Lemon asparagus soup with Parmesan is a smooth and creamy soup topped with blanched asparagus tips. It's a delicious spring soup packed with nutritious spring vegetables, seasonal flavours, and notes of lemony citrus. Onion, celery, garlic, potato, and asparagus come together to create a robust broth that is creamy without any cream. Plus, Parmesan cheese and butter add depth to this asparagus soup, making it a delicious dish whether it is served warm or cold.
Why You'll Love this Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan
- Lemon asparagus soup feels light but is packed with nutrients. This spring soup will leave you feeling satisfied without weighing you down. Full of fibre and essential vitamins like A, B6, C, and K, this spring soup nourishes your body and tastes great doing it!
- The silky-smooth texture is to die for. The smooth and creamy texture of this spring soup is highlighted by the garnish: blanched asparagus tips and grated Parmesan cheese. Every texture of lemon asparagus soup is delightful.
- It can be served hot or cold. Eating a winter soup cold seems sad—but having a spring soup cold is joyful. Just as delicious cold, your lemon asparagus soup leftovers will still wow the crowd.
Ingredients
To make this easy lemon asparagus soup with Parmesan, you will need a large stockpot (I used my 4 qt. dutch oven), and the following simple ingredients:
- asparagus
- butter
- onion
- celery
- garlic
- russet potato - adds creaminess to the soup without adding any cream. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes for creaminess.
- chicken stock - you can also use vegetable stock if keeping this soup completely vegetarian.
- lemon juice - freshly squeezed lemon juice adds the best flavour into this soup. You could substitute with store-bought 100% natural lemon juice.
- Parmesan cheese - you can substitute with other types of cheese for a more robust cheesy flavour (such as cheddar).
- salt and pepper - add salt and pepper to taste. I typically don't need to add any salt as I find the chicken stock and Parmesan cheese adds plenty of salty flavour.
How to Make the Best Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan
- Sauté aromatics. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions, celery, and garlic, until the onions are soft and translucent. Add in the potatoes and asparagus (reserving a few of the tips to use later for garnish). Mix well until combined.
- Simmer. Add the chicken stock and bring the soup to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low and simmer (covered) for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables have become soft and tender.
- Blanch the asparagus tips. Meanwhile, bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and add the reserved asparagus tips. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of ice water. Let cool, then drain.
- Puree. Puree the soup directly in the pot using an immersion blender, or puree in batches in a blender and pour it back into the pot. Add the lemon juice and Parmesan, and stir until the cheese has melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve. Transfer the soup into serving bowls and top with blanched asparagus tips and extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips and Tricks
- How to customize: Lemon asparagus soup with parmesan is a versatile spring soup that can be customized with your favourite herbs and vegetables to adjust the flavour to your liking. For example, you can add fresh basil, mint, parsley, or chives to make the soup more herby. You can add cooked rice after pureeing the soup to make it heartier.
- How to garnish: I typically garnish the soup with the blanched asaparagus tips and extra Parmesan. I also like to sometimes garnish with a drizzle of cream, pine nuts, croutons, or red pepper flakes.
- How to store: Store lemon asparagus soup covered in the pot or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- How to freeze: You can freeze this spring soup in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature on the kitchen counter for a few hours.
- How to reheat: Reheat this soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can add extra lemon juice or Parmesan, if desired. You may also have to add a splash of water to thin out the soup if it has thickened up too much when stored.
More Asparagus Recipes
- Creamless Cream of Asparagus Soup
- Chopped Asparagus Salad
- Spring Pesto Pasta with Asparagus
- Asparagus Tart
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus and Cantaloupe Bundles
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Roasted Asparagus with Poached Eggs
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Recipe
Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Lemon asparagus soup with parmesan is the perfect spring soup -- smooth, light, fresh, and flavourful. It's customizable and can be served hot or cold.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 ribs of celery, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 medium russet potato, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound asparagus (2 bunches), trims removed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 5 cups of chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice from ½ lemon), freshly squeezed
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions, celery, and garlic, until the onions are soft and translucent. Add in the potatoes and asparagus (reserving a few of the tips to use later for garnish). Mix well until combined.
- Add the chicken stock and bring the soup to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low and simmer (covered) for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables have become soft and tender.
- Meanwhile, bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and add the reserved asparagus tips. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of ice water. Let cool, then drain.
- Puree the soup directly in the pot using an immersion blender, or puree in batches in a blender and pour it back into the pot.
- Add the lemon juice and Parmesan, and stir until the cheese has melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the soup into serving bowls and top with blanched asparagus tips and extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
How to customize: Lemon asparagus soup with parmesan is a versatile spring soup that can be customized with your favourite herbs and vegetables to adjust the flavour to your liking. For example, you can add fresh basil, mint, parsley, or chives to make the soup more herby. You can add cooked rice after pureeing the soup to make it heartier.
How to garnish: I typically garnish the soup with the blanched asaparagus tips and extra Parmesan. I also like to sometimes garnish with a drizzle of cream, pine nuts, croutons, or red pepper flakes.
How to store: Store lemon asparagus soup covered in the pot or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
How to freeze: You can freeze this spring soup in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature on the kitchen counter for a few hours.
How to reheat: Reheat this soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can add extra lemon juice or Parmesan, if desired. You may also have to add a splash of water to thin out the soup if it has thickened up too much when stored.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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Maggie says
This soup is next level. Fast and delicious. Great for fast dinner or elegant dinner party. The lemon takes it over the top. Yummmmm
Micki says
10/10! This was a delicious light soup! I made it with vegetarian stock, and yum!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Wow thank you!!
Lisalia says
Such a delicious and healthy soup. I especially loved the brightness of the lemon. Best flavor combo - lemon and asparagus - to welcome spring!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much! So happy you liked the recipe!
James Kiester says
Would this be good served cold?
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Yes, you can serve this hot or cold.