22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (2024)

Hearty and rich vegetable soups make for great appetizers and main courses. Here, we've gathered Food & Wine's best vegetable soup recipes that are easy to make, flavorful, and pair well with a variety of other dishes throughout the year. Some recipes are innovative while others are more traditional; from winter vegetable minestrone to tomato-quinoa soup, these stellar veggie soups are some of our favorites.

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Miso-Roasted Vegetable Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (1)

Miso, soy sauce, canned tomatoes, and a dash of smoked paprika work beautifully in this savory vegetable soup. Roast vegetables in the oven for tenderness and a caramelized flavor.

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02of 22

Borscht with Buttermilk and Grated Cucumber

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (2)

Packed with fresh summer herbs, this chilled beet soup is bright, earthy, and doesn't require turning on your stove. Grated beets are quickly marinated in a pickle juice brine to mellow their earthiness before they are stirred together with grated cucumber and buttermilk for a crisp, cooling bite.

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03of 22

French Onion Soup with Roasted Poblanos

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (3)

Hiding under blankets of bubbling Gruyère, thick slices of baguette soak up a soup suffused with flavor from a mountain of jammy onions, balsamic vinegar, and bay leaves. Chef Carlos Gaytán uses a gentle base of chicken broth that allows the allium flavors to truly shine. Poblano chiles add a mild, vegetal heat and slight charred flavor.

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04of 22

Creamy Mashed Potato Soup with Dashi

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (4)

Dashi and soy sauce add umami to buttery leftover mashed potatoes in this cozy soup from chef Shota Nakajima. Substitute any mashed vegetable you have on hand, such as cauliflower or sweet potato — but be sure to finish the soup with generous pats of melting butter and an extra drizzle of soy.

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05of 22

Tomato Lemon Rasam

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (5)

This rasam has the tangy flavor profile you expect from the South Indian favorite, but gets its punchy brightness from lemon juice stirred in at the end instead of the traditional tamarind. The broth may appear to be simple, but boasts great depth of flavor from warm spices like cumin and coriander and the blend of ginger, garlic, and chiles mixed in, plus the fried curry leaves, turmeric, and mustard seeds.

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Moroccan Chickpea, Carrot, and Spinach Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (6)

Gently sautéed onions add sweetness and a smooth texture. Carrots provide heft, more sweetness, and their cheerful orange color complements the buff tones of the beans. For seasoning, a heady mixture of garlic, cumin, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne pays homage to the cuisines of North Africa where chickpeas prevail. And finally, tender spinach leaves bring a welcome jolt of green and their earthy minerality balances the sweet.

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07of 22

Tomato and Quinoa Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (7)

Drizzle this soup with olive oil or stir in a tender green, such as arugula or baby spinach. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to serve a bowl alongside a grilled cheese sandwich, either.

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08of 22

Roasted Carrot Soup with Fresh Cheese and Black Bread

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (8)

Baltic black bread, traditionally made with rye flour and sourdough starter, is dense and sour with a tight crumb. The rye flavor gives this vegetarian soup earthy depth. A sprinkle of homemade cheese curds and fresh herbs lighten up each bowl.

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09of 22

"Everybody" Potato-Leek Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (9)

You can serve this soup many ways: with a dollop of crème fraîche and smoked salmon, topped with roasted broccoli florets and shredded cheddar cheese, or simply plain, as it has a mellow, delicious flavor on its own.

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10of 22

Pumpkin Soup with Thai Red Curry Paste and Lemongrass

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (10)

This pureed pumpkin soup was inspired by Thai flavors. It's made especially creamy with the addition of coconut milk, while the Thai red curry paste and garlic lend depth and heat. The lemongrass, ginger, and squeeze of fresh lime juice brighten the flavors in each spoonful.

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Cauliflower Soup with Herbed Goat Cheese

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (11)

This luscious, creamy cauliflower soup from television chef Anne Burrell gets a delicious topping of crispy roasted cauliflower and brussels sprouts, then a sprinkle of herbed goat cheese.

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Creamy Carrot Soup with Scallions and Poppy Seeds

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (12)

Longtime F&W test kitchen supervisor Marcia Kiesel's luxuriously creamy soup is the perfect starter for fall dinners because it can be made in advance, then reheated just before serving.Two bright garnishes bring extra flavor and color to the bowl.

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13of 22

Smoky Tomato Soup with Gruyère Toasts

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (13)

Using the sweetest, ripest tomatoes in season, we make a simple yet luscious soup flavored with smoked paprika — also called pimentón — and served with crunchy cheese toasts.

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Provençal Vegetable Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (14)

This vegetable-packed soup from star chef Eric Ripert gets exceptional flavor from pistou, the pesto-style basil puree that's served with it. To make a vegetarian version, omit the ham and substitute vegetable stock.

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15of 22

Curried Kabocha Squash Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (15)

This velvety, spiced squash soup has layers of flavor, thanks to red chiles, tangy lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar, plus a subtle touch of fish sauce.

