Vegetable Soup Recipes

Many vegetarian chilies eat more like soups, but ours is built to satisfy a meat-lover. Bulgur wheat and mushrooms combine to mimic the texture and flavor of ground beef; chili powder, smoked paprika and chocolate stout lend deep, authentic flavor without a long simmer.

Hearty Vegetarian Chili

If you usually walk past the okra at the farmers market, stop—and make this nutritious meat-and dairy-free take on the New Orleans classic. The recipe comes from Lachelle Cunningham, who is a chef and advocate for the Twin Cities soul food scene.

Vegan Gumbo

Diane Nemitz of Ludington, Michigan, kept cooking with the native American "three sisters"---corn, beans and squash---until she created this satisfying soup. "I've been experimenting with corn chowders for a while," she notes. "This is the one my husband liked best. Roasting the corn kernels makes the difference."

Three Sisters Corn-and Chili Chowder recipe

This is a great dairy-free (and cholesterol-free, too) soup in its own right, but a drizzle of Asian-spiced maple syrup adds a wonderfully unexpected kick and dramatic red flourish. The recipe comes from The Birchwood Cafe Cookbook (University of Minnesota Press, $29.95).

Maple-Chile Butternut Soup

Bulgur wheat lends meaty texture, fiber and protein to soups and stews, where it can cook in the broth. In our sweet and savory chili, we match the grain with salsa verde, peppers and edamame—a weeknight meal that makes it oh-so-easy to be green.

Chili Verde with Corn Bread Croutons

Inspired by Buffalo chicken wings, this zesty twist on classic cheesy potato soup is perfect for dishing up on game day. The recipe doesn't call for chicken, but you can add it if you like.

Buffalo Corn-Potato Chowder

Fresh apple, dried fruit and cashews add color, sweetness and crunch to a ready-in-45 vegetarian chili. For a twist on the traditional toppers (and to hint what’s inside), garnish with apple slivers.

Apple Harvest Chili

Here's a main-dish soup loaded with veggies. Need to reduce the sodium? Use only one can of French onion soup and replace the other with 1-1/2 cups water.

Butternut Squash, Lentil and Wild Rice Stew

Butternut squash, chicken broth, coconut milk, brown sugar and seasonings combine for a creamy, rich soup. For added flavor, top with Thai Gremolata, a mix of fresh basil or cilantro, chopped peanuts and finely shredded lemon peel.

Thai Butternut Squash Soup

This hearty soup boasts a bounty of veggies and seasonings, including pumpkin or squash, fresh ginger, lime juice, cumin and fresh cilantro.

Pumpkin, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

This hearty and uber-healthy vegetarian chili recipe comes from Brianne Jamerson of Indiana. If you'd prefer a looser texture, just add extra water or broth.

Quinoa Harvest Chili

Karen Scott from Park Forest, Illinois, fell in love with this spiced specialty when her daughter, Sandy Rutkowski, served her a bowl. "I thought it was out of this world," Karen says. Curry powder and fresh ginger give otherwise bland lentils a spicy base in this meatless main dish.

View Curried Lentil Soup recipe

This pale orange, chowderlike soup gets a sprinkle of goat-cheese croutons in a recipe from Oakleys Bistro in Indianapolis. You'll get a healthy helping of veggies in this meal: eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, leeks, sweet peppers and tomatoes.

Ratatouille Bisque

You'll think autumn in a bowl when you feast your eyes on this soup, which Marie Rizzio of Interlochen, Michigan, considers her fall comfort food. "It's the best sweet potato soup," she says.

View So-Creamy Sweet Potato Soup recipe

Combine caramelized onions, ginger, carrots and a sweet potato for this creamy, pretty soup.

Ginger-Carrot Soup

White wine, cream, white wine vinegar, Brie and fresh herbs create a rich appetizer or main dish. Our recipe also tells you how to adjust the ingredients to make Brie Fondue.

Creamy Brie Soup

The Inn at Irish Hollow in Galena, Illinois, serves this creamy, curried soup throughout the fall and winter. You can make your own crème fraîche for the garnish, or use purchased crème fraiche or sour cream.

Spiced Pumpkin Bisque

Smoked tomatoes give all-American tomato soup a twist of Ozark flavor. Thyme, garlic and onion bring more depth to the taste.

Smoked Tomato Soup

Combine leeks, garlic and butternut squash in this pureed hot soup that's studded with corn and seasoned with cumin and nutmeg.

Steaming Sweet Butternut Bisque

Simmering for hours is so Sunday afternoon! On weeknights, whip up this easy and nutritious soup using whatever veggies you have on hand.

Cream of Any-Vegetable Soup

Try serving this rich tomato soup with burgers or toasted cheese sandwiches.

Old-Fashioned Cream of Tomato Soup