If you’ve been missing the bold, tangy flavors of Chinese hot and sour soup but are following a keto diet, you’re in for a treat. This Keto Hot and Sour Soup recipe is a low-carb, high-flavor alternative that will keep your taste buds dancing while keeping you in ketosis. Whether you’re craving comfort food or just something zesty and satisfying, this recipe offers the perfect blend of savory, spicy, and sour goodness without the carbs.
Keto hot and sour soup is versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences, while still staying true to the classic flavor profile. The richness of the broth, combined with the tangy vinegar, earthy mushrooms, and tender tofu, makes this soup perfect for both lunch and dinner. It’s not just satisfying, but also nourishing, making it an ideal option for those looking to stay on track with their ketogenic lifestyle.
Ready to take a deep dive into creating this low-carb masterpiece? Let’s break it down.
Keto Hot And Sour Soup Recipe
This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. You don’t need fancy kitchen tools-just basic ingredients that come together to create a balanced, flavorful, and satisfying dish.
Ingredients Needed
For the soup itself, you will need the following:
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Bone Broth Or Chicken Broth (4 Cups)
A good-quality broth will form the rich, savory base of your soup. Bone broth is ideal for extra nutrients, but chicken broth works well too.
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Shiitake Mushrooms (1 Cup, Sliced)
These mushrooms bring an earthy depth to the soup, perfect for that umami flavor that’s so essential in hot and sour soup. They’re also low in carbs and full of antioxidants.
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Firm Tofu (1/2 Block, Sliced Thinly)
Tofu adds a great texture, soaking up the delicious broth while keeping the soup light. It’s a great plant-based protein option for keto.
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Bamboo Shoots (1/2 Cup, Sliced)
Bamboo shoots offer a mild crunch, and their neutral flavor pairs wonderfully with the spicy and sour elements of the soup.
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White Vinegar (2 Tbsp)
This ingredient delivers the signature "sour" kick to the soup, giving it that bold tang that defines hot and sour soup.
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Tamari Or Coconut Aminos (3 Tbsp)
These are gluten-free soy sauce alternatives that still bring the rich, savory taste you need, but without the carbs or gluten.
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Chili Paste Or Hot Sauce (1-2 Tbsp)
The "hot" in hot and sour comes from the chili paste or hot sauce. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
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Garlic (3 Cloves, Minced)
Garlic adds a savory depth and aromatic richness, balancing out the sharp vinegar and spice.
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Ginger (1 Tbsp, Fresh, Minced)
Fresh ginger gives the soup a touch of warmth and spice, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
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Egg (1 Large)
This is whisked into the soup to create silky ribbons of egg throughout, providing a lovely texture contrast to the mushrooms and tofu.
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Sesame Oil (1 Tsp)
This gives the soup a nutty, slightly toasted flavor that complements all the other ingredients.
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Cilantro (optional, For Garnish)
Fresh cilantro adds a burst of brightness at the end, balancing the richness of the soup.
Cooking Instructions
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Prepare The Broth
In a large pot, heat your bone or chicken broth over medium-high heat. Bring it to a simmer to start developing the base flavors.
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Sauté Garlic And Ginger
In a separate pan, heat a little sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing them until fragrant (about 2 minutes). This step intensifies the aromatic base of your soup.
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Add The Mushrooms And Bamboo Shoots
Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots to the pot with the broth. Let them cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the mushrooms to soften and the flavors to meld.
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Season The Broth
Stir in the tamari (or coconut aminos), vinegar, and chili paste or hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning to taste-more chili paste for heat or more vinegar for an extra sour kick.
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Whisk In The Egg
In a small bowl, beat your egg. Slowly drizzle it into the simmering soup while stirring gently. The egg will form delicate ribbons in the broth.
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Add Tofu And Simmer
Gently stir in the sliced tofu. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow the tofu to soak up the broth’s flavor and heat through.
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Final Adjustments
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed-add more vinegar for sourness, tamari for saltiness, or chili paste for heat.
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Serve And Garnish
Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle with a little more sesame oil, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve hot!
Ingredient Insights
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Bone Broth Vs. Chicken Broth
Bone broth is a great option because it’s packed with collagen, which is beneficial for joint health and digestion. It also adds richness to the soup. However, if you prefer a lighter base, chicken broth will work just fine and still maintain that savory flavor.
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Shiitake Mushrooms
These mushrooms not only offer a distinctive flavor but are also rich in polysaccharides, which are thought to boost the immune system. They’re a great low-calorie, low-carb ingredient that adds a meaty texture to your soup.
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Tofu
Firm tofu is perfect for soup because it holds its shape when simmered. Plus, it’s a high-quality protein source that fits into any keto diet, offering essential amino acids while keeping the carb count low.
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Vinegar
The acidity of vinegar is what truly makes the soup "sour." White vinegar is traditional, but you can also experiment with apple cider vinegar for a milder, slightly fruity tang.
Expert Tips
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Don’t Overcook The Egg
The egg is a key texture component of the soup. When adding it, don’t let it cook too long, as it can become rubbery. You want delicate egg ribbons, so be sure to add it at the right moment and stir gently.
