Warm bowls, big flavors, cold days! These 40 cozy winter soups are 40 delicious soup recipes for chilly days — hearty classics, creamy and cheesy favorites, chicken comforts, beef and lamb stews, vegetarian bowls and seafood delights. Good food brings warmth!
Browse the Recipes
- Tortilla Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Beef Vegetable Soup
- Lentil Soup
- Minestrone
- Split Pea Soup
- Ham and Bean Soup
- Cabbage Soup
- Potato Leek Soup
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Baked Potato Soup
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup
- Chicken Alfredo Soup
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Cheddar Beer Soup
- Creamy Tomato Soup
- Corn Chowder
- Zucchini Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Lemon Chicken Soup
- Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
- Chicken Enchilada Soup
- White Chicken Chili
- Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- Buffalo Chicken Soup
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Classic Beef Stew
- French Onion Soup
- Beef Barley Soup
- Lamb and Vegetable Soup
- Vegan Lentil Soup
- Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- Vegan Mushroom Soup
- Clam Chowder
- Fish Chowder
- Shrimp and Corn Soup
- Winter Soup Success Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Hearty Classics1-10 • Timeless Bowls
Tortilla Soup
Spicy + Crispy + Fresh
Spicy tomato-based soup with crispy tortilla strips, avocado and cheese.
You need: chicken broth, diced tomatoes, shredded chicken, corn, black beans, tortilla strips, avocado
Make it: Simmer the broth with tomatoes and chicken 20 minutes. Add corn and beans. Serve topped with tortilla strips, avocado and cheese.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Golden + Comforting + Classic
Golden chicken broth with egg noodles, carrots and celery.
You need: chicken, egg noodles, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, thyme
Make it: Simmer the chicken in broth until tender. Shred the chicken. Add vegetables and noodles and cook until tender.
Beef Vegetable Soup
Hearty + Filling + Homestyle
Beef chunks with carrots, potatoes and green beans in rich broth.
You need: beef stew meat, carrots, potatoes, green beans, onion, beef broth, tomato paste
Make it: Brown the beef. Add onion, broth and tomato paste. Simmer 45 minutes, add vegetables, and cook until tender.
Lentil Soup
Earthy + Hearty + Protein Rich
Hearty green lentils with carrots and celery in thick broth.
You need: green lentils, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cumin
Make it: Saute the vegetables. Add lentils, broth and cumin. Simmer 35-40 minutes until the lentils are tender.
Minestrone
Colorful + Italian + Veggie Packed
Colorful vegetables with beans and pasta in tomato broth.
You need: mixed vegetables, kidney beans, small pasta, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning
Make it: Saute the vegetables. Add tomatoes, beans and broth. Simmer 20 minutes, add pasta, and cook until tender.
Split Pea Soup
Thick + Smoky + Satisfying
Thick green pea soup with smoky ham pieces.
You need: split peas, ham, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer the peas, ham and vegetables in broth 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick.
Ham and Bean Soup
Savory + Hearty + Old Fashioned
White beans with ham chunks and carrots in savory broth.
You need: white beans, ham, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer the beans, ham and vegetables in broth 45-60 minutes until the beans are tender.
Cabbage Soup
Light + Healthy + Simple
Light, healthy cabbage with carrots and tomatoes in clear broth.
You need: cabbage, carrots, diced tomatoes, onion, celery, vegetable broth
Make it: Saute the onion and celery. Add cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and broth. Simmer 30 minutes.
Potato Leek Soup
Silky + Elegant + French
Smooth, silky soup with tender leeks and creamy potatoes.
You need: potatoes, leeks, butter, chicken broth, cream, chives
Make it: Sweat the leeks in butter. Add potatoes and broth. Simmer until tender, blend, and stir in cream.
Butternut Squash Soup
Sweet + Silky + Autumn
Silky orange soup with roasted squash, sage and a cream swirl.
You need: butternut squash, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cream, sage
Make it: Roast the squash until caramelized. Simmer with onion, garlic and broth. Blend and swirl in cream.
Creamy & Cheesy11-20 • Rich and Indulgent
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Cheesy + Comforting + Copycat
Creamy cheese soup with tender broccoli and extra cheddar on top.
You need: broccoli, cheddar cheese, onion, carrots, chicken broth, cream, flour, butter
Make it: Make a roux with butter and flour. Whisk in broth and cream. Add broccoli and carrots, simmer, then stir in cheddar.
Baked Potato Soup
Creamy + Cozy + Sour Cream
Creamy potato soup with sour cream and chives.
You need: potatoes, onion, chicken broth, sour cream, butter, chives
Make it: Simmer potatoes and onion in broth until tender. Mash partly, stir in sour cream and butter. Top with chives.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Silky + Mild + Elegant
Silky roasted cauliflower soup with a cream swirl and fresh herbs.
