Nourishing Winter Veggie Soup (Printable)

Hearty winter vegetables and quinoa come together in a flavorful, wholesome bowl for chilly days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced
07 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup chopped kale or Swiss chard, stems removed
09 - 1 cup chopped cabbage
10 - 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh

→ Grains & Legumes

11 - ½ cup rinsed quinoa

→ Broth & Seasonings

12 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
18 - Juice of ½ lemon (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
02 - Add sliced carrots, celery, diced parsnip, and sweet potato. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Add chopped kale or Swiss chard, cabbage, and diced tomatoes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring gently.
04 - Stir in rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth, dried thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until vegetables are tender and quinoa is fully cooked.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels indulgent and healthy at the same time, with that perfect balance of substance and lightness.
  • Your kitchen will smell incredible while it simmers, and the soup tastes even better the next day.
  • Quinoa does the heavy lifting here, so you're getting real protein without any fuss.
02 -
  • Rinse your quinoa before it goes in the pot—this prevents that slightly bitter, soapy taste that catches beginners off guard.
  • Don't skip the bay leaf step, and absolutely don't forget to remove it before serving; finding that leaf in your spoon is never the surprise you want.
03 -
  • If you want extra creaminess without dairy, blend a portion of the soup and stir it back in—it makes everything silkier.
  • Add your lemon juice right before serving rather than during cooking; the brightness stays sharper and more noticeable that way.
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