# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium beets, trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids
05 - 4 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Dairy
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for vegan option
→ Seasonings
08 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wrap beets individually in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 40 to 45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool slightly, then peel and chop into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and carrots, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chopped roasted beets, thyme, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until achieving a smooth, velvety texture. Alternatively, work in batches with a countertop blender and return to pot.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed for desired balance.
07 - Transfer to serving bowls and serve hot. Garnish with a swirl of cream and fresh thyme if desired.