Irish Vegetable Soup is a simple and rustic soup made with a combination of potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, and broccoli, all simmered in vegetable broth and pureed until smooth. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy meal, especially when served with freshly baked Irish brown bread. It’s healthy, vegan-friendly, and perfect for any time of the year, not just St. Patrick’s Day.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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3 tbsp butter (or olive oil for vegan version)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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2 large carrots, peeled or unpeeled, roughly sliced
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1 large leek, cleaned and roughly sliced
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2 medium yellow onions, roughly sliced
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1 tsp kosher salt
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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4 medium to large red skin potatoes, cut into 6 large pieces
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2 quarts unsalted vegetable broth
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2 cups broccoli florets
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Freshly ground black pepper
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Snipped fresh chives (optional, for garnish)
Directions
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Sauté the Vegetables: In a 5 or 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the carrots, leek, and onions along with 1 tsp of salt. Stir to coat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
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Simmer the Soup: Add the potatoes and vegetable broth. Stir and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the broccoli. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
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Puree the Soup: Working in batches, ladle the soup into a high-powered blender. Remove the center plug from the lid and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
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Final Touches: Return the soup to the pot, heat through if necessary, and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
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Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh black pepper and snipped chives. Serve with slices of Irish brown bread.
Nutrients
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Calories: 181 kcal per 1 cup serving
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Carbohydrates: 31g
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Protein: 5g
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Fat: 5g
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Saturated Fat: 2g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
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Trans Fat: 0.1g
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Cholesterol: 9mg
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Sodium: 72mg
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Potassium: 812mg
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Fiber: 5g
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Sugar: 5g
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Vitamin A: 2783 IU
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Vitamin C: 32mg
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Calcium: 38mg
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Iron: 1mg
A Taste of Ireland: The Simplicity of Irish Cuisine
Irish cuisine is known for its simplicity and emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Root vegetables, greens, and hearty grains are common staples, and this soup is a perfect representation of that tradition. The heart of Irish cooking lies in using the best ingredients available, prepared in a way that enhances their natural flavors without overcomplicating things.
This Irish Vegetable Soup is a classic example of “peasant food,” often made with whatever vegetables are in season or available. The result is a rich, flavorful dish that feels like a warm embrace. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed year-round, and it can easily be adjusted to accommodate what you have on hand, making it a fantastic addition to your repertoire of go-to meals.
The Key Ingredients: Simple Yet Flavorful
The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity. The combination of vegetables—carrots, leeks, onions, potatoes, and broccoli—creates a rich base that brings both flavor and texture to the dish. Each vegetable plays a crucial role in adding layers of taste and mouthfeel.
Carrots offer a touch of sweetness, while leeks provide a mild, onion-like flavor that deepens the soup’s overall taste. The potatoes lend creaminess and heartiness, and the broccoli adds a pop of color and freshness. Garlic infuses the soup with a savory richness, and the vegetable broth binds everything together, creating a warm and satisfying base.
For those following a vegan or dairy-free diet, the butter can be substituted with olive oil, making this dish entirely plant-based without sacrificing flavor.
The Cooking Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Creating this comforting soup is an easy process that doesn’t require any advanced culinary skills. The first step is to sauté the vegetables in butter and olive oil. This allows the natural sugars in the carrots and onions to caramelize, creating a rich foundation of flavor. The garlic is added last to avoid burning, releasing its fragrance and enhancing the depth of the dish.
Next, the potatoes and vegetable broth are added to the pot. The potatoes act as the heart of the soup, giving it body and making it filling. Once the soup is brought to a boil and simmered with the vegetables, the broccoli is added at the end of the cooking process to retain its vibrant green color and slight crunch.
Once everything is tender, the soup is pureed until smooth. This step turns the dish into a creamy, velvety bowl of goodness that feels both luxurious and light. For an extra touch of smoothness, a high-powered blender or immersion blender can be used, ensuring the soup reaches its perfect consistency.
Flavoring and Final Touches
After pureeing, the soup is returned to the pot, where it’s gently reheated, and the seasoning is adjusted. A touch more salt and freshly ground black pepper brings the flavors together and gives the soup its final balance. For garnish, fresh chives are snipped on top, adding a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the dish.
While the soup is flavorful on its own, serving it with a slice of traditional Irish brown bread makes the meal complete. The nutty, hearty flavor of the bread pairs perfectly with the creamy soup, making it an ideal combination. Whether it’s a light lunch, a starter for a dinner, or a warming dish on a cold day, this soup satisfies both the body and the soul.
Nutritional Benefits: A Healthy, Wholesome Meal
Not only is Irish Vegetable Soup packed with flavor, but it’s also a nutritious option for those seeking a light yet filling meal. Each serving provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein, all of which come from wholesome ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and broccoli.
The soup is a great source of dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health and helps to keep you feeling full longer. The inclusion of fresh vegetables provides a wealth of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A from the carrots, Vitamin C from the broccoli, and potassium from the potatoes. The garlic also offers health benefits, such as its potential to boost immunity and improve heart health.
With a relatively low calorie count of about 181 kcal per serving, this soup makes for a healthy meal that can be enjoyed without guilt. It’s also naturally low in sodium, with only 72mg of sodium per serving, making it an excellent choice for those looking to manage their sodium intake. If you’re concerned about the fat content, substituting olive oil for butter makes the soup even lighter without compromising on flavor.
A Versatile Dish for All Seasons
One of the best things about Irish Vegetable Soup is its versatility. While it’s a comforting choice for colder months, it can easily be enjoyed throughout the year. In the winter, it’s a great way to warm up, while in the spring and summer, it can serve as a light and refreshing meal when paired with a fresh salad or served cold.
The soup also makes for a great base for variations depending on the season or what you have in your pantry. If you have extra vegetables like parsnips or celery, they can easily be added to the soup for more flavor. You can also experiment with different herbs or spices to give it a twist, such as thyme, rosemary, or a pinch of smoked paprika for added depth.
For a heartier version, you can add beans or lentils to boost the protein content. Additionally, if you prefer a chunky texture instead of a smooth puree, you can leave the soup partially blended or add more vegetables at the end of the cooking process for extra texture.
Conclusion
Irish Vegetable Soup is the epitome of simple, wholesome comfort food. Made with fresh, nourishing ingredients like potatoes, carrots, leeks, and broccoli, this soup is a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of the season while keeping things light and healthy. Whether served with Irish brown bread or enjoyed on its own, this vegan-friendly soup is a satisfying and flavorful meal that can be enjoyed all year round. Its flexibility and ease of preparation make it an excellent choice for a quick, nutritious meal, and its vibrant flavors will leave you feeling warm, full, and content.