Embarking on the 5:2 diet journey means embracing days of mindful eating, where calorie intake is significantly reduced to promote weight loss and metabolic health. One of the most comforting and nutrient-packed ways to enjoy these fasting days is through hearty vegetable soups.
These soups are not only low in calories but also rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making them perfect for keeping you full and energized without breaking your calorie bank.
In this blog post, I’m excited to share five delicious 5:2 diet vegetable soup recipes that are easy to prepare, flavorful, and perfect for your fasting days. Whether you enjoy classic flavors or want to experiment with global tastes, these soups will keep you satisfied and motivated.
Plus, they’re all vegetarian and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. Let’s dive into these wholesome recipes that will make your 5:2 diet days both tasty and nourishing!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These 5:2 diet vegetable soups are designed to be low in calories yet high in flavor and nutrition. Each recipe focuses on fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices that boost metabolism and curb hunger effectively.
They are also incredibly versatile, allowing you to swap ingredients based on your pantry or seasonal availability.
Key benefits include:
- Low calorie and nutrient-dense to support your fasting goals.
- Rich in fiber to promote fullness and digestive health.
- Simple to prepare with minimal ingredients and kitchen equipment.
- Perfect for meal prepping and quick reheating on busy days.
Plus, these soups pair wonderfully with other healthy vegetarian recipes like A to Z Vegetarian Recipes for Every Meal and Occasion and Ancient Grains Vegetarian Recipes for Healthy Delicious Meals.
Ingredients
Recipe | Main Vegetables & Ingredients | Flavorings & Extras |
---|---|---|
1. Classic Minestrone | 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 zucchini, 1 cup green beans | 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 can diced tomatoes, Italian herbs |
2. Spicy Lentil & Tomato Soup | 1 cup red lentils, 3 tomatoes, 1 red bell pepper | 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, chili powder |
3. Creamy Cauliflower & Leek Soup | 1 head cauliflower, 2 leeks, 2 potatoes | 1 garlic clove, vegetable stock, fresh thyme |
4. Asian-Inspired Miso Vegetable Soup | 1 cup mushrooms, 1 cup bok choy, 1 carrot | 2 tbsp miso paste, ginger, garlic, spring onions |
5. Moroccan Chickpea & Vegetable Soup | 1 cup chickpeas, 1 sweet potato, 2 carrots, 1 zucchini | 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon |
Equipment
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or ladle
- Blender or immersion blender (for creamy soups)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander (for rinsing vegetables and legumes)
Instructions
Classic Minestrone Soup
- Prepare the vegetables: Dice carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans into bite-size pieces.
- In a large pot, sauté chopped onion and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until translucent.
- Add the diced carrots and celery, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in canned diced tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth.
- Add zucchini, green beans, and 1 tsp Italian herbs. Simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Spicy Lentil & Tomato Soup
- Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water.
- Sauté chopped onion, garlic, and diced red bell pepper in a pot with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add cumin, smoked paprika, and 1 tsp chili powder; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chopped tomatoes, lentils, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are soft.
- Use an immersion blender for a smoother texture or leave it chunky. Adjust seasoning and serve.
Creamy Cauliflower & Leek Soup
- Chop cauliflower into florets, slice leeks, and dice potatoes.
- Sauté leeks and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil until soft.
- Add cauliflower, potatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Blend soup until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
- Season with fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.
Asian-Inspired Miso Vegetable Soup
- Clean and slice mushrooms, bok choy, and carrot into thin strips.
- In a pot, simmer 4 cups water and 1 tbsp grated ginger for 5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, carrot, and bok choy. Cook for 7-10 minutes.
- Remove a cup of broth and dissolve 2 tbsp miso paste in it, then return to pot.
- Stir well and add chopped spring onions before serving.
Moroccan Chickpea & Vegetable Soup
- Drain and rinse 1 cup canned chickpeas.
- Sauté chopped onion and garlic with 1 tsp ground coriander, cumin, and cinnamon in a pot.
- Add diced sweet potato, carrots, and zucchini.
- Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and chickpeas.
- Simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are soft.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips & Variations
“Feel free to swap vegetables according to seasonality or what you have on hand. These soups are forgiving and flexible!”
- For extra protein, add beans or lentils to any soup.
- To make soups spicier, include fresh chili or cayenne pepper.
- Use homemade vegetable broth for more depth of flavor.
- For a creamier texture without dairy, blend in some cooked potatoes, cauliflower, or coconut milk.
- To reduce prep time, use pre-chopped frozen vegetables.
- Serve with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or fresh herbs for an added flavor boost.
- Explore spices like turmeric, cumin, or smoked paprika to give your soup a unique twist inspired by recipes like our Chilli Powder Recipe Vegan.
Nutrition Facts
- Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water.
- Sauté chopped onion, garlic, and diced red bell pepper in a pot with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add cumin, smoked paprika, and 1 tsp chili powder; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chopped tomatoes, lentils, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are soft.
- Use an immersion blender for a smoother texture or leave it chunky. Adjust seasoning and serve.
