• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
BetterFoodGuru
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Dips
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Salads
    • Soups & Stews
    • Dessert
    • 30 Minutes or Less
  • Essential Links
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • About
  • Links
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Lemon Orzo Soup

    February 25, 2023 by Sara Tercero 30 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This lemon orzo soup is comforting, filling and full of good for you ingredients. Fresh herbs, turmeric and lemon infuse the broth with so much flavor. Cannelini beans and orzo make this vegan soup a satisfying meal that is perfect for any chilly day. Butternut squash lends a bit of sweetness to balance out the tangy lemon. This Mediterranean inspired soup is super easy and quick to make, so it is perfect for a beginner home cook. But it is delicious enough to please a seasoned chef. Give this Mediterranean vibe a try.

    Lemon Orzo Soup
    The best Lemon Orzo Soup Recipe

    What is orzo?

    Orzo are tiny oblong shaped pastas that resemble rice. If you have ever had boxed rice pilaf, you have had orzo. They are double the size of rice and have a really pleasant texture. Orzo cooks really fast and is one of my favorite pastas for soups and salads. It is perfect for this lemon orzo soup because it is simultaneously light and filling. I love how it doesn't swell and get mushy when added to soups like other pastas.

    image pot of lemon orzo soup

    Ingredients for Lemon Orzo Soup

    The ingredients or this lemon orzo soup are pretty simple and easy to find. The only ones that could give you trouble are butternut squash and Cannellini beans. If you cannot find butternut squash because of the time of year, you can substitute sweet potato or extra carrots. If cannellini beans cannot be found, you can substitute great northern white beans or butterbeans. Chickpeas are also a great sub. Use whatever kinds of herbs are handy. I use mint, parsley and cilantro but dill and basil are also wonderful flavor enhancers. Here is a breakdown of the ingredients list.

    Olive oil is a healthy fat that is a good source of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. I use it in all my cooking almost exclusively.

    Garlic is a pungent herb that is used in many cuisines around the world. Garlic has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

    Onion is an aromatic vegetable that is used to flavor many soups and sauces.

    Celery is one of the three ingredients in mirepoix which is the foundation of most soups and many sauces.

    Carrots are a vegetable that are a good source of vitamins A, K, and C. They are also a good source of fiber.

    Butternut squash is a winter squash that is a good source of vitamins A, C, and E. It is also a good source of fiber.

    Orzo is a small pasta that is shaped like rice. Orzo can be used in soups, salads, and casseroles.

    Cannellini beans are a type of white bean. They can be used in soups, salads, and dips.

    Turmeric is a spice that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is a good source of antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

    Frozen peas are a convenient and healthy way to add vegetables to your diet. They are also a good source of protein and fiber.

    Mixed fresh herbs can add flavor and nutrients to your food. Some common fresh herbs include basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Fresh herbs can be used in soups, salads, sauces, and marinades.

    Lemon is a citrus fruit with a bright, fresh flavor. Lemons are used in juices, salads, desserts, and even in cleaning products.

    How to Make Lemon Orzo Soup

    This is a really great beginner soup recipe. It is easy and produces such flavorful results. Bonus is that it is quick to make and will wow your family or guests.

    • In a large pot over medium heat fry garlic and onions for 5 minutes until fragrant.
    • Add celery, carrots and butternut squash and cook for 5 minutes stirring often.
    • Add orzo and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Add water, beans, peas, turmeric, salt and herbs and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 15 minutes until all veggies are fork tender.
    • Last add lemon, taste for salt and adjust to your taste and garnish with fresh herbs and black pepper.

    Other delicious vegan orzo recipes

    • Black Lentil and Orzo Stew
    • Winter Orzo Pasta Salad
    • Orzo and Kale Stew
    white bowl with Lemon Orzo Soup with fresh herbs and lemons.

    Lemon Orzo Soup

    This easy and quick vegan soup has a Mediterranean vibe. It is full of fresh herbs, copious veggies, beans and orzo pasta. It is with light and filling with a lemon and turmeric infused broth that is comforting and good for you.
    4.50 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Course dinner, lunch, Soup
    Cuisine American, Californian, fusion, Greek, Mediterranean
    Servings 6
    Calories 286 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 2 stalks celery diced
    • 3 carrots peeled and chopped
    • 2 cups butternut squash cubed
    • 8 oz orzo
    • 8 cups water
    • 15 oz cannellini beans drained
    • 1 tbsp turmeric
    • 1 tsp salt
    • black pepper to taste
    • 1 cup frozen peas
    • ½ cup chopped mixed fresh herbs
    • 1 lemon juiced

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot over medium heat fry garlic and onions for 5 minutes until fragrant.
    • Add celery, carrots and butternut squash and cook for 5 minutes stirring often.
    • Add orzo and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Add water, beans, peas, turmeric, salt and herbs and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 15 minutes until all veggies are fork tender.
    • Last add lemon, taste for salt and adjust to your taste and garnish with fresh herbs and black pepper.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 12gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 588mgPotassium: 523mgFiber: 9gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 10673IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword cozy, Easy, herbs, lemon, light, orzo, pasta, soup, winter
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « 6 Ingredient Vegan Pasta
    Vegan Butter Chicken With Jackfruit »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. AK

      February 05, 2024 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      Yummy and healthy! Loaded with veggies and herbs. This recipe will be going in my dinner rotation.

    2. Lisa

      February 05, 2024 at 9:34 am

      I made this yesterday and it was delicious - I added more lemon that was recommended but that is just me!

    3. Treasa

      February 10, 2024 at 4:50 pm

      Is the orzo cooked or uncooked when I add it to the carrots/celery/onions?

