Greek Lemon Orzo Soup
This Greek lemon orzo soup is my plant-based love letter to classic avgolemono. Bright, comforting, and deeply nourishing, it features a creamy tahini-infused broth, tender vegetables, hearty beans, and chewy orzo, and is finished with plenty of fresh lemon and dill for a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired meal. It’s hearty yet light, satisfying without feeling heavy, and packed with wholesome ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving a gathering on a special occasion.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 white onion
- 4 carrots
- 3 stalks of celery
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 10 cups of water
- 2 tbsp vegan chicken broth
- ½ - 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1 tbsp oregano
- ½ cup tahini
- 1 can chickpeas drained
- 1 can white beans drained
- Large handful of chopped spinach
- Juice of 3 large lemons
- Lots of black pepper
- 300 g Orzo
- 227 g Vegan Chicken (1 package of Daring Chicken)
- Fresh dill for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5–7 minutes, until the veggies are soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant. Be careful not to brown it—garlic should be aromatic, not bitter.
- Add the water, vegan chicken broth, salt, oregano, tahini, chickpeas, and white beans. Stir well to fully incorporate the tahini into the broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
- While the soup simmers, cook the vegan chicken in a separate pan according to package instructions until golden brown. Slice it into strips and add it to the soup.
- Cook the orzo separately and add it to individual bowls when serving instead of mixing it directly into the pot—this helps the soup stay fresh and prevents it from soaking up too much liquid.
- Stir lemon juice, chopped spinach, and plenty of black pepper into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning. The soup should be vibrant, lemony, and boldly peppery.
- Serve with fresh dill or parsley and enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 508.6kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 22.1gFat: 24.3gSaturated Fat: 3.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6.86gMonounsaturated Fat: 11.31gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 1110.4mgPotassium: 980.3mgFiber: 13.3gSugar: 6.3gVitamin A: 494.14IUVitamin C: 23.02mgCalcium: 194.7mgIron: 5.9mg
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