8 cups low sodium beef broth Recipe

This Japanese Clear Soup is the definition of simple comfort food, and there’s something absolutely magical about how just a few humble ingredients with 8 cups low sodium beef broth can create such a soul-soothing, deeply flavorful bowl. It’s the kind of dish you crave on rainy days, cozy nights in, or any time you want a beautiful, nourishing soup that tastes like pure hospitality. Whether you’re a seasoned lover of Japanese cuisine or just looking for an easy but elegant starter, this is the soup that will win you—and anyone at your table—over at first sip.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this soup plays an essential role, whether it’s infusing aromatic depth, adding a hint of savory sweetness, or building a clean, rich base with 8 cups low sodium beef broth. Gather these simple staples and let them work their magic in harmony—good soup truly is about quality and balance!

• 8 cups low sodium beef broth: The backbone of the whole recipe, providing a rich, umami-packed base without being too salty.
• 1 onion, diced: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness and layers of flavor, making the soup beautifully aromatic.
• 5 cloves garlic: When roasted, garlic turns mellow and gives the broth a lovely depth.
• 1-inch piece of ginger: This adds a gentle heat and a signature warmth that keeps the soup feeling fresh and light.
• 1 tsp sesame oil: Just a dash for nutty fragrance—don’t skip it if you love authentic flavor!
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional): Use if you want a touch of extra savoriness.
• 1 cup green onions: Sliced and added at the end for color, freshness, and a little bite.
• 2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms: Mushrooms add subtle earthiness and soak up all the lovely flavors.

How to Make 8 cups low sodium beef broth

Step 1: Roast Your Aromatics

Start by roasting the onion, garlic, and ginger slices. You can do this in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400°F, or just toast them on the stovetop until nicely browned and fragrant. This simple move unlocks an incredible sweetness and smokiness that’ll set your clear soup apart from the rest.

Step 2: Build the Broth Base

In a large soup pot, pour in those 8 cups low sodium beef broth, then add your beautifully roasted aromatics. Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat. Already your kitchen is going to smell amazing—the beef broth, gingery undertones, and roasted veggies are a match made in comfort-food heaven.

Step 3: Simmer and Season

Lower the heat and let your broth simmer for 3–5 minutes. At this point, swirl in a teaspoon of sesame oil and add soy sauce if you’d like a little extra depth. Simmering gives the 8 cups low sodium beef broth time to absorb all the savory roasted flavors, creating a perfectly balanced base.

Step 4: Strain the Soup

Using a fine mesh strainer, carefully strain out the veggies, garlic, and ginger, leaving behind a clear, golden, fragrant soup. This is where the “clear” in Japanese Clear Soup truly shines—you get clarity of both broth and flavor!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Pour the clarified broth into your favorite serving bowl. To finish, garnish liberally with thinly sliced green onions and mushrooms. They look beautiful floating on top, and those mushrooms soak up just enough broth to become ridiculously tasty bites themselves.

How to Serve 8 cups low sodium beef broth

Garnishes

The easiest way to elevate this soup is to garnish generously. Slices of green onion add a pop of color and vibrant bite, while the mushrooms become earthy little flavor-savers. If you want something extra, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a dash of shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) never hurts. Let guests add their favorite garnishes to make every bowl personal!

Side Dishes

While 8 cups low sodium beef broth is satisfying on its own, it also plays beautifully alongside other Japanese-inspired dishes. Try it as a starter to sushi night, serve with a side of steamed rice, tempura veggies, or a bright cucumber salad. It’s gentle and light, so there’s plenty of room to get creative with sides.

Creative Ways to Present

Make it into a full meal by adding silken tofu or thin rice noodles for extra body. For dinner parties, serve the soup in elegant small cups with tiny spoons—it feels special and lets the clear, golden broth shine. Or, use a traditional Japanese donburi bowl to give an authentic touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pour remaining clear soup into an airtight container, cool to room temperature, then store in the fridge. The 8 cups low sodium beef broth makes this soup last up to four days without losing its clean flavor. If you’re storing with garnishes, keep them separate for best texture.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully! Cool the liquid completely and ladle it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Because the 8 cups low sodium beef broth is so light, it won’t cloud up in the freezer—just remember to label and date. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from the freezer.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-from-the-pot taste, gently reheat on the stovetop. If you’ve frozen your soup, you can warm it right from frozen on low heat. Always add your green onion and mushroom garnishes fresh just before serving, so they keep their pop and brightness!

FAQs

Can I substitute chicken broth for 8 cups low sodium beef broth in this recipe?

Absolutely! The flavor profile will be lighter and a bit sweeter, but it’s still wonderful. If you want the best of both worlds, mix half chicken and half beef broth for great balance.

What kind of mushrooms are best for this clear soup?

Shiitake, enoki, or even regular button mushrooms all shine in this broth. Slice them thin so they cook quickly and float prettily on top—you can also mix varieties for extra texture.

How can I make this vegetarian?

Swap the 8 cups low sodium beef broth for a good-quality vegetable broth. The soup will still be deliciously light and aromatic; just check your soy sauce is vegetarian too!

Is it possible to make more than 8 cups low sodium beef broth at once?

Definitely! Just double (or triple) all the ingredients proportionally and use a very large stockpot. Batch-cooking makes future lunches and dinners a snap, especially since this soup freezes so well.

Why strain out the vegetables before serving?

Straining ensures the beautiful clarity that’s traditional in Japanese Clear Soup. If you love the flavor of the roasted veggies, you can serve a few pieces in each bowl for texture, but for an elegant presentation, keep it clear!

Final Thoughts

This easy Japanese Clear Soup is one of those secret-weapon recipes I return to again and again. If you’ve never made soup from scratch with 8 cups low sodium beef broth, you’ll be amazed at the layers of flavor you get with such simple steps. Try it tonight, and you just might find your new favorite comfort dish!

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