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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
