Psarosoupa (Greek Fish Soup with Lemon and Vegetables)
Why this recipe works
- Gentle simmering: Cooking the fish softly in the broth keeps it tender while preserving a clear, delicate soup base.
- Bright, balanced finish: Lemon juice cuts through the olive oil and potatoes, giving the soup its fresh, recognisable Greek character.
- Simple one-pot method: The vegetables build the broth first, then the fish cooks quickly at the end, keeping the process streamlined.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm white fish: A firm, skinless and boneless white fish fillet is easiest to poach and less likely to fall apart in the broth.
- Cut vegetables evenly: Similar-sized pieces of potato, carrot and celery cook at the same rate and make the soup easier to eat.
- Add lemon off the heat: Stirring in the lemon after cooking keeps the flavour clean and fresh rather than sharp or dulled.
Texture tips
- Keep the fish tender: Once the fish is added, maintain only a very gentle simmer; vigorous boiling can toughen the fish and break it up.
- Add fish near the end: Wait until the potatoes are just tender before adding the fish, as the fillet needs only a short cook in the hot broth.
Make-ahead tips
- Best served fresh: The soup is at its best soon after the fish is cooked, when the broth is clear and the fillet is still delicate.
- Prep vegetables ahead: The onion, carrot and celery can be sliced and chopped in advance to shorten the cooking time later.
- Reheat gently: Warm leftovers over low heat until piping hot, avoiding a hard boil so the fish stays tender.
Authenticity notes
- Greek home-style soup: Psarosoupa is typically simple and broth-led, built around fish, vegetables, lemon and good olive oil rather than heavy cream.
- Lemon and olive oil matter: The final lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil are key to the soup’s light richness and bright Mediterranean flavour.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Halve and thinly slice the yellow onion. Peel the carrot and russet potato, then cut the carrot, celery and potato into bite-sized pieces.
- Set a stockpot over medium heat and warm the extra virgin olive oil. Add the onion with a pinch of the fine sea salt and cook for 5 minutes until softened but not coloured.
- Add the carrot, celery and potato, then stir for 1 minute to coat in the oil. Add 1.2 l water and the bay leaves, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 18 to 22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just tender. Keep the heat low enough that the soup bubbles gently.
- Season the broth with the remaining fine sea salt. Nestle in the white fish fillet, keeping the simmer very gentle, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Finely chop the fresh parsley. Squeeze the lemon and stir the juice into the soup off the heat, then add the black pepper and parsley.
- Taste and adjust with a little more lemon juice or black pepper if you like. Ladle into bowls and finish each serving with a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the simmer very gentle once the fish goes in, as a hard boil can break it up and cloud the broth.
- For the cleanest flavour, skim off any foam that rises in the first few minutes of simmering.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, make sure the fish is cooked until fully opaque and flakes easily.
Substitutions
- Replace the white fish fillet with salmon for a richer soup.
- Replace fresh parsley with fresh dill for a more herb-forward finish.
- Replace lemon with lime for a slightly sharper citrus note.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat until piping hot, avoiding a hard boil so the fish stays tender.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 50min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Greek
-
Allergens:
Fish
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