Certain foods tend to speak their own love languages. A homemade cake is a warm welcome for a new neighbor. Paella among a group of friends is a pan party. And Pasta Alla Vodka, when shared with your significant other, is romance on the plate. Soup is simple – it’s love in a ladle. Comfort food to serve and enjoy. A spoon can take you back to your childhood, a cup can unwind and a bowl can take your taste buds on a journey far away with ingredients that make you dream of traveling. My favorite? This season, I am collecting low-carb soup recipes that offer comfort and health in one bowl.
Although it’s a culinary delight all year round, my best time to enjoy soup here in Texas is in January. The days are fresh and sunny and the nights are perfectly cool which is the formula for soup season. The coming month is all about settling down with a calming bowl of homemade soup that simmer on the stove all afternoon. And few foods can shine like a soup as a starter, side dish, and main course – all while they’re ready for a photo shoot.
To celebrate the beauty of one of our favorite foodie words in four letters, we’ve rounded up some of the tastiest low-carb soup recipes discovered on the internet. Some vegetarian, some not, but all low in carb and all worth a spoonful.
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“Creamy” vegan butternut squash soup with ginger & coconut milk
Why we love it: Whether roasted, boiled, grilled or pureed – we are always there for a butternut and squash dish. For this delicious soup, the butternut squash is combined with rich coconut milk, which gives it creaminess without the dairy products.
Ingredient of the hero: A fresh coriander garnish rounds off the flavors and provides the right portion of Je ne sais quoi.
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2 of 15
Creamy white bean and tomato soup from Love & Lemons
Why we love it: Delicious with a salad or perfect as a starter, this vegan white bean and tomato soup has an earthy note of carrots and fresh thyme. The perfect grounding meal after a busy day.
Ingredient of the hero: Bet you can’t guess where the creaminess is coming from? Raw cashew nuts. Yes. Healthy brilliant.
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3 of 15
Spanish pea soup with crispy ham from Barefoot Contessa
Why we love it: When hunger strikes and you no longer know what to prepare in a rush, look no further than your freezer. A couple of cups of chicken broth and a couple of bags of frozen peas later and voila – a simple, delicious and light dinner is born. (We make this soup in summer and winter.)
Ingredient of the hero: Meat eaters might say the crispy ham. But if you don’t eat meat, just leave it out.
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4 of 15
(Vegan) Creamy Hungarian mushroom soup from Cotter Crunch
Why we love it: Do you love rich, creamy soups but don’t want all the butter and flour? Try this vegan option from Cotter Crunch, which uses dairy-free butter and arrowroot flour as thickeners.
Ingredient of the hero: Wondering what makes normal mushroom soup Hungarian status? Paprika! (We have a preference for the smoked variety.)
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5 of 15
Cauliflower soup with a crispy sage garnish
Why we love it: Unlike many vegan cauli soups, this one has a bit of apple, ginger, and celery root on the ingredient list to make sure it’s far from simple.
Ingredient of the hero: Undoubtedly the wise one. Well worth adding a few minutes longer to crisp up some sources and add them to your soup. Taste and texture make the difference – trust us.
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6 of 15
Spring Tofu Soup by Alison Roman
Why we love it: This spring tofu soup from Alison Roman is the ultimate in clean eating and offers a rich flavor from the combination of garlic, jalapeno, mushrooms and asparagus.
Ingredient of the hero: Fresh lemon peel ensures the perfect swing.
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7 of 15
Homemade chicken soup without noodles from Berly’s Kitchen
Why we love it: Hearty and filling, this chicken soup hits just the right notes without being weighed down with high-carb noodles.
Ingredient of the hero: It’s all about the chicken.
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8 of 15
Big Green Immunity Boosting Vegetable Soup
Why we love it: Where to start with this super simple but complex vegetable soup? We love how the ginger adds a kick while the cashews add creaminess and protein.
Ingredient of the hero: It doesn’t get any easier than frozen broccoli.
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9 of 15
Whole 30 Tom Yum soup from The Defined Dish
Why we love it: Packed full of chicken, vegetables, ginger, and spices, this Tom Yum soup from The Defined Dish Whole 30 is compliant and very satisfying.
Ingredient of the hero: The hint of minty-lemony aromas from the fresh lemongrass.
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10 of 15
Spicy (ish) kabocha pumpkin soup with dill, radish and avocado from Edible Living
Why we love it: Simple enough to quickly prepare a weekday meal, but elegant enough for company. We like to use harissa as it is easier to find at the grocer, but Hungarian paprika paste also helps.
Ingredient of the hero: Harissa, a unique blend of chillies, garlic, citrus, and olive oil adds just the right kick to keep things interesting.
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11 of 15
Creamy soup without tortilla from The Defined Dish
Why we love it: Do you think you need to add the chips to make a tortilla soup? Think again! This version of The Defined Dish has all of the delicious flavors you know and love – with no carbohydrates.
Ingredient of the hero: Coconut milk adds a richness without all of the heavy dairy products.
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12 of 15
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar & Zucchini Soup from half-baked harvest
Why we love it: A nod to the cheesy broccoli soup of your childhood, without the nasty elements of canned soup. Just add in the carrots, zucchini, broccoli, and a few herbs and you are well on your way to making a delicious (and nutritious) soup for you and yours.
Ingredient of the hero: Hot cheddar – a mild cheddar just isn’t enough. Trust us, go for the sharp.
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13 of 15
Chicken and winter vegetable soup
Why we love it: So simple and yet so good. Use the best ingredients you can find, the best chicken, herbs, and vegetables. You can’t go wrong with this delicious soup that will warm you inside out.
Ingredient of the hero: The poached chicken is tender, flavorful, and has a protein punch.
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14 of 15
Chicken soup for summer colds by Alison Roman
Why we love it: Not just for summer colds, Alison Roman’s take on a classic chicken soup is convenience in a bowl.
Ingredient of the hero: In typical Alison Roman style (never without a trick up her sleeve), she incorporates lemony tomatillos into the mix – it’s a winner.
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15 of 15
Red curry kuri pumpkin soup from Love & Lemons
Why we love it: It’s that easy. Just toast all of your veggies in the pan, then mix them together. Serve over rice or skip a low-carb option.
Ingredient of the hero: Mixing it with a stem of lemongrass provides just the right amount of zest. No lemongrass on hand? Try lime zest instead.
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Let us know your favorite low-carb soup and stew recipes in the comments below (and be sure to add the links!)
