Jamie Oliver Lettuce Soup

Jamie Oliver’s Lettuce Soup is one of the best creamy lettuce soups that you need to try. This lettuce soup is made with romaine or iceberg lettuce, chicken or vegetable stock, onion, butter, and some seasoning. This easy lettuce soup can be prepared in less than 25 minutes, and the best thing is that you can freeze it for later.

Can You Put Lettuce In Soup

Absolutely yes, lettuce can be used in soup and it’s one of the most delicious specialties ever. Besides using fresh lettuce in the soup, you can also use leftover lettuce. So, next time if you have extra lettuce and you’re not sure what to do with it, just make a lettuce soup.

Also, lettuce can be used in other soups like chicken or vegetable soup, and it will give you a fresh and light taste.

What Is The Best Lettuce For Lettuce Soup

One of the best types of lettuce for lettuce soup is romaine lettuce. Its robust flavor, crisp texture, and nutritional value make it an excellent choice for lettuce soups. The distinct taste of romaine lettuce enhances the overall flavor profile of the soup, creating a rich, hearty dish that is both delicious and healthy.

Another option is iceberg lettuce, which is also delicious and goes well in the soup. If you don’t have either of these types of lettuce, you can still use other varieties like Bibb, oak leaf, arugula, and cress.

Lettuce Soup Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion (about 8 ounces; 225g), diced
• 4 medium cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 cups (475ml) homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock, plus more if needed
• 8 ounces (225g) romaine lettuce, core and root ends trimmed, leaves torn if large
• 1/4 cup (1 small handful) loosely packed parsley leaves
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Fresh lemon juice, to taste
• Thinly sliced radish and pea shoots, tossed in extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish

How To Make Lettuce Soup

1. Preparation: Dice the onion, slice the garlic and tear the romaine lettuce leaves if they are large.
2. Cook Onion and Garlic: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it becomes foamy. Add the diced onion and sliced garlic, stirring them until they soften. This should take about 3 minutes.
3. Add Stock: Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue to cook until the vegetables are very tender, which should take about 8 minutes.
4. Add Lettuce and Parsley: Add the romaine lettuce and parsley to the saucepan. Cook them until they are wilted and softened, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Blend: If necessary, work in batches to transfer the broth and vegetables to a blender. Blend the mixture, starting at the lowest speed and gradually increasing to high, until it is very smooth. This should take about 3 minutes. If the soup is too thick, thin it with additional stock.
6. Season: Season the soup with salt and a touch of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Be careful to add the lemon juice sparingly to prevent the soup from becoming tart.
7. Serve: Garnish the soup with thinly sliced radish and pea shoots that have been tossed in extra-virgin olive oil. Lettuce soup can be served either warm or chilled.

What To Serve With Lettuce Soup

Lettuce soup goes well with bread like a baguette or whole-grain bread. It’s also good with a cucumber salad, olives, or cheese. If you’re serving Lettuce soup hot, try it with a grilled cheese sandwich or a warm quiche.

Here are other foods that are good with lettuce soup:

1. Pasta Salad: A cold salad with pasta and veggies is a nice match for Lettuce soup.
2. Roasted Vegetables: veggies like roasted carrots, parsnips, or potatoes go well with the soup.
3. Rice: Cooked white rice dish can be a perfect side for lettuce soup.
4. Stuffed Bell Peppers: These have lots of flavors and textures that go well with the soup.
5. Baked Fish: A light fish dish can go well with soup for a healthy meal.

How Long Does Lettuce Soup Last In The Fridge

Lettuce soup can last in the fridge for 2-3 days if it’s properly stored. To store lettuce soup correctly in the fridge, let it cool down after cooking until it reaches room temperature. Then pour it into a well-sealed glass container and transfer it to the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Lettuce Soup

Lettuce soup freezes well and can last in the freezer for up to 2 months if frozen properly. Here is how to freeze lettuce soup correctly:

1. Let the lettuce soup cool after cooking until it reaches room temperature.
2. Divide the soup into small portions for serving and pour each portion into a freezer-safe zip bag, then seal the bag well.
3. Write the freezing date on the bag so you won’t forget when it was frozen, then transfer the bags to the freezer.

When you’re ready to serve the soup again, remove the frozen lettuce soup bags from the freezer and let them thaw in a water bath. It should take about 3-4 hours until completely defrosted. Don’t thaw it in the microwave as it could affect the taste.

How To Reheat Lettuce Soup

On The Stove:

1. Pour the soup into a pot.
2. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Once the soup is hot, remove it from the heat and serve.

In The Microwave:

1. Pour the soup into a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Heat it on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir.
3. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals, stirring after each, until the soup is hot.

In The Oven: 

Reheating soup in the oven is less common, but it can be done.

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Pour the soup into an oven-safe dish.
3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the soup from drying out.
4. Heat the soup for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s hot.

Remember, always be careful when reheating soup to avoid burns, and make sure the soup is heated evenly.

Lettuce Soup Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

• Calories: 114
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 16mg
• Sodium: 203mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 10g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Total Sugars: 4g
• Protein: 4g
• Vitamin C: 12mg
• Calcium: 49mg
• Iron: 1mg
• Potassium: 374mg

FAQs

Can I Add Other Ingredients To This Soup? 

Absolutely, you can add ingredients like cooked bacon, toasted cashews, cilantro, vegan stock powder, collagen/gelatin, and even green peas.

Can I Use A Stick Mixer Instead Of A Blender?

Yes, you can use a stick mixer instead of a blender to puree the lettuce soup. Here’s how:

1. Once the lettuce and parsley are fully softened in the pot, use a stick mixer (also known as an immersion blender) directly in the pot.
2. Blend the soup until it’s smooth. Be careful to keep the mixer submerged to avoid splashes.
3. Once the soup is smooth, you can continue with the recipe as instructed.

Using a stick mixer can be easier and less messy than transferring the soup to a blender. Plus, it’s one less dish to clean!

Can I Make The Soup Creamier?

Yes, you can make the lettuce soup creamier. One way to do this is by adding cream to the soup. Here’s how:

1. After you’ve blended the soup until it’s smooth, return it to the heat.
2. Stir in some cream – start with a small amount, like 1/4 cup, and add more to taste.
3. Heat the soup gently, just until it’s hot. Don’t let it boil, or the cream may curdle.
4. Taste the soup and add more salt or lemon juice if needed.

Adding cream will make the soup richer and creamier. But remember, it will also add more calories and fat. If you want a lighter option, you could use half-and-half or milk instead of cream. Enjoy your creamy lettuce soup!

Try More Soup Recipes:

• Asparagus Soup
• Curried Parsnip Soup
• Chicken Soup