Mediterranean Vegetable and Herb Soup
A vibrant blend of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, infused with olive oil and citrus zest for a bright, zesty flavor. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 medium, chopped tomato
- 1/2 small, diced cucumber
- 1 red, diced bell pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 chopped tomatoes, 1/2 diced cucumber, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice. Puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Garnish with additional parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mediterranean Vegetable and Herb Soup take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Mediterranean Vegetable and Herb Soup?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Vegetable and Herb Soup?
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 Mediterranean Vegetable and Herb Soup 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 Mediterranean Vegetable and Herb Soup 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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
