Clear Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest
A soothing reset soup to help with headaches and nausea, using only whole-food ingredients and no hidden sugars. This american-inspired soups (whole30) ready in about 30 minutes pairs Carrots, Celery, Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 95 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 into 1/4-inch cubes Carrots
- 2 stalks, diced into 1/4-inch pieces Celery
- 1/2 medium, finely diced Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 4 cups, unsalted Chicken bone broth
- 1, zest only Lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped Fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 2 diced medium carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1/2 finely diced medium onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves over medium heat.
- Step 2: Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups unsalted chicken bone broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes until carrots are tender.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and the zest of 1 lemon.
- Step 5: Let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve warm in bowls with additional dill garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 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 carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clear 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 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.
Is Clear Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many soups recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
