As the weather warms up, there's still a place for soup on the menu, and these tasty recipes are proof. These spring soups are full of fresh seasonal produce, like asparagus, carrots and peas, plus delicious fresh herbs for lots of flavor. Whether you want something creamy and comforting or a brothy, veggie-packed stew, there's a soup you'll love in this mix. Serve recipes like our Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Kale and Spring Vegetable Minestra with Mint & Basil Pistou with a slice of crusty bread for a meal you won't soon forget.
01of 40
Comforting Cabbage Soup with Ginger
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/healing-cabbage-soup-940331b7a35b41db8c47501bad9dcaf6.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (1)")
Cabbage turns tender and flavorful in this comforting soup. The aromatic broth is full of spices, including ginger and turmeric, making it perfect for enjoying on a cold day or keeping you hydrated if you're sick.
02of 40
Slow-Cooker Lentil, Carrot & Potato Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7240945-09c86a7d326e4539a1fbc448ae815820.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (2)")
Puréeing some of the lentil-vegetable mixture, and then combining it with the remaining vegetables and lentils gives the soup a texture that satisfies those who love a creamy soup and those who prefer it chunky. Serve this slow-cooker lentil soup with crackers.
03of 40
Instant Pot Cream of Carrot Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6832099-770fc9bba4b74517af9f529da3f22be9.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (3)")
This luscious and healthy cream of carrot soup comes together with just 15 minutes of active time, thanks to the Instant Pot (or any other pressure cooker). For an even easier dish, use an immersion blender to puree the soup--you'll only have the Instant Pot insert to clean after cooking. Serve this soup as a starter for a holiday meal or with crusty bread and a salad for dinner any night.
04of 40
Creamy Mushroom & Spinach Soup with Wild Rice
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/creamy-mushroom-and-spinach-soup-with-wild-rice-7a1407a245374050a742741ef9150af9.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (4)")
Packed with vegetables, this creamy soup comes together easily for a warming meal. Wild rice adds a boost of protein and fiber, but you could substitute another whole grain like brown rice or barley, if you prefer.
05of 40
Vegetarian Potato-Kale Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vegetarian-potato-kale-soup-05aa9478eff7464c963b0981eda5c6d6.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (5)")
This potato-kale soup has a rich, yet light and velvety texture. Opt for baby, two-bite red potatoes as they cook faster in the creamy, brothy soup. Serve with crusty bread and a glass of wine for a cozy meal.
06of 40
Lemony Lentil Soup with Collards
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6211979-ffa2b57dd2ac41569ec3d416ba9cfbe9.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (6)")
You don't need broth for this lentil soup recipe--it's rich thanks to the browned bits in the bottom of the pan that meld into the soup, packing it with flavor. Ground coriander, from the seed of the cilantro plant, has a floral, citrusy flavor that dovetails nicely with the lemon.
07of 40
Spring Vegetable Minestra with Mint & Basil Pistou
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spring-veg-minestra-2000-44d48bfc7c5340659940b445e7f99b8f.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (7)")
If you don't already stash Parmesan rinds in your freezer, look for them at a supermarket with a specialty cheese section—ask for them if they're not prepackaged. You'll need six to eight rinds.
08of 40
Pea Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6422783-505ca62f718141f189a20ba3e589b06b.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (8)")
A simple pea soup makes an elegant start to a spring meal. It's also a great way to use frozen vegetables when the produce section is looking bleak.
09of 40
Spring Green Soup with Chicken
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7944523-88e413ee1891449a99ff947cafca6e60.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (9)")
Sautéing chicken in a little oil first (rather than poaching in the broth) creates some browned bits in the pan (aka fond) that give this green soup a richer flavor.
10of 40
Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7240910-fcbe51f8761b49699740f7415a08e3e5.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (10)")
This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Puréeing only some of the slow-cooker mushroom soup gives the dish complex texture and eye appeal. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired.
11of 40
Chorizo, Potato & Kale Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/portuguese-potato-kale-soup-18c027e9234b40a1b8f8962501c14d3e.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (11)")
Inspired by caldo verde, a soup traditional in northern Portugal and served with corn bread called broa, this satisfying winter soup features tender potatoes and spicy chorizo sausage. Collard or mustard greens can be substituted for the kale.
12of 40
One-Pot Chicken & Cabbage Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/one-pot-chicken-cabbage-soup-8e6d4c8ed5804aafba4253bcd7352690.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (12)")
This simple, yet flavorful, chicken-cabbage soup is perfect for enjoying on a cold day. Sherry vinegar adds a touch of brightness and pairs well with the medley of vegetables. Serve with crusty bread.
13of 40
Smoked Gouda-Broccoli Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7881944-e6322435417a4803a6274e184608eda1.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (13)")
Smoked paprika and smoked Gouda give this broccoli-and-cheese soup recipe a double hit of smoky flavor. If you can't find smoked Gouda, smoked Cheddar gives delicious results as well.
