Winter Silhouette Carrot Soup

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

A delicate clear broth made from pureed carrots, topped with a single artfully carved carrot silhouette that evokes the bare branches of a tree against a winter sky. This french-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs (680g) peeled and chopped Carrots, (950ml) low-sodium Vegetable broth, (30g) unsalted Butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 French cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 1.5 lbs (680g) peeled and chopped carrots and cook for 15 minutes until very tender, then drain and transfer to a blender with 2 cups of the vegetable broth. Blend until completely smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing with a spoon to extract all liquid.
  2. Step 2: Return the strained carrot puree to the pot. Add the remaining 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and flavors meld.
  3. Step 3: For the silhouette: Using a vegetable peeler, carefully peel a thin spiral from the small carrot. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the spiral into a tree shape (a triangle with branches) about 2 inches tall. Place the silhouette on a small plate and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Gently place the carrot silhouette on top of each serving. Garnish each bowl with 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Winter Silhouette Carrot Soup 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 Winter Silhouette Carrot 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 (30g) unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Winter Silhouette Carrot 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 Winter Silhouette Carrot 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 Winter Silhouette Carrot 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.

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