21 Simple, Healthy Soup Recipes for Every Season (2024)

Choosing our favorite form of comfort food is an impossible task, but if pressed, we'd have no choice but to select soup (please don't tell lasagna). Soup is just the thing for warming you up from the inside out, plus it's the perfect blank canvas for stirring your favorite proteins with vibrant vegetables, fresh herbs, and (of course) a rich and restorative broth. You can whirl it up with an immersion blender for a velvety-smooth texture or leave your ingredients intact.

Whatever way you serve it, soup's on—and these healthy soup recipes will have you feeling great. Each one is chock-full of nutrient-packed ingredients and, best of all, quick and easy to prepare.

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Crispy Tofu and Rice Noodle Soup

21 Simple, Healthy Soup Recipes for Every Season (1)

Whether you're a fervent vegan or a full-time carnivore, you're going to love this rich and restorative plant-based tofu and rice noodle soup. It's bursting with ribbons of Swiss chard and tamari-soaked tofu, all swimming in a spiced vegetable broth that's spiked with ginger, garlic, tamari, and star anise. Consider it the most warming winter meal. Swiss chard is an excellent source of vitamins A, K, and C while tofu is packed with protein.

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Creamy Miso White Bean Soup Recipe

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You can make this magic miso and white bean soup recipe for your entire family with just 15 minutes of hands-on time. The combination of white miso paste, cannellini beans, butter, and extra virgin olive oil makes for the silkiest—think velvet—texture, spoonful after spoonful. Aside from amazing flavor, olive oil is full of healthy fats. And the white beans are a great source of fiber and protein.

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Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

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Restaurant-quality soups don't have to be fussy to be deeply delicious and satisfying. Take this simple soup for example: It's an easy-to-make mixture of red lentils, carrots, onions, fresh herbs, and lots of ground spices, but deeply complex in flavor. The key to building rich vegetable flavor is giving the carrots and shallots enough time to release water before adding the cumin, turmeric, and ginger.

Carrots contain betacarotene, potassium and vitamin A while turmeric is has been known to reduce inflammation.

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Whole-Grain Minestrone With Parmesan Crisps

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Swap out processed, refined grains for a whole-grains for better nutrition. This steamy bowl of vegetable-packed minestrone is made extra hearty with whole grain farro in place of pasta and DIY Parmesan crisps for bites of umami on every spoonful. Speaking of Parm, don't throw out those rinds; you'll use one here to infuse the broth with deep flavor.

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Red Lentil Squash Soup With Lemon

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This protein-packed silky red lentil soup soothes and satisfies with generous amounts of vegetables and a touch of heat. The recipe combines carrots, butternut squash, a cornucopia of spices, and harissa paste for layered flavor; fresh ginger adds a surprising amount of warmth, too.

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Ginger Meatball Ramen With Greens and Scallions

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Improve digestion and boost immunity with some ginger. Spaghetti and meatballs meet brothy ramen noodles in a dinner that will have you wondering how you've lived so long without it. Three elements combine to make this recipe an instant classic: delicious pork meatballs (seasoned with fresh ginger, scallions, and soy sauce), a miso-spiked broth, and of course, squiggly instant ramen noodles.

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Red Cabbage and Beet Borscht

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A bowl of this jewel-toned soup packs in five different vegetables for an ultra-healthy meal. The beets, cabbage, and carrots add bright flavor, a substantive body, and tons of plant fiber to keep you full. High fiber foods are also easier to digest, making this recipe the perfect addition to your weekly meal rotation.

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Cod and Clam Chowder With Smoky Oyster Crackers

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This tasty remix of a traditional chowder recipe is refreshingly modern thanks to beautiful in-shell littleneck clams that cozy up alongside chunks of tender cod. Plus, you'll be getting a ton of essential omega-3 fatty acids in just one bowl. Leeks and fennel join in with onion to make an aromatic base, and you'll infuse the broth with a generous dose of wine and clam juice to add acidity and umami flavor.

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Peruvian-Style Chicken Soup With Cilantro and Lime

21 Simple, Healthy Soup Recipes for Every Season (9)

If you've never had Peruvian-style chicken soup, then you're in for a treat. In addition to the standard ingredients (chicken, carrots, peas), you'll add bell pepper, cumin, and potatoes, plus a generous dose of lime-scallion-herb puree for a brighter and spicier bowl of flavor. It's great to clear out a cold or to warm up on a wintery night.

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Mushroom Barley Soup

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Barley is a whole grain packed with vitamins and minerals and may reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease. As if we needed another reason to eat this delicious soup.

Ginger Chicken Soup With Vegetables

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Warm up to this invigorating soup made from freshly grated ginger and root vegetables. The high fiber content of the vegetables will keep you fuller longer. Plus, they are low in calories, fat, and cholesterol.

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Beef and Bean Chili

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Semisweet chocolate adds depth to this rich and satisfying stew. Top with fresh avocado and diced red onion for added flavor.

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Broccoli Soup With Cheddar Croutons

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This broccoli soup manages to be both comforting and healthful, thanks to the balance between decadence (cheddar croutons) and virtue (green veggies).

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Cauliflower Soup With Toasted Garlic

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This dairy-free soup has minimal ingredients but lots of deep flavors. The creamy texture comes from the blended cauliflower and broth. And remember the toasted garlic, which gives the soup a crisp and fragrant finish.

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Salsa Verde Chicken Soup

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Inspired by posole, a traditional Mexican stew, this soul-satisfying chicken soup comes together in about a half-hour thanks to chicken broth, cans of pinto beans and hominy, and a jar of tomatillo salsa, aka salsa verde.

