Ina Garten’s Cozy Zucchini Basil Soup Recipe for Comfort

Zucchini basil soup whispers summer’s fresh embrace with its vibrant green hues and aromatic foundation.

Garden-ripe vegetables dance together in a delightful culinary symphony of flavors and textures.

Mediterranean influences shine through this elegant liquid preparation that transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Smooth and velvety, the soup promises comfort without heaviness, appealing to health-conscious food lovers seeking nourishing meals.

Each spoonful carries hints of bright herbs and subtle earthiness that awaken your palate.

Creaminess emerges naturally without relying on excessive dairy, showcasing the vegetables’ inherent richness.

Light yet satisfying, this recipe welcomes both casual home cooks and serious kitchen enthusiasts.

One sip will transport you to sunny herb gardens bursting with greenery and warmth: Get ready to fall in love with simplicity.

What Makes Zucchini Basil Soup So Aromatic

• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Transform humble zucchini and basil into a restaurant-worthy soup with minimal cooking skills required.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare a delicious, nutritious meal in just 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a fast yet impressive dish.
• Vibrant Green Comfort: Enjoy a silky-smooth soup bursting with fresh herb flavors that delivers a light, refreshing texture while providing a comforting warmth perfect for any season.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adjust the soup's consistency from chunky to ultra-smooth, and personalize seasonings with simple salt, pepper, and lemon juice adjustments to suit individual taste preferences.

Ingredients to Keep This Soup Green and Bright

• Zucchini: Fresh summer squash with mild flavor, best when firm and bright green without blemishes.
• Celery: Adds subtle crunch and aromatic base, choose crisp and bright green stalks.
• Leeks: Provides delicate onion-like sweetness, select white and light green parts with no wilting.

• Garlic: Brings deep savory undertone, choose firm cloves without sprouts.
• Basil: Provides fresh, bright herb flavor, select vibrant green leaves with no dark spots.

• Olive Oil: Enhances overall flavor and provides cooking medium, use extra virgin for best taste.
• Water: Creates soup base and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall soup flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity to the soup.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavors and adds slight acidic balance, use fresh if possible.

How to Whip Up Zucchini Basil Soup with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Vessel

• Celery
• Leeks

Stir and cook gently.

Step 2: Soften Vegetables

Continue cooking vegetables with salt for about 5 minutes until they become tender. Add extra olive oil if the pan looks dry during cooking.

Step 3: Infuse Aromatic Garlic

Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, allowing its fragrant essence to release.

Step 4: Combine Fresh Ingredients

• Half of fresh basil leaves
• Water

Stir until ingredients are well combined.

Step 5: Gentle Simmering

Allow soup to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally, ensuring zucchini remains bright green and tender.

Step 6: Create Creamy Texture

Blend the soup using an immersion blender or standard blender. Add remaining basil during blending. Adjust consistency to your preference – smooth or slightly chunky.

Step 7: Final Seasoning

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh lemon juice

Drizzle extra olive oil on top before serving. Enjoy warm.

Tips to Preserve Fresh Basil Flavor

• Select Sturdy Zucchini: Pick firm, dark green zucchini without soft spots or blemishes for the best soup flavor and texture.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife to create uniform zucchini slices, ensuring consistent cooking and an attractive presentation.
• Control Sautéing Heat: Keep the stovetop temperature medium-low when cooking leeks and celery to prevent burning and maintain delicate flavors.
• Maximize Basil Freshness: Tear fresh basil leaves instead of chopping to release more aromatic oils and preserve their vibrant green color.
• Blend Safely: Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer hot soup to a blender, holding the lid with a thick kitchen towel to prevent steam burns.

Storing This Soup Without Losing Freshness

• Freeze in Portions: Divide cooled soup into individual serving-sized freezer bags or containers. Seal tightly, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label each container with the date and contents. Frozen soup maintains best quality for 2-3 months, allowing quick and convenient meal prep anytime hunger strikes.
• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer soup to a glass or ceramic container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep chilled at 40°F or below for maximum freshness. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and nutritional value. Stir gently before reheating to redistribute any settled ingredients.
• Reheating Tips: Warm soup slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of vegetable broth or water if the consistency seems too thick.

Zucchini Basil Twists You’ll Love

• Spicy Zucchini Kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños during the vegetable cooking stage for a fiery flavor boost that transforms the soup's mild profile.
• Mediterranean Green Soup: Incorporate chopped spinach alongside zucchini and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired variation that adds creamy texture and tangy notes.
• Creamy Herb Blended Version: Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk after pureeing the soup, and garnish with fresh dill or parsley for a richer, more luxurious interpretation of the original recipe.
• Protein-Packed Garden Soup: Add cooked white beans or shredded chicken during the simmering stage to create a more substantial meal with increased nutritional value and heartiness.

Soup Summary: Zucchini Meets Basil

Green Garden Symphony: Zucchini Basil Soup Revelation

Culinary magic emerges through Ina Garten’s masterful soup dish, celebrating seasonal produce with graceful simplicity.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, transforming humble vegetables into liquid poetry.

Delicate herbs infuse each spoonful with fresh garden essence, connecting palate to pure botanical energy.

Summer’s harvest whispers through warm bowls of emerald elegance, promising nourishment and comfort.

Subtle layers of flavor unfold gradually, revealing zucchini’s gentle sweetness balanced by basil’s aromatic complexity.

Passionate cooks can elevate this recipe from basic preparation to sophisticated culinary art – share this green masterpiece, spark conversation, inspire kitchen creativity, and spread delicious joy with fellow enthusiasts!

Ina Garten Zucchini Basil Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s zucchini basil soup delivers pure garden-fresh comfort in a bowl. Mediterranean flavors dance with creamy textures, creating a silky smooth experience that welcomes you to savor each spoonful of summer’s delightful harvest.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 1 ½ pounds (700g) zucchini, split lengthwise and cut into ½-inch disks
• 1 large leek, finely diced (about 8 ounces; 225g)
• 3 medium ribs celery, finely diced (about 6 ounces; 170g)
• 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about ¾ ounce; 25g)

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (about 2 ounces; 55g), divided
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh juice from 1 lemon, to taste

Liquids and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed and to serve
• 5 cups (1.18L) water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil (30 milliliters) in a large saucier or wide saucepan over medium heat. Gently sauté chopped celery and leeks until they become translucent and fragrant.
2. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the vegetables and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 4-5 minutes. Ensure the vegetables remain tender without browning, adding an extra drizzle of olive oil if the pan appears dry.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the pan, stirring continuously for 30-45 seconds until its pungent aroma fills the kitchen, being careful not to let it burn.
4. Fold in diced zucchini and gently incorporate half of the fresh basil leaves, allowing the vegetables to meld together for approximately 1 minute.
5. Pour in water (240 milliliters), stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, maintaining the zucchini’s vibrant green color and tender texture.
6. Remove the pan from heat and blend the soup to your preferred consistency. Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer to a standard blender, adding the remaining basil during the pureeing process.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Finish with a delicate drizzle of high-quality olive oil before serving hot.

Notes

• Grab a roomy skillet to prevent veggie crowding and ensure even cooking.
• Slice zucchini uniformly into half-inch pieces for consistent texture and heat distribution.
• Maintain a gentle cooking temperature when sautéing leeks and celery to preserve their delicate flavor profile.
• Layer basil strategically by dividing its addition – half before simmering and half after blending to maximize its aromatic essence.
• Allow soup to slightly cool before blending, reducing potential splatter and achieving a silky, smooth consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 90 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg