35 Vegetarian Soup Recipes to Keep You Warm All Winter Long
The sun has started setting before 6 p.m., the leaves are turning, and it’s finally getting cold enough for us to pull our cozy sweaters (and slow cookers) out from storage. That’s right — we’ve officially transitioned from relentless heat waves into the most delicious time of the year: soup season. And whether you’re fully plant-based, or if you merely choose to observe the occasional meatless Monday, we have 35 vegetarian soup recipes that will keep you feeling toasty and satisfied all winter long.
70 Hearty Winter Dinner Ideas That Take 1 Hour or Less
1. Roasted Tomato Soup
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, keto
For an adult pairing to that homemade grilled cheese, look no further than this flavorful roasted tomato number. Tangy goat cheese and fresh herbs elevate it from the canned classic you used to love as a kid. (Leave the goat cheese out to make it vegan.)
2. Lentil Soup
TWO PEAS AND THEIR POD
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, vegan, dairy free
There’s no better desk lunch than this hearty dish. With a blend of spices, vegetables and protein-filled lentils, it will up the ante for every one of your meals this week (seriously, it makes several servings). And we promise it will be more satisfying than your usual $15 salad.
3. Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 7 hours, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, vegetarian, high protein
It has pasta, cheese and even wine—what’s not to like? You won’t realize you’re eating a ton of veggies because there are so many tasty ingredients in this slow-cooked masterpiece. Put on a rom-com while you devour a bowl, and you’re set up for a next-level night in.
4. Healing Lemongrass Chickpea Thai Green Curry
AMBITIOUS KITCHEN
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, dairy free
Hi, health queen—we love something that’s fragrant and spicy, especially when we’re feeling rundown after a dreary day. With ginger, plant-based protein and fragrant lemongrass, this has everything your body needs to recharge.
5. Easy 5-Ingredient Corn Soup
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients
If you love the idea of a crab boil—minus the crab—this creamy soup is reminiscent of the flavorful corn and potatoes served at a New England backyard party. Plus, it only boasts five ingredients, and between prep and cooking, it takes less than an hour to make from start to finish. (Swap olive oil for the butter to make it plant-based.)
6. Creamy Mushroom-Chestnut Bisque
FLOATING KITCHEN
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, dairy free
Pour yourself a glass of Chardonnay and sip it with your pinky out alongside this decadent combination of mushrooms and white wine. It happens to be dairy free, but it’s so creamy, you’d honestly have no idea.
7. Restorative Miso Noodle Soup
MARIA SIRIANO/THE PROBIOTIC KITCHEN
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, gluten free
Skip the takeout and get in on this light-yet-filling (not to mention nourishing) bowl of noodle soup. The mushrooms are meaty and the miso paste adds a sweet, mellow flavor. If you stir in the miso right when you finish cooking it, you’ll retain those gut-loving probiotic benefits. Win-win.
8. Detox Red Beet Soup
FEED ME PHOEBE
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free
Impress everyone at the dinner table with a bowl of this vibrant borscht-esque soup. The herbs and citrus give the eastern European classic a modern flare, and because it’s packed with beets, your body will thank you later (they’ve been linked to fighting inflammation and keeping blood pressure in check).
9. Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup
KATHERINE GILLEN
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free
While many aromatic soups require hours of slow cooking, this Instant Pot creation is quick and vegan-optional if you use vegetable broth. The best part is the final coconut yogurt drizzle, which simultaneously gives it some extra body and a slightly sweet flavor that you’ll love.
10. Vegan White Chili
PLAYS WELL WITH BUTTER
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
Who doesn’t appreciate a hearty bowl of chili? This vegan masterpiece marries the spicy flavors of poblano and jalapeño peppers, which give the hominy and white beans a powerful punch. Just give your dinner guests a spice warning in case they aren’t expecting things to get hot.
11. Spring Pea Soup
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free
Forget everything you thought you knew about peas. Not only is this bowl savory and flavorful, but the fresh mint on top is seriously refreshing. No one will fight you to finish the whole thing like your mom did with peas back in the day—this time around, you’ll be licking the bowl.
