27 Vegetarian Soup Recipes to Add to Your Weeknight Rotation (2024)

These veggie-packed soups will impress everyone at your table. We've got great soup recipes for every season to highlight whatever produce is popping at the farmers market. Try the greens-based Rocket Soup in the spring; opt for Indian-spiced Kachumber Gazpacho when it's too hot to cook. In the fall, nothing beats a velvety bowl of Sweet Potato-Coconut Soup with Thai Curry, and the root vegetable-laden Nordic Winter Vegetable Soup will keep you warm all through the coldest months. From creamy pureed soups to hearty noodle soups, these are our best vegetarian soup recipes.

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Burmese Samusa Soup

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This vegan soup from Desmond Tan’s Burma Superstar in San Francisco features a broth that’s seasoned with black mustard seeds, cumin, and turmeric. Fresh cabbage, herbs, and chiles top each ample bowl, contrasting tender lentils and potatoes with a pleasing crunch. It’s substantial enough to be a meal by itself, but try it topped with wedges of leftover samosas (or samusas, as they’re called in Burma) and falafel, as they do at the restaurant.

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02of 27

Vegan Hot and Sour Soup with Tofu

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This vegan version of traditional Hot and Sour Soup bursts with flavor and is wildly easy to make.

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03of 27

Sweet Potato–Coconut Soup with Thai Curry

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A trio of coconut — coconut oil, coconut milk, and toasted coconut flakes — makes its way into this fragrant and lovely twist on a classic autumn soup from cookbook author Melissa Clark.

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04of 27

Restorative Ginger and Turmeric Noodle Soup

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F&W Cooks contributor Hetty McKinnon says this soup is “like a hug” in winter. Garlic oil and ginger-turmeric curry paste add flavor — the paste can keep in the refrigerator for up to seven days and can be frozen, too, so it’s easy to prepare in advance.

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05of 27

Mapo Tofu- and "Wok-Style"-Inspired Ramen

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Chef Josh Reisner's mapo tofu ramen is a beautiful marriage of mapo tofu, the spicy tongue-numbing Sichuan dish, and Japanese ramen. It calls for chicken and tofu; use just tofu if you want to create a vegetarian version. Be sure to have chile oil on hand for the finishing touch.

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06of 27

Chilled Zucchini Soup with Purslane

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Alain Coumont's cool vegan soup gets its creaminess from pureed zucchini, sautéed onion and garlic. It's brightened with purslane, a lemony weed that Coumont plucks from his Languedoc country garden; if purslane is not available at your local farmers' market, substitute baby arugula leaves instead.

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07of 27

Spicy Chickpea Soup

Chickpeas are used as the base for this creamy (though cream-free) soup, which is flavored with the Indian spice blend garam masala and prepared by first pureeing it, then simmering it, to save time.

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08of 27

Mashhurda (Mung Bean Soup)

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League of Kitchens cooking instructor Damira Inatullaeva learned to make this delectable mung bean soup recipe from her Tajik mother-in-law, who makes it without meat and uses dried apricots for a flavorful twist. Don't let the list of simple ingredients fool you — this is one of the most complex and delicious vegetarian soups we've ever tasted. The fresh herbs, pepper, and labneh at the finish take it over the top.

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09of 27

Roasted Green Tomato Basil Soup in Sourdough

27 Vegetarian Soup Recipes to Add to Your Weeknight Rotation (9)

This beautiful green soup pairs the tartness of green tomatoes with fragrant basil and thyme. Once you've finished off the soup, you can eat the sourdough bread bowl.

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10of 27

Spicy Grain Soup

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Based on a brothy tortilla soup, this fiery, substantial soup is full of nutty-tasting barley, brown rice, and bulgur, creating a dish that's incredibly hearty.

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11of 27

Shiitake and Swiss Chard Soup with Hand-Cut Noodles

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Chef David Chang flavors this fabulous broth with dried shiitakes; fresh shiitakes intensify the flavor. The highlight: simple noodles thrown in at the end. "They're based on the udon I learned to make in Tokyo," Chang says.

