Spinach Soup Recipe
A hearty and comforting Mediterranean Soup packed with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. This flavorful soup is perfect for a nutritious meal, blending wholesome ingredients like spinach, tomatoes, and spices to create a delightful one-pot dish that embodies Mediterranean cuisine.
- Author: liam
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Soup Base
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 celery rib, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (14oz – 400 gr each) chickpeas, drained
- 1 can (14oz – 400 gr) whole or diced tomatoes
- 2 ½ cup (600 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 6 oz (170 grams) fresh spinach (or 3 oz frozen)
- 1 to 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste (optional)
- Prepare the Base: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, paprika, oregano, and thyme. Continue cooking until the mixture becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Combine Main Ingredients and Simmer: Add the drained chickpeas, tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil, then cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes. Afterwards, remove the bay leaves.
- Thicken and Add Greens: In a jar with a lid, combine the flour and ¼ cup cold water, shaking until emulsified. Stir this mixture into the soup to thicken it slightly. Add fresh spinach in batches, stirring each time until wilted. If using frozen spinach, extend the cooking time accordingly. Turn off the heat.
- Season and Finish: Stir in fresh lemon juice to taste. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice until the flavors are vibrant and balanced.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired. Optionally, add grated parmesan cheese for a non-vegan version. Serve with crusty bread and enjoy!
Notes
- You can omit the bay leaves if you prefer a milder herbal flavor.
- For a thicker soup, adjust the amount of flour slurry or cook the soup uncovered for a few minutes after adding the slurry.
- Frozen spinach requires longer cooking time—add accordingly until fully incorporated and heated through.
- To keep the soup vegan, omit the parmesan cheese garnish.
- Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Adjust lemon juice at the end for brightness and balance according to preference.
Keywords: Mediterranean soup, chickpea soup, vegetarian soup, healthy soup, spinach soup, vegetable broth recipe, easy healthy dinner, one pot soup