Easy Mung Bean Soup Recipe – A Classic Asian Food

Inviting warmth, comfort, and flavor into your kitchen, our heartening Mung Bean Soup recipe takes center stage. As the quintessence of home-cooked goodness, this humble yet delicious dish amalgamates the earthy wholesomeness of beans with a vibrant array of spices and vegetables. 

Each spoonful offers an irresistible collage of tastes, the nutrients perfectly encapsulated within, turning a simple meal into an enriching experience. Assembling the ingredients, you’ll begin to appreciate the culinary adventure, realizing that it’s an invitation to journey through traditional cooking, revisiting familiar textures and aromas. 

Let this narrative guide you in creating this rich, hearty concoction that doesn’t just satiate but truly satisfies you. Your kitchen awaits the sizzle and simmer of our beloved Bean Soup recipe, bringing together a wholesome mix of ingredients for an unforgettable gastronomic delight. 

What Is A Mung Bean Soup Recipe?

Mung bean soup, a classic Asian comfort food, combines soaked and rinsed mung beans simmered until tender with a sauté of garlic, onions, and tomatoes. This medley is then seasoned with salt and pepper, and finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon for tang. 

Optional additions include spinach or cilantro for a verdant boost and a hint of cumin or turmeric for depth. It’s a dish that’s deliciously simple yet deeply satisfying. Nutrition-packed mung beans make this soup an excellent source of plant-based protein.

Can You Vary The Recipe With Other Ingredients?

Absolutely, mung bean soup is very adaptable to different dietary needs.

• Keto Replace high-carb vegetables with low-carb options like bell peppers or zucchini. Use a vegetable broth, and consider adding healthy fats like coconut milk for creaminess and added flavor.
• Paleo Stick to fresh vegetables and spices. Avoid legumes if you’re strictly following the diet, as they are not considered Paleo-friendly.
• Gluten-Free Mung bean soup is naturally gluten-free; ensure all broth and added spices or sauces are also gluten-free.
• Whole30 The basic mung bean soup fits well within the Whole30 framework. Just remember to skip any legume-free grain additions, dairy, and sweeteners.
• Vegetarian/Vegan The base mung bean soup recipe is typically vegetarian and vegan. Use vegetable broth instead of any meat-based broth.

Variations, Add-Ons, And Toppings

Variations

• Add a vegan spin by substituting pork and prawns with tofu and using vegetable broth.
• Incorporate hearty vegetables like carrots, celery, or bell peppers for added nutrition.
• Add a dash of chili flakes or a spoonful of harissa paste for a spicy twist.

Add-Ons

• Enrich the soup with grains like quinoa or brown rice for a more filling meal.
• Amp up the protein by adding shredded chicken or boiled eggs.
• For a burst of freshness, stir in a handful of fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or dill just before serving.

Toppings

• Sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts or sesame seeds for a crunchy contrast.
• A sour cream dollop or a coconut milk drizzle can add a creamy finish.
• Serve with a wedge of lime on the side for a zesty kick.

Can I Make Soup In A Slow Cooker Or Instant Pot?

Absolutely! Mung bean soup adapts well to both slow cookers and Instant Pots. Here are the general guidelines for each:

Slow Cooker

• Rinse mung beans and add to the slow cooker.
• Sauté onions, garlic, pork, prawns, and tomatoes in a separate pan, then transfer to the slow cooker.
• Add the chicken broth and seasonings, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender.
• An hour before serving, mash some beans for thickness, add spinach, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Instant Pot

• Using the Sauté function, heat the oil and cook the onions, garlic, pork, prawns, and tomatoes.
• Add mung beans, chicken broth, and seasonings, then seal the lid.
• Cook on high pressure for about 20 minutes, then allow natural pressure release.
• Mash some beans to thicken the soup, stir in spinach, and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Can I Use Store Broth, Or Should I Make My Own?

You can certainly use either store-bought broth or homemade broth in your mung bean soup.

Store-Bought Broth

• This convenient, time-saving option is perfect for those busy days. When purchasing, opt for low-sodium varieties to control the salt content of your soup. Organic and MSG-free versions are also available for a healthier choice.

Homemade Broth

• Making your own broth allows you to control the ingredients and flavors. Homemade broth often has a fresher, deeper flavor than store-bought versions, and you can make large batches to freeze for later use.

How To Serve ?

Serving mung bean soup can be made special with a few simple tips:

• Temperature: Mung bean soup is best served hot. Before serving, ensure it’s adequately heated.
• Bowl Selection: Use wide, shallow soup bowls to showcase the soup’s ingredients. Warm the bowls slightly before serving to keep the soup hot for longer.
• Garnishing: A final touch of garnish can elevate the presentation. Fresh herbs, a drizzle of good quality olive oil, or a sprinkle of seeds or freshly ground pepper can enhance the look and flavor.
• Sides: Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal. For a traditional touch, serve it with steamed rice.
• Presentation: Consider serving with a ladle from a large, beautiful pot at the table for a rustic, communal feel.

Perfect Side Dishes

• Crusty Bread: A piece of warm, crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the soup and soaking up all the flavors.
• Grain Salad: A light quinoa or couscous salad with fresh vegetables could complement the hearty soup well.
• Steamed Rice: In many Asian cultures, mung bean soup is traditionally served with steamed rice.
• Roasted Vegetables: Simple roasted vegetables, like carrots or Brussels sprouts, can add a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
• Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette could offer a refreshing counterpoint to the rich soup.
• Stir-fried Greens: A side of lightly sautéed or stir-fried greens like spinach, bok choy, or kale would complement the soup’s earthy flavors.

Storage & Make Ahead

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Mung Bean Soup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
• Freezing: Mung bean soups freeze well. Freeze in individual portions for quick, easy meals. Ensure the soup is completely cooled before freezing.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the soup base in advance, excluding ingredients prone to overcooking, like fresh greens. Refrigerate the base for up to 24 hours. Prior to serving, add perishable elements for a burst of freshness.
• Ingredients to Add Later: Keep delicate ingredients such as herbs and lime juice separate until just before serving to maintain their vibrancy.
• Flavor Enhancement: Let the soup rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to enhance the overall taste before reheating.

What Can We Do With Leftovers?

Leftover mung bean soup is incredibly versatile and can be repurposed in a number of creative ways:

• Freeze for Later: Properly stored, the soup can be frozen and enjoyed later. It’s a ready-made meal for busy days!
• Stew Base: Use the soup as a base for a hearty stew. Add some diced meat and extra vegetables, and simmer until everything is tender.
• Pasta Sauce: Thicken the soup and toss it with pasta for a rich, nutritious sauce.
• Grain Bowl: Serve it over cooked grains like rice or quinoa for a wholesome grain bowl.
• Curry: Add some curry powder or paste, coconut milk, and extra vegetables to make it delicious.
• Bread Dip: Heat and use as a flavorful dip for crusty bread.

Tips

• Crunchy Sprouts: Boost texture by adding fresh mung bean sprouts just before serving. They bring a crisp, raw element to contrast the warm soup.
• Thai Twist: Infuse exotic flavors by incorporating Thai ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, and a splash of coconut milk. This adds a Southeast Asian flair to your mung bean soup.
• Spiced Delight: Elevate the soup’s warmth with a medley of spices such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander. This aromatic blend creates a comforting, flavorful experience.
• Herb Infusion: Stir in a handful of fresh cilantro or mint right before serving for a burst of herbal freshness that brightens up the dish.
• Citrus Burst: Squeeze lime or lemon juice into the soup just before serving to add a zesty, citrusy kick that enhances the overall taste.

Nutrition Table