Soup Recipes for Winter

Photo: Victoria Pearson

The Smart Way to Get Smooth Soup

Creamed soups can sometimes be heavy; and, when you try to lighten them up with low-fat dairy, the soups become vulnerable to curdling. This creamed cauliflower soup, though, is thickened with potatoes and just a bit of full-fat cream, so it tastes silky without being overwhelmingly rich—and won't curdle as you're cooking. And don't be fooled by cauliflower's bland look; it contains a boost of vitamin C.

Get the recipe: Creamed Cauliflower Soup

Photo: Todd Coleman

A Traditional Recipe That Won't Disappoint

Classic lentil soup often includes sausage (and sometimes even hot dogs), but this one draws on one of our favorite flavor boosters—bacon.. You only need about four strips for the entire recipe, along with fiber-rich lentils, antioxidant-packed tomatoes and rice, which gives the soup a pleasant chewy texture.

Get the recipe: Lentil, Tomato and Rice Soup

Photo: Alison Gootee

The Hefty Meal You May Have Forgotten About

We tend to think of spinach and red meat as some of the best sources of iron, but beans are a terrific alternative. They're the key player in this Mexican-influenced soup, which also boasts garlic (an immune booster) and chilies (which have been found in studies to have myriad benefits, from reducing cravings to helping you burn a few more calories).

Get the recipe: Black Bean Soup with Chili-Lime Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Thinkstock

A Green Bowl That's Not the Same Old Same

Fresh mint and lots of lemon make this pea soup taste way fresher and zippier than the heavier version with which you may already be familiar. Plus, it's made with frozen peas—not dried split peas—so you get tons of vitamins A and C.

Get the recipe: Green Pea and Mint Soup

Photo: Victoria Pearson

A Nutritionist's Favorite Reinvented

Chickpeas—the main ingredient in hummus—may be the stars of this creamy, protein-packed soup, but they're not the only wholesome (and delicious) player. There's also a cilantro pesto that you swirl in before serving, made with the vibrant green herb, as well as almonds, jalapeño, lemon juice and garlic.

Get the recipe: Hummus Soup with Cilantro Pesto and Garlicky Pita Chips

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

An Eastern Spin on an Old Favorite

This Asian-accented lentil soup is full of spices, from cinnamon, which may lower your diabetes risk, to turmeric, which researchers have found could help reduce the risk of arthritis, to bacteria-fighting coriander. And instead of topping your bowl with croutons, you garnish the dish with small cubes of crispy fried tofu.

Get the recipe: Red Lentil Soup with Fried Tofu and Chili Oil

Photo: Victoria Pearson

The Chili Alternative

This tomato-based tortilla soup is a terrific substitute for heavy chili, since it features similar flavors—chili powder, cayenne, cumin—and also plays well with fixings such as avocado, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese and lime. And the tomatoes provide a good dose of vitamin C.

Get the recipe: Tortilla Soup

Photo: Alison Gootee

A Subtly Sweet Way to Get More Fiber

This easy and tasty soup starts with roasted sweet potatoes, garlic and onion; in the oven, the potatoes turn mellow and sweet. Combine them with turmeric, a dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice and olive oil, and you've got a warm and lightly spiced bowl that also delivers plenty of soluble fiber (thanks to the sweet potatoes), thereby helping to regulate blood sugar.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Garlic Soup

Photo: William Meppem

One More Twist in the Lentil-Soup Story

Here's yet another way to enjoy lentils: with an equal amount of carrots, so you can get your beta-carotene fix. In this easy recipe, you grate the root vegetable then cook it with garlic, ginger and other aromatics. The harissa toasts that accompany the soup provide a welcome crunch.

Get the recipe: Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

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