Soups that require no peeling/minimal prep

[GavinHendersonsChipPan]

Looking for some ideas- got a lovely soup maker combi Ninja thing and I have just used it for the first time

I’m a prepackaged veg person. I cook a lot ‘from scratch’ as in I don’t use pre-made sauces or marinades….but take shortcuts with lazy garlic and pre-diced and chopped vegetables.

I made a lovely parsnip soup but leaning over the sink peeling parsnips for what should be an easy lunch was just too much of a ballache for me with a toddler roaming around the kitchen. I know I’m lazy, but I just can’t be bothered.

Can anyone recommend some hacks for veg soups where I can just chop and bung in without peeling and prep?

I was also thinking of just using frozen aunt
bessie style parnsips defrosted for my parsnip soup v2 - will that work?

We eat a lot of daal already so nothing lentilly and we aren’t keen on other pulses and corn.

You don't need to peel veg for soup
just throw chunks in and blend or partially blend with either a stick blender or soup maker

In fact I can't think of anything you need to peel veg for

I make a tomato soup with tinned tomatoes and an onion, you soak old bread in olive oil and balsamic to thicken it. Really easy. I think it’s in a Nigella book.

Broccoli and Stilton is the easiest soup I ever make.

If you're finding peeling tricky,I would suggest investing in a really sharp peeler or vegetable paring knife, I always find the job takes 3x as long when I stay at my parents and they have blunt knives/ peelers.

I don't peel carrots.

we buy packets of chopped vegetables for you can get carrot and swede or potato they are about 60p from the supermarket.

I don't peel any veg for soup, even potatoes. As long as you blend well at the end it gives it a healthy fibrous texture. I usually roast all the different veg (so chop up depending on how long to cook) with some olive oil and seasoning and then finish off on hob with vegetable stock until all soft. Sometimes I add washed red lentils at this stage as well.

You don't need to peel carrots, or parsnips, or potatoes, or turnips, etc.
You don't even need to peel small pumpkins
Broccoli and cauliflower are easy too

You can buy frozen casserole veg packs that make great soup - bag of that, veg stock, brown rice, cumin, curry powder - delicious. I’m eating a bowl right now!

I don’t peel carrots for soup.
basic carrot and cumin soup I just chop onion, peel and chop a potato, chop carrots with skin on still. Sauté 5 mins, add cumin, salt and pepper. Add veg or chicken stock. Leave 15 mins until soft. Blitz. I often make enough for a few days and freeze.

Minestrone also good for using up fridge contents and my toddler likes it

2 x bags of frozen butternut squash (I get from Aldi). Roast in oven.
In pot:
Sautee 1 x large red onion with some chilli paste, to taste (chilli is optional)
Add in roasted squash
Veg stock
Seasoning
Blend

My fave!

Why do you peel?
Half the nutrition & flavour gone right there.

I did leek and potato yesterday. So easy. So delicious.

Considering you cook everything from scratch then how on Earth don’t you know you need not peel vegetables if you don’t want to 🤣🤣

Frozen mixed veg with anything else you want to put in there.

Wash 1 cup red lentils and 1/4 cup of white long grain rice, put in pot, add 5 cups of cold water, bring to boil, then start skimming off frothy stuff. Then add 1 or 2 stock cubes (chicken or veg), stir in then simmer for about 20/25 mins. Season to taste if you wish with salt and pepper. When the lentils and rice are mushy, it is ready. You can serve as it is or bliz with sticky thing. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice - the real stuff not out of a bottle. To make it special, melt a couple knobs of butter and stir in some chilli flakes, drizzle over soup when serving.

The Batch Lady ( has book, fb page etc) uses pre packaged things a lot. You might find it helpful. https://thebatchlady.com/

My top discovery last year for soup making, was to use the airfryer to roast vegetables like garlic, parsnip, butternut squash. Cheaper than turning on the oven.

Inspired!

You don’t need to peel for soup!

Frozen mushrooms, frozen onions, frozen garlic, parsley, cream, stock. Just made this, and it tastes just like I'd made it with fresh veg.

Frozen carrots, frozen root ginger, frozen garlic, bunch of coriander, tin of coconut milk and stock.

I can taste when veg hasn't been peeled, especially carrots. So I use frozen veg in soups a lot!

I don’t like the fibrous texture- is that ok?

I don’t peel carrots and potatoes but parsnips always taste woody and claggy if I skip the peeling

I make
Bag of frozen chopped butternut squash, half bag of frozen red onion.
Fry off
Add veg stock and chilli flakes.
Simmer until veg is soft and blitz

This is a great recipe. It recommends grating the carrots, but who’s got time for that?! I just dice the carrots and cook for a bit longer:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-carrot-lentil-soup

I also like to up, and changes the spices. It’s lovely with some harissa added, or curry paste.