There are certain foods that immediately transport me back to my childhood. At the top of that list would be my Nana’s matzo ball soup. There was something about it that always comforted me, made me feel safe and put a smile on my face. Every time she made it, the smell of fresh dill would fill her house and I couldn’t wait until she called us to the dinner table.
When I stopped eating meat, almost a year ago, I dreaded the idea of never being able to feel that feeling again. In fact, all of my Nana’s favorite recipes have meat in them. I began trying to figure out ways to rework her recipes, without the meat. This week, I tried making matzo ball soup without the chicken and I was shocked that it was just as good! While my relatives would probably disagree (because they haven’t tried it yet), I would say that this one is a close 2nd to hers.
Print
Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup
Ingredients
- Broth
- 8 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 large onion
- 2 stalks celery with leaves
- 1 large parsnip
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
- 5 black peppercorns
- 6 cubes vegetable bouillon
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 pinch dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Soup Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced parsnip
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Matzo Balls
- Matzo Meal / Matzo Ball Mix
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
Instructions
- In a large pot combine water/vegetable broth, large onion, celery with leaves, fresh parsley, fresh dill, parsnip, peppercorns, bouillon, bay leaf, celery seed, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 4 hours.
- Strain stock, set aside whole veggies (we love to eat those while we wait for the soup).
- Return stock to pot and stir in sliced veggies and spices.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix eggs, vegetable oil and matzo meal. Stir with a fork until evenly mixed.
- Chill in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add salt (optional).
- Remove chilled mixture from the refrigerator.
- Wet hands and form batter into balls, approx. 1 in in diameter.
- Drop matzo balls into boiling water.
- Cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes.
- Drain and add matzo balls to each bowl and fill it with soup.
- Top with fresh dill.
What is Matzo Ball Soup?
If you’ve never tried matzo ball soup, it’s basically chicken soup with fresh vegetables and matzo balls (small dumplings made of seasoned matzo meal, egg and vegetable oil). They are light and fluffy (when made correctly) and soak up all of the soup flavor. It was often our appetizer for holiday dinners. My Nana would occasionally add small noodles as well, especially when we weren’t feeling well. Her key ingredient was always fresh dill. The more, the better! Still to this day, whenever I use it, I think of her.
I’m excited to share this vegetarian version with you. If you don’t eat chicken, or want to try a different take on traditional matzo ball soup, I’d love for you to give it a try and let me know what you think.
Have you ever had matzo ball soup? Is there a specific meal that brings you back to your childhood? Comment below and let us know!
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Melanie
September 7, 2018SUCH a comfort food! And I never would’ve thought about making it vegetarian!
Blair Villanueva
September 7, 2018I guess am one of the few people who haven’t tried the matzo ball soup. Thanks for your recipe, I’ll ask my Mom that we do it
Nati
September 6, 2018This soup sounds amazing and looks so tasty! I also recall some dishes my grandma use to prepare and I miss those flavours and scents!
Heather
September 6, 2018This looks delicious! I love that we are so close to fall and the weather changing so we can start enjoying warm foods like this soup. What a great way to get some extra veggies in!
Farrah Less
September 6, 2018I am big fan of soup and this recipe will definitely be added on my list. Now that the fall is fast approaching this is perfect.
Danielle
September 6, 2018I had this one of the times I was in New York and I have been wanting to make it ever since. Thanks for the recipe!
Ruth I
September 6, 2018Hmm. sounds delicious! I have a vegetarian friend who like to try new dishes. I will share this with her. But of course, I also want to taste it.
Allison
September 6, 2018This looks so good! I have not had matzo ball soup since I was a child and remember loving it! My daughter is vegetarian and this would be something new to make when she’s over for dinner- Thank you!
Allison @ LooksLikeHappy.com
Stefanie
September 6, 2018I love that you were able to take a traditional recipe and adjust it to your lifestyle! Sounds delicious.
Rosey
September 6, 2018I have never tried it. I love that you have a vegetarian version. Pinning it to make it over here too!
Jennifer L
September 6, 2018Oh I love how easy this soup looks to make. I don’t think I’ve ever even had a matzo ball to begin with but looks really yummy.
Raina
September 6, 2018Soup is my fave for fall, this looks so good!
Denay
September 6, 2018Oooo…it’s been way too long since I enjoyed a delicious warm bowl of Matzo ball soup! I love your twist on this classic recipe. I look forward to preparing this yummy dish next week!
Amanda
September 5, 2018We LOVE matzo ball soup in our house but have never tried a vegetarian option. Definitely adding this to our repertoire.
Wendy
September 5, 2018I’ve never heard of this recipe or even matza. It’s interesting to know a new recipe that’s not familiar. I can see that it makes for a hearty meal. 🙂
Tanvi Rastogi
September 5, 2018I have never tried this soup and I am a vegetarian … Definitely gonna give it a try.
Jeanine
September 5, 2018This looks so good! I’ve never had it before and would love to make this. I bet my husband would love it!
Sara Welch
September 5, 2018This is an awesome dinner idea. My family would really enjoy this!
Yeah Lifestyle
September 5, 2018I’ve never tried a Matzo Ball soup before but I am definitely going to now. It looks like such a delicious dish that my whole family would enjoy
Karen
September 5, 2018I love soups! I’m happy that the recipe is not complicated. It’s actually my first time to hear about matzo! I can’t wait to try it.
Heidi
September 5, 2018Since I’ve never eaten Matzo ball soup, I’d never notice the missing meat! My family needs to eat gluten free, but I’ve never hear of matzo meal. I’ll have to look into it to see if we can eat it. Your soup looks so yummy!
