Oh, this Creamy Pea & Mint Soup is just the *best*! When spring finally rolls around, and I’m just craving something bright and fresh, this is my absolute go-to. It’s got this gorgeous vibrant green color that just screams sunshine, and the mint gives it this wonderful little zing that’s so refreshing. Honestly, it’s one of those recipes I stumbled upon years ago when I was trying to use up a bag of frozen peas, and it’s been a staple ever since. Perfect for a light lunch, a starter for dinner, or even a quick weeknight meal when you need something wholesome without all the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pea & Mint Soup
Seriously, this soup is a winner for so many reasons!
- Super Easy & Quick: We’re talking minimal prep and mostly hands-off simmering. Perfect for when you’re short on time!
- Bursting with Fresh Flavor: That pop of mint with the sweet peas? Pure springtime bliss in a bowl.
- So Versatile: Serve it warm on a chilly day or chilled when it’s hot out. It’s a chameleon soup!
- Naturally Healthy (Mostly!): Packed with peas, it’s a great way to get your veggies in, and it’s surprisingly light.
Ingredients for Creamy Pea & Mint Soup
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need for this delightful bowl of green goodness. Honestly, the beauty of this soup is how few ingredients it takes, and they’re all pretty standard kitchen staples! You won’t believe how something so simple can taste so amazing.
Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: About 2 tablespoons to get things started.
- An Onion: Just one medium-sized one, chopped up nicely. It’s the flavour base!
- Garlic: Two little cloves, minced. Don’t skip this – it adds so much depth.
- Frozen Peas: A good 4 cups. I find frozen work just perfectly here and are super convenient.
- Vegetable Broth: You’ll need 4 cups of this. Make sure it’s a good quality one for the best flavour.
- Heavy Cream: About 1/2 cup for that wonderful creamy texture.
- Fresh Mint: A generous 1/4 cup, all chopped up. This is where the magic really happens!
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, of course! You know how I feel about seasoning.
Tips for Perfect Creamy Pea & Mint Soup
Okay, so making this Creamy Pea & Mint Soup is pretty straightforward, right? But like anything, a few little tricks can take it from good to absolutely spectacular. Trust me, after making this way too many times to count (no regrets!), I’ve learned a thing or two. First off, ingredient quality really does matter here. Since it’s such a fresh, simple soup, using a decent vegetable broth makes a noticeable difference. If you have homemade, even better! Same goes for the mint – the fresher, the brighter the flavour, you know?
When you’re sautéing the onions and garlic, don’t rush it! Get them nice and softened; that builds a lovely flavour foundation without any harshness. And for the love of all things delicious, be careful when you’re blending the hot soup! If you’re using a regular blender, only fill it about halfway and hold that lid down with a kitchen towel – hot liquids love to make a mess! If you’re craving an even more vibrant green, a quick squeeze of lemon juice at the end is your secret weapon. It really brightens everything up wonderfully. And for that super smooth texture, just blend until it’s velvety. Nobody likes chunky pea soup, unless it’s meant to be that way, but this one? We want it smooth as silk! Oh, and if you’re curious about other pea creations, check out this Spring Pea & Mint Salad; it’s got that same fresh vibe!
How to Make Creamy Pea & Mint Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get this beautiful green soup simmering! It’s honestly so easy, you’ll be whipping this up all the time. Just follow along with these simple steps, and before you know it, you’ll have a bowl of pure springtime goodness.
Sautéing Aromatics
First things first, grab a nice big pot or Dutch oven. Pop it over medium heat and drizzle in your olive oil. Once it’s shimmering a bit, toss in your chopped onion. Let those cook away for about 5 minutes, just until they’re nice and soft and starting to look a little see-through. Then, add your minced garlic and give it a quick stir – you only want to cook that for about a minute until you can really smell it. Don’t let it brown; we just want the fragrance!
Simmering the Peas and Broth
Now, toss in your 4 cups of frozen peas right into the pot. Pour in the 4 cups of vegetable broth. Give it all a good stir and bring it up to boiling. Once it’s bubbling away, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This is just to make sure those peas are cooked through and tender.
