Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup

I developed this vegetarian matzo ball soup for meatless guests at my Seder. After that, as I started adopting a more meatless lifestyle, I began making it for my own family. One secret ingredient makes this the ultimate meatless matzo ball soup. As a result it has a savory chicken flavor without the meat, and no need for bouillon cubes. This recipe has a wonderful traditional flavor, and it’s kosher for Passover.

How do you infuse vegetable stock with savory flavor, golden color, and all of the yummy qualities that make chicken soup such a comfort? Of course it’s a challenge, but that has never stopped me from trying. Accordingly, over the years I’ve made several attempts at homemade vegetarian matzo ball soup with varying degrees of success. However the broth always turned out too sweet or too dark– just not quite right. Basically I was searching for a chicken-y flavor, but I didn’t want to resort to bouillon cubes or store-bought chicken-less broth. There had to be a better way.

It wasn’t until I added saffron to the mix that everything fell into place. Saffron spice is magic. It really is. The downside is that it’s pricey. However, a little goes a long way in helping to round out the flavor of meatless dishes. Consequently I use it in my Vegan Saffron Hollandaise and my Dairy-Free Saffron Scalloped Potatoes with amazing results. Here, adding it to a simple vegetable broth along with a touch of olive oil added the necessary “oomph” my previous vegetarian soup recipes were lacking. As a result a golden, savory stock emerged, as close to real chicken broth as I’ve ever gotten. I am really proud of this recipe.

The matzo ball part of the recipe below contains eggs. Undoubtedly I tried hard to develop a vegan recipe, but all of my attempts fell flat. I’ll keep trying… you know I love a good challenge! Since most vegetarians I know are ok with eating eggs, I opted to keep them in. Consequently this recipe works great for ovo-vegetarians. However if you’re vegan, please know I am hard at work on a vegan version of matzo balls. Whenever I get it just right, I’ll be sure to post it.

This soup is glorious. I couldn’t stop inhaling it. For vegetarians who are missing the chicken flavor of traditional matzo ball soup, give this recipe a try… you won’t be sorry!

Meanwhile, for more vegetarian Passover ideas, check out my Passover holiday index with vegetarian Ashkenazi and vegetarian Sephardic options.

Please see the note about saffron below. It’s important to buy a good quality saffron or this soup won’t have the proper flavor.

Looking for traditional chicken soup with matzo balls? Click here!

Need a gluten free matzo ball recipe? Click here!

Note: certain strictly kosher groups may consider saffron to be kitniyot on Passover; if you are concerned, please consult a trusted Rabbinical authority.

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Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup

One secret ingredient makes this the ultimate meatless matzo ball soup! Savory flavor without the meat. Kosher for Passover recipe.

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COURSE: Soup

Kosher Key: Parve

Servings: 6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Soup Ingredients

• 1/2 pound carrots (about 3 medium carrots) sliced into 1/2 inch chunks
• 1/2 pound celery (about 5 stalks) sliced into 1/2 inch chunks, including leaves
• 1 onion (rinsed and halved, skin on)
• 1 leek, sliced and cleaned (white and light green parts only)
• 1 bunch fresh dill + 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, divided
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 10 whole peppercorns
• 6 whole cloves (spice cloves, not garlic)
• Pinch saffron threads not American or Mexican saffron, which have no flavor – buy the good stuff! It’s expensive but necessary in this soup. Do not sub turmeric! The flavor is completely different.)
• 2 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt

Matzo Ball Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon seltzer water
• 1/2 cup matzo meal (see notes for gluten free option)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (if making for Passover make sure the brand is certified KFP)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• Pinch of saffron threads

NOTES

Gluten-Free Matzo Ball Recipe

You will also need: 2 heavy pots – 6-8 quart capacity each, wire mesh strainer or cheesecloth, slotted spoon

Makes roughly 80 ounces of soup and 12 matzo balls. Serving Size roughly 13 ounces, with 2 matzo balls per serving.

