Introduction
Discover the ultimate vegetable soup recipe, a heartwarming bowl packed with fresh, vibrant ingredients. This comforting soup is perfectly seasoned for maximum flavor, making it incredibly satisfying. Enjoy a healthy and wholesome meal any day of the week with these delightful vegetable soup recipes. They are truly simple to prepare and taste amazing.
Why You’ll Love These Vegetable Soup Recipes
These easy vegetable soup recipes are a favorite for many reasons. They are quick and simple to prepare, perfect for busy parents and beginners alike. You will love the incredible, savory flavor that comes from fresh produce and aromatic spices. This soup is highly customizable, letting you add all your favorite veggies. It also works excellently for meal prep and freezing, offering convenience for future meals. As a naturally vegetarian and vegan-friendly option, it fits various dietary needs. Plus, it is budget-friendly and packed with nutrients.
Ingredients
Gather these fresh ingredients to create a delicious, wholesome meal. This base for many vegetable soup recipes uses simple staples.
- Olive/Avocado Oil: 3 Tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- Aromatics: 1 (200 g) medium yellow onion diced (about 1 cup), 2 (150 g) carrots cut into coins (1 cup), 2 (140 g) celery ribs diced (1 cup), 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- Potatoes: 1 cup (130 g) small-diced sweet potatoes cut into ½”/1.5cm cubes, 1 cup (160 g) small-diced gold or russet potatoes cut into ½”/1.5cm cubes
- Flavor Boosters: 1 ½ Tablespoons tomato paste, 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil, 1 ¼ teaspoon table salt plus more to taste, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper plus more to taste, 2 bay leaves, 1 thyme sprig or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Canned/Frozen Veggies: 1 14.5 oz (411 g) can fire roasted diced tomatoes undrained, 1 ½ cups (185 g) fresh or frozen cut green beans, 1 ¼ cups (175 g) fresh or frozen sweet corn, ½ cup (80 g) fresh or frozen lima beans
- Liquid: 6 cups (1.5 L) vegetable broth
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to personalize your homemade vegetable soup based on what you have. For extra vegetable variety, consider adding cabbage, peas, zucchini, parsnips, spinach, or kale. If using russet potatoes, you might prefer to peel them, but gold potatoes taste great with their skins left on. For a non-vegan version of this hearty soup, chicken or beef broth can replace the vegetable broth. Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce work perfectly if you do not have fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Both fresh and frozen vegetables are excellent choices for this versatile recipe.
Equipment
You only need a few basic tools to prepare this comforting vegetable soup.
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Ladle
How to Make the Best Vegetable Soup
Making the best vegetable soup at home is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a flavorful and hearty meal. This process ensures all the ingredients cook perfectly and meld into a rich, savory broth.
- Heat Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Add olive or avocado oil to a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Heat it over medium heat until it shimmers. Next, add the diced yellow onion, carrots cut into coins, and diced celery. Cook these vegetables, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. This step builds the flavor foundation for your homemade vegetable soup.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic. Continue cooking for about 30 seconds until you smell its fragrant aroma. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn, as it can turn bitter quickly.
- Introduce Potatoes: Add both the small-diced sweet potatoes and gold or russet potatoes to the pot. Cook these for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slight pre-cook helps them start to soften before simmering.
- Incorporate Flavor Boosters: Stir in the tomato paste, dried basil, salt, and ground black pepper. Cook this mixture for about 60 seconds, stirring constantly. You will notice the tomato paste deepen in color, indicating its flavors are developing. This is a crucial step for a rich vegetable soup.
- Add Canned and Frozen Veggies with Broth: Pour in the undrained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, fresh or frozen cut green beans, sweet corn, and lima beans. Then, add the vegetable broth. Stir all the ingredients well to combine them.