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Adjust Spice Level
If you prefer a more intense heat, you can add extra chili paste or even a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. If you’re not fond of spicy food, start with just a little hot sauce and taste as you go.
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Make It Ahead Of Time
This soup can actually taste better the next day as the flavors deepen. If you plan to meal prep, just store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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For Extra Richness
If you want to make the soup even richer, consider adding a splash of full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream toward the end of cooking. This adds creaminess while keeping the carb count low.
Recipe Variations
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Vegan Option
Skip the egg and use a plant-based protein like tempeh instead of tofu. You can also add more vegetables like spinach or bok choy for extra greens.
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Meat Lover’s Version
If you’re not vegetarian or vegan, adding cooked shredded chicken or even ground pork would give the soup more body and richness, while still keeping it keto-friendly.
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Spicy Kick
Add more chili paste, or even a few dashes of hot sauce to make it super spicy. For an extra layer of heat, consider adding fresh chopped jalapeños or Thai bird’s eye chilies.
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Add More Vegetables
If you want more fiber and texture, you can include shredded carrots, zucchini noodles, or a handful of baby spinach in the soup. Just be mindful of the carb count if you’re sticking to strict keto.
Final Words
This Keto Hot and Sour Soup is more than just a comforting dish; it’s an explosion of flavors that will keep you satisfied and on track with your keto goals. By swapping out high-carb ingredients with keto-friendly alternatives, you get all the depth, spice, and sourness you crave, without the worry of exceeding your carb limit.
It’s simple to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for meal prep. Whether you’re cooking for one or a crowd, this soup has all the right elements-savory, sour, spicy, and rich-to keep you coming back for more.
FAQs
What Ingredients Are Used In A Keto Hot And Sour Soup Recipe?
A typical keto hot and sour soup uses low-carb ingredients such as chicken or pork, mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables like bamboo shoots and spinach. For the broth, you’ll use chicken stock, vinegar (rice or apple cider vinegar), soy sauce, and a low-carb sweetener like stevia or erythritol. Spices like ginger, garlic, and chili flakes add heat, while xanthan gum is often used as a thickener to keep the soup keto-friendly.
Is Hot And Sour Soup Keto-friendly?
Traditional hot and sour soup is often not keto-friendly due to the high carbohydrate content from ingredients like cornstarch, sugar, and certain vegetables. However, by substituting high-carb ingredients with low-carb options, such as using xanthan gum instead of cornstarch for thickening, and replacing sugar with a keto-approved sweetener, you can make a low-carb version suitable for the ketogenic diet.
Can I Use Chicken Instead Of Pork In A Keto Hot And Sour Soup Recipe?
Yes, chicken can be used as a substitute for pork in keto hot and sour soup. Chicken breast or thighs work well as they are low in carbs and will still provide the soup with a rich flavor. Adjust the cooking time according to the cut of chicken you use to ensure it’s fully cooked.
How Do I Make The Soup Spicy Without Using Sugar?
To add spice to your keto hot and sour soup without sugar, focus on using chili flakes, chili paste, or fresh sliced jalapeños. These ingredients provide the heat without adding any carbs. Additionally, hot mustard or sriracha sauce (in moderation) can add both spice and a bit of tang.
Can I Use A Different Sweetener Instead Of Stevia In Keto Hot And Sour Soup?
Yes, you can substitute stevia with other keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, or allulose. Just ensure to adjust the quantity according to the sweetness level of the alternative sweetener, as some may be sweeter or less sweet than stevia.
How Do I Thicken Keto Hot And Sour Soup Without Using Cornstarch?
To thicken keto hot and sour soup, you can use xanthan gum or guar gum. These low-carb thickeners provide a similar texture to cornstarch without the carbs. A small amount of xanthan gum (usually about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon) should be enough to thicken the soup without altering the taste.
Is Tofu Necessary For Making Keto Hot And Sour Soup?
Tofu is commonly used in keto hot and sour soup for added texture and protein. However, if you prefer not to use tofu, you can replace it with cooked chicken, pork, or even shrimp, depending on your dietary preferences. These alternatives will still keep the soup low in carbs while adding flavor and protein.
Can I Use Bone Broth Instead Of Regular Chicken Broth?
Yes, you can use bone broth instead of regular chicken broth for a richer and more flavorful keto hot and sour soup. Bone broth is an excellent source of collagen and additional nutrients, which can enhance the nutritional profile of the soup. It will also provide a deeper, more savory taste.
How Do I Make Keto Hot And Sour Soup More Sour?
To increase the sourness of your keto hot and sour soup, you can add extra vinegar. Rice vinegar is commonly used, but apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can work as well. If you prefer a more tangy flavor, you can also add a bit of lemon or lime juice for added acidity.
How Many Carbs Are In A Serving Of Keto Hot And Sour Soup?
The carb content of keto hot and sour soup can vary depending on the specific recipe, but on average, a serving contains around 4 to 6 grams of net carbs. The key to keeping it low-carb is using keto-friendly ingredients, such as avoiding high-carb vegetables like carrots and potatoes, and substituting cornstarch with xanthan gum.