20 Soup Recipes Good For The Soul
Why is soup so good for the soul?
Very few foods are as comforting and nourishing as a hot soup, especially one made with love. Many of us fondly remember being sick and fed back to health with a good old-fashioned broth made by a worried mother or doting grandma.
Soups and stews are fantastic budget-friendly recipes, too, as they use seasonal produce and leftovers that are hard to use in other recipes. Leftover bones? Freeze them for soup. Extra tomato paste? Just throw it into a soup. Vegetables going soft? Yup, soup!
These are my favorite soup and stew recipes, and I think you will find a few to love just as much as I do.
Leftover Ham Bone & Bean Soup
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Stop throwing your leftover ham bone away; use it to make this traditional and thrifty soup.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Hungarian mushroom soup is packed with earthy mushrooms (use a variety if you can), spiced with paprika, and then finished with sour cream for a delicious and creamy twist on your old favorite.
German Split Pea Soup
A traditional German favorite and one of the most popular soup recipes. This one is a must-try.
Istrian Jota: Pork, Bean, & Sauerkraut Soup
A traditional soup or stew, jota is eaten regularly in the Istrian peninsula by Croatians, Italians, and Slovenians. It is a hearty, delicious, and nourishing meal best served with rustic sourdough bread on the side.
German Potato Soup
A traditional favorite full of flavors that can be eaten as a meal. German potato soup is a family favorite in my household.
Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup
An old-fashioned chicken noodle soup, just like grandma used to make. My recipe features homemade egg noodles too, but I’ll give you directions for using store-bought in the recipe too. This classic recipe is perfect for colder days and nights.
Segedínský Guláš (Pork & Sauerkraut Stew)
A classic gulas made of simple but bold ingredients: pork shoulder, bacon, onion, paprika, sauerkraut, and then sour cream at the end. This stew is so flavorful and satiating — it’s my husband’s favorite.
German Sauerkraut Soup (Sauerkrautsuppe)
Homemade meatballs are cooked directly in this flavorful broth which is full of veggies and sauerkraut.
Roasted Green Tomato Soup With Pesto
Green tomatoes and other veggies are roasted to bring out their sweetness and then topped with pesto. Try serving this soup in a bread bowl!
Red Cabbage Soup With Bacon
Red cabbage in a rich broth pairs beautifully with smoky bacon in this lovely fall soup.
Golden Glow Soup
This “golden glow” soup is packed with plant-based precursor sources of vitamin A (beta-carotene), like sweet potatoes. It also contains ginger, turmeric, chicken thighs (optional), and rice. Hearty enough for a complete meal.
Vegetable Beef Barley Stew
Vegetable beef barley stew is a classic meal of tender beef, chewy barley, and flavorful veggies, and my version of it follows the traditional formula. This simple, hearty classic is a family favorite that children and adults alike love. Make extra and take it to work the next day for lunch in a thermos.
Croatian Grah: Beans & Smoked Pork
A stew I grew up eating, grah is a delightful bean stew featuring tender white beans and smoky pork, offering a comforting and flavorful taste of Croatia. The beans absorb the smoky essence of the pork, creating a simple yet delicious dish that’s perfect for chilly days. If you’re a fan of hearty flavors, don’t miss the opportunity to try this authentic Croatian dish.
Old-Fashioned Green Bean Soup (Mahuna)
Green Bean Soup — we call this mahuna. It’s a nutritious and flavorful dish that celebrates the flavor of green beans and can be prepared using either fresh or frozen beans. This simple yet satisfying soup is perfect for those who appreciate soups packed with veggies. Whether you’re seeking a light and delicious meal or want to enjoy the natural goodness of green beans, this is a versatile choice suitable for any season.
Ukha Russian Fish Soup
A Russian classic, Ukha is a simple and versatile fish soup recipe, where you start by creating a rich fish stock. This soup can be made with various fish and seafood, offering a robust and flavorful broth. This simple soup is a must-try if you’re looking for a comforting and delicious meal.
Bosnian Grah: Beans & Smoked Beef
Bosnian Grah, a hearty dish made with beans and smoked beef sausage, is a delicious and comforting option that brings together the rich flavors of smoked sausage and tender beans. This traditional Bosnian dish combines simple ingredients to create a satisfying and flavorful meal. Whether you’re an aficionado of robust, meaty dishes or simply seeking a hearty and appetizing recipe, Bosnian Grah is a must-try. It offers a taste of Bosnia’s culinary heritage, delivering a blend of smoky and savory notes in every mouthwatering bite.
Authentic Jamaican Oxtail Stew With Butterbeans
Jamaican Oxtail Stew with butterbeans is a mouthwatering and satisfying dish that captures the essence of Jamaican cuisine. This recipe pairs succulent oxtail with creamy butterbeans in a robust, flavorful stew. Whether you have a taste for Caribbean flavors or you’re eager to explore a hearty and aromatic stew, Jamaican Oxtail Stew is a delectable choice.
Eastern European Oxtail Barley Soup
European Oxtail Barley Soup is a comforting and nourishing dish with a rich history that spans across Slavic and Central European countries. This hearty soup combines tender oxtail and wholesome barley to create a robust and flavorful meal. Variations of this soup are cherished and enjoyed throughout the region, with each country adding its own unique twist. Whether you’re drawn to the traditional flavors of Eastern Europe or you’re curious about the diverse culinary influences in this part of the world, European Oxtail Barley Soup is a delightful choice. It’s an opportunity to explore a cross-cultural culinary journey, discovering how a single dish can manifest in various ways, yet always delivering a warm and satisfying experience.
Liver Dumpling Soup
Liver dumpling soup is called leberknödelsuppe in Germany but it is enjoyed in Austria, Slovakia, and Czechia. This recipe was taught to me by my Slovak mother-in-law, who learned it from a German woman who is nearly 100 years old as of this writing. This counts as a “hidden liver” recipe that children will love!
Chicken Feet Bone Broth
Use roasted chicken feet and veggies, then add some simple herbs to make a flavorful collagen-packed sipping bone broth — or use it in any soup recipe. Waste not, want not.
19 Lazy & Delicious Slow-Cooker Chicken Recipes
Check out my collection of favorite slow cooker chicken recipes too, for more great dinner and lunch recipes.
19 Traditional German Recipes: A Taste of Deutschland
One of my favorite cuisines of all.
Check them Out: German Recipes
15 Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipes
And these easy chicken sheet pan dinner recipes are definitely worth adding to your weekly rotation.
I hope you’ve found some new recipes to try out!
