8 Cozy Winter Soups That Feel Like a Great Big Hug

Soup to the rescue! When the days are long and cold, we need food that's easy, comforting, and nourishing. These eight soups will warm you up from the inside out.

By
Carrie Havranek
Carrie Havranek
Carrie Havranek
Carrie has 10+ years experience as a food writer, editor, and recipe developer. She is the author of Tasting Pennsylvania and a contributor to Simply Recipes since 2017.
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Published January 05, 2018
Carrie Havranek
A bowl of crockpot Taco Soup topped with sour cream and chips
Lisa Lin

Soup is a regular occurrence in my house throughout the winter. A few years ago, I felt into the habit of making soup and a loaf of bread every Monday. My family learned to anticipate it, and we ended up bringing several new soups into the rotation to stand alongside our old standbys.

We can always use new soup recipes in my family!

When it’s cold outside and you need something to warm you from the inside out, these eight soups are happy to do the job. Think of it like giving yourself a great big hug!

  • Split Pea Soup

    A split pea recipe in a bowl.
    Elise Bauer

    Classic. Hearty. Filling. Freezable. Those are the reasons why the split pea soup endures as a winter staple. Save your days-old bread and make the croutons.

  • Spicy Lamb Stew with Chickpeas

    Sheryl Julian

    This stew is chockablock with cinnamon, cumin, coriander and cayenne, echoing the flavors of a Moroccan tagine. Like any good stew, it’s better the next day.

  • Easy Tuscan Bean Soup

    Tuscan Bean Soup
    Sheryl Julian

    The ease of this soup comes from canned white beans—it speeds up the process. A shower of fresh kale or baby spinach at the end brightens the dish.

  • Turkey Chili (with Leftover Turkey)

    Turkey Chili ready to serve
    Elise Bauer

    Do you have some leftover Thanksgiving turkey in your freezer? Make this chili! Shredded turkey goes into the pot with all the usual suspects: tomatoes, beans, peppers, and warm spices. Invite a crowd and celebrate the winter season—this one makes enough for a crowd.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.

  • Butternut Squash Soup

    Butternut Squash Soup in a pretty fluted bowl on a metal surface
    Elise Bauer

    Apples and squash are a natural pair. This soup gets some extra zip from pinches of nutmeg, cinnamon and cayenne. Fancy up the presentation and add some creaminess with a dollop of plain yogurt on top.

  • Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    A bowl of crockpot Taco Soup topped with sour cream and chips
    Lisa Lin

    This taco soup is your reward for having a well-stocked pantry and freezer. Don't skip the quick browning on the stovetop before transferring ingredients to the slow cooker – this makes all the difference in the flavor development. If you’re out of sour cream for the top, a thick plain Greek yogurt works well too.

  • Minestrone Soup

    Minestrone is one of those soups whose sum is way greater than its parts. Elise’s minstrone has cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, and zucchini, but do your thing with it. I see no reason why you can’t double this soup and freeze some for (nearly) instant dinners.

  • Turkey Meatball Soup with Spinach and Orzo

    Turkey Meatball Soup
    Sheryl Julian

    Make the meatballs over the weekend, freeze them, then defrost in the fridge as needed and make this glorious soup. It makes a filling meal that won’t leave you hungry.