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A bowl of Hot and Sour Soup garnished with green onions and cilantro

Hot and Sour Soup Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Homemade Hot & Sour Soup loaded with tofu, mushrooms and bites of pork tenderloin simmered in a rich flavorful broth

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Easy homemade Hot and Sour Soup

A bowl of hot and sour soup garnished with cilantro and loaded with mushrooms and tofu

 

Fresh and delicious and so much better than take-out!

This wonderfully easy Hot and Sour Soup recipe is loaded with tofu, mushrooms and bites of pork tenderloin simmered in a rich, full flavored broth. Homemade Hot and Sour Soup is so much better than take-out and easy to make too!

More often than not, when I go into a Chinese restaurant the first thing I order is Hot and Sour Soup. This is the ONE thing I rely on to let me know if I’m going to like the restaurant … or not.

While I’m not a huge fan of most Americanized Chinese dishes, I love Hot and Sour Soup!  The combination of hot and spicy with a sharp bite from the vinegar, is absolutely terrific.

Ingredients for easy Hot and Sour Soup recipe:

This list may seem a little long, but most of the ingredients are probably in your pantry!

  • soy sauce – we recommend low sodium for this recipe
  • cornstarch for marinating the pork and to thicken the broth
  • pork tenderloin – trimmed of visible fat
  • store-bought or homemade low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock
  • brown sugar – for sweet and salty balance
  • white wine vinegar – for the sour tanginess
  • garlic chili paste – like Sambal Oelek
  • ground white pepper – white or black are both okay
  • cayenne – ground pepper for added heat
  • firm tofu – drained
  • bamboo shoots – canned or jarred
  • potato – one small potato
  • shiitake mushrooms 
  • egg – for added richness to the broth
  • toasted sesame oil – for flavor
  • cilantro – for garnish or parsley works well too
  • green onions – a must have garnish for this soup
  • crushed red pepper flakes – optional

 

A bowl of hot and sour soup with a cup of tea

How to make our easy Hot and Sour Soup recipe:

First, marinate the pork

Combine soy sauce and cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Add the diced pork and toss to coat. Set aside while preparing the remaining ingredients.

Next, make the soup

In a large soup pot whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, chili paste, cornstarch, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil then add the pork. Simmer about 30 minutes.

Add the tofu, bamboo, potatoes and mushrooms. Continue cooking until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Slowly drizzle the beaten egg into the simmering soup. Add sesame oil and stir.

Serve the soup garnished with chopped cilantro, green onions and a dash of crushed red pepper.

 

 

A spoonful of hot & sour soup over a bowl

Each component of the soup stands on it own, but they also blend wonderfully.

The pork is super tender and the tofu soaks up all the complex flavors while staying firm. The addition of diced potato is unique, but makes perfect sense in this soup.

Bamboo shoots add texture along with a few amazing health benefits such as a good supply of vitamins and minerals and heart healthy dietary fiber. It’s also said that bamboo shoots help with weight loss, strengthen the immune system and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Bonus!

 

An overhead view of a bowl of hot and sour soup with a spoon

Loaded with flavor and great textures.

I love that there’s so much flavor in one little bowl of Chinese Hot and Sour Soup. The broth stands on its own which is not always the case in soup recipes.

Feeling a little under the weather? This soup may just bring you back to life with its mildly fiery broth and warming touch.

Loaded with protein, packed with flavor, and easy to make, this popular soup will become an instant family favorite in your house too!

Love to make homemade Chinese take-out recipes? Try these favorites:

 

 

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A bowl of homemade hot and sour soup garnished with cilantro

 

 

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Easy Hot and Sour Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 4
Course: Soup
Author: Tricia
Pin RecipePrint RecipeRate Recipe
5 from 1 vote
Homemade Hot & Sour Soup loaded with tofu, mushrooms and bites of pork tenderloin simmered in a rich flavorful broth

Ingredients

For the Pork:

  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 6 ounces pork tenderloin cut into 1/4" cubes

For the Soup:

  • 8 cups chicken stock or broth low sodium
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons garlic chili paste (Sambal Oelek)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper (black pepper is fine)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 12 ounces firm tofu drained and cut into ¼-inch strips
  • 1 can bamboo shoots drained, rinsed and sliced thin
  • ½ small potato peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 6 shiitake mushrooms stems removed and sliced thin
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves chopped
  • 2 tablespoons green onions sliced
  • crushed red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

