Skip to main content

Simple Miso Broth

Miso is a nutritious, high-protein product fermented from soybeans and salt (or a combination of soybeans, grains, and salt). Available at all natural food stores and Asian groceries (as is the sea vegetable kombu), pungent-tasting miso is most commonly used to make simple broths. Here is a basic recipe, which really should be considered a soup in itself rather than as a stock for making other soups. Note that once the miso is stirred into water, it should not be boiled. Otherwise, its beneficial enzymes will be destroyed.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 6 cups

Ingredients

1 recipe Basic Vegetable Stock (page 11), or one 32-ounce carton low-sodium vegetable broth plus 2 cups water
2 strips kombu (sea vegetable), each about 3 by 5 inches
2 to 4 tablespoons miso, any variety, to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the stock and kombu in a 2-quart saucepan or small soup pot. Bring to a simmer.

    Step 2

    Dissolve the desired amount of miso in just enough warm water to make it pourable. Stir into the broth and remove from the heat. Let stand for 30 minutes or serve at once, removing and discarding the kombu just before serving.

  2. Variations

    Step 3

    Embellish miso broth with any of the following:

    Step 4

    Diced tofu

    Step 5

    Cooked Asian noodles

    Step 6

    Finely chopped scallions

    Step 7

    Grated fresh daikon radish or white turnip

    Step 8

    Crisp cucumber, seeded and grated

  3. Nutrition Information

    Step 9

    Per cup:

    Step 10

    Calories: 42

    Step 11

    Total fat: 2g

    Step 12

    Protein: 1g

    Step 13

    Fiber: 1g

    Step 14

    Carbohydrate: 4g

    Step 15

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 16

    Sodium: 9mg

Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews for All Seasons
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.