Clear Winter Vegetable Soup with Parsnip Puree

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, flavorful soup featuring a vibrant parsnip puree swirl over a clear broth with seasonal vegetables. This french-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs butter, large onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 French cuisine 240 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium peeled and diced parsnip, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup diced carrots, and 1 cup diced celery. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
  3. Step 3: Remove 1/2 cup soup and blend until smooth. Return to pot, stir in 1/4 cup fresh sage, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat gently for 5 minutes until warmed through, stirring until puree swirls are visible.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Clear Winter Vegetable Soup with Parsnip Puree 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 Clear Winter Vegetable Soup with Parsnip 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 butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Winter Vegetable Soup with Parsnip 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 Clear Winter Vegetable Soup with Parsnip 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 Clear Winter Vegetable Soup with Parsnip Puree?

French 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