Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (2024)

  • Popular, Quick and healthy, Recipes, Savory dishes, Soups, Sushi, Vegan, Vegetarian
  • 22, December 2015
  • 9 Comments

Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (1)

Today I have a healthy, vegan miso soup recipe for you, which you can either enjoy as a standalone main course or (if you omit the noodles) serve as a starter if you’re throwing a Sushi Party. This classic recipe from the Japanese cuisine really shouldn’t be missing on such a Sushi-loving blog.

Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (2)

Miso paste

Miso paste* is the Japanese equivalent to our good old vegetable broth and is basically made up of fermented soy beans and salt. One of the many benefits of fermented products is that they are more or less non-perishable. I store my miso paste in a glass jar in the fridge but you can also keep it in your cabinet.

There are three different kinds of miso paste, light, dark and red. I like to use the red miso paste for my soup yet you should just try out which one of the three you like the most.

When buying miso paste you should pay attention to the ingredients if you’re on a glutenfree or vegan / vegetarian diet, since some of them may contain fish or gluten. Basically keep your fingers away from miso paste that has more ingredients than you have fingers on both hands.

Tofu

For miso soup you’ll need fresh, firm tofu. If you mistakenly take silken tofu, don’t use it for the soup as it’s too soft and make a chocolate mousse instead.

My personal favourite tofu is from the organic brand Taifun (you should get your hands on their tofu in Germany and maybe in some other European countries). I just love the taste, the other tofu from the supermarket just can’t keep up with it.

Wakame (Dried seaweed)

A miso soup wouldn’t be a miso soup if the seaweed was missing. So make sure to always have some dried seaweed*, or wakame, at home. Dried seaweed is very yielding and only a teaspoon should be enough for a bowl as it soaks in water and wells a lot.

Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (3)

Udon Noodles

Udon is a Japanese sort of pasta, and much thicker than usual noodles (meant for soups). Udon noodles are also used for Ramen*. You can shop them at Asian supermarkets and they are very affordable. They are usually sold in small plastic packs or you might find them in the freezer section

Shiitake mushrooms (fresh or dried)

If you get your hands on fresh shiitake mushroom – Yay! Good for you! If not, give dried mushrooms a try. You can get dried mushrooms at Asian supermarkets (or online*). Before using them they have to be soaked in hot water for at least 20 minutes. Afterwards you can handle them like fresh mushrooms, slice and fry them. Note that the texture of dried mushrooms will be a lot more gooey than that off fresh ones – not everyone’s cup of tea (I love them).

Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (4)

And what’s after the Miso Soup?

If you’re like me, you’re probably of the opinion that a soup is not a ‘proper’ main course since it’s basically just liquid. My stomach usually demands something more ‘substantial’ before it even consideres sending some signals to my brain that tell me I’m full. But rest assured, there are enough solid components in this miso soup, protein-rich tofu, shiitake and udon noodles, that’ll leave you full and happy after devouring it.

Yet, you can have this beautiful soup as a starter as well, e.g. if you’re planning to have Sushi with friends. In this case I’d recommend to keep it simple and omit everything but the broth, a little tofu and some spring onions to keep the soup light. You don’t want to be full after your starter, right?

Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (5)

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Miso Soup for Beginners

Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (6)

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A quick and healthy recipe for a vegan miso soup bowl with miso paste

Author: Sabrina Dietz / Purple Avocado

Typ: Soup, Starter

Cuisine: Vegan, Vegetarian, Japanese

Portionen / Serves: 2-4 servings (either as a main or starter)

Zutaten / Ingredients

FOR THE MISO BROTH

SOUP INGREDIENTS

TO TASTE

  • fried onions
  • chili sauce
  • herbs (coriander, parsley)

Zubereitung / Instructions

  1. Soak the dried shiitake for at least 20 minutes in hot water and cut them into stripes afterwards. If you're using fresh shiitake mushrooms remove dirt with a brush or soft towel.
  2. Dice the tofu. Wash and slice the spring onions.
  3. Peel and mince the onion and sauté them in a pot with some oil.
  4. Add the shiitake and fry them for another 5 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, bringt 1 liter of water to a boil (e.g. in a water kettle).
  6. Add ca. 5 tablespoons of miso paste to the mushrooms and onions and stir everything together. Now deglaze everything with the boiling water and stir until the miso paste has completely dissolved (which should happen relatively quickly).
  7. Add the tofu, spring onions and seaweed to the soup and - if necessary - some more miso paste to taste.
  8. Once the seaweed is welled and soft you can add the udon noodles and let it simmer until they are ready. As the noodles are pre-boiled they are done within minutes.
  9. Serve in bowls and garnish with fried onions, chili sauce and herbs to taste.

Anmerkungen / Notes

*affiliate links. I'm giving you those link so that you know, what you're looking for. You can get all those ingredients in Asian supermarkets as well as (organic) supermarkets.

Would you like to learn how to take such moody photos?
Have a look at my Food Photography Equipment Guide

*This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made via those links won’t cost you a penny more, yet recompensate me with a little commission. Consequently, if you like one of the presented products I’ve be ever so grateful if you purchased it via my links as a form of appreciation for the work I put into my posts.
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9 Responses

  1. Miso has to be one of my favourite flavours ever – in both sweet and savoury things. I never have made a miso soup before so thanks for the inspiration Xx

    Reply

    1. You’re welcome <3
      I also love it a lot, however, mostly they are not very good at all you can eat places, so I decided to make it by myself 🙂

      Reply

  2. It looks fantastic your miso soup and I am happy to have come on your blog that I know now, thanks to the fact that you won the overall for DMBLGIT.

