: this is optional, but if you have it handy, you can add a few drops on top of the soup just before serving it.
Noodles (optional)
We tested this soup with several noodles, and here’s what we learned.
We recommend using fresh or pre-cooked noodles that often come in vacuum packages like ramen and udon because you can add them directly into the soup, let them warm for a few minutes, and you are ready to serve them.
If you want dry noodles, we recommend cooking them separately first, then adding them to the soup. This is because they absorb much water, and the tofu soup would dry out.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (4) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (4)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-11.jpg)
How to make tofu soup
Prep the mushrooms
The first step to make this vegan tofu soup is to soak the dried mushrooms in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes.
Don’t discard the soaking water, as we’ll use it later. It’s packed with flavor.
In the meantime, chop the fresh mushrooms. I like chopping them quite chunkily as they’ll shrink slightly when cooked.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (5) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (5)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-2.jpg)
Make the flavor base
Finely chop the garlic, ginger, and red chili pepper.
Alternatively, you can grate the garlic and ginger if you prefer.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven, then add the finely chopped garlic, ginger, and chili. Fry gently for about a minute without burning the garlic.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (6) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (6)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-3-2.jpg)
Squeeze the dried mushrooms out of their soaking water (reserve the soaking water), cut them up with scissors if the pieces are too large, then add them to the pot.
Now add fresh chopped mushrooms, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper, and let cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often.
The mushrooms should start releasing their water.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (7) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (7)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-4.jpg)
Add the rest of the ingredients
Now add the soaking water from the dried mushrooms – pass it through a sift if you see that it is sandy, as dried mushrooms can contain some debris.
Add vegetable broth, cover the pot with a lid, set the stove to medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (8) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (8)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-6.jpg)
Turn the heat down to medium-low so that the soup keeps simmering gently, then add tofu diced into bite-sized pieces, broccoli florets, and frozen peas (or the vegetables of your choice).
Tip: If you use soft or silken tofu, you might want to scoop it out from its box with a spoon instead of cutting it with a knife.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (9) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (9)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-7.jpg)
Let the soup simmer gently for about 10 minutes or until the veggies are cooked but not too soft.
Cooking time varies based on the vegetables that you use, but it’s generally around 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve in a bowl and garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro. Optionally, you can drizzle with a few drops of sesame or chili oil.
Tip: add 1 to 2 tablespoons of miso paste to make the tofu soup more flavorful. Add miso towards the end. Dissolve it in a small bowl with some hot broth, then add it.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (10) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (10)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-17.jpg)
Variations
Tofu soup with noodles
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (11) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (11)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TOFU-SOUP-VARIATIONS-3.jpg)
Noodles are a perfect addition to this soup. We recommend fresh ramen or udon noodles, but you can also add dry rice noodles or soy noodles.
If you use fresh noodles, add them right into the soup with an extra cup or two of vegetable broth, then let simmer for a few minutes as per package instructions.
If you use dry noodles, we recommend cooking them separately first, then adding them to the soup.
We recommend this because dry noodles soak up quite a bit of water, and they’ll dry your soup if you cook them in the same pot.
Spring tofu soup
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (12) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (12)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tofu-soup-10-1.jpg)
You can add any of your favorite veggies to this tofu soup and make this any time of the year.
Keep the mushroom base the same and add chopped asparagus and snow peas instead of broccoli and frozen peas.
Summer tofu soup
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (13) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (13)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TOFU-SOUP-VARIATIONS-2.jpg)
Try adding chopped zucchini and frozen peas.
Fall and winter tofu soup
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (14) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (14)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-19.jpg)
Try using fall or winter vegetables. Depending on where you live, you can add cauliflower florets, spinach, napa cabbage, or kale.
Korean Tofu Soup with Kimchi
Soft tofu soup with kimchi is a Korean-inspired soup that is delicious but slightly more particular than our classic tofu soup.
This version is inspired by Korean soft-tofu stew (Sundubu Jjigae). We don’t claim this is the original version; it’s just our adaptation, but it’s delicious and easy to prepare.
To make it, you’ll need kimchi instead of mushrooms. Kimchi is a Korean dish generally made with fermented napa cabbage.
Fry the chopped chili (or Korean red pepper flakes or Gochujang), finely chopped garlic, and finely chopped ginger in oil for a minute.
Add kimchi and soy sauce and fry for another couple of minutes, stirring often. You’ll need about 1 cup of kimchi and its juice.
Now add the vegetable broth and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes. Generally, this soup is served with Korean soft tofu, but we often make ours with regular firm tofu (I know, not original, but still delicious).
We also like to add extra veggies to the soup, like broccoli or mushrooms (Enoki mushrooms are delicious in this recipe).
Tip
Miso adds a wonderful deep flavor with umami, and we recommend it in this soup.
If using miso paste, dissolve it first in a bowl with some hot broth. This prevents the miso from lumping up in the soup.
Also, add miso towards the end. Miso is a fermented food that contains alive gut-friendly bacteria, so you don’t want to boil it in the soup.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (15) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (15)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-14-1.jpg)
Questions
Can tofu be used in soups?
Yes. Tofu can be used in soups. You can use soft tofu, silken tofu, firm tofu, and extra-firm tofu.
Can you put raw tofu in soup?
Yes. You can put raw tofu in the soup and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to warm and flavor it. Tofu can be eaten raw, so it’s no problem to add it raw to soups.
