The 50 Best Soups For Fall And Winter

Now that the temperatures are starting to dip, it is time to pull out your Dutch ovens, soup pots, and slow-cookers. To keep warm this fall and winter, hone your soup-making skills with our 50 best soup recipes for the cold months ahead.

All of the recipes included in our roundup were carefully selected, taking time, technique, and taste into consideration. We reached out to our Culinary Content Network and searched our own best recipes collection to ensure that we delivered the best soups for the season. After identifying our favorite soup recipes, we broke them down into categories based on the most popular soup styles, including everything from such classics as chicken noodle soup to less common ones like caldo gallego, a Spanish-style kale and chorizo soup.

Whether you are looking for a basic tomato soup recipe to serve alongside a grilled cheese, an easy slow-cooker chicken potpie soup, or an herbaceous winter onion soup with Gruyère and bacon, we have the recipes for you. 

From classic peasant soups to creamy tomato to a basic miso soup, we have the best classic soups that are delicious on their own, but also are customizable to your tastes with the additions of herbs, spices, and proteins.

Caldo gallego is Spain's version of a rustic sausage soup. This classic soup gets its heat from spicy chorizo and Spanish smoked paprika. The white beans, starchy potatoes, and turnips add body.

For the Caldo Gallego recipe, click here.

This creamy tomato soup trumps the watery canned version any day. The carrots, onions, and chicken broth add tons of flavor. Just purée the ingredients and finish with cream for something truly delicious tomato soup.

For the Creamy Tomato-Basil Soup recipe, click here.

Inspired by the Leaky Cauldron, one of Harry Potter's frequent Diagon Alley haunts, this hearty take on classic leek soup warms me right down to my soul. The bacon, potatoes, and leeks all come together to make the ultimate comfort food, but the bun bowls are what really set this dish apart. Since rolls and soup are featured so often as sides, mini bread bowls seemed like the perfect way to marry two sides together. Of course, you can use any kind of bread you want. I chose pretzel bread because it's hearty and resembles cauldrons (pumpernickel is great too!). Just be sure the variety you choose has a hard outer crust (to prevent the soup from soaking through). Bon appétit! — Alison's Wonderland Recipes

For the Leek Soup in a Pretzle Bun Bowls recipe, click here.

When it comes to creating a rich and balanced soup, the trick to keep in mind is always make sure you're developing layers of flavor. This starts with the broth and should be carried through to the garnishes. This  miso soup begins with a simple kombu-based dashi (Japanese broth), then various flavors are added (soy sauce, ginger, sriracha sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sake), followed by white miso, the main ingredients (tofu, shiitake mushrooms, kale, and sautéed scallions), and finally topped with a sprinkle of diced fresh scallions. — Molly Aronica

For the Miso Soup recipe, click here.

This adaptation of French onion soup boasts bacon and a generous measure of herbs, in addition to the classic cheese-topped toasts. I particularly like it on a cold day, especially with a glass of full-bodied Belgian ale or a homebrew. — Jeanne Kelley

For the Onion Soup with Bacon, Winter Herbs, and Gruyère recipe, click here.

Carrots, onions, celery, and waxy potatoes all go into making this soup one of the creamiest potato soups we have ever had. Finish with a touch of cream and chopped chives for a truly delicious meal.

For the Potato Soup recipe, click here.

Roasted butternut squash and apple soup is an amazing recipe for the fall. Roasted butternut squash is mixed with sage and curry and topped with fried sage. This recipe gets accompanied with a delicious arugula salad topped with strawberries, goat cheese, and toasted pecans, then drizzled with a simple vinaigrette. — Living Sweet Moments

For the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe, click here.

This simple soup is easy enough to make with your kids, and a little lighter than creamy tomato soups. Serve this one with a large crouton and shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano for a light and delicious meal.

For the Tomato Soup recipe, click here.

A traditional Mexican dish, tortilla soup is a spicy blend of tomatoes, vegetables, and crisp tortilla strips. This is an easy plant-powered version that you can whip it up in no time. Best of all, this dish relies on preserved goods, such as canned tomatoes, frozen corn, and canned beans, so you can make it year-round from your pantry. And it's a great complement for a simple sandwich, burrito, or vegetable salad for lunch or dinner. — Sharon Palmer 

For the Tortilla Soup recipe, click here.

