We love easy lunch ideas, and soup that save well are some of our favorites. If you’re looking for more simple soup recipes, try these Roasted Garlic Potato Soup, Instant Pot Black Bean Soup, or Instant Pot Tortellini Soup With Sausage. All of them are perfect for lunch or dinner.

Two bowls of wonton soup with a small bowl of sliced green onions. A spoon and a towel.

Easy Wonton Soup

When you just want to snuggle in a blanket and sip a zesty bowl of soup, this is the recipe you should reach for. It’s comforting, aromatic, and surprisingly easy to whip up.

And you can smell the flavors before your first bite. The fresh ginger and garlic add aroma and depth while the silky wontons melt in your mouth. It’s the perfect balance between deliciously homemade and lazily easy to make.

Enjoy a bowl of wonton soup for lunch with some crispy egg rolls and crab rangoons. Or start with the soup for dinner and then add fried rice and teriyaki chicken. But I prefer to eat a bowl by itself – it’s a light (and surprisingly filling) soup.

Up close of a wonton dumpling on a spoon above a bowl of soup.

What is Wonton Soup?

Wonton soup is a Chinese recipe featuring dumplings – called Wontons – in a flavorful broth. It starts out with a clear broth. You can use your favorite kind (the type of broth will change how it tastes, but all types work).

Then, the wontons, veggies, herbs, and spices are added to the broth. This part makes all the difference. When you use the correct balance of savory and spicy flavors (with a hint of umami), you create something your taste buds won’t forget.

It might be simple, but the flavors in wonton soup can’t be matched! Every sip is warming, restorative, and rich.

Wonton Soup Ingredients

Sesame Oil: This adds nutty notes to the garlic and onions when you saute them.
Garlic, Ginger, and Green Onions: These are the aromatics. Use fresh ones for the best flavor.
Broth: Any type of broth will taste delicious in this soup, but I like to use beef broth. You can even make your own with this homemade chicken bouillon.
Soy Sauce: This adds the umami flavors to the soup.
Mini Wontons: Frozen mini wontons are easy to use and eat. Our favorite is the pork and vegetable flavor.
Spinach: Adds color, nutrients, and texture to the soup.
Toppings: Be creative and use your favorite Chinese soup toppings. Choose from Hot chili sauce, chili crisp, dried chili flakes, or sliced fresh chilis, or add them all.

All of the ingredients needed to make this quick soup.

How to Make Wonton Soup Recipe

Here are the basic instructions to make simple wonton soup. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post with full ingredients and instructions to make it.

Step one is adding the sliced green onions, ginger, and garlic to the pot. — **STEP 1:** Set a large pot over medium heat. Add in the sesame oil. Once the oil is hot, saute the green onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

Step two is adding in the broth. — **STEP 2:** Pour in the broth and soy sauce, raise the temperature.

Step 3 is adding the frozen dumplings to the hot broth. — **STEP 3:** Reduce heat to low and add in the frozen wontons and cook.

Step 4 is the spinach added as the final step. — **STEP 4:** Remove from heat and stir in the spinach. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with hot chili sauce if desired.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

Don’t overcook the garlic and onions. Saute them for about a minute, which is just long enough to make them smell really good.
Bring the broth to a gentle boil. If it’s boiling too much, the wontons won’t cook properly. So you might have to turn the heat down a bit.
Be creative with the vegetables. You can add any veggie that you like (as long as it’s frozen or fast-cooking).

Recipe Variations

Make it spicy. Top with plenty of chili crisp and even a few slices of roasted poblano peppers.
Fill it with vegetables. Add some bok choy, mushrooms, thinly-sliced carrots, and bean sprouts.
Miso wonton soup. Stir in some white or yellow miso into the hot broth.

Above view of a bowl of wonton soup with cut onions and spinach leaves. Two spoons and a striped towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep the wontons from falling apart? The best way to keep the wontons from bursting open is to keep the broth at a gentle simmer. If it’s boiling too fast, it will open the wontons.

What can I add to make the broth taste different? If you want to make the umami flavors really stand out, add a splash of rice wine vinegar. It gives the soup a little kick.

How to Store & Reheat

How to store it? Store the cooled soup in an airtight and spillproof container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How to reheat it? Reheat the soup either on the stove or in the microwave.

How to freeze it? Freeze the soup by cooling it to room temperature. Then, place it in a freezer-safe and leak-proof container. Keep it in the freezer for up to six months.