Like it or not, in the thick of winter, many of us are dealing with snowstorms, below-freezing temperatures, and wind chills that make it feel even colder. For those days when you can see your breath and feel that chill in your bones, there’s nothing better than a bowl of cozy, comforting soup.
With that in mind, we’ve curated this list of the best soups to make when you want to be warmed from within. From creamy chowder to Tex-Mex favorites, we’ve got plenty of soup recipes that are cozy and delicious. Keep reading for our favorite warming soups that should be part of your recipe rotation all winter long!
Related: 7 Winter Soups You Can Make With 10 Ingredients or Less
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Salsa Verde Chicken Soup
Thanks to a handful of supermarket staples, this deeply comforting and flavorful chicken soup comes together in just 35 minutes. You’ll need chicken and chicken broth, canned beans and hominy, and jarred salsa verde. For a pop of freshness and acidity, don’t forget cilantro and some fresh lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
02 of 22
Creamy Enchilada Soup
Credit: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
For an easy weeknight dinner that tastes gourmet, serve up a bowl of this creamy enchilada soup. It requires just 15 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes overall. Plus, leftovers will stay good in the refrigerator for up to four days so you can enjoy it all week.
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Spicy Dumpling Soup
Dumplings are a cozy dish in their own right, and they’re made even cozier when added to broth. In this 30-minute recipe, store-bought frozen dumplings join forces with a soy sauce and chili crisp-spiked broth. Tender bok choy and mushrooms add plenty of nutrients, while scallions bring fresh, earthy notes.
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Butternut Squash and Chicken Pozole
Credit: Christopher Testani
Pozole is a hearty Mexican soup made with spices, chilies, and hominy. In this version, chicken, butternut squash, and kale join the fun for even more nutrients and flavor. Top each bowl with chopped lettuce, radishes, onions, cheese, and cilantro for peak coziness.
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Lasagna Soup
Credit: bhofack2/Getty Images
Hear us out, not only does this beloved TikTok soup work, but it’s one of the coziest dishes you can make. Think of it as a deconstructed lasagna, with ingredients such as ground beef, tomato paste, marinara sauce, and, of course, lasagna noodles. Then, once the pasta cooks in the broth, go ahead and throw in mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, and some basil for good measure.
06 of 22
Slow-Cooker Beef and Noodle Curry
For a soup-like dish that you can set and forget, give this loaded curry a try. It features chunks of stew meat, sweet potato, and onion, as well as basil, coconut milk, store-bought red curry paste, and lime juice, which help build the silky, spicy sauce. Serve over rice noodles and dig in when you’re in the mood for something flavorful and cozy.
07 of 22
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Pasta Soup
Is there any soup combo that’s more comforting than chicken and pasta? We don’t think so. Here, those two soup superstars are joined by plenty of vegetables, like celery and carrots, as well as spices such as bay leaves and flat-leaf parsley. Sure, you could buy a similar canned soup, but this one is so much tastier and only calls for five minutes of hands-on work.
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Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Credit: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS
While soups can sometimes be too bland or too salty, this autumnal option is anything but. Its flavor comes from red curry paste, fresh ginger, and garlic; and it’s especially creamy thanks to an ace combination of coconut milk and tofu.
09 of 22
Ginger Meatball Ramen With Greens and Scallions
Spicy, warming, ginger can make anything cozier. Case in point: This ramen features pork meatballs seasoned with fresh ginger, miso-spiked broth, and hearty instant ramen noodles that will make you feel warm fuzzies no matter what time of year it is.
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Creamy Veggie Chicken Noodle Soup
If you’re not adding cream to your chicken noodle soup, you’re missing out. For this rendition of the beloved comfort food, a generous amount of cream, scallions, fresh tarragon, and haricots vert join the party, as does lemon zest and juice. Sure, it’s not the soup your grandmother used to make, but we promise it’s downright delicious.
