Lemon Zest Vegetable Broth
A clear, aromatic soup simmered with seasonal vegetables and bright lemon zest for a light, restorative bowl. This asian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs carrots, stalks celery, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 50 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
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 leeks
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 lemon
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- pinch salt
- pinch pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium pot, combine 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 chopped leeks; add 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 sprig fresh thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove the thyme sprig, then stir in 1 lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper until flavors meld and broth is aromatic.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Zest Vegetable Broth 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 Lemon Zest Vegetable Broth?
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 Lemon Zest Vegetable Broth?
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 Lemon Zest Vegetable Broth 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.
Is Lemon Zest Vegetable Broth vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
