Vegetable Soup Recipe (2024)

Nothing is better than a pot of cozy soup and this is a favorite.

Hearty and healthy, this vegetable soup recipe has a rainbow of vegetables, including carrots, cabbage and zucchini, cooked in a flavorful broth.

Naturally low in fat and calories, it’s the perfect lunch, snack, or starter!

Vegetable Soup Recipe (1)

A Feel Good Vegetable Soup Recipe

  • Quick & Delicious: This veggie soup recipe is fast to prepare and it’s both delicious and healthy!
  • Low Cal & Low Carb: Since it’s so veggie packed, it’s filling and low in calories (only 52 calories per 1 cup). It’s 0 points if you follow Weight Watchers, it’s low carb and keto friendly too!
  • Versatile: Add the veggies listed below or your own favorite vegetables.

Ingredients in Vegetable Soup

This is the ultimate soup for any kind of add-in. It will still turn out perfect!

Broth or Stock – We use either beef broth or chicken broth but you can use any homemade stock or broth or vegetable broth if you prefer.

Veggies – A variety of vegetables make this soup fun and flavorful.The cabbage adds bulk and fills your belly. If you’re not a fan of cabbage, you can most certainly substitute kale or spinach. Keep in mind that kale will add more bulk and spinach will shrink down quite a bit.

  • Low Carb Veggies: Cabbage, beans, cauliflower, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, celery
  • Starchy Veggies:Carrots, potatoes or sweet potatoes (may need longer to cook), corn, green peas.

Add your favorite seasonings. Minced garlic, bay leaves, fresh thyme, and basil add a subtle flavor to the soup that complements the vegetables. Optional additions include red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice.

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More Soup-er Add-Ins

Homemade vegetable soup is so versatile!

  • Protein: Add fresh or leftover proteins like chicken, ground beef, or sausage.
  • Legumes: Keep it vegetarian and add white beans, chickpeas, or your favorite cooked/canned beans.
  • Grains: Hearty grains like barley or pasta like rotini, shells, or fun bowties will also make this a new dish every time!
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How to Make Vegetable Soup

Homemade vegetable soup is perfect for make-ahead lunches or batch cooking. I learned to make this healthy soup recipe years ago and it’s always a staple in our kitchen.

  1. Cook garlic & onion according to the recipe below.
  2. Cook the firmer vegetables until tender. Add the broth and seasonings.
  3. The softer vegetables and & simmer. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Serving Suggestion:Serve soup with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese or a small dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

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Storing Veggie Soup

If you’re trying to cut calories it’s perfect to have in your fridge ready to enjoy when you need a healthy snack or a quick meal!

This soup reheats well so mix up a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week!

Keep vegetable soup in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze chilled soup in zippered bags or a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. Reheat or thaw directly on the stovetop.

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More Veggie Packed Soups

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Homemade Tomato Soup (Fresh Tomatoes)

20 Minute Broccoli Cheese Soup

Vegetable Beef Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Zucchini Soup

Did you make this Vegetable Soup? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

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4.95 from 407 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Vegetable Soup Recipe

This Vegetable Soup recipe is one of our favorites. Loaded with veggies and naturally low in fat and calories, it’s the perfect lunch, snack, or starter!

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ReviewPrint

Vegetable Soup Recipe (14)

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Vegetable Soup Recipe (15)

Servings 12 servings

Vegetable Soup Recipe (16)

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups cabbage chopped, approx. ¼ head of cabbage
  • 1 cup carrots diced
  • 1 cup green beans cut into 1″ pieces
  • 2 whole bell peppers chopped
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets or broccoli
  • 28 ounces low sodium diced tomatoes with juice
  • 6 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon basil
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 cups zucchini sliced

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.

  • Add the cabbage, carrots, & green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

  • Stir in bell peppers, cauliflower, undrained tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, bay leaves, and seasonings. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

  • Add in zucchini, simmer an additional 5 minutes or until softened.

  • Remove bay leaves before serving.

Video

Notes

Add any type of vegetables you’d like. Quick-cooking veggies like spinach and zucchini should be added at the end of cooking.

To make a hearty meal, add in cooked protein before serving such as shredded chicken or ground beef. Whole-grain pasta or rice can be added to each serving as well.

Optional flavor additions include: replace the dried herbs with Italian seasoning, a few dashes of hot sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or fresh herbs.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze the cooled soup in individual portions for up to 4 months. Reheat or thaw directly on the stovetop.