What kind of tofu is best for soup?
Any kind of tofu is good for soups. It depends on the dish you are trying to make and your taste. In Korean tofu soups, you can use soft tofu; in some Chinese soups, you can use silken tofu. In Westernized tofu soups, you can use firm or extra firm tofu.
Is tofu soup healthy?
Yes. Tofu soup is healthy as it contains many nutrients, vitamins, and vegetables.
How do you cut tofu for soups?
It depends on the type of tofu. You can dice firm and extra firm tofu. Soft and silken tofu can be spooned from their box and added to the soup instead of cutting them with a knife.
Storage
Make ahead: tofu soup is an excellent recipe for meal prep as it keeps well for days and tastes delicious the day after it’s made.
Refrigerator: keep this vegan tofu soup in the fridge, ideally in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Let the soup cool down completely, then transfer it to a freezer-friendly container, leaving some space to allow the soup to expand. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw & Reheat: Thaw in the microwave or a pot on the stovetop. Warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave. Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro, scallions, and a drizzle of sesame oil.
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (16) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (16)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tofu-soup-recipe-9.jpg)
More tofu recipes
For more easy and delicious tofu inspiration, try these protein–rich recipes:
Tofu
Tofu Curry
Tofu
Tofu Stir Fry
Tofu
Tofu Scramble
More soup recipes
Love wholesome and legume-based soups? Take a look at these one–pot meals:
Soups
Lentil Vegetable Soup
Soups
Chickpea Soup
Soups
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Soups
Curry Lentil Soup
For more curries, stews, and soups, check out our soups category page.
Tofu Soup
By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 37 votes
Out tofu soup combines a tasty broth with crisp veggies and bite-size tofu pieces into a warm, delicious, cozy dish.
You’ll love this recipe because it’s simple, tasty, and healthy and because you can easily customize it to your taste by choosing your favorite veggies.
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main, Soup, Starter
Cuisine: Asian, International
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup dried mushrooms shiitake are best, or 1 tablespoon miso paste dissolved in a cup of hot broth
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped or grated
- 1½ inches ginger finely chopped or grated
- ½ red hot chili or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces mushrooms white, brown, portobello, chopped
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 twists black pepper
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 14 ounces tofu firm or extra firm, diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets swap asparagus, cauliflower florets, diced bell pepper, sliced zucchini, etc.
- ¾ cup frozen peas swap snow peas, edamame beans, spinach, kale, cabbage, etc.
TOPPING
- 1 scallion finely sliced, swap fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil or chili oil
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
- 1 heaping tablespoon miso paste dissolved in hot broth and added towards the end
- 4 servings noodles we recommend fresh noodles like udon or ramen. If you use dry noodles, like rice or soy vermicelli, cook them in a separate pot first, then add them to the soup.
Instructions
Soak ¾ cup dried mushrooms in a bowl with hot water for 5 minutes, then squeeze them out of the water and cut them into chunks. Reserve the soaking water for later.
Chop 8 ounces mushrooms into chunks. Don't cut them too thin.
In a large pot, heat 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, 1½ inches ginger, ½ red hot chili (all finely chopped). Fry on low heat for one minute.
Add the dried and fresh mushrooms, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 twists black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes.
Add 6 cups vegetable broth, the reserved soaking water from dried mushrooms and bring to a boil.
Add 14 ounces tofu (diced), 1 cup broccoli florets, and ¾ cup frozen peas and simmer until the veggies are cooked – about 10 minutes.
If you want to add miso paste, dissolve it first in hot broth, then add it when the soup is almost ready.
Serve in a bowl and top with 1 scallion (finely chopped) and 2 teaspoons sesame oil
VARIATION WITH NOODLES
If you use fresh noodles, add them right into the soup with an extra cup or two of vegetable broth, then let simmer for a few minutes as per package instructions.
If you use dry noodles, we recommend cooking them separately first, then adding them to the soup.
We recommend this because dry noodles soak up quite a bit of water, and they’ll dry your soup if you cook them in the same pot.
Video
Easy Tofu Soup ready in 20 minutes
Notes
Nutrition informationis an estimate for one serving of tofu soup out of four servings without noodles.
STORAGE
Make ahead: tofu soup is an excellent recipe for meal prep as it keeps well for days and tastes delicious the day after it’s made.
Refrigerator: keep this vegan tofu soup in the fridge, ideally in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Let the soup cool down completely, then transfer it to a freezer-friendly container, leaving some space to allow the soup to expand. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw & Reheat: Thaw in the microwave or a pot on the stovetop. Warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave. Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro, scallions, and a drizzle of sesame oil.
ALSO ON THIS PAGE
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Questions
- More tofu recipes
- More soup recipes
Nutrition
Calories: 237kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 457mg, Dietary Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 669IU, Vitamin B6: 0.2mg, Vitamin C: 28mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 51µg, Calcium: 159mg, Folate: 50µg, Iron: 2mg, Manganese: 0.4mg, Magnesium: 34mg, Zinc: 1mg
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30 High Protein Vegetarian Meals
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Categorized as:
Recipes, Soups, Tofu
![Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (38) Tofu Soup - The Plant Based School (38)](https://i0.wp.com/theplantbasedschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Nico-and-Louise-PBS.jpg)
Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.
Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.
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