Description
Cleansing Winter Vegetable Miso Soup is a nourishing and warming Japanese-inspired broth packed with seasonal vegetables and gut-friendly miso paste. This light yet satisfying soup is perfect for cold days, gentle detoxing, or when you need a comforting immune boost without feeling heavy. It features a flavorful blend of fresh ginger, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, napa cabbage, and leafy greens, gently simmered to preserve nutrients and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth and Base
- 6 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste
- 1 tablespoon tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Vegetables
- 1 cup chopped napa cabbage or green cabbage
- 1 cup sliced shiitake or cremini mushrooms
- 1 medium carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
- 1 small daikon radish, peeled and sliced
- 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale
Optional
- Tofu cubes
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Heat Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger, sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to develop a flavorful base.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the sliced mushrooms, carrots, daikon radish, and zucchini to the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly while maintaining their texture.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in the water or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the chopped cabbage and let cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until all vegetables are tender yet still retain some bite.
- Add Miso Paste: Turn off the heat and dissolve the miso paste in a small amount of hot broth taken from the pot to prevent clumping. Stir the dissolved miso back into the soup gently, ensuring it is fully incorporated without boiling.
- Season Soup: Stir in the tamari or soy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. This step ensures balanced umami flavors without overpowering saltiness.
- Finish with Greens and Tofu: Just before serving, add the baby spinach or kale and sliced green onions to keep them bright, fresh, and nutrient-rich. If using, gently stir in tofu cubes at this stage to warm without breaking apart.
Notes
- Do not boil the soup after adding miso paste to preserve its probiotics and delicate flavors.
- Add cooked soba noodles or rice to make the soup more filling and turn it into a hearty meal.
- Miso paste saltiness can vary between brands; adjust amount of tamari or soy sauce accordingly to taste.
