Zucchini Soup Fresh Herbs Lemon (Printable)

Light, silky zucchini soup with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and creamy texture. Ready in 40 minutes.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 4 medium zucchinis, sliced
05 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
06 - 1 stalk celery, chopped

→ Liquids

07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk, optional

→ Herbs and Seasoning

09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - Zest of 1/2 lemon

→ Garnish

15 - Extra fresh herbs, finely chopped
16 - Drizzle of olive oil or swirl of cream

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery, sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in zucchini and potato. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer partially covered for 15 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
05 - Remove from heat. Add parsley, basil, thyme, and lemon zest.
06 - Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth and silky, or blend in batches using a standard blender.
07 - Stir in cream or coconut milk if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
08 - Reheat gently if needed. Serve hot or chilled, garnished with extra herbs and a drizzle of olive oil or cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when you want something homemade but not complicated.
  • The balance of fresh herbs and lemon keeps it feeling light and summery without tasting thin or one-dimensional.
  • Whether you blend it creamy or leave it textured, serve it hot or chilled, this soup adapts to whatever you need it to be.
02 -
  • Don't skip the potato; I once tried to make this without one thinking it would keep the soup lighter, and it turned out thin and watery no matter how much I blended it.
  • Add the fresh herbs after cooking, not during; heat destroys their brightness and you lose what makes this soup special.
  • If your soup is too thin after blending, don't panic; simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes and some of the liquid will evaporate, concentrating the flavors naturally.
03 -
  • Use an immersion blender if you have one; it's faster than a regular blender, creates less mess, and somehow makes the soup feel silkier.
  • Taste the soup before adding any salt; your broth may already be salted, and you can always add more but you can't take it out.
Return