English Regional Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraîche
A vibrant pea soup flavored with fresh mint and finished with a dollop of crème fraîche, reflecting the fresh, local ingredients of English regional cuisine. This english-inspired soups ready in about 30 minutes pairs frozen green peas, vegetable broth, medium, chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 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
- 4 cups frozen green peas
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium, chopped yellow onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, for serving crème fraîche
- 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add 4 cups frozen green peas and reduce heat to simmer for 8-10 minutes until peas are tender.
- Step 4: Remove pot from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Step 5: Using an immersion blender, puree soup until smooth and vibrant green. Reheat gently if needed.
- Step 6: Serve hot with a generous dollop of 1/2 cup crème fraîche in each bowl for creaminess and tang.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does English Regional Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraîche 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 English Regional Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraîche?
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 frozen green peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in English Regional Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraîche?
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 English Regional Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraîche 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 English Regional Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraîche?
English 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.