To prepare the pork:

  • In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Add the pork and toss to coat. Set aside at room temperature while preparing the soup (about 15 minutes)

To prepare the soup:

  • In a large soup pot whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, chili paste, cornstarch, pepper and cayenne. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pork (and any sauce) to the broth and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally until the soup thickens, about 30 minutes.
  • Add the tofu, bamboo, potatoes and mushrooms to the broth and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 20-25 minutes.  
  • Whisk the egg in a small measuring cup with a spout and without stirring the soup, slowly drizzle the egg into the simmering soup in a very thin, steady stream. When the egg strands float to the top, add the sesame oil and stir to combine.  
  • Serve the soup garnished with chopped cilantro, green onions and a dash of crushed red pepper if desired.

Recipe Notes

Recipe adapted from Saveur

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 1409mg | Potassium: 981mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 203IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 4mg

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32 Comments

  1. Kathy

    I can’t wait to make your hot and sour soup. It looks amazing. Congratulations to your son. You must be very proud. My son has done Spartan races and loves the challenge.

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Thanks Kathy! I adore this soup and wish I had a bowl right now. So glad you sons are challenging themselves with such amazing goals 🙂 It builds confidence, strength and good habits!

      Reply

  2. Robyn Gleason

    Hmmm, I don’t think I’ve had hot and sour soup and I’ve tried so many Chinese dishes. I haven’t cooked many but I sure do love to eat them, lol. This has all the flavours that I would love and there’s nothing better than a big bowl of soup with some fire in it! Beautiful.
    What an amazing trip you’re going to have with your family, Tricia. I’ll be looking forward to photos!

    Reply

  4. Chris Scheuer

    This is exactly what I wish I was having for lunch. Love the delicious combination of ingredients you’ve got in here Tricia! And Shanghai? How exciting! Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!

    Reply

  5. Larry

    We really like hot and sour soup and have usually used Knorr’s as a start, but your homemade version looks outstanding and must be tried. For the mushrooms, did you use fresh, dried, or rehydrated

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Larry – I used large, fresh Shiitake mushrooms. I removed the stem, and sliced the tops in half then sliced in small pieces. You want them to be able to fit on a spoon! Enjoy – this is a keeper! Thank you 🙂

      Reply

  6. Susan

    I don’t think I’ve ever tried hot and sour soup but it looks and sounds wonderful, Tricia! I can see how this would make a cold feel better, instantly! Hope you are feeling better too 🙂

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Thank you Susan – I feel better already. Z-Pack antibiotics do wonders for the crud. Anyway – I hope you’ll try the soup – it has been a favorite of mine since the first time I tried it. Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  8. cheri

    Hi Tricia, first I’d like to say that I’ve made many a pot soup but never one like this. Pinned looks delicious will be making soon.

    Also congrats to your son! sounds like you are all going on a big adventure, I have never traveled abroad, good for you. Take care!

    Reply

  9. Monica

    Wow! Congrats on your son and good luck at the Spartan race!! I can’t believe you will all be going to Shanghai…oh, there are going to be some amazing photos and memories from that trip, I’m sure!
    And hot & sour soup is one of our very favorites. I love lots of vinegar – sometimes we top the soup with a little extra red vinegar for extra kick. Your version looks wonderful – adding some potatoes surely does not hurt!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      We are so excited Monica – and maybe I can get a bowl of authentic Hot & Sour Soup! The potatoes were a nice touch I think – it added that little something 🙂 Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  11. Pam

    Sounds delicious, Tricia! I’m a little embarrassed to say I’ve never had sweet and sour soup, even though I’ve been to plenty of Chinese restaurants here in the Chicago area and around. It looks and sounds divine and is something new I will have to try with all those great flavors going on. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hey Pam! Thanks for stopping by – so next time you got out – get a bowl of hot & sour soup and give it a try. It’s loaded with flavor and just a little heat. Such a nice bowl of deliciousness 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply

  15. Dom

    oh yes this totally looks like the real deal… I can feel my nose running with the glorious heat of this soup… a beautiful bowl of wintery loveliness x

    Reply