14 Easy Clear Soup Recipes

These clear soup recipes are just what the doctor ordered! Nourishing and brothy, they’re the epitome of soul-warming. They focus on good-for-you foods swimming in simple bases. 

I adore hearty and creamy soups as much as the next person. But sometimes, a clear, brothy soup is in order. 

Options like lemon coriander and pineapple rasam are full of flavor. Others like Chinese vegetable soup skip the spices for a mild taste. 

Whether you’re dieting, detoxing, or satisfying your cravings, there’s a bowl here for you. So slurp to your health with these clear soup recipes. 

1. Japanese Clear Soup

Bring the hibachi restaurant to your home with this Japanese clear soup. It’s easy to make and requires very little prep. 

At a glance, this soup looks simple. And yet, it’s surprisingly flavor-packed. Button mushrooms and scallions are bobbing in a beef and chicken broth. As it simmers, garlic, ginger, and onion infuse it with a robust base.

It’s a fantastic soy-free option for those hungry for an umami Asian-style soup.

2. Clear Vegetable Soup

Conscious eaters, be sure to add this soup to the rotation. It focuses on whole foods without additives. 

Soy-free, gluten-free, spice-free, low-sodium, and low-calorie, this healthy bowl is completely plant-based. It’s chock-full of vegetables swimming in a broth full of garlic, ginger, and green onions. Those three ingredients are full of anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Chicken Clear Soup

When I’m feeling under the weather, I turn to this chicken soup. Packed with vitamins and minerals, it’s one nourishing bowl.

Shredded chicken and green onions meld with the homemade chicken broth. Making the base from scratch may sound tasking, but it’s effortless. Plus, it’s healthier than store-bought. There are no added preservatives and you control the sodium.

Low-calorie and gluten-free, this chicken soup only requires eight ingredients and 25 minutes.

4. Homemade Pho

Dreaming about a restaurant-quality clear soup that doesn’t require ordering takeout? I have just the thing for you!

Pho is a classic Vietnamese noodle soup. It features fresh toppings, thin beef slices, and noodles in a clear beef broth. Whole spices including star anise, clove, and cardamom make it aromatic. Charred onions also give it depth. 

Building the base is not quick, but it’s well worth the wait in the end. 

5. Japanese Clear Onion Soup

The broth in this Japanese-style soup is incredibly revitalizing. You’d never guess how simple it is to make. 

It combines fresh veggies with a few condiments for a low-calorie sipper. I’m talking about a mere 64 calories per serving! Onions, carrots, garlic, and ginger give it more depth. Sesame oil and soy sauce add an umami twist.

For a spicy kick, add a drizzle of Sriracha and dive in. 

6. Thai Clear Soup with Chicken and Tofu

You know those soups that instantly make you feel well-nourished and cozy? This is one of them. It’s jam-packed with carrots, bok choy, and fresh herbs. There’s even some sliced chicken breast for a protein boost. 

What pulls the add-ins together is the savory broth. Maggi seasoning, fish sauce, garlic, and chicken broth make it savory and light.

Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a healthy winter warmer you’ll want on repeat. 

7. Clear Onion Soup with Carrot Noodles

This light and healthy soup screams spring! I find it’s great for those in-between days when the weather is still brisk.

Spiralized carrot noodles and mushrooms take center stage. They’re floating in a fresh homemade vegetable broth. 

Made with only celery, garlic, water, and pepper, it’s a clean-eating base. Vegan, paleo, and gluten-free, this soup is a seasonal option for a range of diets.

8. Pineapple Rasam

You simply can’t miss this pineapple rasam. It’s so good you’ll want it all year long!

Sweet, sour, spicy, and savory, this is a complex Indian dish. The heaping of whole spices builds a fragrant and flavorsome broth. And I just love the pineapple chunks. 

Many other clear soups would strain out the fruit. But this one leaves it in for an extra sweet and tangy bite. 

9. Japanese Glass Noodle Soup

Glass noodles are at home in clear soups. Just take it from this simple dish. 

Also known as Harusame soup, this Japanese classic is where comfort meets health. A bowl will satisfy your noodle cravings with the ingredients your body needs. 

The base is simple, and yet so yummy. All it entails is lightly seasoning water and adding soy sauce. The fillers give it a ton of texture. There are fluffy eggs, tofu, seaweed, and of course, chewy glass noodles. 

10. Cilantro Tofu Soup

Looking for a low-effort meal with minimal ingredients? Put on a pot of this soup. It’s a last-minute dish and it’s so good for you.

The recipe calls for veggies, firm tofu, cilantro, soy sauce, and veggie broth. Lemon juice is also a nice flavor enhancer. Add a protein for more substance or keep it vegan-friendly. 

11. Lemon Coriander Soup

Let coriander be the star of your clear soup! This spice has a wonderful aroma with a warming citrus taste. Combined with lemon, these two ingredients create an invigorating broth. Sweet corn, cabbage, and carrots add a bit more substance. The cornstarch slurry also helps to thicken the base. 

Light and bright, this soup is an easy meal you can throw together in 15 minutes. 

12. Sayur Bening (Clear Spinach and Corn Soup)

If simple is what you want, this soup more than delivers. 

Sayur bening is a type of Indonesian soup. It features corn and spinach in a lightly seasoned clear broth. The minimal ingredients make it taste very clean, letting the two veggies shine. Speaking of minimal, it also takes very little time. 

Whether it’s served cold or hot, this soup is great for a light summer meal. It’s perfect when you don’t want to spend a ton of time hovering over the stove. 

13. Chickpea Vegetable Soup

Here’s a budget-friendly soup to add to your meal-planning menu. This vegan meal features a colorful variety of plant-based goodies. There’s a medley of root veggies and chickpeas in a thyme-seasoned broth. You get an extra hint of freshness from the fresh parsley. Also, I like to add a squeeze of lemon for acidity. 

Full of nutrients, it’s an affordable option to put healthy food on your plate. Or should I say, in your bowl!

14. Chinese Vegetable Soup with Tofu

Clean eating and takeout are often conflicting. But this vegetarian Chinese dish is as nourishing as it is delicious.

Bok choy, soft tofu, and enoki mushrooms come in a clear water-based broth. There’s no added soy sauce or any other spices. So it’s easy on the tummy, low-sodium, and gluten-free. 

Sometimes, I add dumplings or protein. But it’s fantastic either way!