Asparagus Soup
A delicate green soup of asparagus and leek, blended smooth with half-and-half and lemon, with no flour or potato. Four servings in 35 minutes.
Don't Make These Mistakes
Snap the spears and let them break where they want to; the tough part stays behind.
If the soup has threads, press it through a sieve for a finer texture.
Reheat gently so the half-and-half does not curdle.
Cooking Asparagus Soup
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Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the leek for 5 minutes, until soft but not coloured, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
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Add the asparagus, saving about a dozen tips, with the stock and thyme. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, until the stalks are very tender.
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Blend until completely smooth. Return the soup to the pan and stir in the half-and-half, salt, pepper and lemon juice.
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Add the reserved tips and warm gently for 2 minutes. Taste, adjust the seasoning and serve hot.
Why It Works
Trust your nose. When the pot smells sweet and grassy rather than sharp, a few minutes after the asparagus goes in, the spears are done and ready to blend.
Asparagus does not need a thickener. Its fibres break down into a smooth purée that holds up on a spoon, and a leek softened in butter gives the soup its gentle sweetness. Trim the woody ends, which are tough and fibrous, and peel the lower stalks if they are thick. Keep the tips to one side. Reserve the tips for the garnish, simmered for two minutes in the soup and spooned on top. A splash of half-and-half enriches it without making it heavy.
Strain it for a finer texture. A good soup tastes of asparagus and little else, with lemon to sharpen it. Serve it warm in small bowls. It makes a light lunch or a starter, and chives on top add a mild onion note.
Leftovers, Reheating and Keeping
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezes for up to 2 months without the half-and-half.
Ingredient Swaps
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Serving Asparagus Soup
- A slice of wholegrain bread
- A soft-boiled egg
- Fresh chives
Common Questions About Asparagus Soup
How long does Asparagus Soup take to make?
About 35 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Asparagus Soup?
Snap the spears and let them break where they want to; the tough part stays behind. If the soup has threads, press it through a sieve for a finer texture. Reheat gently so the half-and-half does not curdle.
What should I serve with Asparagus Soup?
A slice of wholegrain bread; A soft-boiled egg; Fresh chives.
Can Asparagus Soup be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezes for up to 2 months without the half-and-half.
Is Asparagus Soup suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Asparagus Soup?
About 126 kcal per serving, with 6 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 6 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutrition per Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.