This hearty vegetable soup is packed with colorful vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a rich broth. It’s nourishing, budget-friendly, naturally vegan, and perfect for meal prep. The recipe is highly adaptable based on what vegetables you have available.

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40–50 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

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🛒 Ingredients

Base Vegetables (Mirepoix)

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion (about 200 g), diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

These vegetables form the flavor foundation of the soup.

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Main Vegetables

• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green beans, cut into 2 cm pieces
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced

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Liquid & Flavorings

• 8 cups (2 liters) vegetable broth
• 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Optional Protein Boost

Choose one:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can white beans
• 1 cup cooked lentils

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Finishing Ingredients

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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🔪 Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash all vegetables thoroughly.

Dice Uniformly

Try to cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces.

Benefits:

• Even cooking
• Better texture
• More attractive presentation

Suggested Sizes

• Carrots: 1 cm cubes
• Potatoes: 1.5 cm cubes
• Zucchini: 1 cm cubes
• Bell pepper: small dice
• Green beans: 2 cm pieces

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🧅 Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Place a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add:

• olive oil

Once warm, add:

• onion
• carrots
• celery

Cook for 7–8 minutes.

What Happens Here?

The vegetables soften and release natural sugars, creating a deeper flavor base.

The onions should become translucent but not browned.

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🧄 Step 3: Add Garlic

Add:

• minced garlic

Cook for 30–60 seconds.

Stir continuously.

Garlic burns quickly, so don’t leave it unattended.

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🍅 Step 4: Add Tomato Paste

Add:

• tomato paste

Cook for 1–2 minutes.

Why?

Cooking tomato paste briefly:

• removes raw flavor
• develops sweetness
• deepens color

The paste should darken slightly.

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🌿 Step 5: Add Herbs & Seasonings

Add:

• thyme
• oregano
• basil
• black pepper

Stir for 30 seconds.

This “blooms” the herbs in the oil, making them more aromatic.

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🥔 Step 6: Add Remaining Vegetables

Add:

• potatoes
• zucchini
• cabbage
• green beans
• bell pepper

Stir everything together.

Cook for 2–3 minutes.

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🍲 Step 7: Add Liquids

Pour in:

• vegetable broth
• diced tomatoes (with juices)

Add:

• bay leaf

Stir well.

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🔥 Step 8: Simmer the Soup

Increase heat until the soup reaches a gentle boil.

Then reduce to low heat.

Cover partially with a lid.

Simmer for:

25–30 minutes

During This Time

• Potatoes soften
• Flavors combine
• Broth becomes richer

Stir occasionally.

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🌽 Step 9: Add Quick-Cooking Vegetables

After 25–30 minutes add:

• peas
• corn

If using chickpeas or beans, add them now as well.

Simmer for another:

5–10 minutes

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🧂 Step 10: Final Seasoning

Remove:

• bay leaf

Taste the soup.

Adjust:

• salt
• pepper

If it tastes flat:

Add a little more salt or a splash of lemon juice.

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🍋 Step 11: Finish the Soup

Turn off the heat.

Add:

• lemon juice
• chopped parsley

Stir well.

Why Add Lemon at the End?

The acidity brightens flavors and makes the vegetables taste fresher.

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🍽️ Serving

Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Optional toppings:

• fresh parsley
• cracked black pepper
• chili flakes
• toasted pumpkin seeds
• crusty bread

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🌟 Variations

🫘 Hearty Bean Vegetable Soup

Add:

• 2 cans mixed beans

Increase broth by 1 cup.

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🍝 Italian Vegetable Soup

Add:

• 1 cup small pasta

Cook during the last 10 minutes.

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🥬 Green Vegetable Soup

Use:

• spinach
• kale
• peas
• broccoli

Add leafy greens during the last 5 minutes.

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🌶 Spicy Vegetable Soup

Add:

• ½ tsp chili flakes
• diced jalapeño

with the onions.

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🍄 Mushroom Vegetable Soup

Add:

• 250 g mushrooms

Cook after onions and before garlic.

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💡 Tips for the Best Vegetable Soup

Use Good Broth

A flavorful broth makes a huge difference.

Don’t Overcook

Vegetables should remain tender but not mushy.

Layer Flavors

Cooking onions, garlic, and tomato paste separately builds complexity.

Add Fresh Herbs at the End

Fresh herbs lose flavor if cooked too long.

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🧊 Storage

Refrigerator

• Up to 5 days

Freezer

• Up to 3 months

Cool completely before freezing.

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Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 180–250
• Protein: 5–10 g
• Fiber: 6–10 g
• Rich in vitamins A, C, and K
• Low in fat
• Naturally vegan