Clear Broth Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest
A delicate, transparent soup featuring fresh vegetables and a bright lemon finish, ideal for a light and nourishing meal. This asian-inspired soups ready in about 25 minutes pairs Vegetable broth, medium, thinly sliced Carrot, thinly sliced Celery stalks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 1 medium, thinly sliced Carrot
- 2, thinly sliced Celery stalks
- 1/2 medium, thinly sliced Zucchini
- 2, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated) Spring onion
- 1 tsp finely chopped Fresh thyme
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups vegetable broth to a gentle simmer in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced carrot, 2 thinly sliced celery stalks, 1/2 medium thinly sliced zucchini, and 1 tsp fresh thyme. Simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes until vegetables are tender but still vibrant.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear Broth Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Clear Broth Vegetable 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 vegetable broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Broth Vegetable 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 Clear Broth Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Clear Broth Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest?
Asian 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
