Simmered Lemon-Dill Vegetable Broth
A light, fragrant broth featuring tender root vegetables and fresh dill, perfect for calming the senses and soothing the palate. This general-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, peeled and diced carrots 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced large onion, 2 diced peeled carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 lemon's zest and juice, 2 tablespoons chopped dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes until flavors meld and the broth is fragrant.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Lemon-Dill Vegetable Broth take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Lemon-Dill Vegetable Broth?
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 Simmered Lemon-Dill Vegetable Broth?
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 Lemon-Dill Vegetable Broth 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 Lemon-Dill Vegetable Broth 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 whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