    4. Sara Tercero

      February 11, 2024 at 9:40 am

      Uncooked!

    5. Sara Tercero

      February 11, 2024 at 9:43 am

      I like when people adjust my recipe to their own tastes! Great job, thanks for the feedback.

    6. Sara Tercero

      February 11, 2024 at 9:43 am

      Wonderful! Thanks for the feedback.

    7. Treasa

      February 11, 2024 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      Total win! Orzo stuck to the pot bottom so I added a cup of liquid early. Amazing recipe!

    8. Sara Tercero

      February 12, 2024 at 3:35 pm

      Glad you were able to salvage! Careful of temps during sauce step! Things can def stick and burn. Thanks for the feedback!

    9. Kathy Koren

      May 21, 2024 at 10:21 am

      Can you cook in crockpot

    10. Sara Tercero

      May 21, 2024 at 10:50 am

      I don't see why not, but since I haven't tested it I can't predict exactly how it will come out. It should work though! Maybe it will need a little extra liquid since the orzo will absorb a little more than normal since a slow cooker cooks for so long.

    11. Rach

      November 03, 2024 at 6:38 pm

      Could we substitute orzo for rice to make gluten free? Thanks so much!

    12. Sara Tercero

      November 04, 2024 at 3:17 pm

      I assume you mean sub rice for orzo! Yes absolutely!

    13. Emily V

      November 04, 2024 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      One of the best soups I've ever made. Delish. Full of flavor and super healthy.

    14. Kiora

      November 07, 2024 at 7:17 pm

      1 star
      Wanted to try this recipe because it looked great and I’ve tried a bunch of the salad recipes with success. This soup however has almost no flavor except for a bitter after taste. I double checked all ingredients to make sure I wasn’t missing anything, but had added everything like it said. I added 3xs the salt it called for to try and add some flavor to no avail. Water to substance ratio may be off in the recipe. I think some tweaking to the recipe is needed.

    15. Sara Tercero

      November 10, 2024 at 8:27 pm

      Thanks for the feedback, I will investigate. Sorry you did not like.

    16. Sara Tercero

      November 10, 2024 at 8:27 pm

      SO happy you liked it! Thanks for the feedback.

    17. PAULA

      December 04, 2024 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      Love this soup. It's so warm and cozy my family loves it.the only thing I did differently was I add a vegetable cube to the water.
      Thank you for sharing

    18. Sara Tercero

      December 06, 2024 at 1:56 pm

      Sounds awesome Paula! Thanks for the review!

    19. Nancy

      December 09, 2024 at 1:44 am

      This was tasty and my family enjoyed it! I will make this again. Thank you!

    20. Sara Tercero

      December 12, 2024 at 11:45 am

      Thank you! So happy you like it!

    21. V

      December 12, 2024 at 3:56 pm

      What size are the servings?

    22. Sara S

      December 12, 2024 at 6:21 pm

      Thoughts on adding pearled cous cous rather that orzo? I think it should work?

    23. Cindy

      December 15, 2024 at 8:30 am

      5 stars
      Made this last night and we loved it! I added some red pepper flakes for a bit of a kick and used chicken broth.

    24. Sara Tercero

      December 15, 2024 at 8:46 am

      I think that pearled cous cous would be delicious in this soup and will behave appropriately.

    25. Sara Tercero

      December 15, 2024 at 8:46 am

      Hi Cindy! Thanks for the review and rating. I love that you took it and improvised to make it your own!

    26. Sara Tercero

      December 15, 2024 at 8:48 am

      Around 2 cups.

    27. Sheri

      December 24, 2024 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today. Wonderful flavor from the
      Lemon, turmeric and red pepper flakes.
      I used a carton of organic vegetable broth instead of water and sweet potato instead of butternut squash. Added organic canned peas and spinach at the end.
      Will make again! Thank you, Sara!

    28. Sara Tercero

      December 26, 2024 at 1:27 pm

      I love these additions! Thanks for trying my recipe and for the 5 star rating!

    29. Amanda

      January 05, 2025 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight and can’t wait to eat it all week. Perfect as written! Thanks Sara!!

    30. Sara Tercero

      January 07, 2025 at 7:37 am

      Hi Amanda! I am so pleased. Thanks for the great recipe review and for trusting me. Enjoy the soup.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    About BetterFoodGuru

    image Sara Tercero

    Hi, I am Sara Tercero, the Chef behind BetterFoodGuru. It is my mission to prove that plants are delicious and to help others cook and eat their way to health and happiness. My recipes are inspired by global flavors and my love for eating the rainbow. Reach out on social media or leave a review with feedback!

    Categories

    Check Out These Recipes

    collage image of different cold vegan salad recipes that reads "no cook salads" with images of strawberry feta salad, watermelon salad, cucumber salad, street corn slaw, and more.

    Beat the Heat: 25 No Cook Salads for Easy Summer Meals

    collage image of cooling vegan summer salads like cucumber salads, fruit salsa, tomato salad, and more.

    27 Refreshing Vegan Summer Salads to Keep You Cool

    collage image of different vegan bbq salads like pasta salad, potato salad, kale salad, slaws, and more, all to take to summer BBQs.

    25+ Summery Vegan Salads to Bring to Your Next BBQ

    Copyright © 2025 Better Food Guru | Privacy Policy

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience

    Advertising.


    This Site is affiliated with CMI Marketing, Inc., d/b/a Raptive (“Raptive”) for the purposes of placing advertising on the Site, and Raptive will collect and use certain data for advertising purposes. To learn more about Raptive’s data usage, click here: https://raptive.com/creator-advertising-privacy-statement/

     
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT