26 Cozy Winter Soup Recipes in Three Steps or Less

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Published on January 12, 2024

a recipe photo of the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Soup with Ravioli — Photo:
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This collection of cozy soups is perfect for a cold winter day. In three steps or less, you can make one of these flavorful soup recipes packed with seasonal vegetables like carrots, kale and potatoes to help you get comfy at dinnertime. Try our creamy Curried Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup or hearty Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Soup with Ravioli for a meal that’s so good, you’ll be licking the bowl clean.

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Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

This easy soup recipe cooks up quickly thanks to the use of an electric pressure cooker or multicooker, like the Instant Pot. It packs in tons of filling veggies without packing on the calories. Plus, it happens to be entirely plant-based. If you aren't eating vegan, top it with a little Parmesan cheese or pesto to add even more flavor.

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Curried Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup

curried sweet potato soup with peanuts

In this flavorful soup recipe, sweet potatoes simmer in a quick coconut curry, resulting in a creamy, thick broth punctuated by notes of garlic and ginger. We love peanuts for their inexpensive price and versatile flavor. They're also a great source of protein--1 ounce has 7 grams.

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20-Minute Udon Noodle Soup with Buttery Tomato Broth

a recipe photo of the Udon Noodle Soup with Buttery Tomato Broth — Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

The scents of cinnamon and star anise add big flavors to this quick soup. Butter adds body and a silky texture. Fresh udon noodles take only a few minutes to cook, but dry udon noodles work well here too. There’s no need to strain the broth to remove the spices. You can simply remove the spices with a slotted spoon when you pour the broth over the noodles, if desired.

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Carrot Soup

two bowls of carrot soup overhead on gray stone surface with spoons — Antonis Achilleos (Photographer), Kay Clarke (Prop Stylist), Emily Nabors Hall (Food Stylist)

This easy carrot soup recipe is a great way to use up a bag of carrots that were forgotten in your produce drawer. The carrots cook together with aromatics like onions, garlic and fresh herbs before being pureed into a silky smooth soup that's delicious for dinner or packed up for lunch.

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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Soup with Ravioli

a recipe photo of the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Soup with Ravioli — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This soup is delightfully creamy and flavored with sweet sun-dried tomatoes and cheesy ravioli. We use oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to keep prep simple and enhance the flavor of this quick soup. If your sun-dried tomatoes are not oil-packed, soak them in hot water for a few minutes and then proceed with the recipe, using extra-virgin olive oil in place of the oil from the jar.

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Anti-Inflammatory Eat-the-Rainbow Vegetable Soup

Side view photo of 3 jars of Anti-Inflammatory Eat-the-Rainbow soup after broth is added with lid on top. — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This vibrant and wholesome soup recipe helps support your well-being. It’s packed with a variety of colorful vegetables, like tomatoes, which contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help reduce inflammation. The base of the soup is prepped ahead of time and stored in separate containers. Simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave when you’re ready to eat. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water.

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Sausage, Brussels Sprout & Potato Soup

Sausage, Brussels Sprout & Potato Soup

Bake up some manchego cheese toasts and uncork a bottle of Ribera del Duero to enjoy alongside this healthy pot of soup. Both sweet and hot Italian sausage work well.

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Spicy Tofu Hotpot

Spicy Tofu Hotpot

Warm up a chilly evening with this light but satisfying one-pot meal. The tofu absorbs the flavors of this fragrant, spicy broth, making it anything but bland. Look for fresh Chinese-style noodles in the refrigerated case of your supermarket alongside wonton wrappers.

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Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Like stuffed cabbage? You'll love this easy cabbage soup. It's got all of the classic flavors of stuffed cabbage without all the fuss of stuffing.

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Easy Green Tortellini Soup to Balance Blood Sugar

a recipe photo of the Green Tortellini Soup — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

The base of this green tortellini soup is prepared in advance and stored in separate containers for an easy grab-and-go lunch. Layer the spinach on top of the pesto to create a barrier that will keep the tortellini from getting soggy. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave. This recipe is low in saturated fat, a type of fat folks with certain health conditions, like diabetes, need to be aware of, and has a healthy amount of carbs to support stable blood sugar levels, which translates to stable energy levels.

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Tarkari (Afghan Vegetable & Chickpea Soup)

Afghan Vegetable & Chickpea Soup (Tarkari)

Try topping this simple but satisfying vegetable soup with a spoonful of Red Chutney. Recipe adapted from New Arrivals Supper Club chef Naseema Kashefi.

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High-Protein Tex-Mex Soup with Rotisserie Chicken

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Tex-Mex Chicken Soup — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Make this grab-and-go Tex-Mex–inspired soup when you have leftover chicken, or use rotisserie chicken for this easy meal-prep soup. The frozen pepper-onion mix adds flavor and saves time in the kitchen, while the black beans add fiber and protein. Combine everything but the broth ahead of time, then add it and heat it in the microwave when you’re ready to eat. If you don’t wish to travel with liquid broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water.

13 of 26

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli

a recipe photo of the Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli — Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli soup features lean ground beef, ditalini pasta and plenty of beans, just like the original. The addition of tomato sauce helps thicken and flavor the broth. Like many soups, this will taste better the next day, but because it includes hearty ingredients like beans, you may need to loosen the soup with additional broth or water when reheating. Serve with breadsticks for dunking.

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Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup

Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup

Mild Italian sausage and potatoes are the foundation for this simple sausage, potato and kale soup. Serve it with slices of whole-wheat bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying lunch or dinner.

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Lemony Lentil & Cauliflower Cup Soup

a step to make the Lemony Lentil & Cauliflower Soup — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This bright lemony soup gets its boost of fiber and earthy, nutty flavor from ingredients like lentils and bulgur. Bulgur adds heartiness and a nice chewy texture, but you can swap it out for another cooked grain like brown rice or quinoa. Plus, the broth gets gentle heat from harissa paste. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water.

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Slow-Cooker Lentil, Carrot & Potato Soup

Slow-Cooker Lentil, Carrot & Potato Soup

Puréeing some of the lentil-vegetable mixture, and then combining it with the remaining vegetables and lentils gives the soup a texture that satisfies those who love a creamy soup and those who prefer it chunky. Serve this slow-cooker lentil soup with crackers.

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Chicken Tikka Masala Soup

Bowl of Chicken Tikka Masala Soup — Chicken Tikka Masala Soup. Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ail Ramee; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This chicken tikka masala soup tastes just like the original dish, but in soup form! The ginger, garlic and onion combine with aromatic spices to offer flavor in every bite. Butternut squash (or sweet potato) and spinach add sweetness and color to this warming soup. Serve with toasted garlic naan.

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Minestra Maritata con Fagioli Bianchi (Italian Wedding Soup with White Beans)

Italian comfort food at its best, this easy soup recipe lends itself to countless variations. Our version includes white beans for extra fiber and protein.

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Brussels Sprout & Farro Soup with Bacon

a recipe photo of the Brussels Sprout & Farro Soup with Bacon — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This warming soup is packed with umami flavors from bacon and mushrooms. Farro and Brussels sprouts bulk up the soup with fiber and texture, while cream and a splash of vinegar balance the flavors. Serve with crusty bread to sop up every last bite.

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Immunity Soup

picture of soup

This easy soup is full of immunity-supporting foods: vitamin C–rich kale, zinc-containing chicken and chickpeas and antioxidant-packed garlic. Plus, the hot, steamy broth and a hint of pepper heat get your nose running—great for flushing out sinuses and potentially staving off an infection. It's a big pot of brothy soup that you can make ahead and enjoy for a couple of days; the flavor just gets better over time. You may be wary of the large amount of garlic, but keep in mind that it mellows considerably after being cooked. Though we love using bone-in chicken breasts here, you can also swap in 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast in a pinch (be aware that it will add more sodium)."

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Spicy Ramen Noodle Cup Soup

step 1 in making the Spicy Ramen Cup of Noodles — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

In just 15 minutes, you can make three jars of vegetarian ramen cup soup that you can bring to work or school. These cup soups are not only a time saver, but are also packed with protein from hard-boiled eggs, which will help keep you satisfied until your next meal.

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Cream of Broccoli Soup

Cream of Broccoli Soup

This simple and healthy cream of broccoli soup recipe gets its flavor from a mixture of aromatic vegetables, including leeks and celery. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender) gives it a smooth, creamy texture. Enjoy this easy homemade cream of broccoli soup as a comforting appetizer or pair it with a sandwich or salad for lunch or dinner.

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Siraegi Guk (Radish-Top Soup)

Siraegi Guk (Radish-Top Soup) — Ryan Liebe

This rustic soup is traditionally made with dried radish greens, but this recipe from chef Dennis Lee of California's Namu Stonepot restaurants features fresh ones. Some Korean and Asian markets sell young radishes, which are predominantly the greens—perfect for making this dish. Lacinato kale is a good substitute. Round out the meal with steamed rice and kimchi.

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Spicy Coconut, Chicken & Mushroom Soup

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup image — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Coconut milk tames the heat and combines deliciously with shredded chicken breast in this spicy Thai-inspired coconut chicken soup.

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Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone with Fennel & Parmesan

a recipe photo of the Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone with Fennel & Parmesan — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A strip of Parmesan rind in the broth gives this minestrone soup a deep, layered flavor, and fresh fennel adds a bright anise note. You don't need much pesto here—swirl in just enough to tint the broth and release its fresh-basil scent. If you avoid cheese made with rennet, look for vegetarian Parmesan cheese, which is made without it.

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Bok Choy Soup with Shrimp & Noodles

a recipe photo of the Bok Choy Soup with Shrimp and Noodles — Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop stylist: Claire Spollen

This shrimp and noodle soup is inspired by the flavors of Vietnamese pho, with a spice-infused broth and rice noodles. Shrimp, bok choy, carrots and mushrooms cook in the aromatic broth while mung bean sprouts and plenty of fresh mint add a refreshing bite on top.

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