Description
This Garlic Ginger Soup with Noodles is a vibrant, flavorful vegan soup packed with fresh ginger, garlic, and nutritious vegetables. Enriched with tofu for protein and rice noodles for heartiness, it delivers a comforting bowl perfect for any season. The combination of aromatic spices and tangy lemon juice creates an invigorating broth that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- ½ tablespoon canola or vegetable oil (or 3 tablespoons water)
- ½ cup diced onion (red, white, or yellow, about ½ medium onion)
- 2 carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup grated or finely chopped ginger
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
- 5 cups water and 2½ vegetable bouillon cubes (or 5 cups vegetable broth)
- 4–5 tablespoons lemon juice (adjust based on sourness preference)
Additional Ingredients
- 1 (14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into ½-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup hot sauce
- 1 (8-ounce) package rice noodles
Instructions
- Heat the base: In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the canola or vegetable oil, or alternatively 3 tablespoons of water for oil-free cooking. This step prepares your cooking surface and begins to extract flavors.
- Sauté vegetables and aromatics: Add diced onion, thinly sliced carrots and celery, grated ginger, and halved garlic cloves to the pot. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes tender and translucent, releasing its sweetness and melding with the ginger and garlic aromas.
- Add liquids and main protein: Pour in 5 cups of water along with 2½ vegetable bouillon cubes or use 5 cups of vegetable broth. Stir in lemon juice for brightness, then gently add the cubed extra-firm tofu and the hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to marry the flavors and allow the tofu to absorb the spicy, tangy broth.
- Cook noodles: Add the rice noodles to the simmering soup. Cook for the amount of time indicated on the noodle package instructions, usually around 3-5 minutes, until they are tender but still hold their shape. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Once noodles are cooked through, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot as a nourishing, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu removes excess moisture, allowing it to soak up more broth flavor.
- You can substitute hot sauce with chili flakes or fresh chili for different spice levels.
- If you prefer a gluten-free dish, ensure the bouillon cubes or broth are gluten-free and use rice noodles as indicated.
- For an oil-free version, use water instead of oil for sautéing.
- Adjust lemon juice quantity based on your preferred acidity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Keywords: Garlic ginger soup, vegan soup, tofu noodles soup, Asian-inspired soup, healthy noodle soup
