Quick Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Tofu Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, flavorful soup featuring miso-glazed eggplant and silky tofu in a savory broth, perfect for a fast, nourishing meal. This japanese-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs eggplants, miso paste, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Brush 2 small halved eggplants with 2 tbsp neutral oil. Mix 3 tbsp miso paste, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar in a bowl, then spread evenly over the cut sides of the eggplants. Place cut side up on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until tender and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1-inch grated ginger and 1 minced garlic clove, sautéing for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 5 cups vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Step 4: Add 14 oz firm tofu cut into 1-inch cubes to the simmering broth and cook for 5 minutes until heated through.
  5. Step 5: Remove roasted eggplants from oven and scoop out the flesh, chopping coarsely. Stir the eggplant into the soup.
  6. Step 6: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with 3 thinly sliced scallions before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Tofu Soup take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 Quick Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Tofu Soup?

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 eggplants from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Tofu Soup?

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 Quick Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Tofu Soup 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 Quick Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Tofu Soup 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.

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