Description
This Budget-Friendly Vegetable Soup is a hearty, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipe perfect for any season. Packed with a variety of fresh vegetables and simple pantry staples, it offers a comforting meal that’s both affordable and delicious. Ideal for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, this soup uses basic stovetop cooking techniques and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or spices.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 cup frozen peas
Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash, peel, and dice all your fresh vegetables as specified including carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, and green beans. Mince the garlic cloves.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until they become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add harder vegetables: Stir in carrots, celery, and potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing them to start softening.
- Pour in liquids and seasonings: Add the vegetable broth (or water), canned diced tomatoes, dried thyme, basil, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add remaining vegetables: Add the green beans, corn, and frozen peas. Continue cooking uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes until all vegetables are cooked through.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Remove the bay leaf, taste the soup, and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or your preferred accompaniment.
Notes
- You can substitute any seasonal vegetables such as zucchini or spinach based on availability and preference.
- For a creamier texture, blend part of the soup and stir it back in.
- This soup freezes well for up to 3 months; reheat gently on the stovetop.
- To increase protein, add cooked beans or lentils during the simmering phase.
- Using homemade vegetable broth enhances the flavor but store-bought broth works well too.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
