Simplified Spring Vegetable Soup
A light, flavorful soup made with seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs, ready in 30 minutes. This french-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium carrots, stalks celery, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 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 medium carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 onion
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup spring peas
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and dice 2 medium carrots, 2 stalks celery, and 1 onion into 1/4-inch pieces.
- Step 2: Heat a pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups chicken stock, 1 cup spring peas, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Blend half the soup with an immersion blender until smooth, then return to pot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simplified Spring Vegetable Soup 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 Simplified Spring Vegetable 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 medium carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simplified Spring Vegetable 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 Simplified Spring Vegetable 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.
What goes well with Simplified Spring Vegetable Soup?
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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made it for a dinner party and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
This soup was a hit with my family! The spring vegetables were so fresh and the French touch made it elegant.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty soup, but a bit bland for my taste. I added extra herbs to fix it.
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