Laughing Stock Soup with Lemon-Dill Croutons
A comforting, aromatic vegetable broth simmered with fresh herbs and crunchy homemade croutons that add a fun crunch to every spoonful. This vegetarian-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs vegetable broth, medium, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 225 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 vegetable broth
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 lemon lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 slices, cubed bread
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat, adding 1 diced medium onion and 1 minced garlic clove, sautéing for 3 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced medium carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the pot, bringing to a gentle simmer and cooking uncovered for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill and 1 lemon zest, then remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes to infuse. While soup simmers, toss 2 cubed bread slices with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt, baking at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp for the croutons.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Laughing Stock Soup with Lemon-Dill Croutons 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 Laughing Stock Soup with Lemon-Dill Croutons?
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 Laughing Stock Soup with Lemon-Dill Croutons?
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 Laughing Stock Soup with Lemon-Dill Croutons 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 Laughing Stock Soup with Lemon-Dill Croutons?
Vegetarian 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
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
