Mystery Spice Clear Soup
A light and clear soup that hides a complex blend of spices, revealing its aromatic depth as you savor each spoonful without any visible ingredients. This international-inspired soups ready in about 25 minutes pairs (950ml) low-sodium chicken broth, (75g) carrots, (75g) celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 75 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 (950ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (75g) carrots
- 1/2 cup (75g) celery
- 1/4 cup (40g) onion
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp coriander
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1 bay leaf
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1/2 cup diced carrots, 1/2 cup diced celery, and 1/4 cup diced onion. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp ground coriander, 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 bay leaf. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the spices to infuse.
- Step 3: Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mystery Spice Clear Soup 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 Mystery Spice Clear 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 (75g) carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mystery Spice Clear 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 Mystery Spice Clear 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.
What goes well with Mystery Spice Clear Soup?
International 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect soups recipe for a weeknight dinner.
