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Carrot Ginger Soup with Crispy Garlic and Sesame Croutons Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 113 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 32 minutes
  • Total Time: 47 minutes
  • Yield: 6 bowls
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A comforting and flavorful Carrot Ginger Soup featuring a blend of fresh carrots, aromatic ginger, miso paste, and garlic, garnished with crispy fried garlic and roasted sesame croutons. Perfect for warming up on a chilly day or served cold for a refreshing yet nourishing meal.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup white miso paste
  • 1-2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 lbs carrots (about 10 large), diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sea salt

For the Fried Garlic

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 8 cloves garlic, finely sliced length-wise
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

For the Roasted Sesame Croutons

  • 8 slices bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 2-3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • Sea salt to taste

Optional Additional Garnishes

  • Toasted sesame oil
  • Black and white sesame seeds
  • Chopped green onions
  • Furikake seasoning


Instructions

  1. Preheat and Sauté Onions: Preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C) for the croutons. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add Garlic, Ginger, and Miso: Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and white miso paste to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to blend flavors.
  3. Cook Carrots: Stir in the diced carrots and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
  4. Deglaze and Simmer: Increase the heat to high and deglaze the pot with 1-2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar. Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth and 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until the carrots are fork-tender.
  5. Blend the Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until very smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup in batches to a high-speed blender and blend until creamy. Adjust the seasoning with additional soy sauce or salt, and add water if the soup is too thick.
  6. Prepare Fried Garlic: While the soup simmers, heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a shallow pan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and move constantly to ensure even browning. When lightly browned, remove the garlic with a slotted spoon, place on paper towels, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Set aside.
  7. Make Roasted Sesame Croutons: Toss the bread cubes with 2-3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil and sea salt in a medium bowl until fully coated. Spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crisp. Remove and cool.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, fried garlic chips, sesame seeds, furikake, and chopped green onions as desired.

Notes

  • Can I eat this warm or cold? This soup is best served hot, especially on cold days, but can also be enjoyed cold during warmer months.
  • How should I store the garlic chips and croutons? Store them together in a container on the countertop; airtight storage is not required. Reheat in a toaster oven, avoid microwaving.
  • What is Furikake? Furikake is a versatile Japanese seasoning typically made with dried fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar, and salt. It adds umami flavor and works well as a topping for rice and soups. Vegan varieties are available.
  • Where can I buy Furikake? Trader Joe’s sells a vegan/vegetarian-friendly version. Vegan Furikake can also be found on Amazon.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 457 kcal
  • Sugar: 11 g
  • Sodium: 1529 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg