Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty soup with roasted chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. A warming, plant-based bowl ready in 55 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 large carrot, diced
07 - 1 celery stalk, diced
08 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
09 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 small onion, chopped
11 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
13 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

→ Broth & Spices

14 - 5 cups vegetable broth
15 - 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
16 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
17 - ½ teaspoon turmeric
18 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
19 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

21 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
22 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss drained chickpeas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon cumin, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crisp and golden.
02 - While chickpeas roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add diced carrot, celery, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in 1½ teaspoons cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper if using. Toast spices for 1 minute to release their aromatic oils.
05 - Add canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are nearly tender.
06 - Stir in chopped kale or spinach and half of the roasted chickpeas. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until greens are wilted and vegetables are completely tender.
07 - Remove from heat and add fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with remaining roasted chickpeas. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas add a surprising crunch that most vegetable soups lack.
  • It is one of those magic pots that actually tastes even better as leftovers the next day.
02 -
  • Roasting the chickpeas separately is nonnegotiable if you want that specific texture contrast.
  • Adding the lemon juice too early can turn the greens a dull brown color instead of bright green.
03 -
  • Rub the kale leaves with a tiny bit of salt before adding them to make them extra tender.
  • Double the spice mix and keep it in a jar for the next time you need a quick flavor boost.
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