Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

If you’re craving something both nourishing and soul-soothing, this Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe is just what you need. It brings together a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables simmered in a fragrant broth, delivering flavors that hug you from the inside out. Perfect for cozy nights or whenever you want a simple yet satisfying meal, this soup is packed with wholesome ingredients that are as colorful as they are delicious. Its comforting texture and rich aroma will have you reaching for seconds faster than you think.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are refreshingly straightforward but each one plays a vital role in building the depth, brightness, and heartiness of your soup. From aromatic herbs to crisp veggies, every addition enhances the texture and flavor in its own special way.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil: Essential for sautéing and adding a silky base flavor to the soup.
• 1 onion (chopped): The backbone of savory goodness, offering sweetness and depth as it cooks down.
• 2 cloves garlic (minced): Adds a fragrant punch that elevates the overall aroma.
• 2 carrots (sliced): Provide natural sweetness and a lovely soft bite once simmered.
• 2 celery stalks (sliced): Bring freshness and a subtle crunch to balance the textures.
• 1 bell pepper (diced): Adds vibrant color and a mild, pleasant flavor.
• 2 medium potatoes (diced): Boost the soup’s heartiness and create a satisfying bite.
• 1 zucchini (diced): Imparts lightness and a delicate freshness.
• 1 cup green beans (trimmed and cut into pieces): Contribute a nice texture contrast and green vibrancy.
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices): Give the soup a subtle acidity and rich tomato flavor.
• 6 cups vegetable broth: The essential soup base that ties every ingredient together with warmth.
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Adds earthy, aromatic depth.
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Provides a lovely Mediterranean flavor touch.
• Salt and pepper: To taste, these bring out all the nuanced flavors perfectly.
• 1 cup spinach (or kale): Packs in nutrients and a burst of green freshness at the end.
• Optional add-ins: Corn for sweetness, chickpeas for protein, and red pepper flakes for a little heat.

How to Make Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics

First things first, warm your olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. This step is where your soup starts to build its flavor foundation. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking them until the onion becomes translucent and tender—about 2 to 3 minutes. The scent filling your kitchen at this point is nothing short of magical.

Step 2: Cook the Softer Vegetables

Next, toss in the sliced carrots, celery, and diced bell pepper. Stir and cook these together for around 5 minutes. This allows the vegetables to soften just enough, releasing their sweetness and melding beautifully with the garlic and onion base without losing their shape or crunch completely.

Step 3: Add Heartier Vegetables and Liquids

Time to add the diced potatoes, zucchini, green beans, canned diced tomatoes along with their juices, and the vegetable broth. This vibrant assembly starts to look like the soup you’ve been dreaming of. Plus, those potatoes will contribute a lovely thicker texture as they cook.

Step 4: Season with Herbs and Spices

Now, sprinkle in the dried thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. These herbs infuse the broth with a warm earthiness that elevates every bite. Stir everything well so the seasoning distributes evenly before bringing the pot to a boil.

Step 5: Let It Simmer to Perfection

Once boiling, lower the heat and allow the soup to gently simmer for about 20 minutes. This gives the vegetables plenty of time to soften and soak up the broth’s flavors, transforming the mixture into a comforting, unified dish.

Step 6: Add Greens and Optional Extras

In the last few minutes, stir in your spinach or kale, plus any of your chosen add-ins like corn or chickpeas. These ingredients add freshness and extra nutrition, and the chickpeas also supply a lovely protein boost. Give the soup a good taste and tweak the salt, pepper, or herbs as you see fit.

Step 7: Serve Hot and Enjoy

Dish out your warm Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe right away, garnished if you like with fresh herbs. Each spoonful is a celebration of wholesome, vibrant veggies and balanced flavors that comfort your body and soul.

How to Serve Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh herbs like parsley or basil add a bright pop of color and an herbal zing that wakes up the flavors beautifully. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a dollop of sour cream can add indulgent creaminess if you want to dress things up just a bit.

Side Dishes

Pairing this soup with crusty bread or warm garlic toast makes it an even heartier meal. A crisp green salad on the side complements the soup’s richness and adds a refreshing crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the soup in rustic bowls with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil on top for a glossy finish. You can also ladle it into hollowed-out bread bowls for a fun, cozy effect that’s perfect for entertaining or special family dinners.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This soup reheats beautifully, so keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen over time, making the next-day bowl even more satisfying.

Freezing

You can freeze portions of the soup in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Just remember that adding spinach or kale before freezing can cause texture changes, so it’s best to add those fresh when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If it’s too thick, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to loosen it up without losing flavor.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables in the Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to add whatever vegetables you have on hand like peas, corn, or squash. Just adjust cooking times for harder or softer veggies to keep the texture right.

Is this soup suitable for vegans?

Yes, it is naturally vegan as long as you use vegetable broth. You can enjoy it knowing there are zero animal products involved and plenty of plant-powered goodness.

Can I make this soup spicy?

Definitely. The recipe suggests optional red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, but you can also add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to suit your spice tolerance.

How thick or thin is this soup?

This soup lands in the medium-thick category because of the potatoes and vegetables, but you can always adjust the broth amount to make it thinner or heartier based on your preference.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days, making sure to reheat only the portion you plan to eat to maintain freshness and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe is a wonderful blend of simple ingredients and rich flavors that come together to form a dish that’s both comforting and nutritious. It’s a recipe to keep in your kitchen repertoire for those days when you want something wholesome, easy, and oh-so-delicious. Give it a try, and you might just find it becoming your go-to soup for every season.

Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

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• Author: admin
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Hearty Vegetable Soup is a nutritious and comforting dish packed with a variety of fresh vegetables simmered in a flavorful vegetable broth. Perfect for a wholesome meal, this soup combines tender potatoes, vibrant green beans, zucchini, and leafy spinach with aromatic herbs and optional protein-rich chickpeas or sweet corn to boost both taste and nourishment.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup spinach or kale

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Heat Oil: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent, releasing their fragrance.
3. Add Vegetables: Stir in the sliced carrots, sliced celery, and diced bell pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and develop flavor.
4. Add Main Ingredients: Add the diced potatoes, diced zucchini, trimmed green beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, and vegetable broth to the pot. This forms the base of the soup.
5. Season and Boil: Stir in the dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the entire mixture to a boil over medium-high heat to blend flavors.
6. Simmer Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for about 20 minutes or until all vegetables are tender and cooked through.
7. Add Greens and Optional Ingredients: In the final few minutes of cooking, stir in the spinach or kale along with any optional add-ins such as corn or chickpeas to enhance nutrition and flavor.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, herbs, or red pepper flakes as desired for heat.
9. Serve: Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs for additional aroma and presentation.

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Notes

• You can substitute kale with other leafy greens like Swiss chard or collard greens if preferred.
• Add chickpeas for an added boost of protein making the soup more filling.
• For a spicier kick, include the red pepper flakes as per your heat tolerance.
• Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and also freezes nicely.
• Use low-sodium vegetable broth if watching salt intake.