Simmered Vegetable and Rice Soup
A light, nourishing soup with tender vegetables and rice in a fragrant broth. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs vegetable broth, white rice, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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 vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup white rice
- 1 cup carrots
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1/2 cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 1/2 cup diced celery, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1 cup diced carrots and cook for 2 minutes until slightly tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup uncooked white rice, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and vegetables are cooked through, stirring once halfway.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Vegetable and Rice Soup 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 Vegetable and Rice 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 vegetable broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Vegetable and Rice 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 Simmered Vegetable and Rice 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.
Is Simmered Vegetable and Rice Soup 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
- ★★★★★
This soup was incredibly flavorful and perfect for a cold evening. My family loved it!
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made it for dinner and it was a hit with the kids.
- ★★★★☆
The soup was good but a bit bland for my taste; next time I'll add more herbs.
