With the leaves changing colors and a crisp chill in the air, it's the perfect time of year to cozy up with a steaming bowl of homemade soup. Vegetable soups are a comforting, nourishing way to stay healthy as the weather gets cooler. In this post, we'll explore 19 delicious meat-free soup recipes that are perfect for fall. From comforting cream of broccoli to hearty lentil and potato, these soups will warm your body and soul.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Creamy Vegetable Soups
- Cream of Broccoli Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Hearty Vegetable Soups
- Roasted Tomato and Red Lentil Soup
- Potato and Kale Soup
- Carrot Ginger Soup
- Light Vegetable Soups
- Garden Vegetable Soup
- Quick Chickenless Noodle Soup
- Miso Soup
- Soup Making Techniques
- Common Soup Vegetables
- Signature Herbs and Spices
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
As the weather turns cooler, there's nothing more satisfying than curling up with a hot bowl of homemade soup. Vegetable soups are an easy, nourishing way to stay healthy during the winter months. They're packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants from a colorful array of vegetables. What's more, soups are incredibly versatile - you can make them as light and brothy or as hearty and sticking as you like.
In this blog post, we'll explore 19 completely meat-free soup recipes perfect for fall and winter. From creamy broccoli to tomato lentil, these soups will warm you up inside and out. We'll also discuss common soup-making techniques, frequent soup vegetables, and signature herbs and spices. By the end, you'll have a delicious meat-free soup for every fall night!
Creamy Vegetable Soups
Nothing says "comfort food" quite like a creamy vegetable soup. The addition of dairy, nut butter or avocado creates an ultra-rich, cozy texture. Here are three irresistible creamy soup recipes to start your fall:
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Broccoli makes a delicious cream soup base. Sauté shallots and garlic in olive oil before adding broccoli florets and vegetable broth. Simmer until very tender then blend with milk or cream until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Top each serving with crispy, oven-roasted broccoli for extra crunch and flavor.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Mushroom cream soup is hearty and earthy. Sauté assorted mushrooms like cremini, shiitake and oyster in butter. Add shallots, garlic and thyme. Pour in broth and simmer until very soft. Puree with milk and a splash of white wine or sherry until luxuriously creamy. Garnish with extra mushrooms, chives and a dollop of sour cream.
Butternut Squash Soup
Sweet, orange butternut squash is the star of this soup. Roast cubed squash with olive oil, salt and pepper until very soft. Sauté shallots and garlic briefly. Puree the roasted squash with vegetable broth, milk or cream until smooth and creamy. Season with cinnamon, nutmeg and a splash of maple syrup or honey. Top each bowl with crunchy, toasted pumpkin seeds.
The creamy texture of these soups will have you diving back for second helpings. Their cozy, comforting flavors are perfect for chilly nights. The milk or cream adds unbeatable unctuosity while keeping them vegetarian.
Hearty Vegetable Soups
On really cold evenings, nothing beats a steaming bowl of hearty soup. These stick-to-your-ribs recipes will fuel your body with vegetables, fiber, and plant-based protein.
Roasted Tomato and Red Lentil Soup
Ripe summer tomatoes are divine roasted until caramelized. Toss cherry tomatoes and diced tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast until blistered. Sauté shallots, garlic and chili flakes in olive oil. Add the roasted tomatoes along with red lentils and vegetable broth. Simmer until lentils are very tender then blend until smooth. Rich in protein and fiber, this soup will power you through the day. Garnish each bowl with extra olive oil, feta, and fresh basil.
Potato and Kale Soup
Hearty potatoes and nutrient-dense kale team up in this satisfying soup. Sauté diced potatoes, onions and garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Add kale and vegetable broth, cover and simmer until potatoes are very tender. Puree half the soup until smooth then return to pot. Season with thyme, salt and pepper. Top each serving with crispy, oven-roasted potato cubes and nutritional yeast for added creaminess and umami.
Carrot Ginger Soup
Fresh ginger kicks this soup up a notch. Sauté chopped carrots, onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Stir in grated ginger. Pour in broth, cover and simmer until carrots are very soft. Puree with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Thai red curry paste makes it even more flavorful. Garnish with cilantro and lime. Its vibrant orange color and bold flavor will perk you right up on a gloomy day.
Packed with filling vegetables, grains and legumes, these soups are belly-warming goodness in a bowl. Their complex layers of flavor will have you longing for seconds.
Light Vegetable Soups
On milder fall nights when you just need a little something, lighter vegetable soups are incredibly satisfying. Their clean, bright flavors won't weigh you down.
Garden Vegetable Soup
Beautifully colorful, this soup showcases the best of your garden's harvest. Sauté assorted vegetables like zucchini, squash, carrots, green beans and corn in olive oil. Add chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth and oregano. Simmer until tender. Top each serving with avocado, shredded basil and pumpkin seeds for extra nutrition.
Quick Chickenless Noodle Soup
For an easy weeknight soup, this one comes together in just 30 minutes. Sauté shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy and garlic in vegetable broth. Add rice noodles and simmer until tender. Stir in lime juice, ginger and soy sauce or tamari. Top with crispy fried shallots, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of sriracha. So satisfyingly good and just 177 calories per serving!
