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A close-up of a bowl of hearty homemade vegetable soup, featuring carrots, celery, peas, and bacon.

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Learn how to make a delicious and nourishing homemade vegetable soup with these easy step-by-step instructions. This recipe is perfect for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped onion 1 large
  • 1.5 cups chopped carrot 3 to 4 carrots
  • 1.5 cups chopped celery 2 to 3 stalks
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic 4 cloves
  • 0.75 teaspoon ground fennel seed
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
  • 0.125 to 0.25 crushed red pepper flakes optional for heat
  • 1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes with their liquid
  • 6 cups stock or broth see our veggie broth or chicken stock (1.42L)
  • 2 cups chopped potato 2 medium
  • 3 to 4 heaped cups chopped or shredded cabbage
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 0.5 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice optional

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Pot

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are translucent, 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the garlic, fennel, black pepper, ½ teaspoon of salt, and the red pepper flakes. Cook, while stirring, for one minute.
  3. Pour in the canned tomatoes and their juices and the stock/broth. Add the potatoes, cabbage, and bay leaves. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil. Partially cover the pot with a lid, then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer.
  4. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes and other vegetables are tender. Add the frozen peas and cook for five more minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and remove the bay leaves. Stir in the cider vinegar (or use lemon juice). Taste and season with more salt, pepper, or vinegar. Serve.

Notes

This soup is freezer-friendly and makes a great one-pot meal. Adjust seasonings to your preference.

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