Cantonese ABC Soup (Instant Pot Clear Broth Recipe)

A bowl of prepared Cantonese ABC soup next to the Instant pot showing the clear broth in a spoon with vegetables and tender chicken.

5 from 7 votes

Cantonese ABC Soup (Instant Pot Clear Broth Recipe)

Warmup with a comforting bowl of traditional Cantonese ABC soup with our quick and easy Instant Pot’s clear broth technique.

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Instant Pot Natural Release15

Total Time1 5

Course: Mains

Cuisine: Chinese

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Low Salt

Servings: bowls

Calories: 338kcal

Author: HWC Magazine

Equipment

1 Electric Multi-Function Cooker (6 Quart Instant Pot or device with the soup function)

Ingredients

3 whole tomatoes (We used Roma) - peeled and chopped into large chunks
3 whole potatoes (We used Yukon Gold) peeled and chopped into large chunks
3 whole carrots peeled and chopped into large chunks
1 small onion peeled and chopped into large chunks
2 inch ginger fresh knob, cut in half and smashed
2 whole corn on cob peeled and chopped into 3 to 4 sections
4 whole chicken drumsticks (Legs, with the bone in) - remove skin
water to cover ingredients in Instant Pot - we needed about 6 cups (1.4 liters).
salt and pepper to taste (we used white pepper)
red dates and goji berries dried optional - just a few
3 whole green onions sliced thin for garnish - optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Peel Tomatoes – First make a small slit in the tomato skin in both directions. Then, pour boiling water to cover the tomatoes for just about 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately, plunge the poached tomatoes into a bath of iced water. Then, peel the tomatoes and slice them into large chunks. (If you do not mind the peel in soup, you can just chop the tomatoes in large chunks.)
Prep Vegetables - Peel and chop potatoes, carrots, onions, and slice into large chunks. Remove the husk from the corn on the cob. Use a knife to carefully cut into sections or just break it in half with your hands.
Aromatics– Cut approximately a 2.0-inch (5.0 cm) piece of fresh ginger in half and bash with a knife. Optional - Rinse Chinese red dates and goji berries if you plan on using them.
Remove skin from chicken- If using a chicken drumstick, just start peeling from the large end down to the small end and pull off the skin and fat.
Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and cover with water. Season to taste. Seal the Instant Pot and make sure the nozzle is in the sealed position. Set the Instant Pot to the soup setting for 35 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure cooker to natural release for at least 15 to 20 minutes or until the plunger is released.
We chose to allow 15 minutes of natural release, followed by a quick release. Please be careful and use a towel when using the quick release method. It is possible that some juice and steam will be released.
Remove the ginger. To keep a clear broth, carefully remove the Chinese red dates if added. Check seasoning and add more salt and pepper as desired.
Serve in bowls and garnish with a few sliced green onions. Enjoy!
For the Kids: Our preference is to remove the chicken from the bone so it is easier for them to eat. In addition, we like to also add some cooked alphabet pasta or rice for an extra hearty meal.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips

Cut the vegetables into large chunks so that they do not break apart when cooking.
Peeled vegetables and tomatoes are more pleasing from a texture standpoint.
Remove as much fat and skin from the chicken as possible to keep the clearest broth. This is also more pleasing from a serving perspective.
Season ABC soup to taste with salt and pepper and adjust before serving. We usually do not add too much salt at the beginning because the flavors have not yet developed fully. If you are trying to watch your sodium intake, you can try using a salt free seasoning.
It can take up to 30 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before starting to cook on the soup setting.
If you have the time, you can allow the Instant Pot multi cooker to naturally release. We chose to allow 15 minutes of natural release, followed by a quick release.
Please be careful and use a towel when using the quick release method because some juice and steam will be released.
Do not overfill the multi-cooker! There is a line labeled on the inside pot that you should never go above.

Storage

Leftover soup can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Feel free to reheat soup on the stove top over medium heat until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat lightly covered in the microwave for a minute or until heated through.

Nutrition