Lemon Coriander Soup is a light and flavorful Indian vegetable clear soup made with fresh lemon juice, coriander (cilantro), and colorful vegetables. This easy vegetarian and vegan soup comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a light lunch, appetizer, or cozy weeknight meal.
It's almost fall season, and I enjoy preparing healthy soup recipes packed with veggies that require minimal prep and are simple to make. Today, I am sharing a Lemon coriander soup recipe.
This soup is not just a treat for the taste buds; it also serves as a soothing remedy during winter or when we are feeling under the weather.
If you all tend to eat the same old creamy tomato soup, sweet corn soup, or veg clear soup, consider trying this one. It is simple, easy, and perfect to prepare after a long day at work.
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What Is Lemon Coriander Vegetable Soup?
Lemon coriander soup is a healthy vegetarian clear soup made with zesty lemon juice (of course), fresh coriander leaves, vegetable broth, and fresh vegetables. This recipe is rich in vitamin C, a natural immunity booster, making it a healthy and flavorful dish. It is a popular choice in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine.
It can be served as an appetizer or a light meal with a salad on the side.
Benefits of Lemon and Coriander Soup
Lemon coriander clear soup is light, hydrating, and naturally rich in Vitamin C from fresh lemon juice and green veggies. Ingredients like ginger, garlic, and fresh herbs make it a comforting, soothing choice during cold season or whenever you need a warm, easily digestible meal.
How to Make Lemon Coriander Clear Soup
Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a saucepan (or kadai) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add ½ inch ginger (grated), 3 garlic cloves (minced), and 1 green chili (finely chopped), and sauté for 30 seconds.
Next, add ½ cup onions and sauté them until they turn translucent.
Add the following vegetables
- ¼ cup carrot finely chopped
- ¼ cup cabbage finely chopped
- ¼ cup broccoli finely chopped
and sauté for 2 minutes until they become tender. Then, pour in 3 cups vegetable broth (or water), salt, and black pepper to taste, and bring the mixture to a boil.
In a small mixing bowl, combine one tablespoon of cornflour and ¼ cup of water. Mix until there are no lumps.
Add the cornflour slurry and bring the soup to a rolling boil. The soup will thicken a bit. At this stage, turn off the gas flame.
Then add 2 tablespoons of lime juice and ¼ cup of finely chopped coriander (cilantro) and mix well. Adjust seasoning at this stage.
Serve the vegetable lemon coriander clear soup piping hot.
Serving Suggestions
This lemon coriander soup can be served as an appetizer. You can also pair it with a side of veg chili cheese toast and a fresh chickpea salad for a complete meal.
You can top it with finely chopped coriander leaves, and sliced green onions, for texture and crunch.
Storage Suggestions
- Make-Ahead: This soup is a great make-ahead meal. Let the soup cool down to room temperature, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days until you are ready to serve. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Refrigerator: Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: This soup freezes well. Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm through. If frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave or stovetop.
Tips to make the Best Veg Lemon Coriander Soup
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh coriander (cilantro), lemon juice, and vegetables give the soup the best flavor.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: Cook until just tender so they retain some texture and don't become mushy.
- Add lemon juice at the end: Turn off the heat before adding lemon juice to preserve its fresh, bright flavor. Otherwise, soup will turn bitter.
- Add coriander at the end: Stir in fresh coriander (cilantro) after turning off the heat for the best flavor and color.
- Thicken with cornstarch: Add a cornstarch slurry for a slightly thicker consistency. This is completely optional.
- Use vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds extra depth and flavor to the soup. Use a good-quality broth for the best results.
- Use coriander stems: You can add chopped tender coriander stems; they add extra flavor to the soup.
Variations
- Add more vegetables: You can add veggies like green beans, peas, sweet corn, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or rosemary also add flavor.
- Add protein: Add boiled chickpeas, cubed tofu, or sautéed paneer for a boost of plant-based protein.
- Make it spicy: Add extra green chilies, jalapeños, or red chili flakes for more heat.
- Add noodles: Stir in cooked rice noodles to make the soup more filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
This soup has Vitamin C-rich ingredients like lemon, coriander, carrot, broccoli, cabbage, and vegetable broth. Vitamin C helps to build immunity from colds and coughs during winter.
Yes! you can replace the vegetable broth with water. But I highly recommend using low-sodium vegetable broth, which gives the best flavor to the soup.
You may also like my other Indian Soup Recipes
Lemon Coriander Soup
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or juice of one lime)
- ¼ cup coriander leaves (cilantro) finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ inch ginger grated
- 1 green chilies finely chopped
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup carrot finely chopped
- ¼ cup cabbage finely chopped
- ¼ cup broccoli finely chopped
- 3 cups vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon corn starch mixed in ¼ cup of water (optional)
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, Once the oil is hot, add ginger, garlic, green chilies, and saute for 30 secs.
- Next, add onions and saute till they turn translucent.
- Add mixed vegetables, saute for 2 minutes until the veggies are tender, and then add vegetable stock (or water), salt, and black pepper and bring it to boil.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornflour along with ¼ cup of water until there are no lumps.
- Add the cornflour slurry and bring the soup to a rolling boil. The soup would thicken a bit. At this stage turn off the gas flame.
- Then add the lime juice and coriander (cilantro) and mix well. Adjust seasoning at this stage.
- Serve Vegetable Lemon Coriander Clear Soup piping hot.
Notes
- Don't overcook the vegetables: Cook until just tender so they retain some texture and don't become mushy.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh coriander (cilantro), lemon juice, and vegetables give the soup the best flavor.
- Add lemon juice at the end: Turn off the heat before adding lemon juice to preserve its fresh, bright flavor. Otherwise, soup will turn bitter.
- Add coriander at the end: Stir in fresh coriander (cilantro) after turning off the heat for the best flavor and color.
- Thicken with cornstarch: Add a cornstarch slurry for a slightly thicker consistency. This is completely optional.
- Use vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds extra depth and flavor to the soup. Use a good-quality broth for the best results.
- Use coriander stems: You can add chopped tender coriander stems; they add extra flavor to the soup.
- Add more vegetables: You can add veggies like green beans, peas, sweet corn, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or rosemary also add flavor.
- Add protein: Add boiled chickpeas, cubed tofu, or sautéed paneer for a boost of plant-based protein.
- Make it spicy: Add extra green chilies, jalapeños, or red chili flakes for more heat.
- Add noodles: Stir in cooked rice noodles to make the soup more filling.
Nutrition
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Erica
I’ve made this many times and always turns out great! Really good way to clear out veggies from the fridge. One of my all time favorite soups!
Nilofer Motiwala
Loved the soup. Added in some spinach as well. Added the spinach and broccoli florets at the end (added the broccoli stems earlier). Made with water. Skipped the corn flour slurry step. Liked it soupy
Bhavana Patil
Hi Nilofer, I am so glad you liked the soup.. Thank you for sharing all the variations you made to the recipe. Spinach is a great add.
Erica
This is so tasty!! Thank you for sharing!! Just a wonderful and easy vegetable soup! The lemon and cilantro really makes it pop! Just wonderful! Cooked in my instant pot for 2 minutes instead of on the stovetop-🙏🙂