Secret Vegetable Consommé
A clear, delicate broth that hides a medley of pureed vegetables, adding nutrition without altering the transparent appearance. This french-inspired soups ready in about 85 minutes pairs chicken stock, stalk, finely chopped celery, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 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 chicken stock
- 1 medium, peeled and finely chopped carrot
- 1 stalk, finely chopped celery
- 1/2, finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium pot, combine 4 cups chicken stock, 1 medium finely chopped carrot, 1 finely chopped celery stalk, 1/2 finely chopped onion, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Bring to a gentle simmer, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
- Step 2: Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean pot, pressing on solids to extract all liquid. Discard solids.
- Step 3: Return strained broth to pot and bring to a gentle simmer. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry. Slowly stir slurry into simmering broth until it thickens slightly (about 2 minutes).
- Step 4: Simmer for 10 more minutes, then remove from heat. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve again for maximum clarity. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Secret Vegetable Consommé take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (20 min prep + 65 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 Secret Vegetable Consommé?
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 chicken stock from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Secret Vegetable Consommé?
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 Secret Vegetable Consommé 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 Secret Vegetable Consommé?
French 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