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Chile Corn Chowder

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This thick, rich soup gets a subtle heat from canned green chiles. As for the corn, fresh, frozen, or canned will work.

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Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup

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Keep this recipe handy because you’ll want it in rotation all soup-season long. Serve in bowls garnished with fresh oregano, a drizzle of olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper.

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One-Pot Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Soup

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A simple soup doesn't have to mean simple flavors. Case in point, this rich and hearty recipe, which packs turkey sausage and potato gnocchi into every bite.

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Classic Chicken Soup

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You don't have to be sick to enjoy a nourishing bowl of chicken soup. This recipe brings out all the classic flavors while keeping cooking time to a minimum. The fresh carrots and celery are the key ingredients in this comforting soup.

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Chicken Paprikash Soup

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This beloved Hungarian chicken dish becomes a quick and comforting weeknight soup you'll want to make time and time again. No time to cook chicken? Substituting with store brought rotisserie chicken in this recipe is a great time saver.

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Butternut Squash and Chicken Pozole

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For a healthy dinner the whole family will love, make this cozy bowl of pozole. Kale, butternut squash, and hominy pack your bowl full of veggies, while chicken adds a protein boost. Top it all off with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.

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21 Simple, Healthy Soup Recipes for Every Season (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

What makes homemade soup healthier? ›

7 smart tips for making a healthy soup

Use more vegetables in your soup than meats or grains. Add fresh herbs at the very end of cooking. Add milk to stocks to make a creamy soup. Add it after the vegetables are soft cooked.

What is the least healthiest soup? ›

Clam chowder nutrition

And Walsh agrees, “Clam chowder is one of the worst soups a person can eat. It's high in fat, calories and sodium.” There is 180 calories in a cup of clam chowder. The macronutrient breakdown in a cup of clam chowder is 20 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein.

What is the secret to soup? ›

7 Tips for Successful Soup Making
  • Use a Sturdy Pot. It is worth investing in a heavy pot with a thick bottom to use for making soup. ...
  • Sauté the Aromatics. ...
  • Start with Good Broth. ...
  • Cut Vegetables to the Right Size. ...
  • Stagger the Addition of Vegetables. ...
  • Keep Liquid at a Simmer. ...
  • Season Just Before Serving.
Oct 9, 2022

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

Is it OK to eat homemade soup everyday? ›

What Experts Say. "The concept of eating soup to lose weight has spanned decades, but experts say an all-soup diet lacks nutrients and is not sustainable. They do agree it can be smart to eat vegetable-packed soups for some meals, though, as these are filling, nutrient-dense, and low in calories."

What is the best soup to eat every day? ›

88 healthy soups
  • Green pesto minestrone. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Fish soup. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  • Healthy pumpkin soup. ...
  • Leek & butter bean soup with crispy kale & bacon. ...
  • Cauliflower & broccoli soup with seedy crumble. ...
  • Spiced lentil & butternut squash soup. ...
  • Leek, pea & watercress soup. ...
  • Thai curry noodle soup.

What are the healthiest vegetables to put in soup? ›

Root vegetables such as squash and potatoes add a good element of heartiness and fiber. Carrots and zucchini hold up well in broth and kale or Swiss chard add nice flavor, a splash of color and a serious dose of nutrition. Tomatoes and tomato paste give your recipe an Italian twist.

Is progresso soup healthy? ›

Progresso's line of reduced-sodium soups offers great flavor profiles without added MSG or artificial colors. The Southwest Style variety is hearty and delicious, only containing 120 calories per cup and 2 grams of fat. Plus, there is 450mg sodium per cup and 6 grams of dietary fiber which meets our criteria.

What soup is easiest on the stomach? ›

Chicken soup is a staple for upset stomachs for a reason. It provides vitamins, protein and other nutrients, and it can help keep you hydrated.

What is the healthiest broth to use for soup? ›

Our Recommendations
  • Best Overall: FOND Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best for Sipping: Swanson Sipping Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best Lower Sodium: Pacific Foods Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best Budget: Zoup Good, Really Good Chicken Bone Broth.
  • Best for On-the-Go: Bare Bones Bone Broth Instant Powdered Beverage Mix (Variety)
Jan 4, 2024

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

7 Easy Ways to Make Any Soup Better
  1. Brown or Sear the Meat. ...
  2. Roast the the Veggies. ...
  3. Mix up the Texture. ...
  4. Use Homemade Stock Whenever Possible. ...
  5. Put Your Cheese Rinds to Work. ...
  6. Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples. ...
  7. Add Fresh Herbs or Dairy When Serving.

What are the most unhealthy soups? ›

Just avoid these five soups listed below, and swap them out for the healthier alternatives we've provided:
  • Clam chowder. Anything with the word "chowder" in it is probably going to be high in cream, fat, and calories. ...
  • Potato soup. ...
  • Lobster bisque. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Broccoli and cheese soup.
Jan 12, 2012

Can you be healthy just eating soup? ›

As the soup diet usually only lasts for 7-14 days, it's not recommended in the long term. The NHS also highlights how very low-calorie diets like this often lead to short term weight loss, but it's likely that you'll put some or all of the weight back on once you go back to eating normally.

What soup has the most nutrients? ›

Try these savory soups that serve up just what your body needs to kick off a healthier diet.
  • Vitamin Rich Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Butternut Squash Soup. ...
  • Vitamin Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Lightened-up Pasta fa*gioli Soup. ...
  • Chicken & Kale Soup.
Mar 15, 2021

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