This watercress soup is based on a recipe I discovered years ago that called for romaine lettuce—specifically the wilted outer leaves that are usually discarded. Though I was skeptical about romaine in anything but a Lettuce Salad or Maroulosalata, my thrifty nature couldn’t resist. The OG recipe, which combined lettuce with potatoes and onions, produced an edible, if not stunning result. In the end I cheated and stirred in heavy cream, the frugal housewife fantasy I’d created of myself fading fast. I wasn’t tempted to repeat the experiment until I had a languishing bag of watercress burning a hole in my fridge. I went all-in on the color green, replacing the onions with leeks, the potatoes with peas, and adding in a handful of fresh mint. This time it was a winner! Still mild and sweet, but with a nice peppery bite, refreshing minty flavor, and a gorgeous hue. While there’s still a chill in the air, I like to serve this soup piping hot, but it’s equally delicious cold. Dressed up with homemade croutons, drizzled with lemony yogurt sauce, and sprinkled with fresh mint leaves, it’s elegant enough to be served as a first course for a Mother’s Day brunch. As easy as it is to whip up, it’s also great for a busy weeknight. Now when the farmer’s market is full of fresh watercress, I’m excited to use it up–in both salads and soup. And I don’t always wait until my greens are starting to look worse for wear!
Watercress Soup Ingredients
This is a simple soup with fresh ingredients and some pantry staples. You’ll need:
Watercress: With its round, dark-green leaves and peppery bite, watercress becomes milder when cooked. Extra-virgin olive oil: It takes only a few tablespoons to sauté the leeks and bring out aromatic notes. Use a high-quality extra virgin variety, like any of the oils from our shop. Leeks: More subtle than onions, leeks add a mild, sweet flavor without overpowering the delicate taste of the peas and mint. Kosher salt and ground pepper are used to bring out the flavors of the aromatic ingredients and add balance. Homemade chicken stock: A homemade stock made from chicken bones, not meat, adds just the right amount of depth. But the final result should not taste like chicken! If using a hearty homemade or store-bought chicken broth, opt for a higher proportion of water to stock. Fresh or frozen peas: Peas give the soup body and color. Bonus: they cook up very quickly, making this soup a quick meal. Mint leaves: Mint adds the final layer of flavor, imbuing the soup with a delicate, herbaceous note and contrasting with the peppery watercress. It’s also a great friend to the pea (see this Smashed Pea Toast for further proof!). Lemon zest: Adds a floral hint without acidity. There’s not much that isn’t improved by a little lemon zest, in my opinion! Greek yogurt: Provides a creamy counterpoint, and is healthier than heavy cream! Lemon juice: Stirred into the yogurt, lemon juice creates a smooth, pourable texture and a splash of acid. Country bread: Torn into rough pieces and baked, these croutons contrast with the silky-smooth texture of the soup.
What Is Watercress?
Watercress is a spring green, which belongs to the Brassicaceae family–the same family as kale, cabbage, and broccoli. This leafy aquatic plant is available year-round, but it’s at its peak from April through June.
What does Watercress taste like?
Watercress has a peppery flavor similar to arugula or mustard greens, but with a slight tang that’s very distinct. Its unique flavor is a nice contrast with milder greens in a salad and is also tasty tucked into a sandwich. When cooked, the flavor mellows slightly but still has a little bite.
Benefits of Watercress
Watercress is also one of the most nutritious leafy greens, containing high amounts of phytochemicals and minerals. The low-calorie green boasts particularly high levels of potassium, calcium, and vitamin C, along with far too many vitamins and minerals to list here, but head over to the USDA for a full nutritional breakdown.
How to Make Watercress Soup
This simple soup comes together in less than 40 minutes, is filled with nutrients, and is delicious both hot and cold. Here’s how you do it:
Get ready: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Make the croutons: Tear 2 thick slices country bread into roughly bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups) and add to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat, then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and spread in an even layer. Bake until croutons are golden brown, shaking the pan once halfway through, about 10 minutes. Set aside to let cool completely before using. Prepare the watercress: First, remove any thick stems from 10 ounces of watercress. Transfer to a large salad spinner, cover with cold water, and let sit until greens look crisp and perky. Then drain, spin dry, roughly chop them. Sauté leeks: In a large pot, cook 1 cup of sliced leeks in extra-virgin olive oil, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper, until they soften. Add liquid, peas, and watercress: Add 2 cups chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Then add 10 ounces frozen peas and the watercress. Simmer just until tender. Make yogurt sauce: While the soup is cooking, combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Use a fork or small whisk to create a smooth, pourable texture. Add mint and puree: Stir in ½ cup fresh mint leaves and blend in a high-speed blender until completely smooth. You can use an immersion blender for the job, but the soup won’t have the same velvety-smooth texture. Serve hot or cold: Reheat the soup over medium-low heat and thin it with a little water if too thick for your liking. (Alternatively, chill the soup overnight before serving cold.) Season it again with salt and plenty of freshly ground pepper. Then garnish with croutons and a drizzle or dollop of lemony Greek yogurt sauce. Scatter mint leaves on top for some extra flavor and texture!
Ways to Mix it Up
You can certainly play around with this recipe based on what you have on hand. Some suggestions:
Leeks: While I love the mild flavor of leeks, you can build a savory flavor base with onions, shallots, or even scallions. Greens: Arugula or baby spinach can stand in for the watercress, and there’s nothing wrong with using the droopy outer leaves of that head of romaine sitting at the bottom of the crisper! Stock: Swap the chicken stock with water for a vegetarian version–a flavor-rich vegetable broth isn’t necessary for this delicate soup. Herbs: Mint is a traditional partner to peas, but the more assertive flavor of fresh dill is lovely in this soup as well.
What to Serve with Watercress Soup
When strawberries are in season in late spring, I like to serve this soup with Strawberry Spinach Salad. For a simple weeknight dinner, pair with Mozzarella and Feta Pita Grilled Cheese and don’t try to stop yourself from dunking the melty pitas in the delicious soup! If you’re serving as a first course in your Mother’s Day lunch, it’s lovely chilled and presented in pretty shot glasses. Follow it up with these super-yummy Persian Saffron and Yogurt Chicken Kebabs and Middle Eastern Rice Pilaf with Peas and Carrots. Browse All Mediterranean Recipes
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