    Reply

    1. Hello Rebecka 🙂
      Thank you for your comment. I’m always happy to know from where people get to know my blog <3

      Reply

  3. This miso soup looks delicious! And beautifully photographed too 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you Sarah 🙂 And Happy Easter!

      Reply

  4. This miso soup looks delicious 🙂 I never realized that mushrooms were so healthy until I read this someplace. They are actually very good for you.

    Reply

  5. Absolutely delicious!

    Reply

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Healthy Miso Soup Vegan Recipe (Basics for Beginners) | Purple Avocado (2024)

FAQs

How do you make miso soup without killing probiotics? ›

Don't Kill the Probiotic!

It is super simple to make and consists of only two ingredients (although you can add more if you like) and the only thing you need to remember is to not heat the water above 115 degrees. The lower temperature will preserve all the probiotics and keep them from being destroyed by high heat.

Is too much miso soup unhealthy? ›

You may want to eat miso in moderation by adding it sparingly in your day-to-day cooking, especially if you are watching your sodium intake or have high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease.

What is the healthiest miso? ›

Hikari Miso, Organic Miso Mild Sodium Miso

This product is even healthier than others as it has less sodium. It is also the traditional Shinshu-style made from organic rice and soybeans, and has a yellow color. The high koji ratio creates a mild and sweet taste.

Can I eat miso soup every day? ›

Miso soup is low calorie, low fat, and high in nutrient content, so it is safe to eat daily. However, it does have a high salt content. So, those on blood thinning medication or who have heart problems (including high blood pressure and heart disease) may want to limit their consumption of miso soup.

How do you eat miso without killing bacteria? ›

Boiling miso can harm the probiotic bacteria. At temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit these delicate bacteria are destroyed. We recommend adding miso paste to soups just prior to serving.

Does miso soup heal your gut? ›

Healthier digestive system

Miso soup contains prebiotics and probiotics, which may contribute to improved gut health. Miso soup contains the prebiotic A. oryzae.

Who should avoid miso? ›

Some people may have an allergy to soy protein and will therefore need to avoid miso and other soy-based foods. Soybeans are considered to be goitrogenic. This means if you have a thyroid issue you may be advised to minimise your intake.

Is miso bad for blood pressure? ›

Miso is a probiotic food, also known as beneficial bacteria, and may improve blood pressure control. This mineral helps to relax the walls of our blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure and prevent muscle cramping.

Can I just add miso paste to water? ›

Adding it to boiling water will kill the probiotics in the miso, nixing the health benefits it typically offers, like better digestive health. Wait until the soup has been taken off the heat and then stir or whisk in miso to taste. The paste-like texture will melt into the soup thanks to the residual heat of the stock.

Which color miso is best? ›

Choose the best miso

Yellow or shinsu miso is an all-purpose miso that has a slightly deeper flavour than shiro because it is fermented longer. Red/brown or aka miso is richer and darker than the others and works well in soups and stews, but too much can spoil the flavour.

Why is miso so expensive? ›

“Traditionally, rice miso is more expensive than barley miso, because the grain is more expensive,” explains Chung. Accordingly, wealthier merchants could afford to purchase more expensive miso made with rice, whereas farmers and townsfolk often ate miso made with millet, barley, or other common grains.

What is the difference between white miso and regular miso? ›

They are red, white, and awase, or mixed. White miso is the result of miso made with a large percentage of rice, which results in a milder taste and lighter color. Red miso has more soybeans and is often fermented for a longer period of time, which gives it a darker color and stronger flavor.

Why does miso soup make me sleepy? ›

Miso contains amino acids that can help boost the production of melatonin, a natural hormone that helpsmake you sleepy. Bananas: An excellent source of magnesium and potassium, which can help relax overstressed muscles. They also contain tryptophan, which convert to serotonin and melatonin.

Is store-bought miso soup healthy? ›

=>Miso soup is full of healthy, good-for-you ingredients. It's made from soybeans, seaweed, and koji — all of which are rich in protein and fiber.

How often do Japanese people eat miso soup? ›

It is believed that over three-quarters of people in Japan consume miso soup at least once a day. The origins of this popular dish can be traced back to ancient times. It became a 'daily meal' for the samurais during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), and, during the age of Japanese civil wars.

How to preserve probiotics in miso soup? ›

Adding it to boiling water will kill the probiotics in the miso, nixing the health benefits it typically offers, like better digestive health. Wait until the soup has been taken off the heat and then stir or whisk in miso to taste. The paste-like texture will melt into the soup thanks to the residual heat of the stock.

Does instant miso still have probiotics? ›

Miso instant soup is a great source of protein and healthy fats. It also contains probiotics that aid in digestion, may reduce cholesterol levels, increase bone density, lower your risk for heart disease and decrease inflammation throughout the body.

Is miso a probiotic when cooked? ›

Similar to other fermented foods, miso is jam-packed with probiotics, which are a type of beneficial bacteria that live in your digestive tract. (However, heating miso is likely to kill these probiotics, according to a 2018 research review .)

What temperature of water kills probiotics? ›

As a general rule, when probiotic cultures are subjected to temperatures of 120 degrees F and above they start to die off [1]. It's the reason fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso, marketed as containing “live” beneficial bacteria, can't be exposed to high heat during the cooking process.

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