Description
Best Vegetable Soup is a hearty, wholesome, and flavorful soup packed with seasonal vegetables, herbs, and a perfectly seasoned broth. Ideal for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, it’s nutritious, cozy, and endlessly customizable.
Ingredients
1–2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced (or substitute a large leek)
2 cups diced carrot (about 2 medium carrots)
2 cups diced celery (2 stalks)
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
5 cups vegetables of choice, chopped small (zucchini, green beans, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, corn, bell pepper, etc.)
4 cups vegetable, chicken, or beef stock (or bone broth)
2 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
For garnish:
1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil ribbons
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
Olive oil, gremolata, or grated pecorino cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add carrots, celery, garlic, and thyme. Cook 7–8 minutes, stirring often. Add a splash of broth or lemon juice for brightness if desired.
- Add longer-cooking vegetables, stock, water, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 10–12 minutes until carrots are tender.
- Add quick-cooking vegetables (like spinach, corn, or kale) and cook 3–4 minutes more.
- Stir in fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or vinegar.
- Serve hot, garnished with olive oil, gremolata, or cheese. Enjoy with crusty bread.
Notes
Add beans: white beans or chickpeas for extra protein.
Change greens: try spinach, kale, or Swiss chard.
Spice it up: add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or chili powder.
Grain boost: stir in cooked rice, barley, or quinoa.
Creamy version: add a splash of cream or coconut milk at the end.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
