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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
