Seattle-Style Cherry Tomato Soup with Dill and Lemon Zest
A vibrant, light soup made with sun-ripened cherry tomatoes and finished with fresh dill and lemon zest, capturing the essence of a Pacific Northwest summer afternoon. This american-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs cherry tomatoes, medium onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1/2 medium lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop 1/2 medium onion and mince 2 garlic cloves. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent (about 5 minutes), then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes and 2 cups broth to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are very soft.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and blend the soup until completely smooth using an immersion blender. Return to low heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh dill and 1 tsp lemon zest. Season with 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 4: Simmer gently for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat. Serve hot, garnished with extra dill and a thin lemon slice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Seattle-Style Cherry Tomato Soup with Dill and Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Seattle-Style Cherry Tomato Soup with Dill and Lemon Zest?
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 cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Seattle-Style Cherry Tomato Soup with Dill and Lemon Zest?
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 Seattle-Style Cherry Tomato Soup with Dill and Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Seattle-Style Cherry Tomato Soup with Dill and Lemon Zest?
American 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.