34 Comforting Winter Soups and Stews to Warm You Up
These recipes will warm you, kitchen, body, and soul.
When temperatures drop and the days grow darker, there’s nothing more appealing than retreating indoors to something warm and satisfying. Cold-weather cooking is all about comfort, and few things deliver it better than a good bowl of soup.
To help you make the most of the season, we’ve gathered our favorite winter soup recipes that are rich, filling, and full of flavor. Whether you’re in the mood for a slow cooker soup that bubbles away while you go about your day or a fast, low-effort dinner you can pull together on a busy weeknight, there’s something here for every schedule and craving. These recipes lean into accesible ingredients, simple techniques, and big payoff, making them perfect for chilly evenings and lazy weekends alike. Grab a spoon, settle in, and let these comforting winter soups warm you from the inside out.
Slow-Cooker Beef Stew
There’s nothing better than walking in the door to a delicious dinner that’s already done, and that’s exactly what this slow-cooker recipe delivers. Browning the meat first adds deeper flavor and helps lock in richness before it slowly simmers.
Black Bean-and-Chile Soup
Fresh salsa helps lighten up this hearty black bean soup. Cubanelle and Fresno peppers bring mild and medium heat, respectively, and if you’re craving more spice, feel free to add a jalapeño or serrano as well.
Get the recipe for Black Bean-and-Chile Soup.
Pork, Sweet Potato, and Apple Stew
A little sweet and a lot savory, this hearty stew is just what you’ll want on a cool fall night. Don’t skip the crusty bread, because every last drop of that flavorful broth deserves to be soaked up.
Get the recipe for Pork, Sweet Potato, and Apple Stew.
Matzo Ball Soup
Tender matzo balls float in a rich chicken-and-vegetable broth. Serve with pickled, topped matzo crackers for extra texture and flavor.
Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Bacon-Pepita Crunch
Creamy soups are always comforting, but add a crunchy topping and they become truly spectacular. To make this one vegetarian, simply skip the bacon and swap in vegetable stock for the chicken stock.
Get the recipe for Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Bacon-Pepita Crunch.
Creamy Chicken Soup with Potatoes and Bacon
Like a loaded baked potato, this soup will warm you to the bones. Creamy, hearty, and packed with all the classic toppings, it’s pure comfort in a bowl.
Get the recipe for Creamy Chicken Soup with Potatoes and Bacon.
Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Soup
Light and brothy yet surprisingly rich thanks to the addition of kielbasa, this cabbage-forward soup only gets better as it sits. Go ahead and double the batch; it’s perfect for making once and enjoying for days.
Vegan Black Bean Soup
Serve this black bean soup with cheesy quesadillas for dipping—vegan cheese works just as well if you prefer. The toppings are completely up to you, but we’re big fans of piling them all on.
Classic French Onion Soup
A deeply flavorful broth, slowly cooked onions, and gooey, cheesy toast come together to make this soup incredibly satisfying. If you don’t have ovenproof bowls, simply bake the toasts on a sheet tray and add them on top before serving.
Shrimp Gumbo
This dinner-party-worthy soup develops deep, layered flavor as it simmers, and the end result feels like a trip straight to Louisiana. Serve it with spicy drop biscuits on the side for plenty of dunking.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Gumbo.
Lasagna Soup
All the rich, cozy flavors of classic lasagna—without the layering, baking, or extra cleanup. This dish is hearty, comforting, and exactly what you want on a busy weeknight, especially because it comes together in less than 25 minutes.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup with Peanuts and Ginger
For this soup, we drew inspiration from West African flavors, blending sweet potatoes with ginger, peanuts, and tomatoes. The result is a hearty, warmly spiced bowl that’s deeply comforting and sure to satisfy.
Get the recipe for Sweet Potato Soup with Peanuts and Ginger.
Potato Leek Soup with Crispy Leek Topping
The crispy, crunchy topping takes this soup to a whole new level of deliciousness. Serve it alongside a classic French ham-and-butter sandwich for the perfect pairing.
Get the recipe for Potato Leek Soup with Crispy Leek Topping.
Guinness Beef Stew
There's no need to wait until March to make a big pot of this hearty beef stew, packed with root veggies and flavor.
White Wine Coq Au Vin
The great Julia Child helped popularize this ultimate French comfort food. We've made ours easy-as-pie to make. Cook up a big batch on Sunday and you'll feast all week.
Seafood and Sausage Stew
This protein-packed soup will keep you satisfied long after you lick the bowl clean.
Ina Garten's Creamy Tomato Bisque
Pair this creamy soup, from Ina Garten's twelfth cookbook, Modern Comfort Food, with Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Gingery Meatball Soup
Fresh ginger gives this hearty meatball soup a lively kick of flavor.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
If you like chicken noodle soup, you'll love chicken and wild rice soup.
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