This Spinach and Chickpea Soup is so flavourful and delicious you will be surprised it didn't take hours to prepare! Spiced with cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, and loads of garlic, this soup has a rich depth of flavour that will keep you coming back for more!
It's pure comfort in a bowl. It feels like a warm hug! Good for the mind, body, and soul. It's packed full of nutrients so you can enjoy the decadent flavours knowing you are feeding your body what it needs. If you are looking for other chickpea recipes try my Greek Chickpea Salad, Easy Tempeh Curry with Spiced Chickpeas or this Roasted Vegetable Salad with Chickpeas.
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If you love easy and comforting soups as much as I do you might also like to check out this recipe for Curried Squash and Lentil Soup.
Ingredients
- olive oil
- onion, carrots, celery
- fresh garlic
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- turmeric
- dried chili flakes (optional if you don't like the heat)
- chickpeas
- vegetable or chicken broth (low sodium)
- baby spinach
- fresh lime juice
- fresh parsley and cilantro (optional)
- salt and pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Only a few simple steps are needed to prepare this recipe. Before you know it your whole house will smell wonderful and you will start to salivate!
Step 1 - Prepare all of your ingredients. This is my biggest kitchen tip! Be ready before you start cooking anything. Chop, measure, drain, rinse...everything.
Step 2 - Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium-low heat until soft. I Like to cover the vegetables to let them steam and become very soft. Add garlic and spices and continue cooking and stirring for two minutes.
Step 3 - Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and stir to coat them in all the spices. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and continue to simmer gently for 30 minutes. Check after a couple of minutes to make sure it isn't boiling too rapidly.
Step 4 - This is an optional step but I like to do this to add more body to the soup. Using a hand blender, partially puree the soup with only 2 or 3 bursts. The goal isn't to completely blend the soup but just add a touch of creaminess to it. If you don't have a hand blender you can accomplish the same thing by removing 2 cups of the soup (including some of the chickpeas and vegetables) and blending in a blender or food processor.
Step 5 - Add all the spinach and simmer for 5 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and add fresh lime juice and herbs (if using). Taste and add salt if necessary.
Substitutions
- White onion- yellow or Spanish onion are also perfect.
- Smoked paprika - substitute with regular paprika or hot if you like things spicy!
- Dried chili flakes - omit, decrease or increase to your preferred spice level
- Chickpeas - any type of beans will work in this soup
- Baby spinach - use regular spinach that has been chopped or 300-500 g of frozen spinach. If using a block of frozen spinach, defrost it first and squeeze out the water. You can also use other greens for this soup such as arugula, kale, collard greens or Swish chard.
Equipment
Nothing fancy is required to prepare this recipe. However, if you are looking for a hand blender I recommend this Cuisinart Hand Blender (affiliate link). It comes with extra attachments which can come in handy!
Storage
Store this soup in the refrigerator for up to one week and freeze for up to 6 months.
Top tip
Slowly steaming the vegetables with the lid on creates a sweet and creamy base for the soup. Check the heat to make sure the vegetables aren't browning too much.
More soup recipes
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📖 Recipe
Spinach and Chickpea Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste (adjust amount if using salted broth)
- 2 - 540 ml cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
- 8 cups vegetable or low sodium chicken broth
- 8 cups baby spinach
- Juice of half a lime
- 2 tablespoon each fresh parsley and cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare all the ingredients. Heat olive oil in a large pot, over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and stir to combine. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Lower the heat if the vegetables start to brown.
- Add garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, chili flakes, and salt. Stir well and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
- Add drained and rinsed chickpeas and stir to coat the chickpeas in the spices. Add broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and continue to simmer for 30 minutes (check after a couple of minutes to make sure it isn’t boiling rapidly).
- (Optional step) Partially puree with a hand blender in 2 or 3 bursts or remove 2 cups of the soup, making sure to scoop up some of the chickpeas and vegetables, and blend in a blender or food processor. Add back to soup pot. The goal isn’t to puree all the soup but to just add a bit of creaminess to the broth.
- Add all of the spinach and stir. Let simmer for 5 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and add fresh herbs (if using) and lime juice. Taste and add salt as needed.
Mary Muir says
Going to be perfect for those winter nights. Can’t wait to try it.
Nancy Moore says
I just made this week’s soup. DELICIOUS! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
It arrived in my inbox just in time- we had overbought spinach and I was needing a solution. I’ve done at least 10 of your recipes now, and your recipe spicing is always just perfect. I never alter YOUR spice amounts- something I often have to do with other recipes - finding them too bland.
I did do a couple of ingredient substitutions today, as I was cooking from the fridge and pantry: black beans instead of chick peas and chopped cabbage instead of celery. Yum!
thank you Andrea - for becoming my 'go to' on line recipe source.
