My uncle swears by this comforting old fashioned recipe when money is tight. Just 4 ingredients. Warm up with a rich savory soup that takes barely any effort.

This low carb 4-ingredient garlic egg drop soup is exactly the kind of comforting, old fashioned recipe my uncle swears by when money is tight and everyone still wants something warm and soothing. It’s the kind of soup you throw together on a weeknight with pantry basics, but it tastes like you put in way more effort. The rich, savory broth, soft ribbons of egg, and plenty of garlic feel like a hug in a bowl, and it all comes together in one pot in about 10 minutes. This is a simple, practical home-cook version of classic egg drop soup, trimmed down to just four ingredients so it fits a busy schedule and a tight grocery budget.

Serve this garlic egg drop soup steaming hot in a deep bowl or straight from a sturdy plastic container if you’re packing lunch for work. It’s great on its own as a light meal, or you can pair it with a simple green salad or some sliced cucumbers for extra crunch without adding many carbs. If your household isn’t strictly low carb, this soup is wonderful alongside a grilled cheese, buttered toast, or a bowl of rice for anyone who wants to bulk it up. It also reheats well, so I like to make a double batch on Sunday, portion it into individual containers, and keep them in the fridge for easy grab-and-go lunches during the week.

Servings: 2

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

In a medium saucepan, pour in the chicken broth and add half of the chopped green onions (about 1 tablespoon). Set the pan over medium heat and bring the broth up to a gentle simmer. You should see small bubbles around the edges, not a rolling boil.

Stir in the minced garlic and let it simmer in the broth for 2–3 minutes. This softens the sharp bite of the garlic and infuses the broth with a rich, savory flavor. Give it an occasional stir so the garlic doesn’t stick to the bottom.

While the garlic simmers, crack the eggs into a small bowl or measuring cup with a spout. Beat them well with a fork until the whites and yolks are fully combined and smooth. This helps create those soft, ribbon-like strands instead of big clumps.