Alphabet Vegetable Soup
A vibrant, one-pot soup bursting with colorful vegetables and aromatic herbs, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs medium, peeled and diced carrots, stalks, finely chopped celery, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, finely chopped celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 medium, peeled and diced potatoes
- 1 cup, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces green beans
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 medium peeled and diced carrots, 2 stalks finely chopped celery, and 2 medium peeled and diced potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup trimmed and cut green beans, 1 medium diced zucchini, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaves and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Alphabet Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Alphabet Vegetable Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep stalks, finely chopped celery from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Alphabet Vegetable Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Alphabet Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Alphabet Vegetable Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