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Curried Coconut Salmon Soup
Salmon might not be a popular soup ingredient, but in the right recipe, it works. For this hearty stew, the fatty fish is paired with bold red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, bok choy, and mushrooms. Even the broth, which is infused with a simple sauté of shallots, garlic, and ginger, is not one to miss. Top each bowl with a generous sprinkling of herbs, and serve.
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Crispy Tofu Noodle Soup
This dish is proof positive that vegan soups can be just as cozy as their non-vegan counterparts. Here, you’ll find planks of crispy tofu, hearty rice noodles, and ribbons of Swiss chard in a spiced vegetable broth that’s spiked with ginger, garlic, tamari, and star anise. If you need to warm up, this is the recipe for you.
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Creamy Potato-Cabbage Soup
Not only does this soothing soup have exactly 10 ingredients, but it also takes approximately 30 minutes to make, meaning you can whip up a practically perfect meal in record time. This soup combines sliced cabbage and onion with chopped potatoes and carrots in a vegetable broth. A dash of vinegar adds brightness to this meal, while a dollop of sour cream makes it irresistibly creamy.
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Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup
This plant-based tomato soup still boasts that creamy texture you know and love, but doesn’t contain any cream or dairy. Instead, this soup gets its richness from French bread that’s been soaked in rice or almond milk before getting puréed with a cooked tomato mixture. The soup is also flavored with onion, garlic, oregano, and a dash of Champagne vinegar.
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Miso Chicken Noodle Soup With Kimchi
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with standard chicken noodle soup, this version calls for white miso paste (hello, umami!) and a full cup of spicy kimchi. You’ve also got the standard chicken and noodles, though this recipe uses soba noodles instead of egg noodles or small pasta. And if you’re not squeamish, feel free to drop an egg yolk right into the hot broth. It breaks open and creates a deliciously creamy sauce that’s hard to resist.
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Creamy Miso White Bean Soup
Miso soup is a classic, and while this recipe doesn’t yield the kind of miso soup you might find at a Japanese restaurant, it’s still worthy of a spot in your dinner rotation. Here, white miso paste elevates a standard white bean soup, making it silky, rich, and savory, and bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients, including fresh rosemary leaves and cannellini beans.
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Red Lentil Soup With Lemon and Dill
This meat-free soup looks like autumn in a bowl thanks to healthy ingredients like red lentils, carrots, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. It doesn’t skimp on flavor either, in large part because the broth is infused with ground sumac—a Middle Eastern spice made from dried ground berries that has a lightly fruity, tangy taste.
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Sweet Potato and Kale Tortilla Soup
Chunks of sweet potato and bunches of healthy kale comprise the bulk of this perfectly spiced tortilla soup. Go ahead and keep it vegetarian if you wish, but we’re partial to adding some leftover rotisserie chicken to the mix for even more protein and flavor. Serve with your favorite toppings like radishes, avocado, and cilantro, and don’t skimp on the tortilla strips that go directly into the broth.
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Butternut Squash and Chicken Pozole
Credit: Christopher Testani
In only 30 minutes, this comforting Mexican soup will satisfy your tastebuds and warm your soul. Pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time. Serve with tortilla chips to help scoop up every last bite.
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Creamy Mushroom Soup
Creamy and luscious, you’ll be scooping up every last bit of this classic mushroom soup (hopefully with warm, crusty bread!) You can credit its creaminess to a splash of heavy cream in the broth. You’ll top each bowl with a handful of chives to add a mild onion-like flavor throughout. Hearty russet potatoes ensure you finish your bowl full and satisfied.
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Rotisserie Chicken Chili
Get in your jammies and cozy up with a bowl of this rotisserie chicken chili. Rotisserie chicken is a welcome shortcut that ensures you’re out of the kitchen and on the couch in no time. Garnish with all the toppings you desire; if you need ideas, jalapeños, shredded cheese, cilantro, and sliced scallions will do just the trick.
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Creamy Sweet Potato and Leek Soup
There’s not much cozier than a creamy potato soup loaded with crispy bacon and fresh chives. The flavor profile is taken up a notch with sweet potatoes instead of your standard white or yellow spud, and chicken broth evens everything out for a rich, velvety texture you’ll savor.
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