Soup’s on! I love soups and stews—and even a good chili. And I honestly don’t think they’re only for cold weather. There are plenty of days year-round when all I want is a giant bowl of something warm and a side of crusty bread for dinner (and lunch the next day, let’s be honest).
That said, there’s something about the cooler months that makes a big simmering pot feel especially right. I’ve been developing soup and stew recipes on this blog for over a decade now, and this roundup is my go-to list of the best soup recipes I keep coming back to, from easy chicken soups to slow cooker and Instant Pot stews that do most of the work while you go about your day. Grab a big spoon and let’s get into it!
Craveable Chicken Soups and Stews
Chicken soup recipes are the ultimate comfort food, and for good reason. Chicken is affordable, versatile, and takes on whatever flavor direction you send it in. These four chicken soups range from an old-fashioned bowl of chicken noodle soup to a spicy, creamy poblano version, so there’s something here for everyone, no matter what you’re craving.
Best Chicken Noodle Soup
This is the classic chicken noodle soup recipe you grew up on, made with browned chicken thighs, carrots, celery, and extra-wide egg noodles. My favorite part? Using homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought. It's a simple swap that takes this from good to the best chicken noodle soup you've ever made.
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Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Made with juicy chicken thighs, smoky andouille sausage, and the holy trinity of Cajun cooking (onions, celery, and green bell pepper), this gumbo is so hearty and flavorful. The deep, dark roux is worth the extra hour of cooking, and the file powder is worth seeking out for the rich flavor it adds. This is Southern comfort food at its finest.
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Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
This chicken soup recipe was originally developed for a Bon Appétit test kitchen segment, and it's easy to see why it's a reader favorite with a nearly perfect rating. Roasting the poblano peppers over an open flame gives this soup a smoky depth you won't get any other way, and shredded rotisserie chicken makes it a breeze to pull together.
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Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup
Bright, fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness of shredded chicken and creamy arborio rice in this cozy soup recipe. It's an easy meal that practically makes itself. Just simmer everything in one pot and let the flavors build.
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Hearty Meat Soups and Stews
When you want something that eats like a full meal, these hearty soup and stew recipes deliver. From a curry-spiked meatball stew to a spicy sausage and gnocchi soup, this group leans into deep, slow-built flavor and big, satisfying bites.
Beef Barley and Cabbage Soup
Nutty pearl barley and hearty ground beef make this soup recipe more filling than your average vegetable soup. Sliced cabbage melts into the broth for natural sweetness and body. It's a one-pot, craveable soup that simmers for about an hour and comes together with pantry staples.
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Curry Meatballs and Kale Stew
Made with paleo-friendly curried beef meatballs simmered in a creamy coconut-and-chicken-broth stock, this soup is equal parts comforting and exciting. Wilted kale adds the perfect pop of green to this hearty stew recipe.
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Turkey Vegetable Soup
A lighter, vegetable-forward turkey soup recipe that's especially handy for using up leftover turkey after the holidays. Butternut squash, carrots, celery, and kale simmer alongside shredded turkey and small pasta shells for a soup that's just as nourishing as it is comforting.
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Sausage Gnocchi Soup
Spicy Italian sausage, chewy gnocchi, and wilty kale simmer in an Italian-seasoned tomato broth. Low-and-slow is the key to this rich and flavorful soup—perfect served with some cheesy garlic bread.
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Set-and-Forget Crockpot and Instant Pot Soups and Stews
Some of the best crockpot and Instant Pot soup recipes require little more than a quick chop and a walk-away. These four hearty soup recipes are proof that convenient cooking methods don’t mean sacrificing flavor.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
A smoked ham hock gives this split pea soup incredible depth of flavor without being overpowering, and the crockpot does all the work over 7-8 hours. It's a dump-and-go slow cooker soup recipe that turns out thick, hearty, and deeply comforting every time.
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Crockpot Corn Chowder
Sweet corn, tender potato chunks, and smoky bacon simmer together in a rich, cream-based broth for a chowder that's just as thick and satisfying as any stovetop version. Let it cook all day in the slow cooker, then finish with butter and half-and-half right before serving.
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Instant Pot Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
Blanched beef shanks pressure cook with warm spices, Shaoxing wine, and vegetables to create a savory and spicy soup. Served over chewy Asian noodles, this is one of the best quick and easy beef soup recipes for cold nights.
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Instant Pot Curried Coconut Lentil Soup
Red split lentils simmer with curry powder, ginger, and full-fat coconut milk for a vibrant, creamy lentil soup recipe that comes together almost entirely hands-off in the Instant Pot. It's one of the most requested vegetarian soup recipes on the blog, and it's easy to see why.
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Vegetarian and Vegan Bowls
These vegetarian and vegan soup and stew recipes prove that meatless doesn’t mean less satisfying. Between beans and hearty vegetables, each of these bowls is a complete, nourishing meal on its own.
Cozy Vegan White Bean Soup
Potatoes, cannellini beans, butternut squash, and kale come together in a soup that's blended partway for a creamy texture without any dairy at all. A finishing squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens every spoonful of this cold-weather vegan soup recipe.
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Mexican Vegetable and Bean Tortilla Soup
Bland isn't a word this soup recipe has ever heard of! Packed with chipotle peppers, corn, carrots, zucchini, butternut squash, and tomatoes, it's so hearty, you won't miss the meat. White beans and kale round out the bowl, and every bite is so delicious topped with homemade tortilla strips and avocado.
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Nourishing Pumpkin Wild Rice Soup (Vegan)
Pumpkin puree gives this vegan soup recipe a naturally creamy texture without any dairy, while wild rice, cannellini beans, and butternut squash make it hearty enough to be dinner. It's an ideal fall soup recipe, though there's truly no wrong time of year to make it.
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Whichever of these soup and stew recipes you start with, I hope they bring the same cozy comfort to your table that they’ve brought to mine over the years. If you make one, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a rating and comment on the recipe post!
