Description
A light, comforting, and nourishing Chinese-inspired vegetable soup packed with fresh vegetables, warming aromatics, and delicate flavors while staying very low in calories.
Ingredients
5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
2 cups napa cabbage or bok choy, shredded
1 cup mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, or button), sliced
1 medium carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, julienned
1/2 cup snow peas or green beans, sliced
2 scallions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced or grated
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
Salt and white pepper, to taste
Optional: Shirataki noodles or kelp noodles
Optional: Tofu cubes
Optional: Splash of rice vinegar or chili oil
Optional: Chopped cilantro or fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and add a small splash of water or broth. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the carrots, mushrooms, cabbage, zucchini, and snow peas. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant.
- Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil (if using), and white pepper. Adjust salt to taste.
- Add scallions and any optional add-ins such as tofu or shirataki noodles. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of chili oil if desired.
Notes
For an oil-free version, omit the sesame oil.
Add firm tofu for extra protein while keeping it low calorie.
Shirataki or kelp noodles increase volume without significantly increasing calories.
Swap napa cabbage with bok choy or add spinach at the end for extra greens.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Do not freeze as vegetables may become too soft after thawing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
