Authentic Umami-Rich Miso Soup with Tofu and Wilted Spinach
A soul-warming Japanese staple featuring silken tofu, vibrant spinach, and a deeply savory miso broth. This japanese-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs dashi stock, block (14 oz) firm tofu, miso paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups dashi stock
- 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu
- 2 tbsp miso paste
- 1 bunch (about 6 oz) fresh spinach
- 1 strip (4 in) kombu seaweed
- 4 leaves (optional) shiso leaves
- 1 tbsp mirin
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a pot. Add kombu strip and 1 tbsp mirin, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes to make dashi stock. Strain and discard kombu.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, press tofu to remove moisture. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes and set aside.
- Step 3: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp dashi stock over medium heat. Add tofu cubes and sauté for 3-4 minutes until golden. Add remaining dashi stock, miso paste, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Add spinach bunch and stir until wilted (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in shiso leaves, and serve hot with grated daikon radish on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Umami-Rich Miso Soup with Tofu and Wilted Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Umami-Rich Miso Soup with Tofu and Wilted Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dashi stock from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Umami-Rich Miso Soup with Tofu and Wilted Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Umami-Rich Miso Soup with Tofu and Wilted Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Authentic Umami-Rich Miso Soup with Tofu and Wilted Spinach vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.