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16of 22

Broccoli-Spinach Soup with Crispy Broccoli Florets and Croutons

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (16)

Given this soup's supremely silky texture, you'll think it's made with cream, but that texture actually comes from a potato pureed into the broth. For contrast, F&W culinary director at large Justin Chapple tops the soup with crispy broccoli florets and croutons.

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17of 22

Vegetable Hot-and-Sour Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (17)

Chef and author Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's Vegetable Hot-and-Sour Soup offers an extraordinary depth of flavor from ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and layers of texture from lily buds, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.

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Winter Vegetable Minestrone

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (18)

“I am forever championing root vegetables,” says chef Alex Guarnaschelli. “My father made so many wonderful salads from celery root and other under-loved vegetables when I was growing up.” Here, she simmers celery root and rutabaga in a spicy, basil-scented broth for a winter version of the Italian classic.

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Lentil Soup with Broccoli Rabe

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (19)

Cook the broccoli rabe in a separate pan, not in the soup pot. That way, any excess bitterness from the vegetable goes down the drain with the cooking water rather than into the soup. You'll find, though, that a bit of bite enlivens the lentils.

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Kidney Bean Soup

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (20)

Warm, hearty, and deeply comforting, this kidney bean soup gets a nice kick from crushed red pepper and brightness from a bit of mustard.

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Cabbage and Kale Soup with Farro

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (21)

"I love a really flavorful pot of greens," says chef Melissa Perello. For this kale-cabbage soup, she uses just a little bit of pancetta and a Parmesan cheese rind to give the broth a rich flavor. "It's definitely the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day," she says.

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Sweet Pea Soup with Majorero Cream and Roncal Crisps

22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (22)

This silky, vividly colored sweet pea puree is ideal for entertaining because it's delicious both warm and at room temperature; the soup and crisps can be made entirely ahead, and the tart Majorero cream can be melted just before serving.

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22 Satisfying Vegetable Soup Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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 can I add to my vegetable soup to give it more flavor? ›

Dried herbs and seasonings: homemade seasoned salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and dried bay leaves lend flavor to the soup.

How can I make soup more satisfying? ›

11 Ways to Make Your Soup More Satisfying
  1. Gently poach your chicken for better broth. ...
  2. Blend bacon into creamy soups and chowders. ...
  3. Make thick and creamy soups without any dairy. ...
  4. Turn a bag of frozen hash browns into a soup. ...
  5. Make a mellow garlic soup with mayo. ...
  6. Poach an egg directly in your ramen or miso soup.
Jan 26, 2023

How do you add depth of flavor to vegetable soup? ›

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.

Why do you put vinegar in vegetable soup? ›

A dash of vinegar enhances flavor

Peterson said, "When you're tasting and it appears that the flavors in a recipe are refusing to focus, a little vinegar will often do the trick." The Kitchn concurs that vinegar is a "one ingredient" fix when your soup does not meet your taste bud's expectations. But don't overdo it.

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

Use fresh, good quality ingredients like vegetables and herbs. Add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to your soup to make it taste better. Use a high-quality broth or stock as a base for your soup. Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

What seasonings are good in vegetable soup? ›

Black pepper, ginger, garlic, coriander are some spices/herbs that go well in vegetable soup.

Why does my vegetable soup have no flavor? ›

Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness. Add ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, soy sauce, miso, or seaweed to enhance the flavor of your soup. Use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil or thyme to add fresh flavor to your soup.

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.

How do you fix tasteless vegetable soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

What is the key to flavorful soup? ›

All soups and stews must have three major components in order to be tasty: an undercurrent liquid, aromatics, and volumizing ingredients.

What is the flavorful liquid that adds more flavor to a vegetable meal? ›

A stock is a very flavorful liquid that is made by gently cooking bones and other ingredients such as vegetables in a liquid.

How to make soup taste homemade? ›

Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving. Spices: Your soup is probably salty enough, but what about simmering a bay leaf in there for a while (don't forget to remove it before serving)? Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes.

What spices are good in soup? ›

To season it, we recommend starting with our Vegetable Soup Mix. It contains celery salt, parsley flakes, garlic powder, sea salt, summer savory, marjoram, thyme, black pepper, turmeric and sage, which are all excellent with root vegetables, so you can incorporate things like carrots or potatoes into the soup.

What is the most significant ingredient of a 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 does apple cider vinegar do in soup? ›

It accentuates the taste and adds the right kind of tanginess to it. If you don't have white vinegar, you can easily substitute it with apple cider vinegar. It is safe to use and can be added to any kind of dish.

What ingredient can be added to a soup to make it thicker and richer? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Which is the secret ingredient? ›

A secret ingredient is a component of a product that is closely guarded from public disclosure for competitive advantage. Sometimes the ingredient makes a noticeable difference in the way a product performs, looks or tastes; other times it is used for advertising puffery.

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