Slow Cooker: Cook onions in a skillet with a bit of oil. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours or until veggies are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Instant Pot: Cook onions using the saute function. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, naturally release for 5 minutes. Remove bay leaves before serving.

4.95 from 407 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 52 | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2650IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Vegetable Soup Recipe (18) Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Soup

Vegetable Soup Recipe (19) Cuisine American

Vegetable Soup Recipe (20) Diet Vegetarian

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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This is NOT medical advice. This recipe is provided for informational purposes and enjoymentonly. Eating this soup doesn’t guarantee weight loss. Before starting any weight loss program, be sure to consult your doctor.

NOTE: Nutritional information is auto-generated and is based on the quantities, amounts, and brands of products I used in this recipe. Actual amounts may vary based on your preparation and the products used. For informational purposes only, this is not medical information or advice.

Categories:

Healthy Recipes, Low Carb, Meatless Main Dishes,

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Vegetable Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to my vegetable soup to give it more flavor? ›

Acid, lemon or lime juice is my go to. Msg, a bit of Vegeta or similar product goes a very long way in pushing these types of soups over the top. Add some heat if you're into it. Sriracha or fresh cut hot peppers added as a garnish to taste.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.

What are the best vegetables to put in soup? ›

Root vegetables such as squash and potatoes add a good element of heartiness and fiber. Carrots and zucchini hold up well in broth and kale or Swiss chard add nice flavor, a splash of color and a serious dose of nutrition. Tomatoes and tomato paste give your recipe an Italian twist.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

What can I do if my vegetable soup tastes bland? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

What thickens vegetable soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

Ready, Set, Soup: Essential Ingredients to Have on Hand
  • Great broth — Most soups are anchored by a stock or broth, and one with depth of flavor (not just a lot of salt) is key. ...
  • Beans — Beans are one of those can't-miss additions to soups.
Oct 18, 2013

Is stock or broth better for vegetable soup? ›

As a result, stock is usually a healthier product, delivering a richer mouth feel and deeper flavor than broth. Stock is a versatile culinary tool that can deliver taste to any number of dishes. Darker in color and more concentrated in flavor than broth, it's ideal for use in soups, rice, sauces and more.

Why put celery in soup? ›

Celery stalks often play a supporting (albeit crucial) role in comforting soups and holiday sides, but their sharp herbal flavor takes center stage in this cream of celery soup recipe. To coax the most flavor out of the veg, sauté the chopped celery with a potato and onion in plenty of butter until soft and tender.

Why do chefs put vinegar in soup? ›

Cookbook author James Peterson has revealed that vinegar can help unite all the competing flavors in your soup, saying, "When you're tasting and it appears that the flavors in a recipe are refusing to focus, a little vinegar will often do the trick." The Kitchn adds that vinegar does a great job of pumping up those ...

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

Here are a few simple ways to upgrade soup broth for a tasty, filling, and flavorful finish.
  1. Add herbs and spices. Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. ...
  2. Add acidic ingredients. ...
  3. Pack in umami flavor. ...
  4. Roast the ingredients first. ...
  5. Let it evaporate and cook longer. ...
  6. Skim excess fat.
Jun 28, 2023

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

Go Bold. A punch of flavor at the end of cooking can make your soup a standout. Mix herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano, or spices such as cumin, coriander, and cardamom, into some olive oil, and let it infuse for at least an hour or two. Pour it over soup just before serving.

How do you increase Flavour in soup? ›

Vinegar – A spoonful of vinegar is a quick fix when you find yourself with a bowl of dull, flat-tasting soup. Just a small amount of acid will brighten up the flavors. 2. Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is another item that's ideal for brightening up and adding depth of flavor to an otherwise dull soup.

How to spice up a can of vegetable soup? ›

A pinch of seasoning can make all the difference to freshen up the flavors in a ho-hum soup. Most canned soups have plenty of sodium, so skip the salt and stick with spices like cumin or curry powder or try dried herbs like basil or rosemary.

What is the key to flavorful soup? ›

The basic principles of soup-er soups and stew-pendous stews

All soups and stews must have three major components in order to be tasty: an undercurrent liquid, aromatics, and volumizing ingredients.

How can I enhance the flavor of my vegetables? ›

Reach for fresh lemon juice, parsley, fresh cracked pepper and a dash of salt to make veggies pop. Add dried herbs early in the cooking process to allow the flavor to develop as they absorb moisture. Sprinkle fresh cilantro, parsley, or thyme after cooking to finish the veggie dish with a burst of flavor and color.

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