Benihana Onion Soup Recipe
Recreate the iconic Benihana Onion Soup at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. Featuring a rich chicken and beef bone broth, fresh mushrooms, crispy onions, and a touch of sesame oil, this light and flavorful soup is the perfect appetizer or cozy meal.
4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Stock:
- 1 chicken carcass
- 1 beef bone
- 1 onion finely diced
- ¼ stalk celery
- ½ carrot sliced
- ¼ garlic clove smashed
- 2 quarts 2 liters water
For the Soup:
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 kg mushrooms thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup chopped shallots
Instructions
Prepare the Stock:
- In a large stockpot, combine the chicken carcass, beef bone, diced onion, celery, carrot, and smashed garlic. Pour in 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow the stock to simmer gently for 45 minutes. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface to maintain a clear broth.
- For a deeper, richer flavor, you may extend the simmering time to 4–5 hours.
Strain the Stock:
- Carefully strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean pot, discarding the solids. This will yield a clear, flavorful broth as the base of your soup.
Prepare the Crispy Onions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Add the thinly sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and slightly crisp, approximately 8–10 minutes.
- Once cooked, transfer the onions to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Gently pat dry if necessary.
Assemble the Soup:
- Ladle the hot broth into serving bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of thinly sliced mushrooms, the crispy onions, and a sprinkle of chopped shallots.
- The heat from the broth will gently soften the mushrooms while keeping the onions crisp, offering a balanced texture and flavor.
Notes
This Benihana Onion Soup Recipe is naturally gluten-free when using pure, whole ingredients. However, to ensure the recipe remains gluten-free:
- Broth Caution: Double-check that the chicken and beef bones used are free from any seasoning or pre-marinated mixtures that may contain gluten.
- Sesame Oil: Confirm that the sesame oil or vegetable oil used is gluten-free, as some flavored oils can contain additives.
- Mushrooms and Other Produce: Always wash fresh produce thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination.