Warm bowls, cozy nights! These 20 winter soups and stews are the most comforting recipes for cold days — rich beef stews, creamy favorites and hearty classics. Good food brings warmth to every winter night!
Browse the Recipes
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Classic Beef Stew
- Lentil Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Split Pea Soup
- Ham and Bean Soup
- Irish Beef Stew
- Clam Chowder
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- White Chicken Chili
- Lamb Stew
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Potato Leek Soup
- Vegetable Beef Soup
- Corn Chowder
- Winter Soup Success Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Winter Classics1-7 • Timeless Comfort Bowls
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.
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.
Lentil Soup
Earthy + Hearty + Protein Rich
Hearty lentils with carrots and tomatoes in thick broth.
You need: brown lentils, carrots, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, cumin
Make it: Saute the vegetables. Add lentils, tomatoes and broth. Simmer 35-40 minutes until the lentils are tender.
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.
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.
Minestrone Soup
Colorful + Italian + Veggie Packed
Colorful vegetables with beans in tomato broth, topped with parmesan.
You need: mixed vegetables, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, parmesan
Make it: Saute the vegetables. Add tomatoes, beans and broth. Simmer 25 minutes. Serve topped with parmesan.
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.
Cozy Comfort Bowls8-14 • Rich and Satisfying
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.
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.
Irish Beef Stew
Rustic + Rich + One Pot
Beef with cabbage and root vegetables in a rich, dark broth.
You need: beef stew meat, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onion, beef broth, thyme
Make it: Brown the beef. Add onion and broth. Simmer 60 minutes, add vegetables and cabbage, and cook until tender.
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.
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.
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.
Even More Warm Favorites15-20 • Winter Night Winners
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.
Lamb Stew
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.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Spicy + Zesty + Topped
Smoky tomato chicken soup with tortilla strips and avocado.
You need: chicken, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, avocado, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken with tomatoes, beans and corn. Shred. Serve with tortilla strips and avocado.
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.
Vegetable Beef 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.
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.
Winter Soup Success Tips
- Simmer low and slow. Deep flavor comes from gentle, patient cooking.
- Season at the end. Salt tastes stronger after reducing — taste before serving.
- Brown the meat first. It adds rich, caramelized depth to every stew.
- Thicken smart. A flour slurry, mashed potatoes or a quick blend fixes thin broth.
- Great for leftovers. Most soups and stews taste even better the next day.
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 and stews?
Yes — most freeze well for up to 3 months. Cool completely, portion, and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Which are best for meal prep?
Lentil soup, minestrone, chicken noodle and chili all keep beautifully for 4-5 days in the fridge.
What should I serve with soup?
Crusty bread, grilled cheese sandwiches and a fresh green salad complete any winter soup night.