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
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
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.
BethJ says
Thank you so much! Made this for a combo Passover/Easter dinner for our family, and everyone loved it. Haven’t had matzo ball soup since my husband and I became vegetarian several years ago, so this was a real treat!
Tori Avey says
So glad you liked it Beth!
Mashugana says
OMG the soup is delicious! and it is EASY to make.
Tori, thank you for this excellent chicken soup without the chicken. It took two seconds to put the ingredients together and around a half an hour after on the stove, my home smelt unreal.
My only substitutions was I used two onions, and around fifteen or twenty red radishes. Not radishes when cooked do not have a sharp taste but taste like a potato.
I tasted the soup and it really tastes and resembles chicken soup. Very excited to share with my vegetarian family when the others will be having the traditional chicken soup
THANKS AGAIN
I hope everyone tries this because it is really easy but delicious!
The veggies I will puree and spread on parchment paper and bake. They will become chips in place of matzoh. THE SEDER I use the matzoh but not during the week,
Tori Avey says
You’re welcome Mashugana! I’m happy you love it as much as we do. I will give the radishes a try next time!
Cindy says
can you use chia for the binder in the matzo?
Tori Avey says
Cindy– perhaps. It’s worth a try! If you try it will you please let us know your results?
Vicki Paull says
This is the first time I have visited your site. I must say you have some really interesting ideas that turn into great recipes. I was taught that the matzoh balls just needed to be barely touched and they would be light and fluffy, and they are. I taught my grandchildren the same thing, but maybe it’s time to change some traditions
Teri says
Can the soup be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated? I’d like to make as much as possible on Sunday .
Tori Avey says
Teri– yes, but store the matzo balls separately so they don’t get mushy. 🙂
Angela Oren says
Also if you want a green matzo ball with lots of flavor chopp the dill v.v.fine and put in the mixture of the matzo balls ; the balls are delicious!
Debra Bish says
Thanks, Tori! I forgot about Saffron, hard to find around here.
Debra Bish says
OMGoodness, that looks wonderful!
Sheldon Kirschbaum says
Love your vegetarian recipes, please keep them comming!
Alice Sottile says
my favorite soup
Kari@Loaves n Dishes says
Finally, I have been waiting for this for years! I’m so excited to make this recipe!!!
Joyce Wilder says
Sounds good to me 🙂
Beverly Pastore says
Do you have a recipe for gluten free ?????
Matthew Hill says
Sounds good.
Martha Clark says
love it
Clint Anderson says
Nice recipe!
Adrian Seltzer says
The saffron sounds brilliant. I think you would be even happier with the result if you add a leek, white and green to the veggie mix. They are magic in soups.
Tori Avey says
Adrian, the soup has a leek in it. 🙂
Kathy Krisinski says
My favorite , I love Matzo Ball soup !
Silvia Körner-Pollack says
I love the idea of vegetarian soup for Passover
Brigitte Truman says
<3