17 Easy Slow-Cooker Soups & Stews to Keep You Warm This Winter

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Published on January 18, 2024

Slowcooker Bean Kale and Barley Soup in a ladle — Photo: PHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: AIL RAMEE; PROP STYLIST: CLAIRE SPOLLEN

These healthy soups and stews bring warmth to your table in just three steps or less. After a long day, there is nothing better than coming home to the aroma of a meal that practically cooked itself. Recipes like our Slow-Cooker Kale White Bean Stew and our Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup are sure to make your kitchen the heart of comfort this winter.

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Slow-Cooker Bean, Kale & Barley Soup

Slowcooker Bean Kale and Barley Soup in a ladle — PHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: AIL RAMEE; PROP STYLIST: CLAIRE SPOLLEN

Beans and kale are packed into each bite of this hearty slow-cooker soup. Barley adds a chewiness to provide texture, while dried mushrooms lend an earthiness and depth. Finishing with acidic lemon juice brightens the flavors.

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Slow-Cooker Potato Soup Four Ways

Be sure to use waxy potatoes, such as red or Yukon Gold, in this crockpot potato soup recipe. The result will be creamier than if you use starchy varieties like russets. Load your bowl up like a classic baked potato or see Tip (below) for more ways to mix it up.

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Slow-Cooker Kale & White Bean Stew

a recipe photo of the Kale White Bean Stew served in a bowl — Ali Redmond

Warm up to a hearty bowl of soup made with winter vegetables and protein-rich white beans. Comforting spices like oregano and thyme build flavor, while Parmesan provides an irresistibly savory finish.

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Slow-Cooker Spiced Lentil Soup with Vegetables

Slow-Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup in bowls with flat bread

Spices often used in Moroccan cuisine like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and black pepper give this soup complexity and deep flavor. Make it a day ahead, if you can, to give the spices time to mingle and develop. This easy slow-cooker recipe makes it a cinch to get the soup cooking while you do other things.

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup

a bowl of Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup with a spoon

This weight-loss vegetable soup fills you up without a lot of calories, plus it's an easy way to eat more vegetables.

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Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Pozole

This healthy vegetarian take on the Mexican stew pozole gets tons of flavor from poblano peppers, ancho chile powder and dried herbs and spices, while cannellini beans provide protein and fiber.

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Slow-Cooker Kale & Sausage Stew

a recipe photo of the Kale Sausage Stew served in a bowl — Ali Redmond

Turkey sausage gets transformed in this rich stew made with hearty winter vegetables like carrots, kale and potatoes. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this stew comes together easily in the slow cooker.

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Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup with Gruyère Toasts

Fans of French onion soup who love it for its caramelized onions, beefy broth and cheesy toast topping won't be disappointed with this recipe, which offers all those elements plus a hands-on time of only 20 minutes.

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup

A winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor.

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Winter Minestrone

This version of the Italian classic vegetable and bean soup is made in the slow cooker and mixes in flavorful sausage and squash. Use any variety of winter squash.

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable & Chicken Meatball Soup

Don't skip cooking the onions for the meatballs. This step softens the onions so they more easily add their sweet flavor to the meatball mixture. Best part? This slow-cooker meatball soup only requires 25 minutes of hands-on time.

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Slow-Cooker Borscht

Slow-Cooker Borscht

Borscht is an Eastern European soup that typically features beets as a prominent ingredient, thus the resulting dish has a purple-red color. Our slow-cooker rendition is literally beefed up with brisket and showcases whole-grain rye berries, a source of fiber.

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Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired.

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Slow-Cooker Turkey & Kale Minestrone Soup

Slow-Cooker Turkey & Kale Minestrone Soup

Adjust the heat level in the dish by choosing either hot or mild Italian sausage. You can add red pepper, too, to make it extra hot. Serve this slow-cooker minestrone with crusty bread, if desired.

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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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Load-&-Go Slow-Cooker Soup with Mushrooms & Kielbasa

Load & Go Mushroom and Sausage Slow-Cooker Soup — Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis

The aromatic trio of garlic, cumin and thyme harmonize in this hearty soup that comes together quickly before the slow cooker does most of the work for you. Kielbasa adds protein and a deeply savory note to this dinner in a bowl.

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Savory Bean Spinach Soup

Let a slow cooker complete this vegetarian soup. Serve it in cups as a sandwich side or ladle it into bowls for a light meal.

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