Warm chicken soup truly soothes the soul. Whether you prefer yours with thick noodles, hearty grains, or dumplings, we have chicken noodle soups for any taste.

Bone-in chicken is the best to make with soup because it adds a nice depth of flavor. This is an Asian version on a classic chicken and pea soup. — Cindy's Table

For the Asian Chicken and Pea Soup recipe, click here.

This hearty and healthy chicken soup comes from QVC's resident foodie and best-selling cookbook author David Venable. Leftovers can be a great lunch option for you and the kids. Make it when you have some extra time over the weekend. Then, fill a thermos with hot soup before work or school. — David Venable

For the Chicken and Quinoa Soup recipe, click here.

This simple chicken noodle soup is light, healthy, and can be made in your slow cooker while you are at work or running errands.

For the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, click here.

I made this soup using some rich, homemade chicken stock, and yes, it all was gluten-free and incredibly easy. Chicken soup definitely soothes the soul. — Denise Woodward and Laudalino Ferreira

For the Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, click here.

This hot pot recipe is a great alternative to the classic chicken noodle soup. The chicken is  replaced by tofu, but the taste remains the same. — Carlton Jared Lockett

For the Hot Pot Tofu "Chicken" Noodle Soup recipe, click here.

This take on a chicken matzoh ball soup is packed with healthy vegetables and vibrant herbs and spices, like fresh parsley, bay, and turmeric.

For the Lemon Chicken Soup with Dumplings recipe, click here.

A good roast chicken is one of the best things you can put in your mouth. And ramen? It should officially replace chicken noodle soup as the most comforting food on earth. Together, they make magic: the undeniably awesome aroma of a bird roasted with garlic, thyme, and sage infused into an umami-packed broth teeming with addictively chewy noodles. — Dale Talde

For the Roast-Chicken-Dinner Ramen recipe, click here.

Canned stock just doesn't do this soup justice. A little extra effort is required to make the homemade chicken stock, but the rich taste is worth the effort.

For the Yucatén Chicken and Lime Soup recipe, click here.

These soups are geared toward cooks of any skill level. Learn to make hearty delicious soups perfect for the cold fall and winter months, and soon your soup pot will become your favorite kitchen tool.

Here's a fun and tasty soup recipe the whole family can enjoy. For the full cheeseburger effect, serve on toasted buns with all the fixings. — Better Homes and Gardens

For the All-American Cheeseburger Soup recipe, click here.

It's smoky and rich and filling, with a wonderful kick from the chipotles.  The sweet potato is supposed to be the star, but it's really just the perfect backdrop for the delicious tidbits of bacon and sweet nuggets of corn and peppers, and of course, the warm, insanely smoky chipotles.  It couldn't be simpler to throw together, and aside from a small amount of bacon (Excuse me, what are you muttering about half a pound? A measly amount!), it's reasonably healthy. — but I'm hungry

For the Chipotle Sweet Potato Chowder recipe, click here.

This creamy, spicy eggplant soup with the perfect way to warm up this season. Sauté the vegetables in the pot, add vegetable stock, and finish with a bit of cream. One-pot cooking has never been so tasty.

For the Creamy Eggplant Soup recipe, click here.

Its main components are escarole, onion, garlic, chicken stock, and cannellini beans. That makes it a very easy soup to make. It's kind of the ideal soup because it's heartwarming but thin — so it works year-round. It will fill you up, but you don't feel heavy after eating it — just satisfied. The beans kind of leak out their starchiness, thickening it a little once the soup has had a chance to sit. — Arthur Bovino

For the Escarole and White Bean Soup recipe, click here.

Creamy corn chowder with a Southwestern kick! Corn and Hatch chiles are simmered in a silky cumin scented broth for a filling soup that is both soothing and spicy. — Marye Audet

For the Hatch Chile Corn Chowder recipe, click here.

This rich, earthy soup is given the perfect amount of tang from soy sauce and ginger. To make it vegetarian, substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock. — Cooking Light Good Mood Food Cookbook

For the Hot and Sour Soup recipe, click here.

What I like about this soup is that it is relatively free form and foolproof. No real heavy measuring, no watching of a pan or pot, cutting into beans, spending hours nearby, and yet, certainly more sophisticated than puréeing stovetop cooked carrots. It is a quiet roast of a big chopped carrot in the oven, then a quick hot bath with some broth and sautéed onion, garlic, and a nice pinch of spices punches flavor into the soup and it is finished with a squeeze of lemon and whizzed to smooth. — Meredith Napolitano

For the Lazy Roast Carrot Soup recipe, click here.

It just doesn't get any easier or more delicious than this! Sautéed ground beef, onion, beans, and Mexican-style tomato soup simmer together to make a quick and hearty chili that everyone will love. — Campbell's Kitchen

For the Quick and Easy Chili recipe, click here.

A simple pot of stewed tomatoes flavored with rosemary and chile flakes and beefed-up with protein-filled chickpeas and hearty, nutrient-packed kale. The soup has texture, heat and is filling enough to keep us satisfied and full. — Yasmin Fahr

For the Quick Tomato Soup with Kale and Chickpeas recipe, click here.

So many canned soups are packed with sodium. A simple solution to avoiding all of that excess salt is making your own. Controlling the ingredients helps you stay healthy, and the fresh taste of homemade soups will keep you satisfied.

This is a magical little soup. Why, you ask? Because this soup turns into a stew overnight in the refrigerator. The barley in this soup is so absorbent that it will soak up enough liquid to make this beef soup as thick as stew the next day, which works out to be two meals in one! — Will Budiaman

For the Beef Barley Soup recipe, click here.

We loved it with a perfectly creamy poached egg in the middle, and a good drizzle of golden extra-virgin olive oil. But of course you can keep it vegan if you like and add some crispy pan-seared tofu instead of the poached egg. — Ciao Florentina

For the Broccoli Spinach Soup recipe, click here.

I find that butternut squash is one of the most versatile squash out there. I use them in everything from soups to baked goods; they can be sweet or savory. I love their rich color and firm texture. This vegetarian soup recipe is rich; you don't need much more to make a complete meal. A little bread and a simple salad, and you have the perfect meatless meal. — Denise Woodward and Laudalino Ferreira

For the Butternut-Pear Soup recipe, click here.

This is a really simple soup to put together and it is versatile too. Use any wilting dark green that is in your fridge instead of kale and it still will be great. Swiss chard, collard greens, and spinach all work really well. — Diane Balch

For the Cabbage Soup: White Bean and Kale Soup recipe, click here.

Clear away those winter sniffles with this hearty yet healthy soup that highlights the rich and nutty flavor of acorn squash. A touch of cayenne gives it an extra kick that will be sure to clear up any congestion the winter months may bring. — Ashley Fahr

For the Curried Squash and White Bean Soup recipe, click here.

This Golden Beet Soup Recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan so if or any of your family members have dietary restrictions, you can serve this without any problem. — Tiffany Bendayan

For the Golden Beet Soup recipe, click here.

Like the ugly duckling, this soup has its beautiful side, but you have to taste it to make that discovery. Rich with the mirepoix blend of sautéed onion, carrots, and celery, I've always done one thing that I think has this simple mixture stand head and shoulders above the others I've had. It's simple, too... I substitute chicken stock for the water that is most often called for when making a bean soup. — CreativeCulinary

For the Split Pea Soup recipe, click here.

A Thai-inspired corn and mushroom soup for an easy and healthy soup. Great as a first course but equally satisfying served as a main course with crusty bread for a light dinner. It's a a recipe that will spice up your week with exotic flavors. — Tiffany Hoang

For the Thai Corn and Mushroom Soup recipe, click here.

On cold fall and winter nights, nothing can warm you up quite like a piping hot bowl of soup. However, time constraints mean that we don't always have tons of spare time to simmer our ingredients into a rich, tasty broth. Luckily, these slow-cooker soup recipes allow you to cook your hearty soups will you are away from the kitchen for a time-saving, delicious soup to enjoy all season long.

Potatoes and cheese? Yes, please! This six-ingredient slow-cooker supper is unbelievably easy and amazingly delicious. — Pillsbury

For the Cheesy Potato Slow-Cooker Soup recipe, click here.

