20 Types Of Soups You Should Know How To Make

There are few dishes as comforting and satisfying as a bowl of tomato soup. This classic dish has stood the test of time and continues to be a favorite among people of all ages. You can enjoy tomato soup both on a chilly winter day or as a light summer meal.

The simplicity of tomato soup is part of its enduring appeal. Made primarily with tomatoes, broth, and a few basic seasonings, it is a dish that can be easily prepared at home. The combination of ripe tomatoes with a broth and herbs makes it visually appealing and inviting.

The origins of chicken noodle soup are believed to date back to ancient times. It was first documented in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and later introduced to the Western world by explorers and traders. Over time, different variations and adaptations of the recipe emerged, but the essence of the dish remained the same - a flavorful broth filled with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and delicate noodles.

A warm bowl of chicken noodle soup provides comfort. It is often served when sick or feeling down because the aroma and texture have a soothing effect. The broth is savory, while the chicken is tender. You can add freshly cooked noodles to this on cold winter days. This timeless recipe is not only delicious but also nourishing, providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Minestrone soup is a classic Italian dish packed with vibrant vegetables. It is a nutritious and delicious option for soup lovers. The base is typically made from a combination of broth, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Common ingredients include carrots, celery, onions, beans, zucchini, and pasta or rice.

The soup is often finished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. It is a dish that can be enjoyed in any season, offering warmth and nourishment to the body and soul.

French cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors, exquisite combinations, and timeless classics. Among these culinary treasures, French Onion Soup stands out as a comforting and flavorful dish. It is made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with melted cheese and toasted bread.

There are many flavors and textures at play here. The rich beef broth adds depth and warmth, the melted cheese creates a gooey and indulgent layer, while the toasted bread provides a crunch. The soup is simple but extremely effective in providing nutrition to the body. Onions are rich in potassium, which is essential for strong bones and gums.

Clam chowder is a rich and creamy soup that originated in New England. The key ingredient in clam chowder is, of course, clams. Clams are shellfish found in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Clams are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals and thus are a great addition to any food.

This soup combines the flavors of clams with potatoes, onions, and bacon or salt pork. The soup is usually thickened with a roux or cream for that velvety texture. The clams used in clam chowder can be either fresh or canned. It is often served with oyster crackers or crusty bread.

A vegetable soup is a powerhouse of essential nutrients. The vegetables used in the soup offer fiber that aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, these veggies are low in calories and fat and are an excellent option for weight management.

To make vegetable soup, you start with your selection of vegetables. Typically, it includes vegetables like carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and green beans, but it can be customized to personal taste. Add chicken or vegetable broth and season with garlic, thyme and bay leaves to introduce depth to the flavor.

You're definitely missing out if you have never had a warm potato soup. It is made with simple ingredients like potatoes, onions, and broth. However, it can be customized to suit various tastes. The potatoes are typically peeled, diced, and simmered until soft. To this, additional ingredients like bacon, cheese, or herbs are added.

Even though this is a popular choice during colder months, you can enjoy a chilled version of this soup during summer as well. Everyone has potatoes in their pantry, so this is an affordable and easy-to-make recipe for the entire family.

Lentils are one of the first legumes ever cultivated. Similarly, they occur in many cultures throughout the world but were particularly popular in the Middle East and Europe. Today, legumes are consumed in the form of 'dal' in many South Asian cultures. The soup is a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans due to its high protein content.

The soup is prepared with vegetables and spices like cumin, coriander and thyme. The earthy flavors of lentils allow other spices to shine. You can enjoy this as a starter or a main course, depending on what you're feeling.

To create the perfect lobster bisque, the first step involves obtaining the freshest and highest quality lobster. The meat is extracted from the lobster's claws, tail, and body, ensuring that no part goes to waste. This delicate process requires skill and precision, as the meat needs to be carefully removed without damaging its texture.

Once the lobster meat has been extracted, it is flavored with aromatic ingredients such as onions, garlic, and herbs. Since both the meat and shells of the lobster are used, it has a rich seafood taste to it. You can thicken your bisque with a mixture of butter and flour.

A butternut squash soup is enriched by the creamy flesh of the vegetable. The squash is roasted to bring out its natural sweetness, then blended with vegetable broth, onions, garlic, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Most garnish their soup with a drizzle of cream or some sprinkle of fresh herbs.

It is also common to garnish your butternut squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds. Native to North America, butternut squash was an important staple in the diets of indigenous tribes. So, the tradition of making butternut squash soup has been passed down through generations.

Like most pureed vegetables, mushroom soup is not a new discovery. In a simple recipe, mushrooms are cooked with onions to release its flavor and then simmered in a vegetable broth. Cream or milk is often added to create a smooth and creamy texture.

