Warm Your Soul with Ina Garten’s Zucchini Basil Soup Recipe

Summer’s bounty bursts with flavor in this zucchini basil soup recipe by Ina Garten that promises pure comfort in every spoonful.

Fresh zucchini transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Bright green vegetables blend seamlessly with aromatic herbs, creating a silky smooth texture that delights the senses.

The soup vibrant color mirrors its rich, garden-fresh taste.

basil adds a delicate layer of complexity that elevates this classic summer dish.

Light yet satisfying, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

Grab your blender and start cooking – deliciousness awaits!

What You Need for Ina Garten Zucchini Basil Soup

• Olive Oil: Helps create a flavorful foundation and prevents sticking, choose extra virgin for rich taste.
• Celery: Adds subtle earthy undertones and provides delicate crunch, select crisp and bright green stalks.
• Leeks: Contributes mild onion-like sweetness, rinse thoroughly to remove hidden soil between layers.

• Zucchini: Provides creamy texture and fresh summer vegetable essence, select firm and glossy specimens without blemishes.
• Basil: Introduces aromatic herbaceous notes, pick bright green leaves with no wilting or dark spots.
• Water: Creates liquid base, use filtered water for cleanest flavor profile.

• Garlic: Delivers deep, pungent undertones, choose firm bulbs without sprouting.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use kosher or sea salt for best results.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth, freshly ground provides most vibrant taste.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens and balances flavors, select ripe, heavy citrus fruits.
• Extra Olive Oil: Provides luxurious finish and additional richness, drizzle high-quality cold-pressed variety.

Tools for Prepping Zucchini Basil Soup

• Large Saucier or Saucepan: Essential for cooking and simmering the soup base.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like celery, leeks, and zucchini.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precise vegetable preparation.
• Immersion Blender or Tabletop Blender: Crucial for creating smooth or chunky soup texture.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding accurate amounts of salt, pepper, and olive oil.
• Ladle: Useful for serving the finished soup.

Cooking Directions for Zucchini Basil Soup

• Veggie Foundation

Start by warming olive oil in a large pot, creating a gentle sizzle. Softly introduce chopped celery and leeks, letting them mingle and release their subtle flavors.

• Aromatic Awakening

Sprinkle in garlic, allowing its fragrant essence to dance through the kitchen. This brief moment transforms the entire character of your cooking landscape.

• Zucchini Symphony

Fold tender zucchini into the pot, embracing half of your fresh basil leaves. Pour water to create a harmonious liquid base that will become your soup’s soul.

• Gentle Transformation

Let the mixture simmer quietly, watching zucchini soften while maintaining its vibrant green spirit. This slow dance allows flavors to intertwine and develop depth.

• Smooth Crescendo

Blend the soup using an immersion blender, creating a silky texture that captures summer’s essence. Introduce remaining basil for a bright, herbaceous touch.

• Final Flourish

Season with salt, pepper, and a bright whisper of lemon juice. Drizzle extra olive oil on top, creating a luxurious finish that elevates the entire experience.

Tips and Swaps for Zucchini Basil Soup

• Expert Zucchini Basil Soup Tips
• Select young, firm zucchinis with bright green skin and no blemishes for the best flavor and texture in your soup.
• When using a standard blender, allow the soup to cool slightly and blend in batches, covering the lid with a towel to prevent hot liquid splashes.
• Top the soup with crispy pancetta bits, toasted pine nuts, or a swirl of herbed crème fraîche for added depth and visual appeal.
• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months without adding the fresh basil until reheating.
• Enhance the soup's taste by roasting the zucchini and garlic before adding them to the pot, which will develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile.

Great Ways to Serve Zucchini Basil Soup

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or chives on top of the soup to add a burst of color and bright, aromatic flavor that complements the zucchini base.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough or rustic Italian bread slices to create a perfect dipping companion that soaks up the soup's creamy texture.
• Create a Cool Topping: Swirl a dollop of Greek yogurt or crème fraîche on the surface to add a tangy, creamy contrast and provide a luxurious finishing touch to the vibrant green soup.
• Add Crunch with Toppings: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds over the soup to introduce a delightful textural element that elevates the overall dining experience.

Zucchini Basil Soup Storage Tips

• Maximize Freshness: Store the zucchini basil soup in airtight containers, keeping it refrigerated for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain its vibrant flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Quick Freeze Method: Transfer leftover soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some expansion room. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring best taste and nutritional quality when sealed properly.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to restore smooth consistency and prevent scorching at the bottom of the pan.
• Garnish Revival Trick: Refresh the soup's flavor when reheating by adding a fresh handful of chopped basil, a squeeze of lemon, or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil just before serving to bring back its original brightness and aroma.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 70 kcal

Servings: 4

Silky Zucchini Basil Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s zucchini basil soup blends garden-fresh ingredients with silky smoothness. Simple summer produce creates a delightful Mediterranean-inspired meal that cools and satisfies hungry palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 cups (1.18L) water
• 2 tbsps (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed and to serve
• 1 ½ lbs (700g) zucchini, split lengthwise and cut into ½-inch disks
• 1 large leek, finely diced (about 8 oz; 225g)
• 3 medium ribs celery, finely diced (about 6 oz; 170g)
• 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about ¾ oz; 25g)
• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (about 2 oz; 55g), divided
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh juice from 1 lemon, to taste

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Warm olive oil in a wide saucepan over medium heat, gently sautéing celery and leeks until translucent and releasing their delicate fragrance.
2. Garlic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic and stir for 30-45 seconds, allowing its robust aroma to permeate the vegetable base without scorching.
3. Vegetable Integration: Incorporate diced zucchini and half the fresh basil leaves, stirring to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures for approximately 1 minute.
4. Liquid Transformation: Pour in water and reduce heat, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 8-10 minutes while preserving the zucchini’s vibrant green essence.
5. Blending Technique: Remove from heat and purée the soup using an immersion blender or standard blender, incorporating remaining basil during the process to maximize herbal intensity.
6. Flavor Refinement: Calibrate seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a bright splash of lemon juice, then crown with a delicate drizzle of premium olive oil before serving piping hot.

Notes

• Basil Preservation: Chop half the basil initially to infuse flavor, reserve the remaining leaves for blending to maintain fresh, bright herb notes and vibrant green color.
• Vegetable Sautéing Technique: Cook celery and leeks slowly over medium heat to develop depth of flavor without browning, creating a delicate aromatic foundation for the soup.
• Texture Control: Use an immersion blender for easier blending and fewer dishes, or transfer to a standard blender for smoother consistency, adjusting liquid as needed for desired texture.
• Finishing Touches: Add a splash of lemon juice and high-quality olive oil at the end to brighten flavors and enhance the soup’s richness, creating a more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg