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

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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

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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? ›

Here are 7 healthy soups to fit your diet.
  1. Vegetable Soup. Vegetable soup is one of the best soups to eat. ...
  2. Tomato Soup. Tomato soup is a favorite low calorie and low fat food. ...
  3. Minestrone. Minestrone is very low in carbohydrates and calories. ...
  4. Black Bean Soup. ...
  5. Chicken and Vegetable Soup. ...
  6. Miso Soup. ...
  7. Turkey Soup.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

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.

Is it healthier to make your own soup? ›

On the other hand, preparing homemade soups allows for complete control over ingredients. This makes homemade soup a healthier option, ensuring your soup consumption aligns with your nutritional goals and dietary preferences.

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.

Which soup is good to reduce belly fat? ›

5 Best Soups That Will Help To Burn Belly Fat
  • Vegetable soup. Lean protein from chicken combined with a variety of vegetables can make a satisfying and low-calorie soup that can help you feel full and satisfied.
  • Chicken and vegetable soup. ...
  • Black bean soup. ...
  • Lentil soup. ...
  • Tomato soup.
Nov 4, 2023

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

What does apple cider vinegar do in soup? ›

Is your homemade soup missing something? Add a splash or two of ACV when the soup is done cooking. The vinegar helps lift and highlight flavors. Pickle with ACV.

What does red wine vinegar do for soup? ›

Regina Red Wine Vinegar can also be used to heighten the flavor of soups, sautés and sauces.

What are the most unhealthy soups? ›

The 5 Worst Soups for Weight Loss (and 5 to Try Instead)
  • 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. ...
  • Mushroom and barley soup. ...
  • Lumberjackie soup. ...
  • Chilled soups.
Jan 12, 2012

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 are the healthiest vegetables to put in soup? ›

Veggies That Make Healthy, Tasty Soups
  • Cucumber. 1/14. This nutritious veggie is one of the ingredients in the cold soup called gazpacho. ...
  • Butternut Squash. 2/14. ...
  • Lentils. 3/14. ...
  • Broccoli. 4/14. ...
  • Potatoes. 5/14. ...
  • Mushrooms. 6/14. ...
  • Fresh Spring Peas. 7/14. ...
  • Dried Split Peas. 8/14.

Is it OK to eat homemade soup everyday? ›

Soup is chock full of the micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, needed to nourish your body and support its various processes. Micronutrients are an important part of every person's diet, and consuming enough of them is essential for combatting diseases such as Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer.

Is it cheaper to make or buy soup? ›

And even though canned soup is relatively inexpensive, you can cut your cost in half by making it yourself. Here is a simple vegetable soup recipe that makes up to 6 servings. It involves very little measuring, the ingredients cost around $5.00, and you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes.

What is the healthiest canned soup to eat? ›

Amy's Organic Low Sodium Lentil Vegetable Soup is one the healthiest canned soups because it's made with non-GMO, organic ingredients, is low in sodium, and is a great source of protein and fiber. With 11 grams of plant-based protein and 8 grams of fiber in one can, this lentil vegetable soup is filling and nutritious.

Are store-bought soups healthy? ›

Canned foods typically get a bad rap for being too processed or high in sodium, but canned soups can be a nutritious source of vegetables and lean protein. While a can of soup doesn't scream "satisfying meal," with a few key additions, you can hack a can of soup into a meal that hits the spot.

What soup has the most nutrients? ›

Broth-Based Soups With Veggies and Protein

When it comes to the healthiest soups you can eat, these are the gold standard, says registered dietitian Jessica Cording. Think chicken and vegetable, turkey and black bean chili, or lentil.

Is it healthy to eat soup all the time? ›

You can get more nutrients for fewer calories.

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND believes soup has the potential to be a great source of nutrition. "If it is a broth-based soup that has lots of vegetables and beans, it's a fabulous way to take in fiber, antioxidant vitamins A and C, and potassium," she says. Burak agrees.

Are packaged soups healthy? ›

Many instant soups are made as health foods and are made to become a healthy part of your diet. That said, there are many instant soups that are not healthy. Some brands contain a high amount of sodium. While a pack or two of these noodles won't harm you, having them on a regular basis can have negative effects.

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