Supergreen Spinach Cilantro Soup

A bowl of green soup topped with a dollop of rice, sliced scallions, white cream, and red chili oil drizzles.

This soup is packed full of iron and other nutrients. With a whole pound of spinach as well as cilantro and lime, it is full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.

Spinach Cilantro Soup

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tbsp Neutral oil
  • 5 cloves Garlic peeled and smashed
  • 1 cup Scallion whites sliced
  • 1 inch Ginger peeled and sliced
  • 2 small pieces Lemongrass smashed
  • 1 pound Baby spinach
  • 3 Limes juiced
  • 1 tbsp Fish sauce
  • 4 cups Chicken broth
  • 1 bunch Cilantro leaves about 1 cup, or more if you prefer
  • 1 can Coconut milk (15oz can)
  • 1 cup Cooked white rice per serving
  • Chili oil for garnish
  • Dark green scallion parts sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large pot, add 2-3 tbsp oil5 cloves garlic1 cup scallion whites1 inch sliced ginger2 pieces smashed lemongrass and saute for 2-4 minutes until very fragrant and slightly browned.
  • Remove large lemongrass pieces, then add 1 pound spinach leaves. Saute briefly just to wilt the leaves slightly. Add 4 cups chicken broth. Stir. Add 1 bunch of cilantro leaves. Combine, then use an immersion blender to puree the contents of the pot. Once fully smooth, add lime juice and 1 tbsp fish sauce along with 1 tsp kosher salt.
  • Whisk in 1 can coconut milk. (Reserve a small amount for garnish, if you want) Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Add cooked white rice to a bowl and pour the soup over it. Garnish with chili oil, lime juice, cilantro, and remaining coconut milk as desired.

Tips & Variations:

  • Mixing acid (like lime juice) with greens often turns the vibrant green into a murky brown color. This won’t change the flavor, so if you don’t care how it looks, then proceed as usual. If you do want that vibrant green soup, here are some ways to keep it bright.
    • Add lime juice at the very end, right before serving: This way, the acid brightens the flavor without giving the chlorophyll time to dull.
    • Cool slightly before blending: hot blending + acid = faster browning. Let the soup cool a little, blend, then rewarm gently if needed.
    • Shock the spinach: blanch the spinach quickly in boiling water, then plunge into ice water before blending into your soup. This locks in a vivid green.
  • Make it spicier by tossing in a jalapeno before blending!

Have questions or made this recipe?

Leave a comment or rating below. I read every one!

Leave a Reply

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

Rate this recipe:




Five glasses of pink watermelon drinks with ice and watermelon wedges, some with salted rims, placed on a wooden board with lime and watermelon slices nearby.
Pink text reads "the kitchen table" in a bold, serif font on a light background.

Want more recipes like this?

The Kitchen Table is my newsletter, where I share exclusive recipes, longer-form cooking notes, and what I’m making lately.