Description
A warm and comforting broth-based soup featuring aromatic spices, fresh ginger, garlic, and turmeric. This versatile recipe creates a flavorful base perfect for adding your choice of vegetables, pasta, or proteins, making it an adaptable meal option that’s both nourishing and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (or ghee)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
- 4–5 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
- 1–2 teaspoons turmeric powder (or 2–3 teaspoons fresh turmeric, finely grated, or a combination)
- ¼ teaspoon mustard seed (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ¾ – 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
- Squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice to taste, or 1-2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft, fragrant, and golden brown.
- Add fresh ginger, garlic, and turmeric: Stir in the grated or minced fresh ginger, garlic, and fresh turmeric. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic turns fragrant and golden.
- Incorporate spices: Add mustard seeds (if using), cumin, coriander, and turmeric powder. Continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes to allow the spices to bloom and release their flavors.
- Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in 4 cups of water and 4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock. Season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add acidity and adjust flavors: Add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice or 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar for brightness. Taste and adjust salt, spice, and acidity levels as desired.
- Use as a base or refrigerate: This flavorful broth can be used immediately as a soup base. You can add pasta, beans, vegetables, or proteins of your choice, remembering that dry pasta and beans will expand significantly during cooking. Alternatively, cool and refrigerate or freeze the broth in batches for future use.
- Be mindful of cooking times: When adding additional ingredients like pasta or beans, consider their required cook times to ensure the soup’s texture remains perfect.
Notes
- Use fresh turmeric when possible as it provides brighter flavor and color, but turmeric powder works well in a pinch.
- Mustard seed is optional but adds a subtle nutty dimension after toasting.
- Adjust spiciness by varying cayenne pepper amount to your taste preference.
- Acidic ingredients like lime juice, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar brighten the flavors without overpowering.
- When adding dry pasta or beans, add them in moderation since they expand during cooking—4 ounces of dry pasta is a good guideline.
- This broth is versatile; you can add vegetables, cooked meats, tofu, or grains to make it a complete meal.
- The soup base can be stored refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Keywords: broth soup, turmeric soup, comforting soup, ginger garlic soup, homemade broth, easy soup recipe, healthy soup
