How to Make Soup From Scratch

Once you understand the basic pattern, you can make a good soup from almost anything in the fridge, without a recipe. Most soups follow the same few steps.

1. Build a flavour base

Gently cook chopped onion in a little oil or butter over a medium-low heat until soft and sweet, about eight to ten minutes. Add carrot and celery for a classic base, or leek, garlic or ginger depending on the direction you want. Taking time here gives the whole soup depth.

2. Add spices or aromatics

Stir in any dried spices, such as cumin, curry powder or smoked paprika, and cook for a minute so they release their flavour. Hardy herbs like thyme and bay leaves can go in now too.

3. Add the main vegetables

Add your main ingredient, cut into even pieces: squash, potato, carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, lentils, beans or a mix. Root vegetables and lentils need longer; soft greens like spinach and peas go in at the end.

4. Add liquid and simmer

Pour in enough stock or water to cover the vegetables by a few centimetres. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently until everything is tender. Thicker soups need less liquid; you can always add more later, but you cannot take it away.

5. Blend or keep it chunky

• Smooth: blend with a stick blender, or carefully in batches in a jug blender, leaving the lid vent open so steam can escape.
• Chunky: leave as it is, or blend only half for a thicker body with texture.

6. Season and brighten

Taste and adjust at the end. Salt is the most common thing missing. A squeeze of lemon, a splash of vinegar or a spoon of yoghurt lifts a flat soup, and fresh herbs added just before serving give colour and freshness.

Combinations to try

• Carrot, ginger and coconut milk.
• Red lentil, cumin and tomato.
• Leek and potato with a little cream.
• Roasted squash with chilli and sage.
• Minestrone-style with beans, pasta and whatever vegetables you have.

Storing

Most soups keep in the fridge for a few days and freeze well in portions. Soups with pasta or cream are best frozen before those are added.

For more soup recipes, visit Relish Realm.