As far as I’m concerned most vegetable soups are totally forgettable. The flavor is often flat, and does nothing to inspire the eater to take one more bite.
Savory Vegetable Soup
So what makes this simple vegetable soup recipe different?
This tasty tip . . .
Pack in lots of fresh herbs and a nutty whole grain.
Leafy herbs add life to any dish, but a vegetable soup can really use a boost from bay, thyme, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, or even a handful of chopped parsley.
Vegetable Soup
Fresh herbs perk up vegetables, and a nutty grain like the wheat berries I tossed into my soup pot turn a forgettable soup into a savory meal. I guarantee you’ll be toasting a whole grain roll to sop up all that savory goodness.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Tasty Tip Tuesday. If you have healthy cooking tips, I’d love to hear them, so don’t forget to leave a comment.
Happy, healthy cooking!
Herby Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups carrot , chopped
- 2 cups celery, chopped with celery leaves included
- 4 cups cabbage, chopped
- 10 ounces mushroom , sliced
- ½ cup wheat berries
- 10 cups water
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 2 large bay leaf
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons thyme, fresh and minced
- 2 tablespoons oregano, fresh and minced
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely minced
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- ½ small lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat and add oil. When the oil is hot add the onions and cook for 5 minutes to soften.
- Add carrots and celery and cook another 5 minutes to soften.
- Add remaining ingredients and bring soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and gently simmer for 1 - 1 1/2 hours until vegetables are soft and broth is reduced.
- Remove bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Calories: 133 Weight Watchers PointsPlus 3 Total Fat: 3.77g Cholesterol: -- Sodium: 354mg Total Carbs: 23.62g Dietary Fiber: 5.89g Sugars: 6.37g Protein: 3.53g
Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.
If you’re looking for healthy and low calorie Weight Watchers recipes, check out my Recipe page. You’ll find hundreds of recipes that include nutrition information and Weight Watchers points.
All the extra herbs, add so much flavor. I try to use fresh herbs when I can. Great post.
They certainly make a difference.
ahhh delicious! I love veggie soups, this one is definitely not boring
You’re so right – the pop is critically important!
Belinda @zomppa recently posted..Vidalia, oh, Sweet Onion: TidBit of the Day
Especially with soups, the can be so flat without fresh flavors.
I completely agree! Fresh herbs and vegetable stock in place of water make all the difference in the world!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets recently posted..My Pinterest Addiction
You can be so creative with vegetable soups, can’t you? Love them.
Kristi, you left no stone unturned with this soup. The wheat berries sound interesting and the soup looks delicious.
Sandra recently posted..A Taste of Soul
I really liked the wheat berries. They had a wonderfully nutty flavor.
Love this post
LOVE soups! I think this would be absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing 
Marsha @ The Harried Cook recently posted..Moist Carrot Cake w/ Coconut Milk Magic Frosting & A Giveaway!
That’s a great tip! I usually don’t get fresh herbs..I wish I had little yard where I could actually grow them..
Medeja recently posted..Vietnamietiškas Vištienos Karis/ Vietnamese Chicken Curry
I admit that the weather here in Seattle doesn’t work well for fresh herbs, so I buy my favorites at the local grocery store. There affordable, and if I store them properly they last long enough for me to use them up.
I am a huge fan of fresh herbs with grains combo! That looks like a bowl filled with flavor explosions
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted..Orange Raisin Scones
That’s what I love about soups, you can have everything in own bowl!
I love this recipe! So simple and flavorful. I agree that fresh herbs make everything tastier.
Dara recently posted..Roasted Garlic Root Vegetable Mash
It’s so true, a simple fresh herb and splash of lemon juice can perk up anything.
So right about the herbs. I’ve found that in a pinch soup from a can with added herbs can make a quick meal when someone drops by.
This soup sounds delicious!
Maureen recently posted..Baked French Toast
That’s a great idea. I never thought to doctor up canned soup. Add a whole grain roll and you’re in business!
I have to agree, many Veg soups out there in the world are very unattractive. My magic ingridients are herbes too, in fact I make mine pretty much the same as yours except that I dont add mushrooms.
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb recently posted..Linden Honey Marzipan au naturel
My husband adores mushrooms and doesn’t think a meal is complete without meat, so the mushrooms satisfy his meat craving.
I’ve never thought of adding wheatberries to soup, Kristi. Good tip for extra texture. I cannot make soup without a stock of fresh herbs nearby. Roll on the warmer weather so I can grow my own. Liking the zing of lemon juice you have added to the ingredients.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen recently posted..Tapenade – perfect for a forbidden picnic
I’m such a fan of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon or lime. Just perks everything up.
You are so right that veggie soup can fall flat. But this recipe looks great! I often use celery leaves too, and woul add it here along with the herbs since there is celery in the soup.
Katie@Cozydelicious recently posted..Easy Dark Chocolate Fudge
I totally agree, and save the tops in a zip lock bag with paper towel. They last for quite along time.
I like your selection of herbs. Aside from the distinct good flavor, the recipe obviously provides a lot of nutrients. Can’t wait to taste it and pleasure my taste buds.
Michelle recently posted..DTS Home
Thanks Michelle, and thank you for visiting.
It always surprises me that some people go really light with seasonings. Load it up and go heavy handed! Spices and herbs make things delicious. Thanks for a great looking veggie soup that follows the same mantra.
Food Jaunts recently posted..Indian Spiced Rack of Lamb
You and I would do well in a kitchen together. We have the same cooking philosophies.
I like to add a lot of flavors too, I was taught, like life, it helps build character…
Drick recently posted..Grandiose Potato Roast
Love it!
I am a huge fan of fresh herbs
And agree that they make all the difference in a veggie soup…looks delicious!
Magic of Spice recently posted..Carpaccio style Portabella Mushrooms and Asian Pears~A guest post
I can’t wait until the weather improves here in Seattle and I can start growing my own herbs again.