Simple Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, vibrant soup bursting with seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs, simmered to silky smooth perfection. This mediterranean-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs vegetable broth, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 200 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced medium zucchini, and 1 diced small onion, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in 4 cups vegetable broth.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches. Return to pot and reheat gently for 2 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Simple Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbs 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 Simple Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbs?

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 Simple Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbs?

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 Simple Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbs 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 Simple Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbs?

Mediterranean 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.

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