17 Soup Recipes That Turn Soup Season Into My Favorite Time of Year

I can pretend I’m going to keep making salads and quick dinners when the weather turns cold, but once November rolls around, I’m already looking for an excuse to put a big pot of soup on the stove.

Maybe it’s the way a good soup makes the kitchen smell like someone has been cooking all afternoon, even when dinner was surprisingly easy. Or maybe I’m just very happy to have a meal that can feed everyone tonight and give me something to look forward to in the fridge tomorrow. Either way, soup season has officially won me over again.

These 17 soup recipes are the ones I’d happily rotate through until warmer weather gives me a reason to put the soup pot away.

Close-up of a bowl of borscht soup with potatoes, cabbage, and a dollop of sour cream, garnished with herbs.
Russian-style Borscht. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Instant Pot Creamy Mushroom Soup

A bowl of creamy mushroom soup garnished with croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh herbs. A golden spoon lies nearby, and sprigs of thyme are placed on the table beside the bowl.
Instant Pot Creamy Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Sliced fresh mushrooms render down into pure cozy comfort in record time when you let your pressure cooker take over dinner duty. Garlic, herbs, and mushrooms cook under high pressure before getting stirred with cream for a silky soup you will rotate through until spring.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Mushroom Soup

Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup – Eggless Avgolemono

Bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots, spinach, dill, and lemon slices; a spoonful is being lifted.
Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup – Eggless Avgolemono. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Bright citrus flavors are just what our dinner table needs when dreary November weather threatens to put everyone in a slump. Tender chicken, rice, and fresh lemon juice simmer low and slow in the crockpot for a silky, uplifting soup you will want to make all season long.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup – Eggless Avgolemono

Chicken Tortilla Soup

A bowl of tomato soup topped with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, green onions, and avocado slices.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

When cold weather sets in, this colorful bowl is my favorite way to shake up our cozy November meal rotation. Shredded chicken, black beans, and sweet corn simmer in zesty tomato broth, finished with a squeeze of lime and a handful of crunchy tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Roasted Eggplant Soup

Roasted eggplant soup in bowls.
Roasted Eggplant Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The moment November hits, I start looking for warm, velvety bowls to replace our usual crisp evening salads. A quick roast of purple eggplants and garlic before blending them into broth creates a smoky, comforting soup that makes staying indoors feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Eggplant Soup

Ajiaco Colombiano

A bowl of ajiaco colombiano soup with chicken, corn on the cob, and avocado.
Ajiaco Colombiano. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Three types of potatoes break down naturally as this Colombian classic cooks, turning the broth rich and thick without any extra flour. Tender chicken and corn on the cob simmer with local herbs, then top with capers, fresh avocado, and a swirl of cream.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano

Chicken Corn Chowder

Two bowls of chicken chowder with potatoes and corn.
Chicken Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Putting a big pot on the stove gets even better when you can pull off a thick, comforting chowder using simple pantry staples. Chicken, diced potatoes, and sweet corn cook down in a rich cream broth to make a heavy, satisfying meal everyone looks forward to eating.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

Classic French Onion Soup Recipe

Brown soup bowl of French onion soup topped with toasted bread and melted cheese, garnished with herbs.
Classic French Onion Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Caramelizing yellow onions in butter takes a little patience, but the incredible aroma drifting through the house makes every single minute worth it. Deep beef broth simmers under toasted French bread slices and melted Gruyère cheese for a restaurant-quality meal right at home.
Get the Recipe: Classic French Onion Soup Recipe

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

I used to think making pot pie meant wrestling with pastry dough on a chilly weeknight, but turning those same flavors into a soup is so much easier. Tender chicken, carrots, and sweet peas simmer in a creamy broth that fills the whole house with that cozy, all-day cooking smell.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, carrots, and herbs in a rich broth, served on a plate.
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Short ribs are my top choice when I want the kitchen to smell like I spent hours at the stove without actually doing the work. These rich meat juices soak right into plump pearl barley and root vegetables, creating a thick, hearty bowl that makes soup season unbeatable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup

Bowl of chicken and dumplings soup with shredded chicken, vegetables, and three large dumplings, garnished with herbs.
Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

I love having a meal that feeds the whole family tonight while practically cooking itself while I go about my day. A slow simmer of chicken broth and carrots in the crockpot means pillowy matzo balls are ready to ladle out the second everyone gathers at the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup

Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

A wooden spoon holds soup with couscous, carrots, greens, and sausage in a broth.
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

My kids cheer the second they see this classic pot simmering on the counter because it means soup season has officially won us over. Mini beef meatballs, tender spinach, and tiny pasta pearls cook in a clear garlic broth for a cozy dinner that yields fantastic leftovers for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Creamy Sausage Potato Soup

Creamy sausage and potato soup garnished with fresh herbs.
Creamy Sausage Potato Soup. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

Smoky sausage slices sizzling in the pan are all it takes to bring my whole family wandering into the kitchen, asking when dinner will be ready. Diced potatoes and sausage simmer in a cheesy, rich broth that turns an inexpensive evening meal into pure cool-weather comfort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sausage Potato Soup

Chicken Sancocho

Bowl of chicken sancocho with corn, plantains, potatoes, and carrots in broth.
Chicken Sancocho. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

A Latin American friend introduced me to this traditional pot meal, and it quickly earned a permanent spot in our cold-weather lineup. Yucca, plantains, corn on the cob, and chicken braise together into a thick, fragrant soup that easily feeds a full table of hungry eaters.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sancocho

Chicken And Dumpling Soup

A bowl of chicken and vegetable soup with dumplings, garnished with parsley, served with a piece of bread on a white plate.
Chicken And Dumpling Soup. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

My grandmother’s kitchen always smelled like pure heaven on autumn afternoons because she kept a pot of chicken stew simmering on the back burner. Soft dough steams over the savory broth, creating pillow-soft dumplings and tender chicken that warm you up instantly.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Dumpling Soup

Shrimp Bacon Potato Chowder

Shrimp and Potato Chowder in a large crock.
Shrimp Bacon Potato Chowder. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Crispy bacon bits scattered over a steaming bowl of seafood chowder make any ordinary weeknight feel like a special occasion. Juicy shrimp and tender potato cubes cook in a rich cream base for a comforting meal that will make you glad it is finally soup season.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Bacon Potato Chowder

Tomato and White Bean Soup with Harissa

A black pot filled with a tomato-based stew containing white beans, bell peppers, and other vegetables. The pot rests on a dark cloth with a silver spoon nearby. A bowl of couscous sits beside the pot on a white surface.
Tomato and White Bean Soup with Harissa. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

I happily traded cold lunch salads for this warm, spiced tomato bowl as soon as the autumn winds picked up outside. Creamy white beans simmer in a harissa-infused tomato broth, giving you a fast, protein-packed soup that pairs perfectly with a thick slice of crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and White Bean Soup with Harissa

Russian-style Borscht

Close-up of a bowl of borscht soup with potatoes, cabbage, and a dollop of sour cream, garnished with herbs.
Russian-style Borscht. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

My mom taught me that a bubbling pot of beet soup is the best excuse to let the stove run all afternoon. Grated red beets, cabbage, and potatoes simmer into a tangy, rich broth that tastes even better when you pull leftovers out of the fridge tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Russian-style Borscht

Which soup would you want waiting for you on the first properly chilly evening of the season?

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