Blending the Soup
This is where the magic happens! Take the pot off the heat and let it cool for just a few minutes. Seriously, be careful if you’re using a blender for hot liquids! You can either carefully ladle the mixture into a regular blender (don’t fill it more than halfway!) or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Blend until it’s super smooth and creamy. If you’re using a regular blender, remember to hold that lid down tight with a towel!
Finishing Touches and Seasoning
Pour that gorgeous green soup back into the pot if you used a regular blender. Now, stir in your heavy cream and that lovely chopped fresh mint. We just want to warm this through gently – don’t let it boil, or the cream might curdle and the mint can lose its zing. Once it’s heated through, give it a taste and season with salt and pepper until it’s just perfect. That’s it – you’re done!
Variations for Your Creamy Pea & Mint Soup
Now, this Creamy Pea & Mint Soup is pretty darn perfect as is, but you know me, I love to play around! If you’re feeling adventurous or just want to mix things up, there are tons of ways to give it your own special twist. Sometimes I like to add a little pinch of nutmeg when I’m simmering the peas; it gives it a warm, cozy undertone that’s really nice, especially if it’s still a bit chilly out. Or, a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the end? *Chef’s kiss!* It just makes all those fresh green flavors pop even more. You could also swap out some of the mint for other herbs like parsley or basil if you have them handy. And for a little kick, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in with the garlic adds a nice warmth!
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Pea & Mint Soup is lovely on its own, but it really shines when you pair it with a few other goodies to make it a proper meal. You absolutely can’t go wrong with a generous slice of crusty bread for dipping – it’s practically mandatory, right? Cheesy garlic bread? Even better! If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, a crisp side salad, like a classic Caesar salad peppered with parmesan, is a wonderful complement. And a little handful of crunchy croutons sprinkled on top of the soup itself adds a fantastic texture contrast!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Creamy Pea & Mint Soup keeps beautifully in the fridge. Just pop it into an airtight container and it’ll be good for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for more, you can gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s warmed through. Make sure not to let it boil! Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave works just fine too. So easy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Pea & Mint Soup
Got questions about this vibrant green soup? I’ve totally got you covered! It’s a pretty forgiving recipe, but here are a few things people often ask.
Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?
Oh yes, absolutely! If you’ve got fresh peas from the garden or market, go for it. You’ll want to use about the same amount, maybe a little less if they’re really plump. Just know they might need a tiny bit longer to cook through than frozen ones, so simmer them until they’re nice and tender before blending.
How can I make this soup vegan?
Making this soup vegan is super simple! Just swap out the heavy cream for a rich, unsweetened plant-based cream like cashew cream or coconut cream (lite works too, but full-fat gives the best texture). And make sure your vegetable broth is certified vegan. Easy peasy!
My soup isn’t creamy enough, what can I do?
If your soup isn’t as creamy as you’d like, don’t worry! Sometimes it just needs a little extra help. You can always stir in a bit more heavy cream or that plant-based alternative. A small knob of butter (or vegan butter) melted in at the end works wonders too. And sometimes, just giving it another quick blitz with the blender or immersion blender helps emulsify everything for extra creaminess!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, and they can shift around just a little bit depending on the specific brands you use and, you know, how generous you are with the cream! But for about a 1.5-cup serving, you’re looking at roughly 250 calories, 15g of fat (about 7g saturated), 20g of carbs, 8g of fiber, and 10g of protein. Pretty healthy for something so delicious, right?
Print
Creamy Pea & Mint Soup
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and refreshing soup made with peas and fresh mint.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups frozen peas
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in frozen peas and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender.
- Return soup to the pot. Stir in heavy cream and chopped mint.
- Heat gently until warmed through. Do not boil.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For a lighter soup, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream.
- Garnish with extra mint leaves or a swirl of cream.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pea soup, mint soup, creamy soup, vegetable soup, quick soup, easy soup