12. Vegan Slow Cooker Detox Coconut Soup
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 7 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free
Whether you had too much fun at the Christmas party or you’re coming down with a cold, we could all use a little detox at some point or another. With ginger, lemongrass and a mix of fresh vegetables and herbs on top, you’ll finish a bowl of this soup feeling full and nourished.
13. Roasted Cauliflower and Sunchoke Soup
THE MOM100
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: dairy free, vegetarian
Roasting cauliflower beforehand packs in some serious savory flavor. And although you might not be familiar with sunchokes yet, this is a fantastic introduction to the earthy, iron-rich root vegetable.
14. Red Curry Dumpling Soup with Kimchi
THE FULL HELPING
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, dairy free
Frozen dumplings are an underrated secret to a quick, filling meal, and this soup proves it to be true—combined with kimchi, curry paste and coconut milk, it literally tastes like a hug in a mug. And with a squeeze of lime juice, you’ll be glad you have the rest of the pot to finish later.
15. Pumpkin Soup in Mini Pumpkin Bowls
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free
Forget PSLs—this takes the cake for fall-winter pumpkin creations (and you’ll get bonus points if you serve it in a hollowed-out pumpkin). Plus, the combination of rosemary, thyme and leeks will make you feel completely prepared for any blizzards heading your way.
16. Garlic Soup with Tomatoes and Eggs
SALT and WIND
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
This is an egg-cellent dish for any egg-eating vegetarians out there. The slow-roasted tomatoes add tons of flavor, but we’ll be honest: We’ll eat anything with a bunch of garlic in it. (Maybe just have some mints within arm’s reach if you’re planning to socialize afterwards.)
17. Dairy-Free ‘Cream Of Broccoli’ Soup
KERRI AXELROD
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, dairy free, vegetarian
Behold a modern twist on the classic cream of broccoli. This version blends chickpeas into the mix and swaps broccoli rabe for the usual broccoli base. You’ll feel a little lighter than normal, too, because even though it’s extremely rich, it’s secretly dairy free.
18. Zucchini Lasagna Soup with Lentils
INSPIRALIZED
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
Reminiscent of lasagna, this is the ultimate comfort food we never knew we were missing. The zucchini is shaved into ribbons, mimicking the texture and look of lasagna noodles to a T. The lentils replace ground beef or turkey—but trust us, even your meat-loving uncle won’t be able to taste the difference.
19. Vegan Creamy Thai Butternut Squash Soup
OhCarlene
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free
This Thai-inspired soup blends butternut squash with coconut milk and soft, silken tofu, making for a texture so decadent that it gives off some real main dish energy. (You can easily leave out the fish sauce to make it fully vegan, BTW.)
20. Creamy Peanut Stew with Crispy Baked Okra
CHOCOLATE FOR BASIL
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free
Creamy peanut butter blends with sweet potatoes and spicy habanero peppers, making for an incredible sweet and spicy combination. To be honest, the crispy baked okra is the best part of this dish, but we like to save those for last. This is truly unlike anything we’ve ever made, but it’s certainly a stew to remember.
21. Curry Coconut Noodle Soup
WHAT'S GABY COOKING
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, vegetarian, dairy free
This soup is certainly fiery, so it’s not for the faint of heart. But as an added benefit, it will clear your sinuses in an instant. Keep it in your back pocket for cold season.
22. Curried Chickpeas and Coconut Potage
The Yellow Butterfly
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, <30 minutes
Here’s a creative way to use up a lot of goods already in your pantry (chickpeas, coconut milk, spices and broth). The warm flavors will take the chill off any frigid winter night, and when served with some toasted naan, it becomes the ultimate comfort meal.
23. Quinoa Vegetable Soup with Kale
COOKIE AND KATE
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free
This flavorful soup packs in a long list of nutritious yet easy-to-find ingredients. The quinoa adds some protein-packed texture, while the kale and other veggies bring color, vitamins and of course, tons of flavor. Unless you want to add the optional Parmesan cheese, it also happens to be vegan.
