Light Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup Recipe with Fresh Herbs
Lettuce soup might seem like a culinary wild card, but this velvety marvel turns ordinary greens into liquid gold.
Crisp emerald leaves surrender their vibrant essence, dancing with aromatic herbs in a steaming cauldron.
Whispers of Mediterranean influence weave through each spoonful, transforming an everyday ingredient into a luxurious experience.
Delicate flavors bloom as the lettuce softens, creating a broth that defies ordinary expectations.
Surprisingly light yet profoundly satisfying, this soup challenges everything you know about leafy greens.
Simple ingredients conspire to craft a dish that’s both elegant and comforting.
Let this recipe be your gateway to a deliciously unexpected culinary adventure.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 90 kcal
Servings: 4
Ingredients for Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup
For Aromatics:
Onion: Select a firm, glossy bulb without soft spots for maximum flavor depth.
Garlic: Choose plump cloves with tight, unbroken skin for robust taste.
For Fresh Greens:
Romaine Lettuce: Pick crisp, bright green leaves without wilting or brown edges.
Parsley: Look for vibrant, deep green leaves with no yellowing or drooping.
Pea Shoots: Seek tender, bright green sprouts with delicate stems.
Radish: Opt for firm, glossy roots with smooth skin and bright green tops.
For Liquid and Seasoning:
Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Select low-sodium versions for better flavor control.
Butter: Choose high-quality, unsalted butter for smooth texture.
Lemon: Pick heavy, bright yellow fruits with smooth, glossy skin.
Salt: Use fine sea salt for even seasoning.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Select cold-pressed, fruity varieties for rich finish.
Tools Required for Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup
Blender: Powerful kitchen tool for creating smooth, silky textures.
Medium saucepan: Essential for sautéing aromatics and simmering stock.
Sharp knife: Perfect for dicing onions, slicing garlic, and chopping herbs.
Cutting board: Sturdy surface for preparing all ingredients.
Measuring spoons: Precise tools for adding salt and lemon juice.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
Serving bowls: Elegant vessels for presenting the finished soup.
Small bowl: Useful for tossing garnish ingredients in olive oil.
Step-by-Step Guide to Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup
Launch Flavor Expedition Warm a medium saucepan and melt butter until foamy. Toss diced onions and sliced garlic, stirring gently to create a fragrant base that awakens your kitchen with rich aromas.
Create Liquid Symphony Pour stock into the saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow vegetables to transform, developing deep flavors as they become tender and infuse the liquid with their essence.
Embrace Green Magic Introduce romaine lettuce and parsley into the simmering stock. Watch greens dance and wilt, releasing vibrant colors and fresh notes that will elevate your soup's character.
Transform Texture Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender. Pulse and blend until the soup becomes silky smooth, adjusting consistency with additional stock if needed. The goal is a luxurious, velvety texture that glides across your palate.
Craft Final Touches Season with salt and a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavor profile. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over pea shoots and radish slices, creating a stunning garnish that adds crunch and visual appeal to your culinary creation.
Ideas for Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup Variations
Boost Flavor Complexity: Experiment with different herbs like thyme or tarragon to add unexpected depth and aromatic layers to your soup. Each herb brings a unique character that transforms the basic recipe into a gourmet experience.
Smart Stock Substitution: Replace chicken stock with white wine or vegetable broth for interesting flavor variations. These alternatives can dramatically change the soup's profile while keeping the fundamental cooking technique intact.
Temperature Trick for Texture: Cool the soup slightly before blending to prevent steam buildup and ensure a smoother, more consistent texture. Letting the mixture rest for a few minutes prevents potential splattering and helps achieve a silkier consistency.
Quick Protein Power-Up: Enhance the soup's nutritional value by stirring in cooked shredded chicken, crumbled feta cheese, or toasted pine nuts just before serving. These protein-rich additions create a more substantial meal and introduce delightful textural contrasts.
Best Ways to Serve Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup
Elevate with Crunch: Top the smooth soup with thinly sliced radishes and crisp pea shoots for a delightful textural contrast that adds freshness and visual appeal.
Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough or rustic baguette slices to soak up the vibrant green soup and complement its delicate flavors.
Create a Refreshing Lunch: Transform this light soup into a complete meal by adding a simple side salad with mixed greens and a lemon vinaigrette for a balanced, nutritious dining experience.
Enhance with Wine: Complement the soup's herbal notes with a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or a light, unoaked chardonnay to elevate the overall dining pleasure.
How to Keep Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup Fresh
Meal Planning & Storage Advice
Batch Prep Brilliance: Make a double batch of this soup and store extra portions in airtight containers for quick weekday meals. Preparation in advance saves time and ensures delicious, healthy eating throughout the week.
Refrigeration Strategy: Store the soup in sealed glass containers for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before transferring to the refrigerator to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze soup portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Leave slight space at the top for expansion and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.
Reheating Pro Tips: Warm soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of fresh stock if needed to restore original creamy consistency. Avoid boiling to prevent separation and maintain silky smooth texture.
Jamie Oliver’s lettuce soup brings fresh garden flavors to your table with minimal ingredients. Green elegance combines creamy texture and delicate herb notes for a simple yet sophisticated meal you’ll enjoy preparing.
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz (225g) romaine lettuce, core and root ends trimmed, leaves torn if large
2 cups (475ml) homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock, plus more if needed
1 medium onion (8 oz; 225g), diced
4 medium cloves garlic, sliced
2 tbsps (30g) unsalted butter
¼ cup (1 small handful) loosely packed parsley leaves
Thinly sliced radish and pea shoots, tossed in extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish
Kosher salt, to taste
Fresh lemon juice, to taste
Instructions
Ingredient Preparation: Finely dice onions, thinly slice garlic, and separate romaine lettuce leaves, ensuring uniform texture and even cooking.
Sauté Base: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, introducing onions and garlic. Cook until translucent and aromatic, releasing their delicate flavors for approximately 3-4 minutes.
Liquid Infusion: Pour stock into the saucepan, bringing to a gentle simmer. Allow vegetables to tenderize completely, developing a rich, nuanced flavor profile for 7-9 minutes.
Herb Integration: Incorporate romaine lettuce and parsley into the simmering liquid, allowing herbs to wilt and release their essence for 1-2 minutes while maintaining delicate undertones.
Blending Technique: Transfer hot mixture to blender, puréeing from low to high speed. Create a velvety-smooth consistency, ensuring no texture interruptions and maximizing flavor melding.
Flavor Refinement: Adjust soup’s consistency with additional stock if needed. Season with kosher salt and a whisper of lemon juice, carefully balancing the vegetable’s natural subtleties.
Presentation Finale: Garnish with radish slivers and pea shoots, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. Serve at preferred temperature – either steaming hot or refreshingly chilled.
Notes
Knife Skills Matter: Precise, uniform chopping ensures even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup, preventing uneven softening of ingredients.
Butter Browning Technique: Melt butter slowly until it becomes golden and frothy, which develops a rich, nutty undertone that enhances the soup’s overall flavor complexity.
Blending Safety Tip: Always blend hot liquids in small batches and start at low speed to prevent potential splatter and ensure a smooth, velvety consistency.
Temperature Flexibility: This versatile soup can be served hot or chilled, making it an adaptable recipe for different seasons and personal preferences.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.