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12of 27

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

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Aged goat cheese is a key ingredient in this creamy soup from the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. Cookbook author Paula Wolfert uses Midnight Moon by Cypress Grove, but goat Gouda also works well. The recipe for the spice blend makes more than you need, but any extra is excellent tossed with roasted vegetables.

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13of 27

Nordic Winter Vegetable Soup

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Chef and food writer Trina Hahnemann calls the root vegetables in this simple vegetarian soup the "gold of Nordic soil" because they're high in nutrients and grow well in cold climates.

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Mushroom-Chickpea Pozole

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"Here I use mushrooms to give us that earthy heartiness that you expect from pozole, no meat needed," says chef Marcela Valladolid. "Guajillo, ancho, and árbol chiles are soaked and pureed for a perfectly balanced sauce that punches up the savory mushroom broth; the chickpeas are a yummy twist in place of the dried hominy."

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15of 27

Vegetable Soup with Fennel, Herbs, and Parmesan Broth

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Cookbook author Viana La Place simmers Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds in the broth to give it a rich, cheesy flavor. It's another example of the "nothing wasted" approach that Italians take to their cooking: "I also strain the soup and use the broth as a base for other dishes," La Place says.

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16of 27

Egyptian Red Lentil Soup

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Known as shorbet ads, this vividly hued lentil soup is very popular in Egypt. Serve it with yogurt, lemon wedges, and warm pita.

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17of 27

Kachumber Gazpacho

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F&W Cooks contributor Hetal Vasavada channeled her love for kachumber, a fresh, cucumber-based Indian salad, to inspire this exciting riff on the classic chilled summery soup. Warm spices and a hint of chile add flavor and heat without overwhelming the fresh tomatoes; sev, a crispy chickpea noodle snack, adds a pleasant crunch.

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18of 27

Caramelized Onion and Bread Soup with Brûléed Blue Cheese

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In their book Wine Food, sommelier Dana Frank and recipe developer Andrea Slonecker pair funky, bright wines with flavorful, vegetable-forward dishes. In this vegetarian version of classic French onion soup, blue cheese and oloroso sherry bring new layers of flavor and depth. Notes of toasted nuts and fruit compote in the sherry pair well with caramelized onions, and its briny acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese.

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19of 27

Oliaigua (Menorcan Vegetable Soup) with Fig Jam–Topped Toast

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The name for this simple soup of gently stewed onions, tomatoes, and peppers comes from the Catalan words oli (oil) and aigua (water). The soup can be served warm or chilled, and is customarily eaten with bread, which is topped here with figat (fig jam).

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Creamy Carrot Soup with Scallions and Poppy Seeds

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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 and garnished just before serving.

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21of 27

Miso-Roasted Vegetable Soup

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"I wanted the soup to taste deep and rich without using a stock, so I turned to my umami arsenal of flavor boosters: miso, soy sauce, canned tomatoes, and a dash of smoked paprika. How could the soup not be delicious?" writes cookbook author Raquel Pelzel. To make it, she tosses her veggies in a miso-oil paste, roasts them until caramelized, then simmers them with spices and tomatoes to concentrate the flavors.

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22of 27

Broccoli and Potato Soup

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The bright green broccoli florets floating on top of this hearty soup make it especially eye-catching, but it's the broccoli stems that do the real work. They're cooked with the potatoes and then pureed to form a creamy base. A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese gives the soup an extra savory touch. Be sure to use vegetable stock instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian soup.

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23of 27

Vegetarian 15-Bean Soup

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Can't make up your mind about whether to make bean or lentil soup? Grab a bag of 15-bean soup mix from the dry goods aisle at the market and make this flavorful, hearty soup instead. Bean and lentil soups like this one are often cooked with a ham bone or a smoked ham hock, but there are other ways to add flavor, especially when you want something vegetarian. Here, we add a few Parmesan cheese rinds instead.

