There’s nothing like a cozy, comforting soup to warm your soul on a chilly day. But let’s be honest: Rich, creamy soups may be a little heavy for every day. Thankfully, there are plenty of light soup recipes packed with veggies and protein to make your comforting meal a little more wholesome.
So, grab your ladle and get ready for a cozy day of cooking. Here are nine of our fave better-for-you soup recipes to suit every taste.
Instant Pot Turmeric Chicken Noodle Soup
You can’t go wrong with classic chicken noodle soup — and our version makes this childhood fave even tastier. It features all the flavours you love: Hearty chicken, tender noodles and a mix of veggies for well-rounded flavor. But it gets a serious upgrade from turmeric, which infuses each spoonful with vibrant colour and a subtle earthy flavour.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Of course, you’ve got plenty of options beyond classic chicken noodle soup, too. This tortilla soup uses a medley of seasonings — garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, cumin and more — to add flavor and color, and features corn, black beans and peppers to help you get more veggies. If you want to make it even more wholesome, leave off the crushed tortilla chips to let the chicken and veggies take center stage.
Minestrone Soup
Every household needs a go-to minestrone recipe — and this one can be yours. It’s rich and hearty, with tender ground chicken and penne for texture. But the star of the show is the broth, which is bursting with tomato flavour, with herbal notes from basil and oregano. In less than half an hour, you can bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your table.
Hearty Beef and Lentil Soup
Sometimes, you want a soup that’s also a serious meal. And this stick-to-your-ribs beef and lentil soup is sure to become a new favourite. Green lentils add texture to each spoonful, while beef adds heartiness — along with plenty of protein. A long, slow cooking method also gives the meat plenty of time to simmer, so it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender by the time you’re ready to serve it.
Hearty Barley and Mushroom Soup
Need a hearty soup that’s also plant-based? Look no further! This comforting recipe leans on mushrooms for flavourful “meatiness,” and uses barley — a whole grain — to amp up the coziness. Our recipe calls for chicken stock, but you can easily sub in mushroom or veggie stock to make it vegan-friendly.
Asparagus Soup
It’s no secret that Canadian spring takes forever to arrive, but this recipe can add some fresh spring flavour to still-chilly nights. This simple soup uses a blend of aromatics — leeks, onions and parmesan — to create a rich flavour base while still allowing the asparagus’ subtle sweetness to shine through. Trust us, it’ll become your new favorite way to eat more spring veggies.
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
On the other hand, if you’re craving fall flavour, this butternut soup deserves top billing in your meal plan. It’s oh-so-satisfying, blending butternut squash with apples, cinnamon and ginger for a naturally sweet and seriously warming soup. It also calls for fat-free half-and-half to help keep this soup wholesome and light.
Chunky Tomato Soup
Need a veggie soup with more texture? Give this chunky tomato soup a try. It has the umami-loaded tomato base you love, with chopped carrots, tomatoes and onions for texture, along with smoky diced ham. If you’d prefer to avoid pork, try stirring in some Crispy Roasted Chickpeas right before serving, instead.
Smoked Avocado and Mushroom Drinkable Soup
If you’ve never had avocado soup before, you’ve been missing out. Rich avocado adds luxurious texture to each spoonful — think cream soup, minus any actual cream — while mint, lime juice and chipotle pepper add bright, smoky notes. Keep a batch in the fridge to sip anytime you want a cozy snack, or just want to eat more veggies.