Andrea says
Thank you so much for the lovely review, Nancy! I appreciate you taking the time. I am so pleased you enjoy the recipes and find the seasonings just right for your taste. Your substitutes sound delicious!
Marie says
This is my go to soup! It’s absolutely delicious! I’ve used kale when I didn’t have spinach on hand, and it always turns out great!
Thanks Andrea!
Andrea says
I’m so happy you have been enjoying the soup Marie! Thanks for the lovely comment 😊
Helene Rocque says
Made this over the weekend and absolutely love it. Just the right amount of heat. I’m on the Livy Method plan and this is perfect for my lunches; veggies, protein and leafy greens.
Love your soups!
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it Helene!
Mary Campbell says
Love this soup, so easy to make and ingredients always on hand. I make it often.
Jane says
This soup is just delicious and so easy to make! It is a must try! Thanks for another hit Andrea!
Andrea says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it and found the recipe easy to follow! Thanks for commenting 😊
Hilary Newton says
Just delicious.I did add another tablespoon or 2 of red curry.paste as I like the heat. Really great recipe. Thank you
Andrea says
Hi Hilary! I think you might have meant to post this comment on another recipe as this one doesn't call for curry paste. Or maybe you added curry paste? Either way, I'm happy you enjoyed the soup!
Bonnie says
Hi, Andrea! I've made ALL your soups, and each one has been a winner. Question: Is it possible to incorporate a can of coconut milk in this spinach and chickpea soup recipe? And would that alter the amount of broth? Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Bonnie! Yes that would be delicious! I would reduce the broth by about a cup. You can always play around with it to get the consistency you like. Let me know how it turns out!
Lesley says
SO GOOD! Just the right amount of spices to tickle your tongue and make it interesting. Have made it several times. LOVE IT!!
Mary says
The spinach and chick pea soup is delicious! Fast and easy, love it . I used my instant pot done in 3 min.
Fay Walton says
Absolutely delicious
Kathy says
Easy to make and delicious
gayla says
Amazing!
Christine Smith says
Can’t wait to try this. Curious about the taste with spices that I don’t use on a regular basis. Looks delicious 😋
Andrea says
Hope you enjoy it. Be sure to let me know!
lorie says
I LOVE all of Andrea’s recipe and this one has been added to the list. So easy to make and so flavourable. THANKS Andrea ❤️❤️
Andrea says
My pleasure! So happy you enjoyed the soup! Thanks for commenting! 😊
Gayle says
Can I substitute lentils or cannilini beans for the chip peas
Andrea says
Yes absolutely! Any type of bean or lentils would work in this recipe
Barbara Barraclough says
Awesome soup! And so easy to prepare. Thanks Andrea!
Pam says
This soup sure packs a punch of flavour. Next time I make it I will puree less so there is a bit more to chew. It is definitely a keeper.
Josie says
Already making my second batch this week. This soup is so delicious and easy to make. It will definitely be in my rotation. Thank you!
Andrea says
Hi Josie! I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying the soup! It's a favourite around here now too!
Cindy B says
We made this soup over the weekend and it was delicious! Thank you Andrea.
Andrea says
My pleasure Cindy! So happy you enjoyed it!
Sharon Van Dyke says
Thanks Andrea for another delicious recipe! I have made all of your soups and this will be on the top of my list for favorites!
Beverley Gandy says
Andrea I made the soup today and it is delicious! Thanks for sharing
Andrea says
My pleasure Beverly! So happy you enjoyed it!
Victoria Best says
A soothing warm flavour! Your recipes never disappoint! Love the heat!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Victoria! So happy you're enjoying everything 😊
Irene Hilden says
Another great soup recipe! I will make this on the weekend. Every one of your recipes has been a winner. Yum Yum!! I miss your Thursday cooking sessions on GL. I wish you success and will keep tuned for more yummy, easy to make meals.
Andrea says
Hi Irene! So happy you are enjoying the recipes! I miss the cooking segments too but I am enjoying creating new recipes for you all to enjoy! Thanks for commenting!
Ruth Santos says
You never fail to make a great recipe.
This soup is amazing. Thank you
Andrea says
Thanks so much Ruth! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Susan says
So easy!!!!
Michelle T says
Looking forward to making this! So yummy and quick prep
Andrea says
Hope you enjoy it!!
Lisa says
So delicious. Thanks!
Jeanine says
Yum!! You had me at chickpeas and spinach. Will be making this tomorrow. Thank you!
Andrea says
It's a great combo! Hope you enjoy it!
Barbara prince says
Thank you again Andrea for all your great recipes. Miss you on GL. Was wondering what to make for dinner tonight. As usual you came through.
Andrea says
Thanks Barbara! It's my pleasure and I hope you enjoy the soup!!