You need: cauliflower, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cream, olive oil
Make it: Roast the cauliflower with garlic until golden. Simmer with onion and broth. Blend and swirl in cream.
Chicken Alfredo Soup
Rich + Parmesan + Italian
Creamy parmesan soup with chicken pieces and tender pasta.
You need: chicken, small pasta, parmesan, cream, garlic, chicken broth, spinach
Make it: Simmer chicken in broth until cooked. Add pasta and garlic. Stir in cream, parmesan and spinach.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Loaded + Cheesy + Bacon
Creamy potato soup loaded with bacon, cheddar and chives.
You need: potatoes, bacon, cheddar, sour cream, chives, chicken broth
Make it: Cook bacon; set aside. Simmer potatoes in broth. Mash, stir in cheddar and sour cream. Top with bacon and chives.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Earthy + Velvety + Rich
Rich, velvety mushroom soup with thyme and a cream finish.
You need: mushrooms, onion, garlic, thyme, chicken broth, cream, butter, flour
Make it: Brown the mushrooms in butter. Add onion, garlic and thyme. Make a roux, whisk in broth, simmer, and stir in cream.
Cheddar Beer Soup
Pub Style + Sharp + Bold
Creamy cheddar soup with a splash of beer and crunchy croutons.
You need: sharp cheddar, beer, onion, celery, chicken broth, cream, flour, butter
Make it: Sweat onion and celery in butter. Add flour, whisk in broth and beer. Simmer, stir in cheddar and cream. Top with croutons.
Creamy Tomato Soup
Velvety + Sweet + Basil
Velvety tomato soup with a cream swirl and fresh basil.
You need: crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cream, basil
Make it: Saute onion and garlic. Add tomatoes and broth. Simmer 20 minutes. Blend, stir in cream and basil.
Corn Chowder
Sweet + Creamy + Golden
Creamy corn chowder with potatoes and bits of bacon.
You need: corn, potatoes, bacon, onion, celery, chicken broth, cream
Make it: Cook bacon; set aside. Saute vegetables. Add potatoes and broth. Simmer, add corn and cream. Top with bacon.
Zucchini Soup
Light + Green + Fresh
Light green zucchini soup with fresh herbs and a touch of cream.
You need: zucchini, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cream, fresh herbs
Make it: Saute onion and garlic. Add zucchini and broth. Simmer 15 minutes. Blend and stir in cream.
Chicken Favorites21-30 • Comfort in a Bowl
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Nutty + Creamy + Hearty
Creamy chicken soup with nutty wild rice and vegetables.
You need: chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, cream
Make it: Simmer wild rice in broth until tender. Add chicken and vegetables. Cook, then stir in cream.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Smoky + Zesty + Topped
Smoky tomato chicken soup with tortilla strips and lime.
You need: chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, lime, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken with tomatoes, beans and corn. Shred the chicken. Serve with tortilla strips and lime.
Lemon Chicken Soup
Bright + Fresh + Greek Style
Bright, lemony chicken soup with orzo and fresh dill.
You need: chicken, orzo, lemon, eggs, dill, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken in broth. Add orzo. Whisk eggs with lemon and temper into the soup. Add dill.
Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
Exotic + Creamy + Aromatic
Coconut curry chicken soup with mushrooms, lemongrass and cilantro.
You need: chicken, coconut milk, red curry paste, mushrooms, lemongrass, lime, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer curry paste in coconut milk. Add chicken, mushrooms and lemongrass. Finish with lime and cilantro.
Chicken Enchilada Soup
Bold + Cheesy + Fiesta
Smoky enchilada-style chicken soup with cheese and sour cream.
You need: chicken, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, cheddar, sour cream, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken with enchilada sauce, beans and corn. Shred, stir in cheddar, and serve with sour cream.
White Chicken Chili
Creamy + Mild + Crowd Pleaser
Creamy white chili with chicken, white beans and corn.
You need: chicken, white beans, corn, green chiles, cream cheese, chicken broth, cumin
Make it: Simmer chicken with beans, corn and chiles. Shred, stir in cream cheese until melted.
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Pillowy + Italian + Indulgent
Creamy chicken soup with pillowy potato gnocchi and spinach.
You need: chicken, gnocchi, spinach, carrots, celery, cream, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken and vegetables in broth. Add gnocchi and spinach. Stir in cream.
Chicken and Rice Soup
Simple + Soothing + Family
Comforting chicken broth with rice, carrots and celery.
You need: chicken, rice, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, thyme
Make it: Simmer chicken in broth. Shred, add rice and vegetables. Cook until the rice is tender.
Buffalo Chicken Soup
Spicy + Tangy + Game Day
Spicy buffalo chicken soup with a blue cheese drizzle and celery.
