Canned soup is just a crank away, but learning how to make soup from scratch is even better.
Homemade soup tastes unbeatably fresh and flavorful and you call the shots on what goes in it.
Pro tip: If you’re short on time, you can make delicious homemade soup in an Instant Pot, too.
Mistake 1: Adding ingredients all at once
This can lead to overcooking some vegetables while undercooking others. To achieve perfectly cooked soup, layer the ingredients.
Sauteed aromatics (onions, garlic) go in first, then your liquids, proteins, and other vegetables.
Cooking time for veggies depends on the vegetable type and how big or small you’ve chopped them.
Generally speaking, add carrots, potatoes, and squash in the last 30 minutes. Add broccoli, cauliflower, beans, or peas with 10 minutes to spare.
Step 3: Add your broth
Choose a base of chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. Feel free to mix in other bases like tomato sauce or puree, or fish stock.
“You can make any soup creamier without adding a ton of calories by adding milk or almond milk with the cooking liquid,” says Kirsten Morningstar, BODi senior manager of culinary content.
Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe | Beyond Easy!
How do you make a soup?
Once you have your base, the basic process for making soup is very straight-forward. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat with a dash of oil or butter. Sauté any aromatic vegetables such as onion, garlic, celery, or carrots, and cook your meat if necessary.
How do you make a puréed soup?
A puréed soup, such as a bisque, creamy tomato soup, or vichyssoise, is the paragon of refinement. Yet it’s deceptively simple to make. Start with a base of onions, then add one or two main ingredients and just enough liquid to cover. Simmer gently until done, then blend, taste and adjust the seasonings.
Do you need a recipe to make soup?
But you don’t really need a recipe to make a great soup. Even less experienced cooks can learn how to make soup at home; it’s very simple. The next time you want to make soup, try this method. You’ll be able to use whatever you have on hand (no last-minute trips to the store for one ingredient!) and you just might love the result.
How do you spice up a soup?
Add desired spices to your stock while it simmers. Again, there are a number of ways you can effectively spice up a soup. A tablespoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of peppercorns, and a bunch of parsley are all versatile ways to add zest to a half-pot of soup. Try adding one or two chicken feet to the broth while it simmers.