Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe
  • What Goes In Vegetable Soup?
  • How To Make Vegetable Soup
  • Tips For The Best Vegetable Soup
  • Alternate Cooking Method: Crock Pot
  • Storage Instructions
  • More Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!)

Skip the bland canned stuff… this homemade vegetable soup recipe is packed with savory flavor from fresh produce! I’ll show you how to make vegetable soup with your favorite in-season ingredients to warm you up from the inside out (all in just over half an hour).

Although I love to make hearty, meaty soups like cabbage hamburger soup, a vegetable beef soup, and Mexican chicken soup, this is the best vegetable soup recipe to lean on when you need something light that balances flavor and simplicity. Plus, it’s so easy to customize!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe

  • Flavorful veggies with savory tomato broth
  • Common grocery store ingredients
  • Takes just 30 minutes
  • Stovetop and Crock Pot options
  • Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo, and has a vegan option
  • Easy to customize and make ahead
Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

What Goes In Vegetable Soup?

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for homemade vegetable soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Vegetable soup recipes are a blank canvas, so you can add almost anything. Here are the basic components that you can customize based on your preferences and what’s in your fridge:

  • Broth – I use reduced-sodium store-bought or homemade chicken broth, but you can use vegetable broth to make this avegan, vegetarian vegetable soup recipe. If that’s not important, you can also make your own homemade bone broth.
  • Vegetables – My vegetable soup recipe includes onions, bell peppers, minced garlic (fresh or jarred), cauliflower, green beans, and diced tomatoes. You can also use other veggies: Try kale (or throw in some leftover sauteed kale), spinach, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, corn (or try corn chowder) or sliced celery ribs… fresh or frozen! If you’re including greens, add them toward the end of cooking the soup.
  • Starches – I didn’t include any to keep this soup light, but to make it more hearty, you can add potatoes, corn kernels, butternut squash, carrots, beans (like chickpeas or white beans), or green peas. Cut larger veggies into bite-sized pieces.
  • Seasonings – Aside from the obvious salt and pepper, I add Italian seasoning, because it tastes great and saves time getting out multiple seasoning containers. Throw in some dried bay leaves for flavor as well.
Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (4)

VARIATIONS: Try other additions for flavor.

Try these add-ins in any combination you like:

  • Herbs: Basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage, oregano, lavender, marjoram, tarragon (all fresh or dried). If you use fresh herbs in place of dried, triple the amount, as their flavor is less concentrated.
  • Ground spices: Paprika (regular or smoked!) or turmeric would work well.
  • Aromatics: Try lemon zest, ginger root, or star anise.
  • Pepper: Swap the black pepper with white pepper, cayenne pepper, or even red pepper flakes.

Pick one flavor profile to stick to, either with a tried-and-true seasoning mix or by choosing a couple herbs and spices to focus on.

How To Make Vegetable Soup

This section shows how to make this 30-minute vegetable soup recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Saute aromatics. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Saute onions and bell peppers until softened. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  2. Add vegetables. Add cauliflower, green beans, diced tomatoes, broth, seasonings, and bay leaves, if using. Stir to combine.
Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (5)
Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (6)
  1. Simmer. Bring the vegetable soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until veggies are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving. I like to serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or fresh parsley.
Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (7)

Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (8)

Tips For The Best Vegetable Soup

This homemade vegetable soup recipe is easy and versatile, but here is how to adjust it if needed:

  • Soup too sweet? Mix in a splash of vinegar, salt, or tabasco.
  • Too bland?Add more salt or extra dash of herbs and spices.
  • Vegetable soup too spicy? A little heavy cream (or coconut cream) tames spicy foods. Or dilute with extra broth or some vinegar.
  • Soup too salty? Extra tomatoes or some lemon juice can help.
  • Vegetable soup too acidic? Dilute with cream or coconut cream.
  • PH Balance is sometimes all a soup needs. Lemon juice or vinegar add more acidity, while heavy cream or coconut cream will make it more alkaline.

Alternate Cooking Method: Crock Pot

If you prefer to make vegetable soup in a slow cooker, simply saute the onions, peppers, and garlic in Step 1 above on the stovetop first. Then, place them into the Crock Pot with the rest of the ingredients. Cover and cook for 2 hours on High or 4 hours on Low. For the pressure cooker, try my Instant Pot vegetable soup.

Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (9)

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep veggie soup covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: Cut vegetables and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Reheat: Warm on the stovetop, or in the microwave, until warm.

Can You Freeze Vegetable Soup?

Yes, you can freeze vegetable soup. Cool to room temperature, then pour into airtight zip top bags. Lay flat in the freezer until solid, and after that you can move them upright to save space if needed. Thaw in the fridge overnight (in a container or pot to be safe, in case it leaks!).

More Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipes

Need more hearty, healthy soup recipes? Try these homemade chill chasers or find more healthy soup recipes here:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cabbage Soup

Squash Soup

Detox Soup Recipe

  • Dutch Oven – A stove top version that’s oven friendly.
  • Ladle– This one has a generous size and the handle is super comfortable to hold.
  • Slow Cooker – If you want to make your low carb vegetable soup recipe in a Crock Pot instead of the stove.

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Recipe Card

Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (15)

4.92 from 85 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!)

The best vegetable soup recipe – cozy, flavorful, fast, easy, and healthy! Learn how to make homemade vegetable soup in just 30 minutes.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 12 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot or dutch oven over medium heat.

  2. Add the onions and bell peppers. Saute for 7 to 10 minutes, until onions are translucent and browned.

  3. Add the minced garlic. Saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant.

  4. Add the cauliflower, green beans, diced tomatoes, broth, and Italian seasoning. Adjust sea salt and black pepper to taste. Add the bay leaves, if using.

  5. Bring the soup to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook for about 10 to 20 minutes, until veggies are soft.

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Related Easy Recipes

  • Low Carb Keto Tomato Soup

  • Easy Taco Soup Recipe

  • Keto Stuffed Pepper Soup

  • Chef Salad

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories74

Fat3g

Protein3.3g

Total Carbs10.6g

Net Carbs7.4g

Fiber3.2g

Sugar5.5g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Soup

Cuisine:American

Keywords:best vegetable soup recipe, detox vegetable soup, homemade vegetable soup, how to make vegetable soup, vegetable soup recipe

Calories: 74 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Homemade Vegetable Soup

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Vegetable Soup Recipe (30 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to soup? ›

7 Tips for Successful Soup Making
  • Use a Sturdy Pot. It is worth investing in a heavy pot with a thick bottom to use for making soup. ...
  • Sauté the Aromatics. ...
  • Start with Good Broth. ...
  • Cut Vegetables to the Right Size. ...
  • Stagger the Addition of Vegetables. ...
  • Keep Liquid at a Simmer. ...
  • Season Just Before Serving.
Oct 9, 2022

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.

Why does my vegetable soup have no flavor? ›

When I think of vegetable soup, I think of a thin, flat-tasting soup with no fat — aka, no flavor! Here's how we fix that in this Vegetable Soup recipe: Adding a parmesan cheese rind to the simmering soup infuses it with salty, umami flavor. This is SUCH an easy way to add tons of flavor to soup.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What can I add to my vegetable soup to give it more flavor? ›

The Best Spices for Vegetable Soup
  1. Black Pepper – Probably the second most commonly used spice in your cabinet. ...
  2. White Pepper – Slightly milder than black pepper. ...
  3. Red Pepper Flakes – Use these alone or in conjunction with other peppers for a burst of flavor and heat.
  4. Cayenne – For a deeper spice and heat.
Jul 11, 2023

What is the flavorful liquid that adds more flavor to a vegetable meal? ›

A stock is a very flavorful liquid that is made by gently cooking bones and other ingredients such as vegetables in a liquid.

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

Use aromatic vegetables, like carrots, celery and onions. Adding some egg noodles or pasta can make the soup more thicker and turn it into a complete meal as well. Add some fresh herbs of your choice to add another layer of flavour to your dish.

Why do you put vinegar in vegetable soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

Why do you put lemon juice in vegetable soup? ›

In this case, however, the lemon provides more of a flavor undertone that enhances other seasonings like thyme, parsley, and turmeric. According to trained chef Leetal Arazi, who spoke with Real Simple, you can bring a "zesty flavor" to your soup simply by adding lemon.

What is the best thickener for vegetable soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

What vegetables can you not put in soup? ›

any veggie can be used in soup, but unless you're making a very delicate, exceptional soup, I'd steer clear of lettuce. some veggies have a strong flavor, so you may enjoy using them, but in moderation. For me, parsnips and rutabaga fit this category.

Can you use Worcestershire sauce in soup? ›

Adding Worcestershire Sauce To Soups

It will work in a broad range of dishes from your favorite French onion soup to velvety tomato bisque. It definitely does a great job of amping up the meaty flavors of a beef stew as well as giving vegetable soups a flavor lift, too.

What seasonings are good in vegetable soup? ›

Boosting Flavor

For more flavor add in more dried herbs (or even triple the amount of dried thyme). Other good herbs to add include basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, or Italian seasoning. Another option to add more flavor is to use a homemade chicken stock or vegetable broth.

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

"Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says. As a general rule, use fresh herbs at or near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices early on. This helps you get the flavors you're looking for in the right balance.

What are 2 principles of soup making? ›

The document provides 5 basic principles of preparing soup: 1) Starting with cold water. 2) Cutting vegetables to an appropriate size. 3) Selecting a protein such as beef, chicken, pork, or fish. 4) Simmering the soup for 4 hours.

What are three qualities of a good soup? ›

A soup's quality is determined by its flavor, appearance and texture. A good soup should be full-flavored, with no off or sour tastes. Flavors from each of the soup's ingre- dients should blend and complement, with no one flavor overpowering another.

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