Immunity Boosting Miso Ginger Broth with Mushrooms
Cold and flu season is kicking off and you might be looking for extra cozy, healthy things to add into your routines to help you navigate it. There are tons of different factors that affect your health and immunity, of course, like sleep, diet, and movement. While you only have so much control over whether or not you stay healthy throughout the season, making sure you’re taking care of yourself is key.
One of my favorite ways to help support my immune system throughout the fall and winter is with this warming, comforting Immunity Boosting Miso Ginger Broth. Packed with garlic, ginger, and miso, this broth can help give you that extra little bit of support you may need. It’s also dairy and gluten-free, gut-friendly, easy to make, so you can whip some up in no time should you need a little boost.
Essentially, it’s a cold and flu season must-have and one of my favorite quick snacks or drinks (if you leave out the scallions and mushrooms) to have on hand.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Bone Broth Recipe
- Supports Your Immune System: If your immune system is functioning as it should, it does a great job of protecting you from yucky bugs and the like, but this warming miso ginger broth can help support your immune system to help ensure it’s working at its best.
- Helps Promote Good Digestion: Miso is a fermented soybean paste. Because it’s fermented, it contains probiotics that can help support your gut health.
- Super Simple: This immunity boosting broth comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for both busy days and sudden cold symptoms.
- Free From Some Allergens: While this broth does contain soy due to the miso, it’s dairy-free and gluten-free, so it’s a great choice if you need to avoid those foods.
- Umami Flavor: Thanks to the mushrooms and miso paste, this broth is full of umami flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (like Kitchen Basics) – you can also use low-sodium chicken broth if needed
- 2 cups filtered water
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup mellow white miso paste
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
Instructions
- Heat Up the Broth and Water: In a large pot, combine the vegetable broth, filtered water, and mushrooms. Heat over medium heat until it begins to boil. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Prep the Aromatics: While the broth is heating, grate the ginger and garlic. Slice the scallions.
- Mix the Miso: In a small bowl, mix the miso paste with 1 cup of the cooled broth until the miso is completely dissolved. Then, pour this mixture back into the pot with the rest of the broth.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with scallions, and enjoy!
Keep the Probiotics Intact
Miso is great for your gut, but to make sure that you’re taking advantage of it, don’t boil the broth once you’ve added the miso paste. When you’re reheating leftovers, make sure to warm it in a small saucepan over a gentle simmer rather than bringing it to a boil, and pull it off the heat once you begin to see steam rising off the top of the broth.
Nutrition Breakdown in This Immunity Boosting Miso Ginger Broth
In addition to being delicious and comforting, this simple soup can help support your overall health. Here’s what’s in it:
Miso
Because miso is fermented, it’s rich in probiotics, which can help support your gut health. It also contains essential minerals that can help support your immune system.
Ginger
Ginger is an immune system superstar. It’s great for antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and super important for your gut and immune health. Basically, it’s the perfect ingredient to emphasize during cold and flu season.
Garlic
Like ginger, garlic is a rockstar when it comes to supporting your immune system. It’s packed with allicin, which is an infection-fighting compound that can help give your immune system a little bit of backup.
Scallions
Also known as green onions, these little guys are full of vitamins A and C, which help support your immune system and help it function as it should.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have to use the mellow white miso or can I use a different type?
You don’t. Though the recipe calls for mellow white miso, if you prefer another kind, like yellow miso, red miso, or shiro miso, you can absolutely use that instead. If you’re using a darker miso, the flavor of the miso will likely be stronger.
Can I add other vegetables to this immunity-boosting miso ginger broth?
Definitely! You can add heft to your broth by tossing in carrots, baby bok choy, bell pepper, cabbage, or greens like spinach. It’s a great way to maximize the nutrition in your broth. Want some extra protein? Try adding tofu or a little bit of chicken. You could even add some udon noodles or ramen noodles for a full meal.
Does this broth freeze well?
You can definitely freeze this immunity-boosting ginger miso broth. Simply cool down your broth and freeze in an airtight container or pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Once the cubes are frozen, pop them in a freezer bag to keep them fresh. Once you’re ready to reheat your broth, heat it low and slow until steam rises from the top of the broth, then remove from the heat to protect the probiotics in the miso paste.
Nourish your body and support your immune system all winter long with this immunity-boosting miso ginger broth. It’s quick, delicious, and healthy, perfect to help warm you up or ward off a cold.