14of 40
Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/creamy-wild-rice-and-mushroom-soup-8276f1fd4176476899a7a2385501343c.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (14)")
Mushrooms add earthiness and umami flavor in this creamy, one-pot soup recipe. This vegetarian soup will thicken as it sits, so be mindful that the consistency may change when you're done cooking.
15of 40
Afghan Vegetable & Chickpea Soup (Tarkari)
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7544625-277e915038fe41e8ab1da18840b9456a.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (15)")
Try topping this simple but satisfying vegetable soup with a spoonful of Red Chutney (see Associated Recipes). Recipe adapted from New Arrivals Supper Club chef Naseema Kashefi.
16of 40
Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8443810-e9a128ae1df74f368af082e6063c5b78.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (16)")
This creamy chicken and mushroom soup is easy to make. The mix of vegetables and thyme adds richness, while the bone-in chicken flavors the broth. If you're in a hurry, you can skip the chicken breasts and add rotisserie chicken at the end instead.
17of 40
French Onion Soup with Portobello Cheese "Toast"
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8375863-979b7936cf854a07a15ffbe771ebc3e9.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (17)")
Roasted portobello mushrooms stuffed with cheese, herbs and breadcrumbs stand in for the traditional Gruyère toast you'd find on top of a crock of French onion soup.
18of 40
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Kale
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lemon-Chicken-Orzo-Soup-with-Kale-39f4ca5010fe487292a86798b68d4d60.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (18)")
This healthy, easy soup is loaded with vegetables, protein and fiber to keep you full and fueled. Serve this winter soup topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and a side of garlic toast.
19of 40
Chicken & Kale Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8328360-d87718e843274a2faf1036ec210cdef1.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (19)")
This easy chicken and kale soup will keep you warm on a cold and rainy day or any day that calls for a simple, hearty soup. For convenience, you can make this soup with frozen kale without the need to thaw it beforehand.
20of 40
Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4037615-77bd1b70b81d4b78a54787dabb0a8ee1.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (20)")
This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients--boneless, skinless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach and canned beans. It features a simple homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end to add a fresh herb flavor. If you are very pressed for time, you can substitute 3 to 4 tablespoons of a store-bought basil pesto. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.
21of 40
Slow-Cooker Carrot-Leek Bisque
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7240908-a7e7b3e472ac4a9ab367f0d66c2d4dc9.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (21)")
Creamy and delicate slow-cooker carrot soup is a welcome appetizer. The addition of millet--a whole grain similar to quinoa--adds body to the soup as well as protein and fiber. Garnish with additional black pepper, if desired.
22of 40
Hearty Minestrone
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7557438-877dc500f3b74ba2812c4fba34aec122.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (22)")
This version of the Italian classic soup Minestrone is packed with leeks, potatoes, beans, zucchini, spinach and orzo, making it perfect for a hearty lunch or supper on a cold winter's night. To make a vegetarian version use vegetable rather than chicken broth. Top each bowl with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a zesty burst of flavor.
23of 40
Cream of Broccoli Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cream-of-Broccoli-Soup-b3260f8436cc4e3f8c30d3155c3af744.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (23)")
This simple and healthy cream of broccoli soup recipe gets its flavor from a mixture of aromatic vegetables, including leeks and celery. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender) gives it a smooth, creamy texture. Enjoy this easy homemade cream of broccoli soup as a comforting appetizer or pair it with a sandwich or salad for lunch or dinner.
24of 40
Creamy White Bean Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/creamy-white-bean-soup--2a55f9e3f0104199a2a5d63c8c8dbd79.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (24)")
This light, creamy white bean soup is richly flavored thanks to plenty of beans, veggies and Parmesan cheese. Blending half of the soup at the end adds its signature creaminess without adding cream.
25of 40
Healthy Cream of Mushroom Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7104352-23ffdf0ff3d44e189eaf6f2e870bd5bf.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (25)")
This better-for-you version of the traditional cream of mushroom soup calls for you to puree half of the soup for that rich, creamy mouthfeel and leave the other half as-is for hits of meaty texture. Don't skip the parsley and tarragon as both add a nice pop of color and their flavors play so well with the mushrooms. Be sure to brown the mushrooms well as that'll add even more depth to the soup.
26of 40
Alaskan Cod Chowder
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5769367-f723c371944841009514ed863008bbd4.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (26)")
In this healthy fish chowder recipe, heavy cream is replaced with milk and flour-thickened fish (or seafood) broth and we keep sodium amounts reasonable with lower-sodium broth. By making your own homemade fish chowder, you'll save up to 300 calories, 20 grams of saturated fat and 500 milligrams of sodium per serving compared to many store-bought or restaurant chowders.
27of 40
Green Curry Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3935711-db14c83e7e7f41cfa84706ac14994755.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (27)")
This aromatic green curry soup is packed with spinach, mushrooms, green beans and broccoli stems (save the florets for another night). Green curry paste gives this soup a delicately spicy broth. The vegetables are cooked just enough to be tender, but retain their freshness and distinct textures.
28of 40
Lobster Bisque
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7347436-46e3a326755d4607bb936263aa4d803f.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (28)")
The secret to this richly flavored lobster bisque recipe lies in the shells from the lobster tail that get pureed into the soup itself. This is one appetizer soup that will really wow your guests! Be sure to strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve twice to get the traditional smooth, creamy texture.
29of 40
Garden-Fresh Asparagus Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3950671-6e3ad0c04b8a47f4b2452d36c9cb34d8.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (29)")
This lemony asparagus soup is spiced with a touch of curry and gets added richness from "lite" coconut milk and creamy red potatoes. Top it with a dollop of crème fraîche or plain yogurt and serve warm or chilled.
30of 40
Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Garlicky Croutons
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7240919-c6349f159c6946e0a52cefaa49497dd9.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (30)")
Fans of split pea soup will go crazy for bowls of this version that requires almost no hands-on time. If you sop up every last drop of this slow-cooker split pea soup, fantastic; if you have leftovers, even better--it might just be tastier the next day once the flavors have melded. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired.
31of 40
Vegetable Weight-Loss Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4582293-85e38d99f35941d989a776fe15278de3.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (31)")
A big bowl of this veggie-packed minestrone will leave you satisfied for hours without consuming a lot of calories, which is helpful when trying to lose weight. Plus, it's an easy way to boost your vegetable servings for the day—something all of us could benefit from. Top with a dollop of pesto before devouring this delicious vegetable soup and consider serving with a hunk of toasted whole-wheat bread to help round out the meal.
32of 40
Sausage, Spinach & Tortellini Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7032149-bfaa3224ca8d4c329b7547ae630265fc.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (32)")
Full of a comforting tomato base and plenty of fresh spinach, the spicy sausage is a zingy, flavorful addition to this easy soup recipe. If you want to make the soup ahead of time, save the tortellini for shortly before serving so that it doesn't get soggy and break apart.
33of 40
Easy Italian Wedding Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/easy-italian-wedding-soup-960x960-1-c1e27e98b4bb409e9a6e6564bbd0e2c7.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (33)")
Forget the marble-size meatballs you find in many versions of this soup. In this easy recipe, they're full-size, full-flavored and plenty filling.
34of 40
Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6351608-4238c753f9dc43fd93a0c141f643f299.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (34)")
This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify the prep, look for chopped fresh onion and shredded carrot or a soup starter mix in the produce section.
35of 40
Slow-Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Soup with Asparagus & Peas
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6538901-3c1748ea07494be8bf3c3f0dc460fbc7.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (35)")
Use your crock pot all year with this healthy slow-cooker chicken soup recipe with fresh spring ingredients. Adding the asparagus and peas to the slow cooker for the last 20 minutes of cooking and leaving the lid off ensures that the vegetables stay bright green and are perfectly done without getting mushy.
36of 40
Creamy Asparagus-Potato Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3758966-5a42d0cf61d04451bbe26f73786c932b.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (36)")
In this fast asparagus soup recipe, potato adds creaminess without adding cream. Double or triple this soup and freeze the leftovers for a quick lunch.
37of 40
Spinach & Goat Cheese Bisque
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4256727-d7c154e08a3a434584477f7109ec383e.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (37)")
A little fresh goat cheese and a touch of butter are just enough to make this spinach soup silky, creamy and a little nutty--but not enough to overdo it. We use dark green spinach for this soup because of the lovely color it produces, though you could use red-veined spinach and have just as good a flavor in a more Army-inspired khaki color.
38of 40
Double Celery Soup
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3749856-14adbb68307d436d80612fdb5f311e3c.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (38)")
Roasting celery and celery root intensifies their flavors in this silky-smooth, healthy soup recipe. Serve topped with a swirl of yogurt and herbs or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
39of 40
Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6211920-e325b44a84a64d53ac2126322033c833.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (39)")
Loaded with cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, tomato and plenty of seasoning, this healthy vegetable soup packs in lots of flavor and is ultra-satisfying. This easy recipe makes a big batch for lunches or veggie-packed snacks all week. If you want to bump up the satisfaction factor even more, top with a little cheese or avocado.
40of 40
Creamy Radish Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3758589-0e08d36cd8cb4731bbef3a9424630455.jpg "The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Spring (40)")
In this creamy radish soup recipe, radishes are sautéed and pureed with potato, creating a velvety, healthy soup. Cooking radishes also tones down any bitterness, while leaving plenty of sweet, earthy flavors to enjoy. Using smaller radishes will give the soup a pretty pink hue, like the one pictured here, while larger radishes result in an almost white soup.