You need: chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, celery, carrots, blue cheese, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken with vegetables in broth. Shred, stir in buffalo sauce and cream cheese. Top with blue cheese.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Creamy + Flaky + Nostalgic
Creamy chicken soup with peas and carrots, topped with a flaky biscuit.
You need: chicken, peas, carrots, celery, pie crust or biscuits, cream, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken and vegetables in broth. Stir in cream. Serve with baked pie crust strips or biscuits on top.
Beef & Lamb31-34 • Rich and Hearty
Classic Beef Stew
Thick + Rich + Old Fashioned
Tender beef chunks with carrots and potatoes in thick brown gravy.
You need: beef stew meat, carrots, potatoes, onion, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme
Make it: Brown the beef. Add onion, broth and tomato paste. Simmer 60 minutes, add vegetables, and cook until tender.
French Onion Soup
Caramelized + Cheesy + Bistro
Deep caramelized onion broth with a melted gruyere crouton.
You need: onions, beef broth, gruyere cheese, baguette, thyme, butter
Make it: Caramelize onions in butter 30-40 minutes. Add broth and thyme, simmer. Top with baguette and gruyere, broil until melted.
Beef Barley Soup
Chewy + Nutritious + Filling
Beef with plump barley grains, carrots and celery in rich broth.
You need: beef stew meat, pearl barley, carrots, celery, onion, beef broth
Make it: Brown the beef. Add onion, broth and barley. Simmer 45 minutes, add vegetables, and cook 20 more minutes.
Lamb and Vegetable Soup
Tender + Rosemary + Rustic
Tender lamb with root vegetables and rosemary in golden broth.
You need: lamb shoulder, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, onion, rosemary, lamb or chicken broth
Make it: Brown the lamb. Add onion, broth and rosemary. Simmer 45 minutes, add vegetables, and cook until tender.
Vegetarian & Vegan35-37 • Fresh and Light
Vegan Lentil Soup
Golden + Turmeric + Nourishing
Red lentils with turmeric, carrots and spinach in golden broth.
You need: red lentils, carrots, spinach, onion, garlic, turmeric, vegetable broth, lemon
Make it: Saute onion, garlic and turmeric. Add lentils, carrots and broth. Simmer 25 minutes. Stir in spinach and lemon.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Smoky + Sweet + Silky
Silky roasted red pepper soup with a basil oil swirl.
You need: roasted red peppers, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cream (optional), basil oil
Make it: Saute onion and garlic. Add peppers and broth. Simmer 15 minutes, blend, and swirl with basil oil.
Vegan Mushroom Soup
Creamy + Dairy Free + Umami
Creamy coconut-based mushroom soup with fresh herbs.
You need: mushrooms, onion, garlic, coconut milk, vegetable broth, thyme
Make it: Brown the mushrooms. Add onion, garlic and thyme. Pour in broth and coconut milk. Simmer 20 minutes.
Seafood Delights38-40 • From the Coast
Clam Chowder
Thick + Creamy + New England
Thick, creamy New England clam chowder with potatoes.
You need: clams, potatoes, onion, celery, cream, bacon, clam juice, thyme
Make it: Cook bacon; set aside. Saute vegetables. Add potatoes and clam juice, simmer. Add clams and cream. Top with bacon.
Fish Chowder
Delicate + Buttery + Fresh
Creamy chowder with tender white fish, potatoes and dill.
You need: white fish, potatoes, onion, celery, cream, butter, dill, fish or chicken broth
Make it: Sweat vegetables in butter. Add potatoes and broth, simmer. Add fish and dill, cook 8-10 minutes. Stir in cream.
Shrimp and Corn Soup
Sweet + Buttery + Coastal
Creamy soup with plump shrimp, sweet corn and potatoes.
You need: shrimp, corn, potatoes, onion, celery, cream, butter, Old Bay seasoning
Make it: Sweat vegetables in butter. Add potatoes and broth, simmer. Add shrimp and corn, cook until pink. Stir in cream.
Winter Soup Success Tips
- Warm and comforting. Simmer low and slow for deep flavor.
- Easy to make. Most soups need just one pot and simple steps.
- Simple ingredients. Tomatoes, garlic, onions, carrots, greens, beans, lentils and herbs are the essentials.
- Perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch and portion for the week.
- Great for family dinners. Serve with crusty bread and good vibes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best winter soups?
Hearty classics like beef stew, creamy favorites like broccoli cheddar, and comforting chicken soups are all perfect for winter.
Can I freeze these soups?
Yes — most soups freeze well for up to 3 months. Cool completely, portion, and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Which soups are best for meal prep?
Lentil soup, minestrone, chicken noodle and chili all keep beautifully for 4-5 days in the fridge.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes — lentil soup, minestrone, roasted red pepper, vegan mushroom and many more are meat free.
What should I serve with soup?
Crusty bread, grilled cheese sandwiches and a fresh green salad complete any winter soup night.