I Tested the TikTok Recipe for ‘Swamp Soup,’ and It’s Shockingly Good

This recipe for 'swamp soup' is made with leftovers. No wonder it's so popular on TikTok!

The vivid green hue of this “swamp soup” may be off-putting to some (who else remembers green and purple ketchup?), but this TikTok recipe is still crazy popular. With a long list of healthy, immune system-boosting ingredients, we will hold off our immediate judgment and put this questionably named (and colored) recipe to the test.

What is ‘swamp soup’?

Swamp Soup served in a white bowlLauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

This was first shared by TikTok creator @wishbonekitchen. The soup gets its name from its bright green color and “swampy” appearance. If the name is too much for you, it’s often referred to as green garlic and ginger chicken and rice soup, too.

The soup touts a nutrient-dense combination of ingredients including spinach, ginger, garlic, jalapenos and bone broth, all of which are believed to help bolster the immune system (like these other foods to eat when you have a cold). Thanks to the splash of soy sauce and ginger, swamp soup tastes reminiscent of a miso soup but is heartier due to the rice and chicken.

Don’t confuse this recipe with Southern swamp soup, a completely different, old-fashioned recipe by the same name. Southern swamp soup (like this one from @patrick_springer) usually features turnip greens (like this greens and beans soup), spicy sausage and a mixture of assorted beans and vegetables.

Viral Swamp Soup Recipe

This recipe from Wishbone Kitchen makes 4-6 servings.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make Swamp Soup on a tableLauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

  • 4 cups chicken bone broth or chicken stock
  • 4 cups baby spinach, packed
  • 2 jalapenos
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 (1-inch) piece of fresh ginger
  • 1 cup fresh parsley stems and leaves, packed
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh lime juice, optional

Keep in mind that chicken stock and bone broth are not the same thing!

Directions

Step 1: Wilt the spinach

Spinach inside the stock pot to make swamp soupLauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

In a Dutch oven or stock pot, bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Remove the spinach to a blender or food processor. Reduce the heat to low to keep the remaining broth warm.

Step 2: Blend with aromatics and spices

Spinach and other ingredients blended in a mixtureLauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

To the spinach, add the jalapenos, garlic, ginger, parsley and 1/4 cup of the warm broth. Puree until smooth, then return the spinach mixture to the pot of warm broth.

Editor’s Tip: Want more spice? Add an extra jalapeno or two. Love ginger? Toss in an extra piece for the health benefits. This recipe is easy to adapt to your taste.

Step 3: Combine and simmer

Spinach chicken soy sauce mixed in a potLauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

Add the cooked rice, chicken, soy sauce and salt to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until hot.

Editor’s Tip: We used cooked jasmine rice for our swamp soup, but you can use any type of rice. Basmati would be lovely in this soup, while brown rice would add extra fiber.

Step 4: Serve the soup

Swamp Soup with lemon served in a bowlLauren Habermehl for Taste of Home

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and additional chopped parsley for garnish. Enjoy!

Tips for Making Swamp Soup

Is swamp soup the same as green posole?

No. While the ingredients have some overlap, we found TikTok’s viral swamp soup to have a very different taste than green chile posole. Swamp soup has a stronger Asian flavor profile due to the umami of the soy sauce and the bite of the ginger. It lacks several key ingredients in traditional green posole, such as hominy, green chiles, cilantro and tomatillos, which give posole a brighter, tangier flavor than swamp soup.

Why did my swamp soup turn brown?

Leafy greens and herbs like parsley and spinach oxidize when exposed to the air once they are cooked or chopped. This means that this soup will inevitably turn brown over time (only adding to its swampy effect). To enjoy its bright green hue at its peak, don’t allow the soup to simmer for too long. As soon as it’s hot enough to serve, remove it from the heat and enjoy.

Editor’s Tip: Wilting the spinach by blanching it in the bone broth helps prolong the greenness of this soup. Don’t be tempted to skip that first crucial step!

Can I freeze swamp soup?

Yes! This is a soup you can freeze. Since it does not contain dairy, it thaws and reheats like a dream, and freezing it will preserve its vibrant green color. Store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months. To serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through. You can also microwave leftover swamp soup.

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Lauren Habermehl
Lauren Habermehl is a recipe developer, food photographer and creator of the blog, Frydae. She is a prolific quoter of FRIENDS, lover of weekend DIY projects and procrastinating fitness enthusiast who enjoys exploring the Milwaukee-area with her husband, daughter and ugly mutt named Tyson Doodles.