From The Exclusive Collection of FREE Plant-Based Recipes
By Plant-Based Nutrition Professional Chef Susy • Designed For Effortless Weight Loss & Weight Maintenance
Don't let parsnips fool you! This underrated root vegetable is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered 💎My vegan parsnip soup is proof that simple ingredients can create delicious dishes. Creamy, comforting, and packed with flavour, this soup is a must-try 🍲 😋
Prep Time: 15 Mins | Cook Time: 30 Mins
Total Time: 45 Mins | Servings: Adjustable
Let's Be Friends!
Which vegetable do you think is the most underrated? I’d vote for parsnip—and I don’t get why it’s not appreciated enough. Seriously. When I tried this vegan parsnip soup recipe, I was blown away. So creamy, so nutritious, and so easy to make. It’s subtly spiced and so comforting, as well as plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Enjoy it as a light lunch, or pair it with a fulfilling side for a hearty dinner. It’s so versatile.
I’m sure inflation has convinced most of us, if not all, to look for ways to save a few extra bucks wherever possible. That’s how I actually ended up with this recipe 😆 The seasonal parsnips sales tempted me to buy a bunch of these new-looking veggies. It looked like a mixture of carrots and parsley (another reason why I was so curious to try it).
Initially, I wasn't sure what to do with the parsnips. After a bit of thinking, I decided to try them in a vegan soup. And trust me, I couldn’t believe something so delicious could be so affordable.
Most seasonal fruit and veg are produced locally, so that means you’re supporting local farmers and helping to reduce food miles. Fresh taste and better flavours are an added bonus here!
It doesn’t end there. Plant-based parsnip soup is also—
Easy to make (takes 45 minutes to be at the table)
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
So healthy
Low-fat
Low-calorie
Filling and satisfying
Warming for chilly evenings
A yummy way to enjoy vegetables
Parsnips (skin on, scrubbed, and cubed) - An under-appreciated, slightly edged cousin of carrots. Parsnips look like white carrots, if you ask me. They are best enjoyed from the beginning of fall to early spring (as long as the root cellars are looking thin). When at the grocery store, search for medium-sized parsnips. I’ve noticed larger ones have a thick woody core that has to be removed because it’s not edible. Note: Don’t forget to leave 1 parsnip (scrubbed) for a crispy topping at the end.
Onion (diced small) and garlic (crushed) - I add this powerful combo to almost all my savoury recipes, be it an Indian dish, like dal, or a Mexican dish, like Mexican rice.
Pink Himalayan salt - To pull the flavours together. If you don’t have this ingredient, any rock salt or sea salt will do the trick.
Fenugreek seeds, ground (optional) - I toss in a teaspoon of this ingredient to add some extra crunch to every bite.
Tarragon (fresh or dried) - A must-have for this recipe. It comes with a peppery flavour that goes so well with the sweetness of parsnips.
Vegetable stock - For the flavourful base. Both store-bought and homemade work. Some recipes use water, but they lack the rich flavour (and nutrition) that comes with broth.
Butter beans or cannellini beans - One of my favourite plant-based ingredients. Butter beans (and even cannellini beans) give the soup such a creamy texture. They’re also a great source of protein and fibre, making for a hearty, more filling soup.
Oat milk - Another liquid base for the soup. You may add any plant-based milk of choice. I like to use oat milk for its slightly nutty flavour—and incredible nutritional profile.
Fresh dill and chillies - For the topping. Fresh dill adds a refreshing punch. Chillies give the sauce subtle heat.
Pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Sauté the onions. Place a pan over medium heat to fry onions for a few minutes. Add a pinch of salt to bring out the water. Once translucent, add the garlic and fry for a few more minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of stock to deglaze.
Add the next ingredients. Pour in the cubed parsnips and add the herbs and spices; stir. Then add the rest of the stock, butter beans (or cannellini beans) and the oat milk.
Simmer the sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the parsnips are tender. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Prep parsnip for topping. While the soup is simmering, slice the extra parsnip thinly (I used a mandoline—watch those fingers!) and air fry for about 10 minutes. Do not overcrowd.
Blend the soup. Once the parsnips are cooked, they're ready to blitz. Use a blender stick and blend until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Sprinkle the toppings. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, with the fresh dill, chillies and the parsnip crisps as toppings. Enjoy! 😋 💚
Carrots or sweet potatoes instead of parsnips. Or try a combo of all three!
Ginger instead of garlic.
Chickpeas instead of butter beans.
Coriander seeds instead of fenugreek seeds.
Thyme instead of tarragon.
Sliced roasted pear (yes, you read that right—roasted pear is a perfect combo for creamy parsnip soup
Nutritional yeast
Roasted nuts
Toasted seeds
Avocado
Tamari
Vegan cream
Coconut milk (if you don’t mind a few extra calories)
If you want your soup to be more on the sweet side, a drizzle of maple syrup, agave syrup or a small amount of pureed fruit works great. For a nutty flavour, I like to add toasted walnuts, cashews (blended in oat milk for a super creamy texture), flaked almonds or almond butter.
If you have a little extra time, at the weekend, for example, roasting the parsnips first with a pinch of salt and drizzle of maple syrup brings out an added depth of flavour, taking this recipe to the next level.
Much of the parsnip flavour is concentrated closer to the skin, so I recommend scrubbing the parsnips well (instead of peeling them). If you want to peel them, try to peel them as thinly as possible.
If you don’t have a high-speed blender that blends fast enough to keep your soup warm, simply warm the blended soup in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
You can use any white beans you have; it even works well without them. I added them only for some extra protein and fibre, a.k.a. extra oomph!
Be patient. The more gently the soup is simmered, the more flavourful it is.
For a deeper, richer flavour, I roast the parsnips before adding them to the soup. You can also add a touch of lemon juice to brighten the flavours.
Get creative with the toppings. A dollop of tangy vegan sour cream, for example, or a bit of spicy peanut sauce taste so good.
You’re gonna love this part: enjoying plant-based parsnip soup with delicious sides. Its versatile flavours pair so well with so many other dishes. You can have it with basic wholemeal bread or garlic bread (a never-fail combo!). It’s also great with vegan Mexican tofu scramble. And did I mention how much I love eating vegan parsnip soup with tabbouleh salad?
Yes! The beans add creaminess and protein, but you can omit them or replace them with blended cashews for a similar texture.
Absolutely! Oat milk gives a creamy texture, but you can use almond, soy, or coconut milk.
Try crispy parsnip chips, fresh dill, chili flakes, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of vegan cream for extra flavor.
You can store the parsnips in the salad drawer of your fridge for up to 2 weeks. If the veggie comes in a plastic bag, remove it before storing it. Make sure the parsnips are dry. You can even add some kitchen paper towels in the drawer to catch extra moisture.
If you made the recipe, make sure to tag me on Instagram @vegan.susy
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