Silken Egg Drop Soup with Sesame Oil

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

A delicate, soothing soup featuring silken ribbons of egg in a seasoned chicken broth enhanced with nutty sesame oil. This Chinese recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs chicken broth, large eggs, toasted sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 80 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium pot, bring 4 cups chicken broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Stir together 1 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp cold water in a small bowl until smooth, then slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering broth to thicken it slightly; cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Season the broth with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp white pepper, stirring to combine.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and drizzle in 2 beaten large eggs slowly in a thin stream while gently stirring the broth in one direction to form delicate egg ribbons.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp toasted sesame oil for a fragrant finish.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with thinly sliced scallions if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Silken Egg Drop Soup with Sesame Oil take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 Silken Egg Drop Soup with Sesame Oil?

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 chicken broth from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Silken Egg Drop Soup with Sesame Oil?

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 Silken Egg Drop Soup with Sesame Oil 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.

What goes well with Silken Egg Drop Soup with Sesame Oil?

Chinese chinese like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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