Vegetable soup: it's the unsung hero of comfort food, loved by grandmothers and hipster chefs alike. Trust me, I've been on both ends—slurping my grandma's traditional carrot-drenched version and then experimenting with zoodles because, hey, it's 2024 and we're all about that zucchini life now! Whether you're looking to reimagine an old family recipe or you're just tired of the same old broth-and-veg routine, you're in the right place.
First off, let's address the chunky elephant in the room. More often than not, people associate vegetable soup with something bland, something that might resemble what you get after you sneeze into a bowl of hot water. But fear not! This doesn’t have to be the fate of your next pot of soup. With just a few clever twists and unconventional ingredients, you can transform it into a dish that’s date-night worthy. Yes, I said it. The secret is to keep things interesting and to experiment with textures and flavors.
Let’s talk about some essential ingredients that have the potential to make your vegetable soup a standout. Add some zesty lemongrass or perhaps a splash of coconut milk? This brings me to the concept of combining classic and exotic elements. Imagine a soup that has the comforting qualities of your mom's Sunday broth but the exciting flair of a Thai delicacy. Remember, it's 2024; global flavors are at our fingertips! Another angle is to liven up the base itself. Why stick to the ubiquitous veggie broth when you can use infused liquids like a tomato-water base or even a slightly spicy jalapeno-infused broth?
Now, for all my fancy kitchen gadget enthusiasts out there, how fun is it to use new tools to elevate your soup game? Think immersion blenders, spiralizers, and even smoking guns. Trust me, adding a smoky flavor without having to light up a grill feels like a superpower.
Delving into aesthetics for a bit—because we eat not just with our mouths but with our eyes—you might want to check out how to make your soup visually stunning. Add some vibrant microgreens or a drizzle of whipped coconut cream. Just picture that bowl, a visual masterpiece worthy of all your social media.
Don't worry, I haven’t forgotten the basics that can make or break your soup either. From seasoning to choosing the right fresh vegetables, sometimes the magic lies in getting the simple things precisely right. So whether you’re a soup novice or a seasoned broth aficionado, these tips and tricks will have you surprising even yourself. Keep reading to discover all the neat tricks you'll need to spice up your next culinary masterpiece.
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1. Use Paprika
Paprika is the miracle spice if you ask me, and one of the best ways to spice up your vegetable soup. Paprika is a red pepper that is ground into a spice and unlike cayenne, paprika's flavor is less hot and offers more of a deep, smoky flavor that’s so nice. This makes it more palatable and won’t burn your tongue unless you use too much. Usually about ½ tsp. per pot of soup is just about right. It adds this deep smoky and slightly spicy flavor that is absolutely wonderful.
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Paprika is a great way to add flavor to your vegetable soup without making it too spicy. It is made from dried red peppers and is usually sold in powder form. Paprika has a sweet, smoky flavor that can add a lot of depth to your soup. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy addition to your soup. Paprika is very versatile and can be used in many different recipes, from soups to stews and even as a topping for roasted vegetables. You can also use it to add color to your dishes, since it has a bright red hue. Adding paprika to your soup will make it even more delicious and nutritious.
2. Add Veggie Broth
Just because you’re using vegetables doesn’t mean you don’t need veggie broth! Veggie broth is great to use in vegetable soup. I love sipping on it plain if I have a cold because it tastes so great and is incredibly nourishing. I like to buy unsalted varieties, which are still full of flavor that will take your vegetable soup to a new level. Much like chicken broth takes the flavor up a notch in recipes, veggie broth is even healthier and tastier, in my opinion. Use equal amounts of water and veggie broth in your next soup recipe to add more flavor. It tastes so much better this way!
Frequently asked questions
To add more flavor to your vegetable soup, try roasting your veggies before adding them to the pot, use fresh herbs like basil or thyme, add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, or stir in a spoonful of pesto or harissa for a new twist.
For a unique taste, consider mixing in coconut milk for creaminess, a dash of curry powder for warmth, some grated ginger for a bit of heat, or even a touch of cinnamon for an unexpected sweet spice.
To thicken your vegetable soup, you can puree some of the cooked vegetables and return them to the pot, stir in some cooked rice or grains, add a scoop of mashed potatoes, or use a bit of cornstarch or flour mixed with water.
You can add proteins like shredded chicken, diced tofu, cooked beans or lentils, chunks of fish or even quinoa to make your vegetable soup more filling and nutritious.
Yes, frozen vegetables are a great and convenient option for making soup. They're often frozen at peak freshness, which can sometimes make them even more flavorful than out-of-season fresh veggies. Just add them directly to your soup; there's no need to thaw.
3. Add a Garlic Clove
One little secret I like to use to spice up my vegetable soup is to add a whole clove of garlic to the soup and let it cook at least 8 hours. I don’t eat the clove, but remove it after the soup is finished. Instead of using canned, chopped garlic, a whole garlic clove adds much more flavor and as it cooks, it intensifies, so it creates a wonderful flavor profile.
