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Summer vegetable soup

April 8, 2026
Recipe

Make the most of midsummer's wealth of vegetables and herbs with this quick and tasty soup.

Serves 8

Take advantage of the wealth of summer vegetables and herbs to make this flavorful soup. Despite the long list of ingredients, the soup comes together quickly.


In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds; don't let the garlic brown. Add the tomatoes, oregano and cumin and saute until the tomatoes are softened, about 4 minutes.

Add the stock and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium low and bring to a simmer. Add the carrot and bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes longer. Stir in the lemon zest and cilantro. Season with the salt and pepper. Discard the bay leaf.

Ladle into individual bowls or mugs and serve right away.


  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4 plum (Roma) tomatoes, peeled and seeded, then diced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 4 cups no-salt-added vegetable stock or broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 carrot, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise (about 1 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DASH Eating Plan Servings

Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fats and oils Fruits Grains and grain products Meats, poultry and fish Nuts, seeds and dry beans Sweets 1 Vegetables

Diabetes Meal Plan Choices

Fats Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fruits Meat and meat substitutes Milk and milk products Nonstarchy vegetables Starches Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings

Carbohydrates Fats Fruits Protein and dairy Sweets 2 Vegetables

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calcium 50 Calories 7 g Total carbohydrate 0 mg Cholesterol 1.5 g Dietary fiber 1.5 g Monounsaturated fat Potassium 2 g Protein Trace Saturated fat 3/4 cup Serving size 70 mg Sodium 2 g Total fat