Sour soup

Sour soup recipes have been around for centuries and are a staple in many cultures. The earliest known recipe for sour soup comes from ancient Rome. This soup was made with a souring agent, such as vinegar, and was often served with fish.

The first recorded recipe for sour soup in America comes from the book, The Virginia Housewife, published in 1824. This book contains a recipe for a sour soup made with beef broth and vinegar.

Sour soup recipes were also popular in 19th century America. One popular recipe, called “sour milk soup”, was made with sour milk, flour, and salt. This soup was often served with boiled potatoes.

Advice

When making sour soup, it's important to pay attention to the ingredients and balance of flavors used. Start by sautéing aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and scallion in oil. Add vegetables such as mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and bell peppers. Use a flavorful broth as the base and add sour ingredients such as tamarind paste, lime juice, or vinegar. Season with fish sauce, sugar, and salt to taste. For a finishing touch, top the soup with herbs and spices such as cilantro, chilies, and basil. With a bit of experimentation, you can make a delicious and flavorful sour soup.

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Recipes

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Spring Hot-and-Sour Soup

  • salt
  • pea
  • olive oil
  • soy sauce
  • ginger
  • oz yuba sheet
  • aleppo pepper
  • sesame oil
  • crimini mushroom
  • miso
  • rice vinegar
  • garlic
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Hot and Sour Soup

  • light soy sauce
  • chilli red pepper flake
  • ginger
  • sesame oil
  • sugar
  • shallot scallion
  • wood ear mushroom
  • white pepper
  • shiitake mushroom
  • tofu
  • water
  • cornstarch cornflour
  • white vinegar
  • bamboo shoot
  • dark soy sauce
  • egg
  • chicken breast
  • chicken
  • salt
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Chinese Hot and Sour Soup

  • ginger
  • sugar
  • sriracha
  • white pepper
  • tofu
  • rice vinegar
  • soy sauce
  • cilantro
  • green onion
  • chicken broth
  • bamboo shoot
  • mushroom
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Buddhist Sour Soup

  • soy sauce
  • bac ha
  • shallot
  • okra
  • asian basil
  • peanut
  • tamarind pulp
  • salt
  • tomato
  • bean sprout
  • bird
  • sugar
  • blocks tofu
  • pineapple
  • water
  • rice paddy herb
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Hot-and-Sour Soup

  • salt
  • wood ear mushroom
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • sriracha
  • black pepper
  • sugar
  • sesame oil
  • green onion
  • pork shoulder
  • tofu
  • rice vinegar
  • canola oil
  • egg
  • soy sauce
  • chicken stock
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Hot and Sour Soup

  • tofu
  • ginger
  • sesame oil
  • bamboo shoot
  • mushroom
  • white pepper
  • water
  • cornstarch
  • rice vinegar
  • soy sauce
  • egg
  • green onion
  • vegetable broth
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Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

  • carrot
  • tofu
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • sesame oil
  • egg
  • celery
  • salt
  • white pepper powder
  • dark soy sauce
  • light soy sauce
  • rice vinegar
  • vegetable oil
  • chicken breast
  • red chilly
  • cornstarch
  • mushroom
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Hot and Sour Soup

  • chili garlic sauce
  • sesame oil
  • cornstarch
  • soy sauce
  • rice vinegar
  • ginger
  • egg
  • green onion
  • chicken broth
  • bamboo shoot
  • tofu
  • shiitake mushroom
  • white pepper
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Shanghai-Style Hot and Sour Soup (Hushi Suanla Geng)

  • salt
  • bamboo shoot
  • wood ear mushroom
  • hot bean sauce
  • silken tofu
  • sugar
  • white pepper
  • shaoxing jiu
  • vegetable oil
  • shrimp
  • cornstarch
  • scallop
  • green onion
  • chinkiang vinegar
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  • shiitake mushroom

Ingredient Breakdown

 
soy sauce
ginger
salt
sesame oil
rice vinegar
tofu
bamboo shoot
green onion
sugar
white pepper
egg
garlic
mushroom
cornstarch
wood ear mushroom
shiitake mushroom
water
light soy sauce
dark soy sauce
chicken breast
black pepper
sriracha
chicken broth
vegetable oil
pea
olive oil
oz yuba sheet
aleppo pepper
crimini mushroom
miso
chilli red pepper flake
shallot scallion
cornstarch cornflour
white vinegar
chicken
water chestnut
chili oil
hot sauce
vinegar
cilantro
bac ha
shallot
okra
asian basil
peanut
tamarind pulp
tomato
bean sprout
bird
blocks tofu
pineapple
rice paddy herb
pork shoulder
canola oil
chicken stock
vegetable broth
carrot
celery
white pepper powder
red chilly
chili garlic sauce
hot bean sauce
silken tofu
shaoxing jiu
shrimp
scallop
chinkiang vinegar
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Insights