A mushroom soup is also known to boost the immune system, support heart health, and aid in digestion. Mushrooms have been revered for their unique taste and medicinal properties for centuries so almost every culture has a certain variation of this recipe.

The key to a delicious beef stew lies in the quality of the ingredients and the slow cooking process. Tender chunks of beef are browned to enhance its rich flavor before simmering it with onions, carrots, and potatoes.

The broth is what truly sets beef stew apart from other dishes. It is often made from a combination of beef stock, red wine and spices. Make sure to use well-marbled beef so that it is melt-in-your-mouth delicious as it simmers in the broth. The veggies absorb the flavors of the broth elevating the experience to new levels.

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup made with rice noodles cooked in a spicy soup. This dish has gained immense popularity worldwide because of its warm and filling nature. This aromatic and flavorful dish is made with a rich beef or chicken broth, rice noodles, and an assortment of toppings. The key ingredient that sets pho apart is the blend of spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.

Traditional Pho typically uses beef as the main protein, with options like rare beef slices, beef meatballs or even pork can be great alternatives. This soup represents the rich cultural heritage of the country and the diversity in food.

In the world of cold soups, only a few are as widespread and popular as the Gazpacho. It is a traditional Spanish cold soup with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and olive oil. These fresh ingredients are blended to create a smooth texture. Some also add bread to the mixture to increase the thickness of the soup.

Gazpacho is often served chilled, making it a perfect summer dish to beat the heat. You can enjoy it as an appetizer before a heavy Spanish meal. The refreshing taste with the health benefits has leveled up this basic dish into an iconic soup option.

One of the most successful ways of incorporating broccoli into your diet is to pair the earthy flavors of broccoli with the creamy richness of cheddar cheese. This soup is a popular choice during the colder months, as it warms both the body and the soul. Its popularity can be attributed to its creamy texture, flavorful combination of ingredients, and versatility.

In this comforting meal, fresh broccoli florets and onion are cooked together for some aromatics. This is followed by the addition of a vegetable soup. The addition of sharp cheddar to this creates a smooth and velvety texture.

If you enjoy soups with bold flavors, you should try this easy recipe. Thai curry soup, also known as "Tom Kha," is a tantalizing and aromatic dish from Thailand. This delectable soup combines the richness of coconut milk, the heat of Thai curry paste, and vegetables, meats, or seafood.

The base of Thai curry soup is coconut milk, which serves as a perfect counterbalance to the spiciness of the curry paste. The paste itself is a blend of aromatic herbs and spices such as lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots, coriander, and, of course, Thai chilies. These ingredients are ground together to form a paste that is then sautéed in oil to release their flavors.

The tortilla chips serve as a thickener in this Mexican classic. There is a harmonious fusion of flavors and ingredients. It starts with a savory chicken broth base. To this, tender chicken pieces are added as protein, followed by vegetables like corn, black beans, and diced green chilies. The soup is then topped with crispy tortilla strips, shredded cheese, avocado, and a squeeze of lime.

Even though this dish has remained a staple in many households, it gained popularity in the United States and other parts of the world, thanks to its delicious taste.

Avgolemono is a traditional Greek soup. The name "avgolemono" is derived from the Greek words "avgo" meaning egg, and "lemoni" meaning lemon. Even though eggs and lemon are the ingredients that don't come together often, it just works in this recipe.

The eggs are beaten until frothy and then slowly tempered with the hot broth. This process is important to prevent the eggs from curdling when added to the hot liquid. Once the eggs have been tempered, they are whisked into the broth along with freshly squeezed lemon juice. The combination of eggs and lemon juice gives the soup its signature creamy and tangy taste.

Borscht is a traditional Eastern European soup made with beetroots and other vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. Borscht often includes meat, such as beef or pork, and is seasoned with garlic, dill, and vinegar. It is commonly served with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of rye bread.

It originated in Ukraine, where traditional soups were made from pickled stems and leaves of hogweed. The recipe then evolved to include other veggies. In addition to the color and texture, it is also packed with nutrients, as beetroots are a great source of vitamins and minerals.

You must have heard about miso soup even if you're not familiar with Japanese cuisine. The dish starts with a broth called dashi. To this, you add the fermented soybean paste, miso. Common ingredients that are added as toppings include tofu, seaweed, and green onions.

One of the most remarkable aspects of miso soup is its rich and complex flavor profile. The fermented miso paste adds a distinct umami taste, which is often described as savory and satisfying. This flavor is enhanced by the addition of other ingredients, such as tofu, which provides a creamy texture, and seaweed, which offers a hint of brininess.