This delightfully orange Carrot Soup is a vegetarian appetizer that could very well be the most delicious thing to come from your crisper.
You know how carrot cake contains carrots and tastes amazing, but isn’t what you could call a “health food?” Well, that’s where this carrot soup has it beat. That’s because this soup contains carrots (lots, in fact), tastes amazing, AND is so good for you. Am I saying that carrot soup is superior to carrot cake? I’m not sure if I would go that far, but I do feel better serving my family a bowl of this soup before meals.
They like it too, despite none of them being particularly fond of carrots. It’s true. I’ve tried on numerous occasions to push carrot sticks as a snack to no avail. I’ve sliced them up and layered them atop garden salads, but those orange discs are usually left drowning in the shallow pool of dressing at the bottom of the bowl. But with this soup, I’ve found a way to inject some beta-carotene into their diets.
The soup is proving so popular that it has now graduated from appetizer to lunch entrée, so it’s a good thing for me that it’s easy to make. Got carrots languishing in your crisper? Put them to good use and make a soup-er meal today!
Is This Carrot Soup Healthy?
It sure is. The vegetables (onions, carrots, celery) provide you with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. As mentioned, carrots contain beta-carotene, which can be turned into vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A aids your immune system, your eyes, and your skin. The recipe is suitable for vegetarian diets, Mediterranean diets (use more olive oil instead of butter and limit the salt), gluten-free diets (ensure the broth is gluten-free), and dairy-free diets (if you opt out of the half-and-half or sub with a plant-based option such as soy cream).
Do I Need To Peel The Carrots?
This is a matter of preference. I do so because I love my soups to be velvety smooth. But if you want an earthier flavor, keep the skins intact. Also, don’t forget to clean your carrots—a step you may overlook if you’re used to peeling them. And yes, the skin provides fiber and other nutrients, so leaving your peeler in the drawer is the healthier option.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. If you have a lot of the soup left, divide it into smaller portions; it will make your life easier later. Reheat it on low on the stove or in the microwave and be ready to add broth, cream, or water to help the soup regain its consistency.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re in soup mode, FFF has tons of great soups to choose from. The Best Creamy Potato Soup is a hearty dish made with potatoes, bacon, onions, cheese, and yogurt. Simple Kale Soup is simple by name but not by taste! This healthy, broth-based meal pairs kale with tomatoes, onions, and carrots, plus an assortment of spices and herbs. Want some crackers for your soup? Fire Crackers would taste amazing with any of these.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or parsley finely chopped
- 5 cups carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup half-and-half optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter with olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and thyme or parsley, cooking until aromatic, roughly 10 seconds. Add the chopped carrots to the pot.
- Pour in water and vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to achieve a gentle simmer and cook until carrots are tender, about 25 minutes.
- Carefully blend the soup in batches until smooth. Return to the pot and, if desired, mix in half-and-half. Season with salt and pepper.
- DEVOUR!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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