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Caldo de tofu is a vegan tofu soup with plenty of rich flavors using plant-based ingredients. It’s a simple soup of vegetables, tofu, and rice that is hearty and satisfying, and quite easy to prepare.
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Why You’ll Love this Vegan Tofu Soup Recipe!
When I was a little girl, my whole family would visit my grandma’s house on Sundays for her good home cooking. Her love language, like mine, was food-sharing. And a recipe that she shared with us over and over again was her Caldo de Pollo, a delicious chicken, vegetable soup.
My plant-based Caldo de Tofu recipe is based on the memories of my favorite childhood recipe. It is a comfort food dream that’s perfect when you’re feeling a bit under the weather or need to warm up. The simple ingredients are easy to prepare. All you need is tofu, veggies, and seasoning for a savory and heartwarming soup. Plus, this recipe budget-friendly! This hearty pot of soup can be made for just about $2.50 per serving.
What Goes Into This Recipe
You can grab everything you need to make this during a quick trip to the grocery store. Here’s what you will need (you can also find the grocery list on the recipe card!):
- Vegetable oil: Any type of healthy vegetable oil works great.
- Aromatics: Garlic, yellow onion, carrots, and celery.
- Vegetables: Zucchini and corn on the cob. Use fresh for the best flavor. Although you can use frozen corn on the cob if fresh is not available.
- Extra firm tofu: Holds up nicely when boiled in a soup. Here’s a guide to tofu for more info on all things tofu!
- White rice: The traditional variety of rice used in this style of soup. You can swap with brown rice but you will need to extend the cooking time.
- No chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes or paste. Adds flavor to the soup. You can also use six cups of vegetable broth to replace the water and bouillon.
- Cilantro: Sprinkled over the top for garnish.
How To Make Vegetable Tofu Soup Recipe aka Caldo de Tofu
- Step 1: Add the oil, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and zucchini, to a large pot with a lid over medium heat. Then saute for 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir frequently to keep the vegetables from burning.
- Step 2: Next, add the corn, tofu, rice, water, and bouillon to the pot.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, cover, and lower heat to a simmer. Then allow the soup to simmer for 40 minutes. Finally, garnish each bowl of tofu soup with minced cilantro.
Toni’s Recipe Tips
- Prefer a spicy tofu soup recipe? Add some sliced chilies on top or a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
- Choosing the right tofu. I prefer extra firm or firm in this recipe because it’s more “meaty”. However, you can make vegan tofu soup with just about any type of tofu including softer types of regular tofu and silken tofu.
- Change up the veggies! Vegan soup with tofu is perfect for using up veggies you have on hand! For another hearty tofu soup, try my vegetable hominy soup.
FAQs for Vegetable Tofu Soup
It’s really up to you, but I prefer to cut it into smaller cubes (one-half-inch). I find it’s easier to eat with a spoon and allow you to get a little bit of tofu, veggie broth, and veggies in one bite.
Yes you can. Tofu doesn’t really need to be cooked for a particular length of time to be safe to eat. You need to cook it long enough to heat it through though and the longer you cook it, the more it may absorb some of the flavors of the soup.
More Vegan Tofu Recipes
Vegan Dinners
Sautéed Lime Tofu
Vegan Dinners
BBQ Tofu Pizza
Vegan Lunches
Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Vegan Lunches
Pesto Tofu Sandwich
If you tried this Caldo de Tofu (vegan tofu soup) recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
If you’re loving my recipes and would like a more comprehensive resource, check out my cookbooks!
Caldo de Tofu (Vegan Tofu Soup)
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 3 ribs of celery sliced
- 1 large zucchini diced
- 2 ears of corn cut into thirds
- 1 (16-ounce) package of extra firm tofu diced
- 1 cup uncooked medium grain white rice
- 6 cups of water
- 3 to 4 no chicken/vegetable bouillon cubes or paste equivalent
- Minced cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot (with a lid) over medium heat, add the oil, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and zucchini, and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until vegetables are tender.
- Add the corn, tofu, rice, water, and bouillon.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and lower heat to a simmer.
- Allow to simmer for 40 minutes.
- Garnish with minced cilantro.
Notes
- Prefer a spicy tofu soup recipe? Add some sliced chilies on top or a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
- Choosing the right tofu! I prefer extra firm or firm in this recipe because it’s more “meaty”. However, you can make vegan tofu soup with just about any type of tofu including softer types of regular tofu and silken tofu.
- Change up the veggies! Vegan soup with tofu is perfect for using up veggies you have on hand!
This soup was so simple to make, yet amazing!! My non vegan husband LOVED it! I added lime juice and some sriracha for extra flavor. Will be making this again!! Thank you!!
Can this be made with frozen or canned corn? If so, how much? Thank you!
yes, you can substitute for whatever corn you have on hand.
What is the serving size? You may have included it, but I can’t seem to locate it. Thank you!
Hi! The recipe makes 4 servings 🙂
Simple, light, and nutritous! Perfect!
Those are the best kinds of soup!
A unique and lovely soup to make any time of year!
Definitely great all year round for sure!
This recipe reminds me of one of our national dishes back home and it is so comforting! Making this on repeat 🙂
I’m with you! It’s a staple soup for us now!
Love the tofu in this—made it super filling and satisfying!
Nothing like a protein-packed soup! So good!
Soup looks great and super hearty!
Gotta love a healthy delicious soup! It’s a great one!
Easy to make and so delicious! Love it!
Gotta love a simple soup!
Such a simple, fresh soup packed full of flavour and nutrients!
Yesss! Love the flavor of this one! So good!
Fabulous dish. The flavors are bright and satisfying. A perfect bowl of soup.
Agreed! It’s a delicious classic, for sure!
Love how simple and delicious this caldo de tofu is!