24. Slow Cooker Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
JESSICA IN THE KITCHEN
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, vegan, dairy free
With the rich taste of mushrooms and the texture of wild rice, this certainly makes for one heck of a meal. It’s recommended that you use real wild rice—not just a wild rice blend—to avoid any mushiness.
25. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
Feel Good Foodie
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead
Although tortilla soup is usually made with chicken, this gives you the opportunity to try it plant-based. And being able to top it off with fun ingredients like avocado, cheese, diced onions and cilantro makes it a total winner winner (no-chicken) dinner.
26. Thick and Hearty Easy Vegetarian Chili
Brown Sugar
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, one pot
Everyone needs to store an easy veg chili recipe up their sleeve, and this one is filling, cheap and quick to make. With meatless “meat” crumbles, a few different types of beans and zucchini, your crew might not even realize it’s plant-based. Make things fancy and set up a toppings bar with shredded cheese (or vegan cheese), cilantro and tortilla chips.
27. Best Cabbage Soup
BUTTER BE READY
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, vegan, one pot
This aromatic, veggie-packed soup was created in the name of Meatless Monday by a blogger who doesn’t actually consider herself vegetarian—and she says it easily fulfills any and all of her cravings. If you ask us, all soups call for a crusty bread, so consider baking a loaf yourself or simply picking up some from the nearby bakery.
28. Instant Pot Vegan Black Bean Soup
MAKE IT DAIRY-FREE
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 8 minutes
Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, vegetarian
Here’s yet another Instant Pot soup recipe that takes virtually no time to make, but tastes like you spent the entire day cooking. It’s a delicious Mexican-inspired meal all by itself, that can be easily elevated with some tortilla chips, or—gasp!—maybe even some garlic bread. It only calls for 10 ingredients (so grocery shopping will be a breeze) and you likely already have many of them sitting in your pantry.
29. Instant Pot Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
Katherine Gillen
Editor’s Pick
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, Instant Pot recipe, one pot
Use any type of ’shroom you like here, whether that’s baby bellas, shiitakes or a wild mix. And because we know you’re wondering, the leftovers reheat beautifully.
30. Garlicky Spinach and Chickpea Soup with Lemon and Pecorino Romano
CAITLIN BENSEL/THE MEDITERRANEAN DISH
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein, <500 calories
While we highly recommend you include the grated Pecorino Romano for a full-bodied flavor, you can also leave it out to make this hearty soup completely plant-based.
31. Spiced Cauliflower Soup
DAVID LOFTUS/SAM’S EATS
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <500 calories
Substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock in this recipe to make it vegetarian, and complete it with roasted garlic and chili oil for spicy flavor.
32. Sweet Potato Miso Soup
CAROLINA RODRIGUEZ/THE LULA CAFE COOKBOOK
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free
In this twist on miso soup, the star ingredient is caramelized in browning butter, where it develops deep nutty aromas and intensifies all of the other flavors (apples! onion! sweet potato!) in the mix. Use store-bought vegetable stock if you want a shortcut.
33. Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Soup with “Sausage” and Kale
NISHA VORA
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, dairy free
There are a few tricks for making a creamy soup without any actual cream. Our favorite method? It has to be cashews, which can transform a brothy pot into a silky, luscious puree like nobody’s business.
34. Sheet Pan Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, vegetarian
You make entire meals on your beloved baking sheet, so why can’t soup join in on the fun? Simply chop all your vegetables, toss everything on a sheet pan with some olive oil and seasonings and roast until caramelized and tender. All that’s left is to blend and top with whatever pleases you—we chose a crunchy seed brittle, but croutons or cheese would be equally delicious.
35. Baked Feta Soup
YUMNA JAWAD/FEEL GOOD FOODIE
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Think of this brothy version of the viral TikTok recipe like a rich, creamy update on your typical tomato (or, even better, a grown-up version of Spaghetti-Os).
