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
🛒 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.
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
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
Optional Protein Boost
Choose one:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can white beans
- 1 cup cooked lentils
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
🔪 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
🧅 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.
🧄 Step 3: Add Garlic
Add:
- minced garlic
Cook for 30–60 seconds.
Stir continuously.
Garlic burns quickly, so don’t leave it unattended.
🍅 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.
🌿 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.
🥔 Step 6: Add Remaining Vegetables
Add:
- potatoes
- zucchini
- cabbage
- green beans
- bell pepper
Stir everything together.
Cook for 2–3 minutes.
🍲 Step 7: Add Liquids
Pour in:
- vegetable broth
- diced tomatoes (with juices)
Add:
- bay leaf
Stir well.
🔥 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.
🌽 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
🧂 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.
🍋 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.
🍽️ Serving
Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
Optional toppings:
- fresh parsley
- cracked black pepper
- chili flakes
- toasted pumpkin seeds
- crusty bread
🌟 Variations
🫘 Hearty Bean Vegetable Soup
Add:
- 2 cans mixed beans
Increase broth by 1 cup.
🍝 Italian Vegetable Soup
Add:
- 1 cup small pasta
Cook during the last 10 minutes.
🥬 Green Vegetable Soup
Use:
- spinach
- kale
- peas
- broccoli
Add leafy greens during the last 5 minutes.
🌶 Spicy Vegetable Soup
Add:
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- diced jalapeño
with the onions.
🍄 Mushroom Vegetable Soup
Add:
- 250 g mushrooms
Cook after onions and before garlic.
💡 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.
🧊 Storage
Refrigerator
- Up to 5 days
Freezer
- Up to 3 months
Cool completely before freezing.
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
