Simmered Green Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest
A vibrant, herbaceous soup bursting with fresh peas and spinach, finished with bright lemon zest to capture the essence of sunlight. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs fresh peas, vegetable broth, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 1 cup fresh peas
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup fresh peas, 2 cups vegetable broth, and 1 cup fresh spinach. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes until peas are tender.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender. Return to the saucepan.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cook for 2 more minutes over low heat before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Green Vegetable Soup with 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 Simmered Green Vegetable Soup with 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 fresh peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Green Vegetable Soup with 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 Simmered Green Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest 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 Simmered Green Vegetable Soup with Lemon Zest 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