Creamy Cauliflower & Leek Soup
- Chop cauliflower into florets, slice leeks, and dice potatoes.
- Sauté leeks and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil until soft.
- Add cauliflower, potatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Blend soup until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
- Season with fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.
Asian-Inspired Miso Vegetable Soup
- Clean and slice mushrooms, bok choy, and carrot into thin strips.
- In a pot, simmer 4 cups water and 1 tbsp grated ginger for 5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, carrot, and bok choy. Cook for 7-10 minutes.
- Remove a cup of broth and dissolve 2 tbsp miso paste in it, then return to pot.
- Stir well and add chopped spring onions before serving.
Moroccan Chickpea & Vegetable Soup
- Drain and rinse 1 cup canned chickpeas.
- Sauté chopped onion and garlic with 1 tsp ground coriander, cumin, and cinnamon in a pot.
- Add diced sweet potato, carrots, and zucchini.
- Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and chickpeas.
- Simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are soft.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips & Variations
“Feel free to swap vegetables according to seasonality or what you have on hand. These soups are forgiving and flexible!”
- For extra protein, add beans or lentils to any soup.
- To make soups spicier, include fresh chili or cayenne pepper.
- Use homemade vegetable broth for more depth of flavor.
- For a creamier texture without dairy, blend in some cooked potatoes, cauliflower, or coconut milk.
- To reduce prep time, use pre-chopped frozen vegetables.
- Serve with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or fresh herbs for an added flavor boost.
- Explore spices like turmeric, cumin, or smoked paprika to give your soup a unique twist inspired by recipes like our Chilli Powder Recipe Vegan.
Nutrition Facts
- Clean and slice mushrooms, bok choy, and carrot into thin strips.
- In a pot, simmer 4 cups water and 1 tbsp grated ginger for 5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, carrot, and bok choy. Cook for 7-10 minutes.
- Remove a cup of broth and dissolve 2 tbsp miso paste in it, then return to pot.
- Stir well and add chopped spring onions before serving.
Moroccan Chickpea & Vegetable Soup
- Drain and rinse 1 cup canned chickpeas.
- Sauté chopped onion and garlic with 1 tsp ground coriander, cumin, and cinnamon in a pot.
- Add diced sweet potato, carrots, and zucchini.
- Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and chickpeas.
- Simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are soft.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips & Variations
“Feel free to swap vegetables according to seasonality or what you have on hand. These soups are forgiving and flexible!”
- For extra protein, add beans or lentils to any soup.
- To make soups spicier, include fresh chili or cayenne pepper.
- Use homemade vegetable broth for more depth of flavor.
- For a creamier texture without dairy, blend in some cooked potatoes, cauliflower, or coconut milk.
- To reduce prep time, use pre-chopped frozen vegetables.
- Serve with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or fresh herbs for an added flavor boost.
- Explore spices like turmeric, cumin, or smoked paprika to give your soup a unique twist inspired by recipes like our Chilli Powder Recipe Vegan.
Nutrition Facts
“Feel free to swap vegetables according to seasonality or what you have on hand. These soups are forgiving and flexible!”
Soup | Calories (per serving) | Protein (g) | Fiber (g) | Fat (g) | Carbohydrates (g) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Minestrone | 150 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 25 |
Spicy Lentil & Tomato | 180 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 30 |
Creamy Cauliflower & Leek | 140 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 20 |
Asian-Inspired Miso | 130 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 18 |
Moroccan Chickpea & Vegetable | 190 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 28 |
Serving Suggestions
These soups shine on their own but can be complemented with light, healthy sides. Consider:
- A slice of whole grain or gluten-free bread for dipping.
- A small side salad with lemon vinaigrette for freshness.
- A sprinkling of seeds or nuts for added crunch and nutrition.
- Pairing with other low-calorie vegetarian dishes like those in Best Vegetarian Recipes No Dairy for Delicious Meals.
Conclusion
These 5:2 diet vegetable soup recipes offer a perfect balance of nutrition, flavor, and simplicity, making your fasting days both enjoyable and satisfying. With fresh ingredients and vibrant spices, each soup brings something unique to your table while keeping calories in check.
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned on the 5:2 diet, these recipes are adaptable to your taste buds and pantry.
Remember, the key to success with the 5:2 diet is variety and enjoyment, so feel free to experiment with the ingredients and spices. For more inspiring vegetarian dishes, you might also want to check out our Cheap Vegetarian Recipes For Families Everyone Will Love or dive into some delicious Vegan Fall Soup Recipes To Warm Your Cozy Evenings.
Happy cooking and healthy fasting!
📖 Recipe Card: 5 2 Diet Vegetable Soup
Description: A light and nutritious vegetable soup perfect for the 5 2 diet fasting days. Packed with fiber and vitamins to keep you full and energized.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
- Add carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans; cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.
- Add thyme, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Adjust seasoning and serve hot.
Nutrition: Calories: 120 kcal | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 4 g | Carbs: 18 g
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