Farrah Less
September 5, 2018When I think about this soup reminds me of my mother-inlaw she is good with it. The first time I tried it is to die for and since then I always wanted to make it. Glad I found this recipe of you.
Kathy
September 5, 2018This recipe looks amazing. I’ll have to grab the ingredients so I can make it. I love that fall is coming up so that I can enjoy more soup recipes like these.
Terri Steffes
September 5, 2018I have had this in a restaurant but never thought to make it at home. Now I want to try it myself.
Chubskulit Rose
September 5, 2018This would be perfect for the Fall season. I have homegrown carrots and I am reserving it to make soup, I will try your recipe.
Shari
September 5, 2018This looks so good! I’m so excited for soup weather.
Kristi Ann
September 5, 2018This soup sounds incredible for fall! Can’t wait to try it!
SilkEgo
September 5, 2018I’m not vegetarian but this looks great. Also, seems very simple,
Kristy Bullard
September 5, 2018This sounds perfect for fall! I’ve been craving vegetable soup lately and this sounds delicious!
Olga Zak
September 5, 2018I love soups. But I have never tried this one before. It looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing this. I will try it soon.
Laurie Gannon
September 5, 2018I really enjoyed the nostalgia with a twist thematic of this post. I think it is great that you were able to take such a memorable soup from your childhood and update it to your vegetarian diet. I love a good Matzo ball soup. It is soooo comforting.
Casey
September 5, 2018Wow. Like this. Never try this one, seem perfect for my kids, They had far too much BBQ during this summer and now they are back to school they need to get back to their normal routine. More Veg. than meat. Thx for this!
Vaibhav Mehta
September 5, 2018Looks, light, healthy and the perfect filler to avoid junk eating. It’s good to see someone post something vegetarian for goddamn sake of food loving
kylie cre8tone
September 5, 2018I’m craving for a bowl of soup now.. looks so yummy… looks easy to prepare one… let’s drink soup
Rachel
September 5, 2018I have never had matzo ball soup. This looks like it would be really tasty.
Scott Gombar
September 4, 2018I am not a big fan of soup (except Tomato) but for some reason, this made me hungry.
Destany
September 4, 2018I’ve never tried Matzo Ball Soup, but it does sound really good! I can’t lie, when I hear “Matzo Ball” I hear Chunk from the Goonies screaming “bullet holes the size of matzo balls!” haha!
Marysa
September 4, 2018My daughter LOVES Matzo ball soup, but it’s hard to find one that is low sodium, vegetarian, or MSG free. I never thought to make a homemade version, but I’ll definitely be trying out your recipe.
wendy
September 4, 2018This recipe looks really good! I love all the healthy veggies in it!
Jessica Hughes
September 4, 2018I’ve never tried Matzo ball soup but your description of it sounds yummy. I love how certain foods remind of us of love and family. I’m glad you were able to recreate a vegetarian version of your Nana’s soup!
Tasheena
September 4, 2018This recipe looks so savory. I can’t remember the last time I had matzo ball soup. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
Ricci
September 4, 2018Oh gosh, I love me some matzo ball soup! I have never tired a veggie version of it but you make it look and sound so wonderful!!
Tara Pittman
September 4, 2018This is a soup that I need to make. I love that it is meatless and those matzo balls look so good.
Amber Myers
September 4, 2018Oh yum, I’d love this! I’m always a fan of soups, especially when it gets chilly out. I don’t think I’ve ever tried this before.
susan
September 4, 2018I am so ready for the fall cooler weather because it will be soup time, and yours is the first one on my list! YUM and pinned
Joanna
September 4, 2018I know that this is a Jewish recipe but it is very popular in my country. My grandmother used to make it very often for me too. I remember how hard it was to get the right consistency for the balls. 🙂 I actually never tried to make this soup myself.
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome
September 4, 2018This sounds like a really yummy fall and winter soup!
Monidipa Dutta
September 4, 2018I liked the soup recipe. I too a printout. And I will try it out. It is really yummy.
Mimi
September 4, 2018I’ve never tried matzo ball soup, but it looks yummy and something §I would enjoy
Nessy
September 4, 2018I think I’m gonna try this recipe out. It would blend in well with my diet since I’m trying to lose a couple of pounds. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Ally
September 4, 2018Yum, does this soup look so good! I’ll be saving this recipe for a cold snowy winter day!
candy
September 4, 2018I have never made matzo ball soup before, but i really want to now. Looks so yummy with all the fresh vegetables and the broth.
Jenn@Engineermommy
September 4, 2018My daughters go crazy for matzo ball soup whenever we get it from the local diner. I want to try this recipe and make it at home. It looks and sounds so delicious.
Jeanette
September 4, 2018That looks absolutely delicious. I love this type of soup. It is probably a favorite of our entire family. I will definitely try this version because I think we could all use some healthy vegetables in our food.
GiGi Eats
September 4, 2018I will always remember the only time I ever had this soup before and it was so dang delicious! I could have eaten 4 bowls worth for sure!
Melissa
September 4, 2018I have never tried Matzo ball soup before. The pictures definitely make me want to try it!
Melissa
September 4, 2018I have never tried Matzo ball soup, but it sounds really good. The pictures definitely make me want to try it!
robin rue
September 4, 2018I love that this isn’t a super complicated recipe like some soups can be! I think this sounds delicious and I am looking forward to making it this weekend.