Description
Mexican-inspired pot weight loss soup packs a nutritious punch for dieters seeking delicious meal options. Lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and zesty spices combine to support healthy weight management goals while satisfying hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 3 cups cabbage, shredded
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp turmeric (optional, for anti-inflammatory benefits)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for metabolism boost)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then sizzle onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Layer Vegetables: Introduce cabbage to the aromatic mixture, stirring to integrate and distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Pour vegetable broth and diced tomatoes into the pot, creating a rich, flavorful liquid base that will transform the ingredients into a nourishing soup.
- Season and Infuse: Sprinkle dried oregano, ground black pepper, and salt throughout the liquid, gently stirring to ensure comprehensive spice distribution.
- Simmer and Develop: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate Beans: Gently fold kidney beans and green beans into the soup, maintaining the delicate texture while ensuring even heating.
- Final Touches: Continue simmering until vegetables reach a perfect tender-crisp consistency, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, optionally adorning with fresh parsley for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Optimize Vegetable Cutting: Uniformly chop vegetables to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Control Simmering Intensity: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to prevent overcooking vegetables and preserve their nutritional value and crisp texture.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a small amount of tomato paste to intensify the soup’s overall taste profile.
- Customize Protein Options: Easily adapt the recipe by substituting kidney beans with tofu, chickpeas, or lean chicken for varied dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg