23 Veggie-Packed Soups for Winter

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Published on October 31, 2023

High angle shot of 3 bowls of Vegetable Noodle soup on a light surface with striped linen — Photo:
Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

Embrace the winter chill with these healthy soups that will keep you cozy. These recipes are jam-packed with seasonal winter vegetables like carrots, kale and winter squash. Recipes like our Winter Minestrone and Velvety Winter Squash Soup with Smoky Garlic Custard are soothing options that you will want to make all winter long.

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Lentil & Root Veggie Soup

lentil & root veggie soup

French green lentils and black lentils hold up well to long, slow cooking without becoming mushy. Save the rinds from used-up blocks of Parmesan in a resealable plastic bag or tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. They give soup broths a rich, savory flavor.

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The Best Vegetable & Noodle Soup

High angle shot of 3 bowls of Vegetable Noodle soup on a light surface with striped linen — Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

This brothy vegetable noodle soup is perfect for a crisp fall evening. It’s hearty, satisfying and an easy way to get your daily dose of veggies. We call for dark-green lacinato kale, but curly kale will work just as well. We love how the tiny pieces of orzo sop up the broth, but any small whole-wheat noodle gets the green light in this versatile soup.

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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.

Winter Minestrone

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Veggistrone

Veggistrone

This vegetable-packed minestrone soup recipe is inspired by a popular Weight Watchers vegetable soup recipe. It makes a big pot of soup, so keep some in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze the rest in single-serve portions. That way you always have an easy, delicious vegetable soup to start your meal or to eat for lunch. Think of this vegetable minestrone recipe as a starting point for other healthy soup variations, too: toss in leftover chopped cooked chicken or whole-wheat pasta or brown rice to make it more satisfying.

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Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup

Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup — Jacob Fox

Our meatless version of the Indian-inspired British colonial soup includes parsnip and squash to keep it hearty and satisfying.

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Stuffed Pepper Soup

Stuffed Pepper Soup — Jacob Fox

Inspired by stuffed peppers, this soup is ready faster and with fewer dishes too! Have fun with the toppings—we top it with onion, Cheddar cheese and tortilla chips here, but salsa, sour cream and corn would also make stellar additions.

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Velvety Winter Squash Soup with Smoky Garlic Custard

a recipe photo of the Velvety Winter Squash Soup with Smoky Garlic Custard served in a bowl — Ali Redmond

In the French countryside, soup is a main event, brought to the table in vintage soup tureens passed down in families. Each element of this winter squash soup—the sunset color, the silky texture, the smoky undertone—evokes winter in the south of France, inspired by Julia Child's kitchen. This is weekend cooking, when you could roast the squash and garlic the evening before, prepare the soup and custard the next day, and stay warm by the fire. Serve this soup with warm, crusty bread to mop up every delicious drop.

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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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Chorizo, Potato & Kale Soup

Portuguese Potato-Kale Soup — Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Kady Wohlfarth / Kay Clarke

Inspired by caldo verde, a soup traditional in northern Portugal and served with corn bread called broa, this satisfying winter soup features tender potatoes and spicy chorizo sausage. Collard or mustard greens can be substituted for the kale.

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Green Curry Soup

This aromatic green curry soup is packed with spinach, mushrooms, green beans and broccoli stems (save the florets for another night). Green curry paste gives this soup a delicately spicy broth. The vegetables are cooked just enough to be tender, but retain their freshness and distinct textures.

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Very Green Lentil Soup

Very Green Lentil Soup

Lentils seem to go well with just about anything, and here they play well with a collection of greens and some cumin and coriander to add a gentle spicy note to this soup recipe. The result is a hearty winter soup with layers of flavor. Both French green lentils (available in natural-foods stores and specialty markets) and more commonly available brown lentils are delicious in this soup. The French green lentils hold their shape better when cooked, while brown lentils will start to break down a bit.

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Spicy Vegetable & Chicken Soup

Southwestern Vegetable & Chicken Soup

Who wouldn't want to eat their vegetables when they're tucked into a fragrant broth with bits of tasty chicken and spiked with a shot of fresh lime and cilantro? This healthy Southwestern chicken vegetable soup seems even richer with the smoky flavor from roasted poblano peppers and garlic. Serve this healthy chicken soup recipe with tortilla chips.

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One-Pot Turkey Vegetable Soup

One-Pot Turkey Vegetable Soup — Photography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali Ramee

Got leftover turkey? Use it in this turkey vegetable soup for a satisfying main dish that's full of bright flavors thanks to the use of lemon juice and lemon zest.

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Kohlrabi, Potato & Leek Soup

Kohlrabi, Potato & Leek Soup

Kohlrabi is a root vegetable related to cabbage that can be eaten raw or cooked. Here, we blend it with potatoes for a more nutritious take on the classic potato-leek soup.

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Mushroom-Beef Noodle Soup

You don't need much beef in this homey mushroom-beef noodle soup recipe, since mushrooms and a little Worcestershire sauce give it plenty of savory flavor.

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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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Vegan Weight-Loss Lentil Soup

Vegan Weight-Loss Lentil Soup

This vegan weight-loss lentil soup recipe has the familiar flavors of turmeric, ginger and cumin that pair so well with lentils. Lentils, green beans and spinach give this vegan soup a healthy dose of fiber that helps you feel fuller, longer. Serve this soup with a little extra lemon and cilantro.

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Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup

Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup

In this healthy cauliflower soup recipe, roasting the cauliflower first adds depth and prevents the florets from turning to mush. A little tomato sauce and coconut milk give the broth a rich, silky texture. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.

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Turkey & Squash Soup

This Southwestern-inspired turkey-and-squash soup gets a little kick from crushed red pepper and some zing from fresh lime juice. You can use leftover turkey or chicken (instead of the cutlets); dice it and add a few minutes before serving. Serve with cornbread.

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Red Lentil Soup with Saffron

Red Lentil Soup with Saffron — Jacob Fox

This hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.

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Cabbage & White Bean Soup

a recipe photo of the Cabbage & White Bean Soup served in a bowl — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This cabbage and white bean soup is easy and flavorful. Avoid browning the leeks and garlic, as it can make the soup bitter. If you want to make this soup vegan, use vegan-friendly pesto and omit the Parmesan rind.

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One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan

One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan — Antonis Achilleos

This lentil-vegetable soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. If you have it, the Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body. If you avoid cheese made with rennet, look for vegetarian Parmesan cheese, which is made without it.

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Ribollita Soup

Ribollita, a traditional hearty Tuscan soup, typically uses day-old bread to add body and thicken the broth. This ribollita recipe uses a bean mash, which keeps the soup gluten-free and adds fiber. Garnish with extra-virgin olive oil or pepper and grated Parmesan.

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