Miso Soup
A Japanese comfort food staple, miso soup is highly nutritious and health-boosting. Bring vegetable broth to a low simmer. Whisk in miso paste, tofu and green onions. Remove from heat so miso's enzymes aren't destroyed. Top bowls with sliced shitake mushrooms, seaweed, grated daikon radish and more green onions. Sip its restorative broth for an energy boost anytime.
Lighter inconsistency but no less satisfying in flavor, these soups make a perfect light meal. Their clean, bright ingredients will invigorate you without weighing you down.
Soup Making Techniques
A few simple soup-making techniques will take your homemade soups to the next level. First, mirepoix is a classic base of sautéed onions, carrots and celery that adds rich flavor. For creamier soups, simmer starchy vegetables like potatoes right in the broth. Rosting many veggies like tomatoes and squash first intensifies their natural sugars.
Pureeing part of the soup with an immersion blender or regular blender until perfectly smooth creates an ultra-luxurious texture. For heartier soups, simmer whole grains like barley, farro or rice right in the pot. And letting cooked soup mellow in the refrigerator overnight allows flavors to fully develop.
Key techniques:
- Sauté aromatics like onions and garlic
- Use mirepoix base of onions, carrots and celery
- Roast veggies before adding for deeper flavor
- Simmer starchy veggies directly in broth
- Partially puree for creaminess
- Simmer grains right in broth
- Let flavors develop fully overnight
With the right techniques, your homemade soups will taste incredibly lush and complex. The simple steps make a world of difference.
Common Soup Vegetables
Certain versatile vegetables star in countless soup recipes. Their mild yet meaty flavors take very well to simmering in broth. Here are some vegetables you'll always find in your soup pot:
- Onions - The base of any soup, their mellow sweetness plays nicely with other flavors.
- Carrots - Specks of natural sweetness with some crunch.
- Celery - Its sturdy strings add textural interest while leaves provide fragrance.
- Potatoes - Either boiled or roasted cubes add substance to any soup.
- Tomatoes - Fresh diced or roasted bring brightness when in season.
- Mushrooms - Earthy umami boosters whether fresh, dried or reconstituted.
- Greens - Kale, spinach, Swiss chard are super nutritious when added at finish.
- Squash - Butternut, pumpkin, acorn add natural sweetness when roasted or boiled.
- Ginger - Fresh grated brings fiery zing, especially to Asian-inspired soups.
Since they enhance so many soups, it pays to always have some of these flavor chameleons on hand. Their versatility is why you'll find them in cuisines from Thai coconut soup to Italian weddings soup.
Signature Herbs and Spices
Beyond core vegetables, certain herbs and spices become signatures in soups around the world. Their potent flavors transform broth into something truly remarkable:
- Thyme - A classic herb, its woodsy notes pair beautifully with vegetables.
- Oregano - Bright, bold and slightly peppery; a hallmark of Mediterranean soups.
- Basil - Fresh leaves infused at end impart summery brightness to tomato soups.
- Cilantro - Essential to Thai and Mexican soups, it adds a citrusy pop.
- Curry powder - A blend of warming spices like coriander and cumin transport you to India.
- Ginger - Fresh grated root lends intrigue to Asian soups like miso or pho.
- Cinnamon - Even a pinch amps up the warmth of squash or carrot soups.
- Nutmeg - A grating adds an indescribably delicious complexity to cream soups.
Signature seasonings are the secret weapons that take boring broth to fully dimensional flavor country. Keep your pantry stocked with versatile herb and spice blends.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common vegetable soup questions:
Can I make these soups dairy-free? Yes, use unsweetened non-dairy milks like oat, almond or cashew in place of cow's milk or cream. Coconut milk also works well.
What's a good substitute for meat or chicken broth? Low-sodium vegetable broth makes a delicious plant-based alternative. Make your own for maximum control over ingredients.
How long will homemade soup last in the fridge? Most soups will stay fresh tasting in the fridge for 3-4 days. For 5+ days, freeze portions in an airtight container for convenient reheating later.
How do I prevent skins from forming on soup? To discourage a pellicle, lay plastic wrap directly on the surface of the soup before covering and refrigerating. The wrap prevents air contact.
When is the best time to add pasta or grains to soup? For al dente texture, simmer any pasta, grains, legumes separately until almost tender before adding to hot soup 10 minutes before serving.
What should I look for in a quality immersion blender? Power, variable speeds, sturdy yet easy to clean construction and attachments suited for blending hot liquids. Brands like Breville and KitchenAid make reliable models.
With a little know-how, you can enjoy superb homemade soup any night of the week. Always read full recipes, taste as you go and customize to your preferences! Cooking shouldn't cause stress - it's meant for nourishment and enjoyment.
Conclusion
As we transition into cozy sweater weather, vegetable soups provide a warm, comforting way to get your fill of nutrition. The recipes covered here - from creamy broccoli to light miso - offer endless possibilities for satisfying homemade soup. With attention to technique and use of versatile vegetables and signature seasonings, your soups will taste restaurant-quality good.
Most importantly, enjoy soup-making as a way to nourish your body on chilly nights. Build coziness through nourishment by making a big batch to enjoy all week. The warmth of a hot soup on a cold day is truly soul-satisfying. Wishing you many nights of pleasure and comfort from your homemade soups this fall and winter season!