Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup

Are you looking for a quick, easy soup recipe? Look no further than Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup. While you might think you can only get this recipe at your local Chinese restaurants, you can make this fabulous recipe right in your pressure cooker.

The weather is getting to be like winter. It has been getting so chilly in Philadelphia today that I made my family Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup, which is amazingly good.

If you are looking for a foolproof recipe for making egg drop soup in the Instant Pot, this is your recipe. It’s truly amazing.

This is one of my family’s favorite recipes in Chinese restaurants; absolutely delicious and amazingly easy to make in the Instant Pot. With a few steps and a few ingredients, you can have a great Copycat Recipe for Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup.

If you are looking for even more Instant Pot Soup Recipes, some of my favorites are INSTANT POT CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP, INSTANT POT FRENCH ONION SOUP, INSTANT POT CREAM OF BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP, and INSTANT POT BROCCOLI AND CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP.

What Is Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup

Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup refers to a style of egg drop soup that is often served in more upscale or traditional Chinese restaurants, sometimes referred to as “Imperial Palace” style. This variation of egg drop soup is typically known for its rich, flavorful broth and smooth texture, often made with high-quality ingredients. The key features include:

• Rich Broth: The broth is usually more flavorful, often made from a combination of chicken stock and sometimes enhanced with additional seasonings like ginger or garlic.
• Smooth Texture: The eggs are delicately swirled into the hot broth, creating silky ribbons that give the soup its signature texture.
• Additional Ingredients: Depending on the recipe, it might include additional ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, green onions, or peas for added texture and flavor.
• Presentation: The soup might be served in an elegant manner, often with a garnish of fresh herbs or a drizzle of sesame oil to enhance the aroma.

Ingredients Needed For What Is Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup

Here are the simple steps for making Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup in the pressure cooker:

Remember the step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page, as well as the nutritional information. 

• Chicken Broth: You can also use vegetable broth, homemade chicken stock, or water.
• Eggs: Use large, room-temperature eggs
• Soy Sauce: For added flavor, you can also use low-sodium soy sauce
• Ginger Paste: If you don’t have a ginger paste, you can use minced garlic or garlic powder
• Oil: Use olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil
• Seasonings and Spices: Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, and Red Pepper Flakes
• Serving: Sliced green onions, or scallions

How To Make Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup

Here are the simple steps for making this foolproof recipe:

Step One: Add Ingredients To Instant Pot Bowl

Add soy sauce, ginger paste, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt to your Instant Pot chicken broth. Mix well. Add your Instant Pot Lid on and twist until sealed. Close the sealing valve to sealing. Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for one minute.

Step Two:  Create Egg Ribbons

Once your Instant Pot is done, quickly release the valve toward you to release the pressure. When the pressure has completely been released, open the lid. Stir the soup. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs. While stirring your broth mixture in a circular motion, slowly pour in your whisked eggs. This will create the ribbon effect for eggs in the egg drop soup. Stir in your sliced green onions.

Step Three:  Serving

Serve with freshly sliced green onions or scallion and a dash of red pepper flakes.

Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup Recipe Variations

• Corn: Add some canned or defrosted frozen corn, and stir in during cooking. After a couple of minutes, the corn will heat up.
• Vegetarian: To make this a vegetarian broth, use either vegetarian broth or stock.
• Double: This recipe can easily be doubled. The recipe will require the same cooking time.

Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup Tips

• Use High-Quality Broth Start with a rich, flavorful chicken or vegetable broth. For a more authentic taste, consider using homemade broth or a high-quality store-bought version.
• Control the Egg Texture: To achieve the silky ribbons characteristic of egg drop soup, whisk the eggs well before slowly drizzling them into the hot broth. Stir the broth gently in one direction as you pour the eggs in a thin stream.
• Add Cornstarch for Thickness: For a slightly thicker consistency, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the soup before adding the eggs.
• Use the Sauté Function for Aromatics: Start by using the sauté function on the Instant Pot to lightly sauté garlic, ginger, or green onions before adding the broth.
• Quick Pressure Release: When cooking the broth in the Instant Pot, use a quick pressure release to prevent overcooking.
• Season to Taste: After cooking, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning. Add soy sauce for a savory kick, a dash of white pepper for warmth, or sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
• Add Vegetables for Texture: If you prefer a heartier soup, consider adding finely chopped vegetables like mushrooms, peas, or corn.
• Garnish for Presentation: Garnish the soup with chopped green onions, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or a drizzle of sesame oil before serving.
• Serve Immediately: Egg drop soup is best served hot and fresh.
• Store Properly: If you have leftovers, store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or using the sauté function on the Instant Pot, stirring occasionally to maintain the soup’s texture.

Instant Pot Chinese Imperial Palace Egg Drop Soup Recipe Faqs

How do I prevent the eggs from clumping together? To achieve the signature silky ribbons of egg, slowly drizzle the beaten eggs into the hot broth while gently stirring in one direction. This technique ensures the eggs cook into thin strands rather than clumping together.

Can I use store-bought broth, or should I make my own? You can use either store-bought or homemade broth. For a richer, more authentic flavor, homemade broth is ideal. However, high-quality store-bought broth works well and saves time.

How can I make the soup thicker? To thicken the soup, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of water to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the broth before adding the eggs, and stir well. This will give the soup a velvety, thicker texture.

Can I add vegetables or other ingredients to the soup? Yes, you can customize the soup by adding ingredients like mushrooms, peas, corn, or tofu. Add these after the pressure cooking step and cook using the sauté function until tender.

Is it necessary to use the sauté function in the Instant Pot? Using the sauté function to cook aromatics like ginger, garlic, or green onions before adding the broth can enhance the soup’s flavor, but it is optional. You can skip this step if you’re short on time.

How long should I cook the soup in the Instant Pot? Typically, the soup only needs to be cooked under pressure for 2-3 minutes since the ingredients are mostly pre-cooked or quick-cooking. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5-10 minutes before performing a quick release.

Can I make this soup ahead of time? Yes, you can make the soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove or using the sauté function on the Instant Pot to avoid overcooking the eggs.

How can I make the soup more flavorful? To boost flavor, you can add a dash of soy sauce, a drizzle of sesame oil, or a splash of rice vinegar. Fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions also add a fresh flavor at the end.

Is this soup gluten-free? The soup can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Always check the labels of any store-bought broth or additional ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.

Can I freeze this soup? Egg drop soup is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be frozen. However, the texture of the eggs may change slightly when reheated. If you plan to freeze the soup, consider freezing the broth and adding the eggs fresh when reheating.

More Instant Pot Recipes

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• INSTANT POT MASHED POTATOES

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