There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade soup to soothe the soul and satisfy hunger, especially when it’s packed with wholesome vegetables and bursting with flavor. Using a pressure cooker transforms this experience by cutting down cooking time dramatically while locking in nutrients and taste.
Whether you’re a busy professional, a health-conscious home cook, or simply looking for comfort food that’s easy to prepare, this best pressure cooker vegetarian soup recipe will become your go-to. It’s hearty, nutritious, and incredibly versatile, combining fresh vegetables, legumes, and aromatic herbs to create a rich, satisfying broth.
Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to make this delicious soup, from the ingredients and equipment to expert tips and serving suggestions. Ready to dive into a bowl of nourishing goodness?
Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegetarian soup is a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition. Thanks to the pressure cooker, the vegetables become tender and infused with spices in a fraction of the time it would normally take.
The recipe is:
- Quick and efficient: Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Nutritious: Loaded with fiber-rich beans, vitamin-packed veggies, and antioxidants.
- Customizable: Easy to swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand.
- Comforting: The warm broth and hearty veggies make it feel like a big hug in a bowl.
- Vegan and gluten-free: Suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences.
Plus, it stores well, making it an ideal recipe for meal prep. Just reheat and enjoy whenever hunger strikes!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Equipment
- Pressure cooker (electric or stovetop)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Bowl for rinsing lentils
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, peel and chop the carrots, chop celery, dice zucchini, and trim the green beans. Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water.
- Sauté aromatics: Set your pressure cooker to the sauté function. Heat the olive oil and add the diced onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add vegetables and spices: Stir in the carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans. Sprinkle the dried thyme, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and a pinch of salt over the vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat everything in spices.
- Add lentils, tomatoes, and broth: Pour in the rinsed lentils, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, and vegetable broth. Give everything a good stir to combine.
- Pressure cook: Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and set it to high pressure for 15 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before performing a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Add greens and finish: Open the lid carefully. Stir in the chopped kale or spinach and let the residual heat wilt the greens for about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy warm. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or a dollop of vegan yogurt for extra creaminess.
Tips & Variations
“Feel free to swap out any vegetables based on seasonality or preferences. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or bell peppers work wonderfully.
For extra protein, add cubed tofu or chickpeas after pressure cooking.”
- For creamier texture: Use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño during the sauté step.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, or thyme can be added at the end for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Storage: This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 220 kcal |
Protein | 12 g |
Carbohydrates | 35 g |
Fiber | 10 g |
Fat | 5 g |
Sodium | 450 mg |
Vitamin A | 150% DV |
Vitamin C | 40% DV |
Serving Suggestions
This soup pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a warm, fluffy roll. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.
Try topping your bowl with toasted pumpkin seeds or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy umami boost without any dairy.
If you’re interested in other comforting vegetarian dishes, check out these recipes:
- Magic Dough Recipe – perfect for homemade bread to accompany your soup.
- Kosher Sushi Salad Recipe – a fresh, light complement to your warm bowl.
- Low Sodium Hummus Recipe – great for dipping bread or raw veggies alongside your soup.
Conclusion
Making a hearty, nutritious vegetarian soup in your pressure cooker is not only convenient but also incredibly rewarding. This recipe brings together a medley of fresh vegetables, protein-packed lentils, and warming spices to create a soup that’s perfect for any season.
The pressure cooker speeds up the process and intensifies the flavors, leaving you with a comforting, wholesome meal in under 30 minutes.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weekday dinner or a meal to prep for the week ahead, this soup fits the bill. Plus, its versatility means you can tailor it to your taste and pantry contents easily.
Give it a try and discover just how delicious and simple vegetarian cooking can be!
📖 Recipe Card: Best Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Soup
Description: A hearty and nutritious vegetarian soup made quickly in a pressure cooker. Packed with vegetables and protein-rich beans for a comforting meal.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT35M
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Turn on pressure cooker and heat olive oil.
- Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add carrots, celery, and potato; cook for 3 minutes.
- Stir in lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Seal lid and cook at high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Quick-release pressure and open lid carefully.
- Stir in fresh spinach until wilted.
- Adjust seasoning and serve hot.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal | Protein: 14 g | Fat: 4 g | Carbs: 35 g
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