American · Lunch

Zucchini Soup

A bright green soup of zucchini, spinach and basil, blended smooth and finished with a little Parmesan. Four servings in 35 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 35 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
Jump to Recipe Method

Before You Start

Chop the zucchini evenly so it all softens at the same time.

If the soup looks watery, simmer it uncovered for 5 more minutes before blending.

Cool the soup quickly if you plan to eat it cold; the green fades the longer it stays warm.

Making Zucchini Soup

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  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes, until soft, then stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.

  2. Add the zucchini and stock, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, until the zucchini is very tender.

  3. Stir in the spinach and cook for 1 minute until wilted. Take the pan off the heat.

  4. Add the basil, Parmesan, salt, pepper and lemon juice and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning, and reheat gently if needed.

Why the Method Works

Do not peel the zucchini. The skin carries the colour, and a peeled zucchini gives a soup the shade of weak tea.

Zucchini is mostly water. That makes it a delicate soup and a quick one. Cut it into chunks of about the same size so everything softens together, and it needs only ten minutes at a simmer before it falls apart and blends into something silky without any cream. A handful of spinach deepens the green, and fresh basil goes in at the very end, because long cooking turns its flavour flat. Add the basil after blending for the sharpest perfume. A little Parmesan stirred in thickens the soup slightly and adds the saltiness it needs.

Serve it hot or cold. In a warm kitchen it is a good lunch straight from the fridge. A few drops of olive oil and a twist of black pepper finish the bowl.

Leftovers, Reheating and Keeping

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezes for up to 2 months.

If You're Missing Something

  • 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.

What to Serve Alongside

  • A grilled cheese on wholegrain bread
  • A boiled egg
  • A drizzle of olive oil

Still Wondering?

How long does Zucchini 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 Zucchini Soup?

Chop the zucchini evenly so it all softens at the same time. If the soup looks watery, simmer it uncovered for 5 more minutes before blending. Cool the soup quickly if you plan to eat it cold; the green fades the longer it stays warm.

What should I serve with Zucchini Soup?

A grilled cheese on wholegrain bread; A boiled egg; A drizzle of olive oil.

Can Zucchini Soup be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezes for up to 2 months.

Is Zucchini 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 Zucchini Soup?

About 139 kcal per serving, with 8 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate and 7 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Zucchini Soup Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

139Calories
8gProtein
11gCarbs
7gFat
3gFibre
7gSugar
350mgSodium

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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.