Carrot-Leek Soup with Lemon Zest

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting, smooth soup featuring sweet carrots and aromatic leeks, brightened by a touch of lemon zest for a fresh finish. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs carrots, leeks, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 French cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel and dice 2 cups carrots into 1/2-inch cubes. Thinly slice 1/2 leek (white and light green parts only) into rings.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add diced carrots and sliced leeks, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until carrots are tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Carrot-Leek Soup with Lemon Zest 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 Carrot-Leek Soup with Lemon Zest?

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 carrots from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carrot-Leek Soup with Lemon Zest?

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 Carrot-Leek Soup with Lemon Zest 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.

Is Carrot-Leek Soup with Lemon Zest vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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