This hearty vegan minestrone soup is packed with seasonal vegetables, beans, lentils and whole grains. Perfect comforting vegan winter soup full of flavor and nutrients!
This winter vegan Minestrone soup is a great example of how to combine vegetables, proteins and carbs in a single bowl. It has lots of veggies, it has plant-based proteins and it has whole grains. This minestrone soup is very nutritious and wholesome while being so delicious and comforting!
You can make this vegan minestrone soup in one pot within 30 minutes, that makes it a perfect quick weeknight dinner, portable lunch and freezable meal prep recipe!
The recipe I’m sharing with you today is super easy and also budget-friendly as it uses basic pantry items you probably already have like beans, canned tomatoes, onions and basic spices.
Just like my favorite slow cooker vegan chili, this vegan minestrone soup can be made in a slow cooker as well.
Classic Italian Minestrone
There is no set recipe for minestrone soup but the word “minestrone” means “thick vegetable soup” in Italian. The idea is to use leftover or seasonal vegetables with an addition of beans and lentils, sometimes also pasta and rice.
Since minestrone originates from ancient Rome, there were quite a few changes of the “recipe” along the way, like the addition of tomatoes that came from America.
Anyway, minestrone is considered rustic and humble food just like shepherd’s pie or ratatouille.
Vegetables for Vegan Minestrone
The best thing about minestrone soup is that it was traditionally made from leftover vegetables, so you can use whatever veggies you like or have on hand, as well as any kind of beans and whole grains to put in the soup.
I used all the fresh and seasonal veggies I had in the fridge like carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans and spinach.
Alternatively, you can use kale, chard, potatoes, butternut squash, winter squash, peas, turnips, cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, asparagus, sweet potatoes, fennel, cabbage in any combination.
You can’t get it wrong if you use any seasonal veggies.
Protein for Vegan Minestrone
For this vegan minestrone soup, I added protein from various beans and lentils. I used a mixture of red kidney beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, dried peas and red lentils.
Feel free to use your favorite kind of beans and/or lentils. Chickpeas, navy beans, fava beans or black beans would work perfectly well. There are no rules here! You can skip lentils and add more beans or vice versa.
Whole Grains for Vegan Minestrone
Traditionally, small pasta like orzo, anelli or small shells is added to minestrone but to make it more nutrient-dense I added whole grains. I used a mixture of wheat berries, rye, spelt and millet that I usually use for my healthy wholemeal bread.
You can use any kind of whole grains or cooked whole grain pasta for your vegan minestrone soup.
If you are not sure about what whole grains are, here is a list for you:
- Wild and brown rice
- Wheat berries
- Rye
- Amaranth
- Spelt
- Quinoa
- Steel cut oats
- Millet
- Barley
- Farro
- Bulgur
- Corn
- Buckwheat
Health Benefits of Vegan Minestrone Soup
This vegan minestrone is loaded with fiber and plant-based proteins. It makes for a satisfying and nutrient-dense meal that you can customize in any way you want.
It is low in calories and fat and high in nutrients, thanks to a variety of veggies, beans, lentils and whole grain used in the recipe.
It makes for a perfectly balanced meal that provides all essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Vegan minestrone soup is just as healthy as it is delicious!
How to Make One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup
I mixed the grains and dried beans and soaked them over night, then boiled for 30 minutes. You can do the same or use canned beans to cut off the cooking time.
The second step is to chop and sautée your veggies. Then add your liquids: I used a mixture of vegetable and bean broth as a base together with canned tomatoes.
Enjoy this vegan minestrone soup with crusty ciabatta bread, vegan potato pancakes or vegan pesto to add a nice fresh touch.
The soup came out thick and wholesome, just perfect for the chilly winter nights. If you are craving something ultimately comforting and flavorful, this vegan minestrone will make you feel good.
Check the recipe (and the video recipe!) for this vegan minestrone soup below. If you can’t see the video, disable your AdBlock for this page by clicking on the AdBlock button and selecting Don’t run on this page. Enjoy!
Recipes similar to vegan minestrone
- Vegan Roasted Carrot Soup with Lentils
- Easy Russian Borscht Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
- Vegan Zuppa Toscana
- Easy Vegan Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
- Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup or 200 g mixed beans, lentils and whole grains soaked overnight and cooked or canned beans, see notes below for the conversion rate between dried and canned beans)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium-sized onion diced
- 2 medium-sized carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 7 oz or 200 g green beans trimmed and chopped
- 1 zucchini chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 14 oz or 400 ml cans crushed tomatoes
- 500 ml or 2 cups vegetable stock + bean broth if available
- 200 grams or 7 oz spinach
- chopped parsley, to garnish
- ciabatta bread, to serve
- vegan pesto, to serve optional
Instructions
- BEANS: Drain soaked beans and grains, transfer them to a pot with 3 times more water and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Alternatively, use canned beans (see notes below).
- SOFFRITO: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet. Add onions, carrots and celery and sautée for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat. Add green beans, zucchini and garlic. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- SOUP: Add basil, thyme, oregano, chili flakes, black pepper, sea salt and bay leaves. Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable stock, beans and grains together with the cooking liquid. Bring to a boil and stir in spinach. Simmer for 10 minutes with a lid on.
- GARNISH: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with ciabatta bread and vegan pesto (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Helena
Tuesday 21st of May 2019
This is the first soup I am looking for in the menu when I go out. And I always make it when I have lots of leftovers. It never disappoints!
Elena Szeliga
Tuesday 21st of May 2019
Wow, looks like we share tastes! And yes, this minestrone is my go-to clean out the fridge soup ;)