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24of 27

Shorbat Jarjir (Rocket Soup)

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A blend of spinach, cilantro, and arugula anchors this delicate, vegetal soup from Yasmin Khan, author of Zaitoun. Warming spices like nutmeg, allspice, and turmeric amplify the verdant flavors of the greens; a single potato adds light, silky texture; and a drizzle of olive oil and dollop of yogurt enrich the soup without weighing it down.

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Corn Chowder

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A bowl of corn chowder is as satisfying in the height of summer's fresh corn season as it is in the depths of winter. This quick and easy soup recipe highlights the taste of sweet summer corn, but since the vegetable is available virtually all the time, you can (and should) make this chowder year-round. Opt for veggie stock here to keep it vegetarian.

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26of 27

Tomato and Quinoa Soup

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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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Cabbage Velouté with Poached Pears and Croutons

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Chef Christopher Kostow is a big fan of cabbage; when he makes this soup, he uses cabbage juice to amplify the flavor, but it's also great made with vegetable stock.

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27 Vegetarian Soup Recipes to Add to Your Weeknight Rotation (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to soup? ›

7 Tips for Successful Soup Making
  • Use a Sturdy Pot. It is worth investing in a heavy pot with a thick bottom to use for making soup. ...
  • Sauté the Aromatics. ...
  • Start with Good Broth. ...
  • Cut Vegetables to the Right Size. ...
  • Stagger the Addition of Vegetables. ...
  • Keep Liquid at a Simmer. ...
  • Season Just Before Serving.
Oct 9, 2022

How to make my vegetable soup tastier? ›

How to Add Lots of Flavor to Vegetable Soup
  1. Salt: enhances flavor.
  2. Fat: amplifies flavor.
  3. Acid: brightens and balances.
  4. Heat: determines the texture of the food.

What are the benefits of having vegetable soup for dinner? ›

Rich Source of Fluids

Vegetable soups having a lot of water in it nourishes the body cells and keeps the skin fresh. The presence of carbohydrates, proteins, fats as well as vitamins and minerals supply the much-needed energy to the body to carry out other activities.

What are the healthiest vegetables to put in soup? ›

Root vegetables such as squash and potatoes add a good element of heartiness and fiber. Carrots and zucchini hold up well in broth and kale or Swiss chard add nice flavor, a splash of color and a serious dose of nutrition. Tomatoes and tomato paste give your recipe an Italian twist.

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.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

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.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. "Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices.

What are good spices to put in vegetable 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 to add to bland vegetable soup? ›

Onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, Italian seasonings, Mexican seasonings (or any other cultures). Don't overcook your vegetables, either. They lose their flavor and turn to mush if cooked too long. You can also add pasta and/or use a base of broth.

Can you eat homemade vegetable soup everyday? ›

For those wanting a more intense regime, a vegetable soup can replace two meals a day for five to seven days without any negative side effects. Although much of the weight loss will be fluid, sometimes all we need to feel leaner and healthier is a flatter stomach and a kilo or two less on the scales.

Is it OK to have soup for dinner everyday? ›

Soup is a good evening meal to have every day because it is typically low in calories and high in nutrients, making it a healthy option for weight management. It is also easy to make and can be customized with a variety of ingredients to suit personal taste preferences.

What is the healthiest soup? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

What vegetables go first in a soup? ›

The first set of veg—a quartered onion plus roughly chopped carrots and celery—goes in at the beginning, their flavors seeping into the soup as the chicken cooks. They're cut into big pieces and act as part of the foundational stock.

What are the best things to put in soup? ›

You can extract a clean, strong broth from a combination of water and several pantry ingredients. It's all about layering powerful flavor-enhancers that you probably already have on hand—bacon, tomato paste, herbs, peppercorns, a Parmesan rind, and, of course, kosher salt.

What can make soup taste better? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

Should I eat vegetables in soup? ›

Some of the nutrients leeched into the broth, not all. On top of that, not eating the vegetables, you will not get the dietary fiber, which is important for a myriad number of reasons. Eat your vegetables.

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