Bright Spring Vegetable Soup with Pea Puree
A vibrant, herb-infused soup featuring seasonal asparagus, peas, and a velvety puree, perfect for warming your spring table. This general-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced (1 cup) onion, diced (1/2-inch cubes) carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced (1 cup) onion
- 2, diced (1/2-inch cubes) carrots
- 2 stalks, diced (1/2-inch cubes) celery
- 1, white part only, sliced (1 cup) leek
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup, tips only, cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus
- 1 cup, fresh or frozen peas
- 1/2 cup, chopped mint
- 1/4 cup, chopped dill
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced onion, 1/2-inch diced carrots, and 1/2-inch diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup sliced leek and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 2 minutes until the leeks are translucent and garlic is aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add 1 cup asparagus pieces and 1 cup peas. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Remove 1 cup of the soup (including broth and vegetables) and blend until completely smooth. Return the puree to the pot. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped mint, 1/4 cup chopped dill, and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 more minutes until heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bright Spring Vegetable Soup with Pea Puree take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Bright Spring Vegetable Soup with Pea Puree?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bright Spring Vegetable Soup with Pea Puree?
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 Bright Spring Vegetable Soup with Pea Puree for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Bright Spring Vegetable Soup with Pea Puree?
General 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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.