- Season with Herbs and Simmer: Add the bay leaves and the thyme sprig (or dried thyme) to the pot. Stir once more. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook for Flavor Development: Let the soup simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes. This extended simmer time is essential for the potatoes and green beans to become tender when pierced with a fork. It also allows all the wonderful flavors to fully meld together, creating a truly delicious and hearty vegetable soup. Do not rush this step, as it significantly impacts the final taste.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme sprig from the soup. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper if it tastes slightly bland. Serve your comforting vegetable soup warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Vegetable Soup
Achieving a truly outstanding vegetable soup is easy with a few expert tricks. Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the very end; proper seasoning enhances all the flavors. Ensure uniformity in chopping by dicing all your vegetables similarly so they cook evenly. Do not rush the simmer; allowing the full 30 minutes lets the flavors meld deeply. Use non-reactive cookware like stainless steel or enameled cast iron to prevent metallic tastes. For an umami boost, add a Parmesan rind while simmering, then remove it before serving. Finally, prevent burnt garlic by stirring it constantly to avoid bitterness, which can affect the whole pot.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile vegetable soup makes a fantastic meal on its own or with simple accompaniments. Serve it alongside crusty bread, a gooey grilled cheese sandwich, classic crackers, fluffy biscuits, or savory garlic knots. Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days. For longer storage, portion the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months, making future meals a breeze.
To ensure your homemade soup remains safe and delicious, proper storage practices are crucial. According to the USDA, understanding guidelines for refrigerating cooked foods helps prevent spoilage and maintain safety.
To boost protein, stir in cooked shredded chicken, ground turkey, or lentils. For a spicy kick, introduce red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño while sautéing the aromatics. If you prefer a creamy version, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end, or blend a portion of the soup before combining it back with the rest. Experiment with other fresh or dried herb variations like rosemary or oregano to change up the flavor profile.
Nutrition Information
Understanding the estimated nutritional values helps you make informed dietary choices. Keep in mind that factors such as specific ingredient brands, exact preparation methods, and serving sizes can influence the accuracy of these values. This vegetable soup is a healthy and nutritious meal, packed with fiber and essential vitamins.
Emphasizing the importance of a well-balanced diet, numerous health organizations highlight the significant health benefits of a vegetable-rich diet.
| servingSize | calories | carbohydrateContent | proteinContent | fatContent | saturatedFatContent | polyunsaturatedFatContent | monounsaturatedFatContent | sodiumContent | potassiumContent | fiberContent | sugarContent | vitaminA | vitaminC | calcium | iron |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 serving | 158 kcal | 25 g | 4 g | 6 g | 1 g | 1 g | 4 g | 1196 mg | 387 mg | 4 g | 6 g | 3252 IU | 14 mg | 49 mg | 2 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the best vegetables for homemade soup?
- Use your favorite vegetables and seasonal produce for the best flavor. Popular options include cabbage, zucchini, peas, parsnips, spinach, and kale.
- Can I make this soup thicker?
- This is designed as a brothy soup, but you can thicken it by blending a portion of the soup, adding a roux, or stirring in a cornstarch slurry. For a hearty texture in your vegetable soup recipe, just a bit of blending can make a big difference.
- Is this vegetable soup recipe freezer-friendly?
- Yes, this delicious vegetable soup freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers for convenient future meals.
- What can I serve with vegetable soup for a complete meal?
- Crusty bread, grilled cheese, or simple side salads pair wonderfully with vegetable soup. These additions make it a satisfying and complete meal.
- Can I make this vegetable soup in a slow cooker?
- You can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Just be sure to complete the initial sautéing of the aromatics on the stovetop first to build essential flavor.
Conclusion
Embrace the simplicity and rich flavors of homemade vegetable soup. This versatile and nutritious dish offers incredible comfort and is perfect for healthy eating and meal prepping. Gather your ingredients today and enjoy preparing this wholesome recipe; it is a truly satisfying meal that brings warmth and flavor to your table.
Hearty & Flavorful Vegetable Soup Recipes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add both types of potatoes and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in tomato paste, dried basil, salt, and pepper, cooking for about 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens.
- Incorporate tomatoes, green beans, corn, lima beans, broth, bay leaves, and thyme; stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the soup uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and green beans are tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.