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Making a basic soup from scratch is cozy, easy, and super customizable. You just need a few foundational ingredients and a bit of time. Here’s your go-to formula:
🥣 Basic Soup Blueprint
🧅 1. Start with Aromatics
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Chop and sauté: onions, garlic, celery, carrots (the holy trinity of soup).
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Use a splash of oil or butter in a large pot, and cook on medium heat for 5–10 minutes until softened.
🍗 2. Add Protein (Optional)
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Add diced chicken, ground meat, sausage, or beans.
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Brown it a bit for flavor, or skip this step for a veggie-based soup.
🍅 3. Add Veggies
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Potatoes, zucchini, corn, spinach, kale—whatever you’ve got.
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Chop 'em small for faster cooking.
🧂 4. Season It
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Salt, pepper, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, parsley, cumin—depends on your flavor vibe.
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Don’t overdo it early—you can adjust later!
💧 5. Add Liquid
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Broth or stock: chicken, veggie, or beef (boxed, homemade, or bouillon-based).
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Ratio: About 4–6 cups liquid for a hearty pot of soup.
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Add a can of crushed tomatoes if you want a tomato base.
🔥 6. Simmer
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
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Cook 20–30 minutes, or until veggies are tender and flavors meld.
🍚 7. Add Grains or Pasta (Optional)
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Cooked rice, noodles, barley, lentils—add them near the end so they don’t get mushy.
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Or cook them separately and add when serving.
🧄 8. Taste & Finish
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Adjust salt, pepper, or add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar for brightness.
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Toss in fresh herbs or a swirl of cream if you’re feelin’ fancy.
🥄 Easy Variations:
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Chicken noodle soup: Add cooked shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and egg noodles.
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Veggie soup: Load up on seasonal vegetables and use veggie broth.
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Lentil soup: Add lentils, cumin, turmeric, and a squeeze of lemon at the end.