5-ingredient Vegan Pea Soup

This easy Vegan Pea Soup Recipe requires only 5 basic ingredients and makes a delicious and healthy soup in minutes.

Fresh peas season is at its peak, so you should make this 5-ingredient Vegan Pea Soup ASAP. But, if you can’t find fresh peas, frozen peas are just as good. Plus, using frozen peas means you can make this vibrant green goodness any time of the year (even in the middle of winter), and save money, as frozen peas are dirt-cheap.

All you are going to need is some peas, a potato or two, vegetable stock, an onion, and some garlic. If you want to enhance the soup and its freshness, add some fresh herbs, like parsley and lovage (we love lovage in soups!), then just cook until fork-tender and blend until smooth.

We strongly recommend serving this soup with a spoonful of plant-based yogurt or cream, a drizzle of olive oil, and a handful of blanched peas on top.  Pure deliciousness!

Vegan Pea Soup Ingredients

To make this soup you will only need 5 ingredients:

• onion
• garlic
• potatoes – one large potato will be enough
• peas – we used young frozen peas in this recipe that cook up really fast. You can use fresh peas, but frozen peas work just as well, are fairly cheaper and available throughout the year. 
• vegetable broth – we just used a stock cube in this recipe, but if you have homemade broth, do use that instead!

Onion: is a fundamental ingredient in many soup recipes, including vegan pea soup. They provide a savory and slightly sweet base flavor to the soup. When sautéed, onions release their natural sugars and develop a rich, aromatic taste that enhances the overall depth of the soup’s flavor. They serve as the foundation of the soup’s savory profile and help create a balanced and well-rounded taste.

Garlic complements the onion adding depth and complexity to the soup’s flavor profile. It offers a pungent and aromatic quality that pairs well with the sweetness of the peas. Garlic enhances the overall taste of the soup, contributing to its rich and savory character.

Potatoes are used to provide body and creaminess to the soup without the need for dairy products. They add a smooth and velvety texture when blended, making the soup thick and satisfying. Potatoes also offer a mild, neutral flavor that doesn’t overpower the sweet and delicate taste of the peas. They serve as a natural thickening agent and contribute to the overall creaminess of the soup.

Peas are, of course, the star ingredient in pea soup. They provide a vibrant green color and the signature fresh, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor. Whether using fresh or frozen peas, they offer a lovely burst of green freshness that’s essential for the soup’s name and taste. Frozen peas are particularly convenient as they are available year-round, cook quickly, and maintain their flavor and color.

Vegetable broth or stock cubes are the liquid component of the soup. They provide a flavorful and savory base, infusing the soup with a rich taste. In this vegan recipe, vegetable broth replaces traditional animal-based broths, ensuring that the soup remains entirely plant-based. It adds depth, umami, and a seasoned quality to the soup, allowing all the ingredients to meld together seamlessly. Homemade broth, if available, can be used to enhance the soup’s flavor even further.

In summary, each ingredient in this vegan pea soup recipe serves a distinct and vital role. 

You may want to add some other basic ingredients to the soup to enhance the flavor, mainly:

• vegetable oil – to saute your vegetables in
• Salt, and pepper to taste
• fresh herbs to taste – we used parsley and lovage, but this is optional
• lemon juice – the acidity will bring forward the flavors of the vegetables

How to make This Vegan Pea Soup

Making this pea soup is super simple. You will only need one pot and a (stick) blender.

Start by prepping your vegetables: peel and finely dice the onion and garlic cloves. Peel and dice the potatoes.

In a pot, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil, then add the onion and gently fry until translucent, stirring occasionally. It’s ok if the bottom of the pot starts to brown a little – this will add flavor!

Stir in the minced garlic, then add diced potatoes and peas, pour over with the vegetable stock, and season with salt and pepper.

If you’re using fresh chopped herbs, add them to the soup at this point.

Let the soup cook on low for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes and peas are fork-tender. Then, remove it from the heat, add a tablespoon of lemon juice and blend until smooth to your liking. Either a blender or a stick blender will work.

Once the soup is blended, you’re ready to serve! If you like it chunky, you can also skip the blending.

How to make blanched peas

If you want to add some texture and crunch to your soup, we recommend adding blanched peas.

In a small pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil, then add in a handful of peas (fresh or frozen). Let the peas cook for a minute or two, then remove them from the water with a skimmer (or drain them) and immediately place them in a bowl filled with iced water.

Let the peas cool down for a couple of minutes, then drain and serve on top of the pea soup.

Serving suggestions

Serve this vegan pea soup hot off the stove with a side of bread. Optionally you can plate the soup with a dollop of plant-based yogurt or cream, a drizzle of olive oil, some fresh thyme, a teaspoon of chopped peanuts, and blanched peas.

Storage tips

Store the soup refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. Store the add-ons separately and add them to the plate just before serving.

Reheat the soup on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

You can also freeze this soup for up to 3 months.

More soup recipes here.