How To Make Soup Better

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Now, let’s discuss how to make soup better for the cold months ahead. If you’ve been wondering how to make soup better, you’re in the right place.

To start off the new year, I’ve compiled 15 new soup recipes (plus some extra bonus recipes) to make the month just a little more exciting. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas or want to learn how to make soup better, these recipes have you covered!

As an added bonus, I’ll be giving away a $50 Amazon gift card every week to one lucky reader.

To enter:

• simply try any soup recipe on my website (even older ones)
• and then leave a comment on the post saying that you made the recipe (yes, it’s that easy!)

I will contact each winner every week and also announce their first name on this post.

Winners:

1. Congrats to Cali who tried the Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup!
2. Congrats to Michael who tried the Vegetable Beef Soup!
3. Congrats to Susan who tried the Chicken Pozole!
4. Congrats to Carol who tried the Broccoli Soup!  

Now a few more details about the recipes:

How I Developed The Recipes

Each recipe was developed with the following intentions:

• Flavor-packed recipes: My top priority was crafting soups with maximum flavor and showing how to make soups better with simple techniques.
• Convenience: I added shortcut options that are tried and tested for busy days.
• Kid-friendly: These recipes are designed to please even picky eaters, with easy adaptations to suit your family’s preferences.
• Minimal ingredients: Most recipes use around 10 main ingredients, excluding pantry staples like olive oil, salt, and seasonings.
• Variety: There’s something for everyone—meat lovers, vegetarians, healthy options, and hearty comfort foods with diverse flavor profiles.

What You Can Expect

I’ve worked hard to create, develop, test, and share 15 new recipes over this next month. Each post will include:

• Step-by-step photo directions
• A simple printable recipe
• A video tutorial on how to make the recipe

Follow The Series

Every day I’m going to be sharing a step-by-step tutorial on how to make each recipe in “reel form” (you’ll see just how easy they are!) over on Instagram and TikTok. Be sure to follow the Instagram stories or catch up in the saved “highlights” section of Instagram. 

And now that you know what to expect, here are some ideas for creating better soups.

Tips For Making Soup Taste Better

1. dUse good ingredients: Fresh veggies, meats, and good stock make better soup.
2. Cook flavorful veggies: Cook onions, garlic, celery, and carrots well to improve taste.
3. Try herbs and spices: Add fresh herbs like basil at the end for freshness, and dried spices like cumin early for depth.
4. Add acidity: A splash of lemon or vinegar makes the soup fresher.
5. Try new things: Add a little sugar, tomato paste, or cheese to make it better.
6. Simmer longer: Let the soup cook longer to blend flavors.
7. Adjust seasoning: Taste and add salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
8. Garnish: Top with herbs, olive oil, or cheese to make it taste and look great.

Soup And Crusty Bread

Serve your soup with warm, freshly toasted, or oven-hot bread for the ultimate flavor experience—an easy way to make soups better! Buttered bread is perfect for dipping—skip the spoon and soak up all the flavors! Try these homemade bread recipes with your soup:

• No-Knead Bread
• Life-Changing No-Knead Dinner Rolls
• French Bread
• Focaccia
• Honey Whole Wheat Bread
• White Bread
• No Yeast Bread
• Fry Bread
• Cornbread Recipe or make Cornbread Muffins

Storing Leftovers

Different soups have different storage requirements, so be sure to refer to the specific instructions for each recipe. However, here are some general guidelines for storing soup:

• Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
• To store in the refrigerator, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container.
• To store soup in the freezer, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the container or bag to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat the soup, thaw it in the refrigerator or in the microwave and then reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
• It’s also a good idea to portion the soup into smaller containers or bags before freezing, so you can thaw and reheat smaller amounts as needed.

Making Substitutions

Substituting ingredients is a great way to adapt a recipe to your personal tastes or to work with ingredients that you have on hand. Here are a few tips for making substitutions in recipes:

1. Substitute similar ingredients. If the recipe calls for a certain type of vegetable that you don’t have, try using a similar vegetable instead. For example, you can substitute kale for spinach or butternut squash for pumpkin.
2. Use canned or frozen vegetables. If you don’t have fresh vegetables on hand, you can often use canned or frozen vegetables as a substitute. Just be sure to drain and rinse canned vegetables before using them and to thaw frozen vegetables (if the recipe calls for fresh) before adding them to the recipe.
3. Experiment with different herbs and spices. If you don’t have a certain herb or spice that a recipe calls for, try using a different herb or spice that you do have. This can be a great way to add your own personal touch to a recipe.
4. Substitute chicken or vegetable stock for water. Chicken or vegetable stock adds a lot more flavor to your soup than plain water. You can also use broth or bouillon cubes if you don’t have stock on hand.
5. Try different types of protein. If a recipe calls for a specific type of meat, you can often substitute a different type of meat or a plant-based protein like beans or lentils. Just be aware that this may alter the flavor and texture of the soup. 
6. Add protein. If you want to add some protein to our vegetarian recipes, you can try tossing in some shredded chicken or turkey at the end of the cooking process to warm it through.

Remember, the key to making successful substitutions is to be flexible and open to trying new things. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with these recipes!

New Recipes:

1. Creamy Chicken Soup

2. Farro Soup

3. Vegetable Beef Soup

4. Chicken Curry Rice

5. Couscous Soup

6. Creamy Mushroom Recipe

7. Turkey Vegetable Chili

8. Chicken Pozole

9. Healthy Zuppa Toscana

10. Broccoli Soup

11. Vegetable Pasta Soup

Bonus: Herb Bread (No Knead!)

12. Barley Soup

13. Tuscan Soup

14. Beef Lentil Soup

15. Cauliflower Soup Recipe