A note about matzo balls: this recipe contains baking powder to make light and fluffy floater matzo balls. Baking powder is mineral based, not grain based, and therefore it does not fall under the banner of “chametz,” the group of foods that are banned for Passover. There are, in fact, several brands of kosher for Passover baking powder (Gefen makes a popular one sold in kosher markets). Some will choose not to use baking powder because they feel it doesn’t jibe with the “spirit” of the Passover holiday. Others have no problem using baking powder, as long as it has a kosher hechsher. Suffice it to say, the choice to use baking powder is a matter of tradition and preference. One thing is for sure, it definitely makes for lighter, fluffier matzo balls. If you’re not concerned about fluffiness feel free to omit; your matzo balls will turn out more dense, like “sinkers.” Or, you can use whatever matzo ball recipe you prefer with this soup stock!

A note about saffron: Invest in good quality saffron. I say invest, because saffron can be very pricey. If a bottle of saffron threads costs less than $10, it’s probably not worth buying. Imitation saffrons, often sold in a bag under the name “American Saffron” or “Mexican saffron,” do not impart the flavor of true saffron– in fact, they have no flavor at all and are used mostly to color foods. I don’t recommend the bag full of saffron that costs $5… it’s not the stuff you want, and it won’t give you the flavor you need.

Instructions

• Combine all soup ingredients in a large pot with 1 tablespoon sea salt (reserve the 2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill for later). If you're salt sensitive, you can start with 2 tsp salt, however please note that for the saffron flavor to shine here, you do need salt in the mix. I really recommend 1 tablespoon if you're not watching your salt intake.
  
• Cover ingredients with 4 quarts (16 cups) water. Bring to a boil.
  
  
• Reduce heat to a simmer (around medium heat). Let the stock cook uncovered for 60-90 minutes until the liquid reduces by a third and the stock is flavorful. Note: the olive oil may taste strange in the beginning, but don’t fret. As the stock slowly cooks the flavors will meld, and that olive oil will give the broth some much-needed richness and depth.
  
  
• While the stock is cooking, make the matzo balls. Whisk eggs in a small mixing bowl with vegetable oil and seltzer water. Use a fork to stir in the matzo meal, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and chopped fresh dill to make a thick batter. Place the batter in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  
  
• While the batter is chilling, in a second pot combine 3 quarts (12 cups) of water with a pinch of saffron and 1 tablespoon sea salt. Bring to a simmer, stir to dissolve the salt. Keep the salted saffron water hot until the matzo ball mixture is fully chilled.
  
• Place a small dish of cold water beside the pot of saffron water. Take the chilled matzo ball batter out of the refrigerator. Bring the saffron water to a simmer. Wet your hands and roll the matzo ball batter into walnut-sized balls, then gently drop them into the simmering saffron water. Wet your hands between each ball; this makes forming them easier. Don’t make them larger than walnuts, they’ll expand a lot as they cook!
  
  
• When all of the matzo balls are in the water, bring back to a low bubbling simmer (not a heavy boil) and cover the pot. Let the matzo balls simmer for 30-35 minutes, keeping the pot covered for at least the first 30 minutes. No peeking! Keeping the pot covered will help the matzo balls become fluffy. Let the matzo balls simmer until they’re cooked through. When they are fully cooked, turn off the heat and keep the matzo balls in the hot saffron water until ready to serve. If you won’t be serving within an hour, remove the matzo balls from the pot with a slotted spoon and reserve (so they don’t get mushy and fall apart).
  
  
• When the vegetable stock liquid has reduced by a third, strain the stock through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a large bowl.
  
  
• Separate out the carrots and celery from the cooked vegetables and herbs.
  
• Rinse the pot and pour the stock back into the pot. Add the carrots and celery back to the stock along with 1 tablespoon chopped dill. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more sea salt if desired. Keep the stock warm till ready to serve.
  
• Serve 2-3 matzo balls per bowl; ladle the hot soup and vegetables over the warm matzo balls.
  

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup

Amount Per Serving

Calories 195 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 62mg21%

Sodium 1302mg57%

Potassium 402mg11%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 7641IU153%

Vitamin C 19mg23%

Calcium 83mg8%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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