This quick, easy version of Greek avgolemono — lemon soup — is great when you're in the mood for chicken soup but are tired of the noodle standby. Try pairing this with a bright and citrusy pinot grigio and serve this either with some warm, crusty bread, or as a prelude to a veritable Greek feast. — Maryse Chevirere

For the Greek Avgolemono Soup recipe, click here.

This hearty, chunky potato soup is loaded with vegetables, cheese, and fresh herbs. Just add the ingredients to your slow-cooker and let your favorite kitchen tool do all the work.

For the Rustic Cheddar Potato Soup recipe, click here.

Pull out your slow cookers and Dutch ovens, you will be serving this simple matzo ball soup all winter long.

For the Simple Chicken Soup and Balaclava Deli's Matzo Balls recipe, click here.

The Slow Cooker chicken pot pie soup is truly a comfort food soup. It's thick, creamy, and does taste like chicken pot pie without the crust! — Jennifer Drummond

For the Slow-Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe, click here.

This healthy, flavorful soup is loaded with tons of fresh, nutritious ingredients like spinach, carrots, celery, and onion and simmers in a slow-cooker while you're away at work so it tastes like it cooked all day — because it did. — Jennifer Drummond

For the Slow-Cooker Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup recipe, click here.

This hearty minestrone stew calls for garden vegetable soup (such as Progresso Vegetable Classics), turkey Italian sausage, and gluten-free macaroni. It's easy to customize with vegetables, legumes, or any herbs you happen to have on hand. — Pillsbury

For the Slow-Cooker Minestrone Stew recipe, click here.

Make this simple tortilla soup packed with fresh Mexican flavors from the fresh cilantro to the vibrant hint of lime that keeps this soup from tasting overly salty.

For the Slow-Cooker Sort of Tortilla Soup recipe, click here.

A hearty winter or fall soup doesn't need to contain meat to be filling. These soups all rely on seasonal vegetables, warm spices, and different cooking techniques that give tons of flavor to these vegetarian gems.

Make this soup with whatever vegetables you have on hand. Kale easily swaps for spinach, zucchini for broccoli, or beans in place of hearty grains.

For the Autumn Lentil Veggie Soup recipe, click here.

Don't bother peeling the squash for this recipe. Red Kuri squash skin softens as it cooks making this squash soup incredibly easy to whip up on a busy weeknight.

For the Autumn Lentil Veggie Soup recipe, click here.

Want a little more flavor out of your usual lentil soup? Try this curried lentil soup that is packed with flavor from the curry powder, cumin, coriander, and garlic.

For the Curried Lentil Soup recipe, click here.

The heartiness provided by the kale and lentils brings "comfort" right into this soup and packs in a great amount of energy. I think most of the spices and amounts of garlic can be modified to suit your own tastes, which is why this soup can be so versatile. You could even add chicken stock if you just can't go without and I think it would turn out great! — Megan Watson

For the Mediterranean Kale Soup recipe, click here.

The main stars of this soup, parsnips, are part of the parsley family and provide folate, fiber, and phenolic acids, which may help reduce production of cancerous cells. They contain ample amounts of soluble fiber, which moderates fat and cholesterol absorption in the intestines while diluting bile acids to prevent reflux. — Lisa Mase

For the Parsnip Soup recipe, click here.

This delicious smoked cauliflower soup is gluten-free and vegan. A little liquid smoke adds a pleasant, smoky flavor to the soup and the Cajun seasoning adds some spice. — Lindsay S. Nixon

For the Smoked Cauliflower Soup recipe, click here.

I love soft silken tofu, and this spicy soup is surprisingly addictive. The mushroom stock gives this stew, or jjigae, a deep earthy taste and complexity. The sweet zucchini and the creamy egg cut the spiciness as well. This is one of my favorite jiggaes and it is so good for you; perfect for a cold winter's evening. — Judy Joo

For the Soft Tofu and Vegetable Soup recipe, click here.

I love to make soup, especially during a juice cleanse because it's a comforting meal. This vegetable soup is very hearty. The white beans and farro make it completely satisfying while the charmoula takes it over the edge in flavor. I put charmoula on everything.  — Annette Joseph

For the White Bean Vegetable Farro Soup with Herby Charmoula recipe, click here.