Dashi Recipe
This simple Dashi Recipe makes an authentic, umami-rich Japanese stock that's perfect for soup, noodles, sauces, and more.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce kombu seaweed
- 4 cups loosely packed bonito flakes
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Add the kombu and water to a medium-sized pot and simmer over low to medium heat for 20 minutes.
- Remove the kombu and add the bonito flakes. Bring to a boil and then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Strain and serve.
Notes
The most important tip for making homemade kombu dashi is never to boil the kombu. Simply let it gently heat and steep in the water for about 20 minutes. The goal here is to slowly coax out its umami-rich flavor without letting it boil, which can make the broth cloudy and taste bitter.
Troubleshooting flavor: If your dashi tastes flat, the kombu may not have steeped long enough, or the bonito flakes may not have simmered fully. On the flip side, if it tastes overly strong or bitter, the kombu likely overheated.
Reusing ingredients: Don’t toss the kombu after steeping it in the first batch. You can store it in the fridge for later, then reuse it with fresh water and a few more bonito flakes for what’s called niban dashi (second brew). It’s lighter but perfect for simmered dishes where the dashi broth isn’t the main character.
Vegan variation: You can make a vegan-friendly dashi by substituting bonito flakes with dried shiitake mushrooms. They offer a similar, rich, earthy flavor that’s perfect for vegetarian miso soup, stews, or as a cooking liquid for rice.
Make-Ahead: The strained dashi can be made up to 1 hour before being used in your desired dish. You can keep it warm by straining it into a saucepan set over low heat.
How to Store: The kombu bonito dashi will keep for up to 4 days when it’s stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to Freeze: This stock also freezes well for about 3 months. I like to freeze the extras in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. This way, I can grab as many stock cubes as I need for my recipes.
Nutrition
Calories: 526kcalCarbohydrates: 0.1gProtein: 105gFat: 0.01gSaturated Fat: 0.002gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 434mgPotassium: 1376mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 123IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.04mg