Easy ABC Soup (no meat, only 3 ingredients, beauty broth)

When I want to feel lighter, clearer, and just better, I make this soup. This is the vegetable soup I make every once couple of weeks… ABC Soup!

It’s definitely a different type of ABC Soup – very stripped-down – which is why I didn’t even want to put out this recipe. But I posted this on my social media and I received SO MANY requests for a recipe, so here we are.

It’s ridiculously easy, goes with everything, and somehow tastes so unbelievably good for something made with just three ingredients.

No fancy seasoning, no meat, no aromatics… just corn, carrots, and tomatoes, simmered slowly until everything melts into a naturally sweet, delicate broth. It’s comforting, hydrating, and so gentle on the body… and indeed, I don’t even add salt.

I also call it my beauty broth! It’s full of skin-loving vitamins, and I especially love making it around that time of the month. When I’m feeling extra bloated, sluggish, or my skin’s flaring up, this is the soup I crave. It helps me feel lighter, less bloated, and I feel like my skin is less inflamed, although that might just be wishful thinking on my part… In any case it tastes GOOD.

What is ABC Soup?

ABC soup is a classic home-style Chinese soup known for its simple ingredients and preparation. It’s called ABC soup because it’s supposed to be as easy as… ABC! It’s not served as a main dish by itself, but rather a side dish with other side dishes in a typical Asian home-style communal setting.

Over time, people gave their own interpretation, such as carrot (vitamin A), potato (vitamin B), and tomato or corn (vitamin C). Either way, every house will have their own version of ABC Soup. It’s often made with ribs or chicken, and sometimes aromatics like onion and garlic. But my version is ultra-simple, meatless and plant based.

Think of this as a minimalist ABC soup. It’s made with only three core vegetables, no aromatics, no seasonings, and still so good you’ll drink the broth to the last drop!

It’s naturally sweet, fresh-tasting, and feels light on the stomach.

Key Ingredients & Skin Benefits

Here’s the combination that makes this easy ABC soup glow-inducing:

• Carrot – Rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A, known to help support skin renewal and reduce inflammation.

• Tomatoes – High in vitamin C and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from UV damage, fights free radicals, and supports that healthy glow.

• Corn on the cob – Adds natural sweetness and hydration; contains vitamin C and lutein, which may help protect skin from oxidative stress.

Benefits aside, these three vegetables are non-negotiable for the BEST flavour, so I would not swap them up for any other veggies. The only swap I’ve done and pleased with flavour would be with pumpkin. If you’ve tried with other vegetables, and enjoyed the taste – let me know!

• Water: Yes… just plain water! You can use stock if you like, but I truly love this with just water — it brings out the pure, natural sweetness of the veggies without anything masking it. It also keeps the broth light, clean, and easy on the body.

Optional:

• Sweet potato – Loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, sweet potatoes help reduce inflammation, regulate digestion, and support clearer skin.

• Potato – Also great for satiety and comfort, though starchier. Use if it’s what you have.

Key Steps to Making It (stovetop or instant pot)

You can make this soup either on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Both work beautifully, depending on how hands-off or quick you want the process to be.

I usually make this over the stove top, but if I’m making a larger amount (or if I need to use my stovetop for other dishes) I’d utilise my instant pot.

a. Stovetop Method

1. Chop your vegetables

• Chop your vegetables to your preferred cuts – it doesn’t matter what shape! Try to keep them equal in size.

• I like to cut in wedges: peel and cut carrots into wedges and cut tomatoes into wedges. If using sweet potatoes or potatoes, peel and cut into chunks.

2. Add to pot:

• Place the vegetables in any soup pot of choice.

• I usually add vegetables to a cold empty pot out of sheer laziness, but if you want to do this the ‘right’ way by adding to a pot of already boiling water, that’s fine too! Seriously, with this soup there are NO RULES!

3. Add water:

• Pour in water, just enough to fully cover the vegetables.

• You can use stock if you want to, but in my opinion not necessary. In fact, I prefer it without stock – it’s far more ‘clean’ tasting.

4. Simmer:

• Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat.

• Once boiling, reduce to a simmer. Cover and let it cook gently for 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until the carrots are fork-tender and the broth tastes naturally sweet.

• If you prefer to not cover it, it’s fine as well. Feel free to add water if the liquid is cooking off too quickly.

5. Serve:

• That’s it! No need for salt, or any other seasonings. No garnish needed even. Just ladle and enjoy.

Instant Pot Method (for a hands-off version)

If I have a lot of ingredients, and I want to make a bigger batch (this is so good to meal prep!), I turn to my instant pot!

It’s pretty much the same steps as making this over the stovetop, except totally hands-off… although I can argue the stovetop version is hands-off too!

For steps on how to make this in the pressure cooker, scroll to the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Serve Easy ABC Soup

• Pair it with rice and other side dishes for a nourishing lunch or dinner.

• Serve it as is for a gentle, hydrating meal, especially on sick days.

• Sip on it as a cleansing “beauty broth” on skin-sensitive days

• Store leftovers and reheat the next day. It gets even sweeter!

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh corn on the cob — frozen kernels don’t give the same deep, natural sweetness.

• Simmer longer for deeper flavour. The soup only gets better the more it infuses.

• Tomatoes can be tangy, so add minimal amount… unless of course, you enjoy the taste of tomatoes. More lycopene! If your tomatoes are extra tangy, add a few more slices of carrots and corn to balance it out naturally.

Storing & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. I do not recommend freezing as it will change the texture of the vegetables.

• Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove or microwave until just warmed through.