Sunset Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest
A clear, vibrant broth infused with colorful vegetables and a bright lemon finish, ideal as a light starter or side dish. This general-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs olive oil, diced onion, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 calories and feeds 6, 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, diced onion
- 2, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1, diced parsnip
- 1 cup, diced zucchini
- 1 cup, diced green beans
- 1 cup, diced mushrooms
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced parsnip. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup diced zucchini, 1 cup diced green beans, and 1 cup diced mushrooms. Cook for 3 minutes until vegetables release moisture.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups vegetable broth, add 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in 1 lemon zest and 1 lemon juice. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
- Step 6: Serve hot in bowls.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sunset Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Sunset Vegetable Broth 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sunset Vegetable Broth 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 Sunset Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Sunset Vegetable Broth 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