4. Throw in Some Bay Leaves
Bay leaves offer such a unique flavor to soup I just love! They are used in many different spice seasoning blends for this same reason, yet most people leave the whole leaves out when making soup at home. I always add in 3 bay leaves to my soups and let them simmer all day like I do the garlic clove. This creates such a rich, deep flavor that you will love. Just be sure to remove them after cooking with a spoon since they are inedible.
5. Use an Herb Sachet
There’s nothing like using whole herbs in vegetable soup, and you don’t even have to chop them all and add them to the soup to eat. You can put whole springs of herbs into a net, or what is called a sachet, which you just let sit into the soup while it cooks so the flavors can be released into the soup. Then, you just remove it and throw away the herbs when you’re done. I always do this with my Thanksgiving turkey, but also use this technique with my soup recipes because it is tasty. If you don’t have an official sachet or net, you can use a nut milk bag, which is what I use, or even a cheesecloth tied up. Just be sure to give it a good squeeze when you remove it since it might soak up some of your liquid while cooking and be sure to wash it afterwards. The best herbs to use for flavor in vegetable soup are oregano, thyme and basil, by the way!
6. Try Chili Powder
Even if you’re not making chili, adding just a touch of chili powder, which is around ¼ tsp., makes all the difference. Like paprika, it adds such a lovely flavor profile and is used in little enough amounts that it won’t taste like chili.
7. Try Some Mrs. Dash
I regularly use Mrs Dash in some of my soups and especially love the Italian Herb blend the most for soup, or the Garlic and Herb blend, which is nice too. Mrs Dash is the best salt-free way to add flavor to any food, including soup. All the varieties have no salt and most have over 12 different amazing herbs and spices. Use around 1/2 tsp. for the best effect.
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Mrs. Dash is a popular salt-free seasoning blend that is perfect for adding flavor to any dish, including soups. It is made up of a variety of herbs and spices, with some blends containing over 12 different ingredients. This makes it a great option for those looking to reduce their sodium intake without sacrificing taste. The Italian Herb and Garlic and Herb blends are particularly delicious in soups, adding a depth of flavor without the need for added salt. Just 1/2 teaspoon is enough to enhance the taste of your soup and make it a flavorful and healthy meal option.
8. Use Chipotle Powder
If you're making vegetable soup, a dash of chipotle powder will add just the bite you want. It adds a smoky heat to your bowl of soup, but without making it so spicy you can't eat it. Start with just a pinch, then taste the soup before you add anymore. Chipotle powder is also really tasty in chili and black bean soup.
9. Sprinkle in Garlic Salt
Garlic and salt both work really well in veggie soup, and using garlic salt kills two birds with one stone. This is a great way to spice up your soup if you don't like biting into a large chunk of garlic. Just a teaspoon or so will give you that lovely garlic flavor you love in soup, with just the right touch of saltiness. Don't use too much though because over salting your soup will make it taste bad.
10. Snip in Chives
Chives are part of the onion family, which means they give you a pleasant bit of spiciness when you eat them raw. You can most certainly cook chives, but they taste better snipped fresh on a bowl of soup right before you eat it. Freshly cut chives taste wonderful in soups that make veggies the star.
11. Curry Powder
Curry has a really distinctive ethnic flavor that works really well in some kinds of veggie soup. It's particularly heavenly in squash soup as it pairs wonderfully with acorn and butternut varieties. Even just a dash in traditional veggie soup and you'll be happy with the taste. Use caution with curry powder though because a little goes a long way.
12. Toss in Some Pepitas
Pepitas are basically just toasted pumpkin seed. They typically have a greenish color, but they give a wonderful roasted flavor to many dishes. You'll want to add the pepitas just before eating the soup so they don't get soggy. I love them in veggie soups because they balance the soft cooked vegetables with just a small dose of crunch and texture.
13. A Dash of Cumin
Cumin has this great smoky flavor that works great in veggie soup. I especially love it stirred the soup as it cooks so the flavor can meld with your other ingredients. This is another spice that you really only need a small dash of because the flavor is pretty intense. Cumin is also a great choice for tortilla soup.
One last tip, don’t forget the black pepper! It makes everything taste better and a few shakes is all you need. Some people even like hot sauce too. What’s your favorite easy way to spice up vegetable soup?
This article was written in collaboration with editor Eliza Martinez.
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Comments
Liannabelle:Just need to add: be careful of added sodium, MSG, and preservatives in your stock and spices!!
markedlife:A list of secret ingredients!!
Suzie:My minestrone recipe calls for 1/3 cup of red wine, works in vegetable soup, too. Just a dash of wine in most anything gives it a little something extra.
Wendy:My boyfriend is feeling sick going to cook some soup for him hopefully he feels better with this thx so much for this
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