Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe

Easy Veggie Magic: A Homestyle Vegetable Soup Recipe

Crafting a hearty vegetable soup fills kitchens with warmth and comfort on chilly afternoons.

Seasonal produce transforms simple ingredients into a nourishing meal anyone can master.

Fragrant herbs and fresh vegetables dance together, creating layers of rich, satisfying flavor.

Nutritious and quick, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels to experiment.

Chopping colorful ingredients becomes a meditative process that connects you to wholesome cooking.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction when vegetables mingle in a delicious, steaming pot.

You’ll find this soup perfect for cozy evenings or quick weeknight dinners.

Why Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe Warms The Soul

  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe that welcomes personal ingredient swaps and creative additions based on what's in your kitchen.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with a variety of vegetables, this soup delivers essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber in every comforting spoonful.
  • Quick and Simple Cooking: Minimal prep work and straightforward techniques make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned chefs.
  • Family-Friendly Meal: Creates a hearty, wholesome dish that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for gathering everyone around the dinner table for a nourishing meal.

Everything You Need For Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe

Main Vegetables:
  • Carrots: Sweet root vegetables that add natural sweetness and vibrant color to the soup.
  • Celery: Provides a subtle, fresh flavor and crisp texture to enhance the soup's overall taste.
  • Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that contribute a creamy texture and help thicken the soup.
  • Green Beans: Tender vegetables that bring a light, fresh element to the soup.
  • Corn: Sweet kernels that add a pop of flavor and additional texture to the soup.
  • Onions: Aromatic base that provides depth and foundation to the soup's flavor profile.
Aromatic Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds robust flavor and enhances the overall taste of the soup.
  • Thyme: Delicate herb that introduces a subtle, earthy flavor to the vegetable medley.
  • Bay Leaf: Provides a gentle, complex background note to the soup's flavor.
  • Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and amplifies the soup's natural flavors.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and warm spiciness to the soup.
Liquid Base:
  • Vegetable Broth: Provides a flavorful and nutritious liquid foundation for the soup.
  • Water: Helps to adjust the consistency and volume of the soup.
Cooking Fat:
  • Olive Oil: Helps to sauté vegetables and adds a subtle, rich undertone to the soup.

How To Make Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe Step By Step

Step 1: Prep Fresh Veggies

Clean and chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Get ready with these colorful ingredients:
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Potatoes
  • Green beans
  • Corn
  • Onions
  • Garlic

Aim for uniform cuts to ensure even cooking and a delightful texture.

Step 2: Warm Up The Pot

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Let the oil shimmer and get ready for flavor magic.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Garlic

Toss in minced garlic and stir quickly. Your kitchen will fill with an incredible fragrance in just 30-45 seconds.

Step 4: Build The Flavor Base

Add onions and cook until they turn translucent and soft. This creates a delicious foundation for your soup.

Step 5: Layer In Hearty Vegetables

Introduce carrots, celery, and potatoes. Stir and coat them with oil, letting them dance in the pot for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Pour In Liquid Gold

Add vegetable broth and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle, bubbling boil that promises deliciousness.

Step 7: Season And Simmer

Reduce heat and add:
  • Green beans
  • Corn
  • Bay leaf
  • Thyme
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Let everything simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8: Perfect The Flavors

Remove the bay leaf.

Taste and adjust seasonings to create a balanced, mouth-watering soup.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into warm bowls.

Serve immediately and savor every spoonful of your homemade comfort meal.

Top Tips For Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe Success

  • Prep ingredients uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and texture throughout the soup. Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even heat distribution and aesthetically pleasing presentation. Choose fresh, seasonal vegetables for maximum flavor and nutritional value. Allow soup to simmer gently, which helps develop deeper, richer taste profiles without overcooking delicate vegetables. Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, knowing flavors will continue to meld and improve overnight in the refrigerator.

Creative Twists For Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe

  • Mediterranean Veggie Soup: Replace water with tomato juice, add chopped olives, fresh basil, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
  • Spicy Southwest Soup: Include diced jalapeños, chili powder, cumin, and top with cilantro. Swap some vegetables for black beans and bell peppers to create a zesty southwestern experience.
  • Protein-Packed Edition: Incorporate cooked chicken or tofu cubes during the last 10 minutes of simmering. Add quinoa or lentils for extra protein and nutritional boost.
  • Creamy Herb Fusion: Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk during final cooking stage. Enhance with fresh dill, parsley, and a splash of white wine for rich, complex undertones.

What To Serve With Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe

  • Elevate Vegetable Soup Experience
  • Pair with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Slice thick, rustic sourdough bread to dip into the soup, absorbing rich broth and adding delightful texture contrast.
  • Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a light Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the soup's vegetable flavors and provide refreshing acidity.
  • Serve with Herbed Goat Cheese: Crumble tangy goat cheese sprinkled with fresh herbs on top, adding creamy richness and bright flavor notes to the vegetable soup.
  • Complete with Fresh Garden Salad: Create a side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and light vinaigrette to enhance the meal's nutritional balance and provide a crisp counterpoint.

How To Store Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe Without Worry

  • Refrigeration: Store cooled soup in airtight containers, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Freezing: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality. Label containers with date and contents.
  • Microwave Reheating: Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature before serving.
  • Stovetop Reheating: Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of water or broth if soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed through.

Your Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe Questions Answered

  • Why should I chop vegetables uniformly?

Uniform chopping ensures even cooking, prevents some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked, and creates a consistent texture throughout the soup.

  • Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen vegetables work well. Just add them directly to the soup and adjust cooking time slightly, as they’re already partially cooked.

  • How can I make the soup more protein-rich?

Add canned beans, cooked lentils, diced tofu, or shredded chicken to increase protein content and make the soup more filling.

  • Is this soup healthy?

Absolutely! This vegetable soup is nutrient-dense, low in calories, packed with vitamins and minerals, and provides a balanced, wholesome meal with multiple vegetable varieties.

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Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe

Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty vegetable soup dances with colorful garden-fresh ingredients, promising comfort in every spoonful. Rich Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor a nourishing bowl of pure, wholesome goodness.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Vegetables:

  • 2 cups (470 milliliters) mixed vegetables (carrots, celery, onions)
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) green beans
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) potatoes
  • 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) corn

Liquids and Oils:

  • 4 cups (950 milliliters) vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil

Seasonings and Herbs:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Meticulously wash, peel, and chop vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces to guarantee consistent cooking and texture.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium heat for approximately 2 minutes until it shimmers subtly.
  3. Introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, constantly stirring to prevent scorching, about 45 seconds.
  4. Integrate onions and cook until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  5. Fold in carrots, celery, and potatoes, ensuring even coating with oil and heat distribution, cooking for 5 minutes.
  6. Gently pour vegetable broth and water, allowing the mixture to reach a soft boil.
  7. Lower temperature to low, then incorporate green beans, corn, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  8. Allow soup to simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, periodically stirring until vegetables reach desired tenderness.
  9. Extract bay leaf to prevent potential bitter undertones in the final preparation.
  10. Conduct a final taste test, adjusting seasonings for optimal flavor profile.
  11. Serve immediately in preheated bowls, preserving the soup’s warmth and freshness.

Notes

  • Uniform chopping ensures consistent cooking and prevents some vegetables from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
  • Sautéing aromatics like garlic and onions before adding other ingredients builds a deeper, more complex flavor foundation for the soup.
  • Consider adding protein sources like cooked beans, lentils, or diced tofu to make the soup more nutritionally balanced and filling.
  • For a gluten-free version, verify that your vegetable broth is certified gluten-free and avoid adding any wheat-based thickeners.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 100
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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