19 Simple Ingredients for Creating Healthy Homemade Soups

Nothing beats a warm, hearty soup—except maybe one that’s both delicious and healthy. The best part? You don’t need a kitchen full of fancy ingredients to whip up a nourishing bowl. With just a few simple, wholesome items, you’ll be ladling out soup that’s both comforting and packed with nutrients. Here are some recipes with easy-to-find ingredients, and grab a spoon, because things are about to get souper healthy!

Lentil and Spinach Soup

This hearty soup uses basic ingredients like green lentils, fresh spinach, onions, garlic, and a blend of spices like cumin and turmeric. Start by sautéing the onions and garlic in olive oil until soft, then add the lentils and spices, cooking them for a minute to release the flavors. Add vegetable broth and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the lentils are tender. Stir in the spinach towards the end of cooking, letting it wilt into the soup. A splash of lemon juice adds brightness. This lentil and spinach soup is high in fiber and protein, making it an excellent choice for a filling, nutritious meal.

Tomato Basil Soup

All you need for this classic soup are ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, onions, garlic, and a good quality vegetable broth. Start by roasting the tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil for extra depth of flavor, then sauté the onions and garlic. Add the roasted tomatoes to the pot along with the broth, and let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes. Blend the soup until smooth, stir in some fresh basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper. It’s a perfect light yet flavorful option for a quick lunch or dinner.

Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

This soup is made from nutrient-dense sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and ginger, creating a slightly sweet and warming dish. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes and carrots, then sauté them with onions and freshly grated ginger. Add vegetable broth and let everything cook until the vegetables are soft, around 25 minutes. Blend the soup for a creamy consistency, adding a bit of coconut milk for extra richness if desired. With its vibrant color and antioxidant-packed ingredients, this soup is as visually appealing as it is healthy.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash, apples, onions, and a hint of nutmeg are the key ingredients for this simple, creamy soup. Begin by roasting the butternut squash to enhance its natural sweetness. Sauté the onions, then add the roasted squash, a peeled and chopped apple, and vegetable broth to the pot. Let everything simmer for about 20 minutes before blending to a smooth consistency. The addition of nutmeg adds a lovely warmth, and a dollop of yogurt can make it extra creamy without adding unhealthy fats.

Chickpea and Kale Soup

This soup is a nutritional powerhouse, made with canned chickpeas, kale, carrots, potatoes and onions. Sauté the onions, potatoes and carrots in olive oil until they soften, then add the chickpeas and vegetable broth. Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes before stirring in chopped kale, cooking until it wilts. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens up the flavors. Packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins, this soup is a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet.

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

For a comforting yet healthy option, this broccoli and cheddar soup uses broccoli florets, low-fat milk, sharp cheddar, and onions. Sauté the onions in a bit of butter, then add the broccoli and vegetable broth. Cook until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the milk and cheddar cheese, cooking just until the cheese melts into the broth. This lighter take on a classic is creamy and indulgent while still being full of veggies.

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone is a vegetable-packed soup featuring ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, green beans, and cannellini beans. Sauté the carrots, onions, and garlic in olive oil before adding the tomatoes and vegetable broth. Let the soup simmer for 10 minutes, then add the zucchini, green beans, and beans. Cook until the vegetables are tender, and if desired, stir in a handful of spinach or kale at the end. This Italian favorite is loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a perfect well-rounded meal.

Carrot and Ginger Soup

This bright and flavorful soup is made with fresh carrots, ginger, onions, and a touch of orange juice for sweetness. Sauté the onions and ginger in olive oil, then add the carrots and vegetable broth. Simmer until the carrots are tender, about 20 minutes, then blend until smooth. Stir in a splash of orange juice for a subtle citrus note. This soup is packed with beta-carotene and is a great immune booster, especially during colder months.

Zucchini and Leek Soup

Zucchini, leeks, garlic, and fresh herbs like parsley make this soup light and refreshing. Sauté the leeks and garlic until fragrant, then add chopped zucchini and vegetable broth. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the zucchini is tender, then blend until smooth. Stir in some fresh parsley for added flavor. This low-calorie, vitamin-rich soup is perfect as a light lunch or appetizer.

Mushroom Barley Soup

This earthy soup combines mushrooms, barley, onions, and garlic for a filling and satisfying meal. Sauté the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in olive oil until the mushrooms release their moisture. Add the barley and vegetable broth, and let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes until the barley is tender. This soup is hearty and rich in texture, providing plenty of fiber and nutrients from the barley and mushrooms.

Split Pea Soup

For a protein-packed soup, use dried split peas, carrots, onions, garlic, and thyme. Sauté the onions and garlic, then add the split peas, carrots, thyme, and vegetable broth. Let the soup simmer for 40-50 minutes until the peas break down and the soup thickens. Blend it partially or leave it chunky, depending on your preference. This simple, one-pot soup is filling and perfect for meal prep.

Cauliflower and Ginger Soup

Cauliflower, onions, garlic, and ginger make this tasty, anti-inflammatory soup. Sauté the onions and garlic until soft, then add cauliflower florets, turmeric, and vegetable broth. Simmer until the cauliflower is tender, about 20 minutes, then blend until smooth. The ginger gives the soup a slight warm color and flavor, while the cauliflower makes it creamy without the need for dairy.

Black Bean Soup

This protein-rich soup uses canned black beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cumin for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal. Sauté the onions and garlic, then add the black beans, tomatoes, and spices. Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes, then blend partially to achieve a thick, hearty consistency. Serve with a squeeze of lime juice and some fresh cilantro for added brightness.

Red Lentil Soup

Red lentils, tomatoes, carrots, and cumin create this warming and quick-cooking soup. Sauté the carrots and onions in olive oil, then add the red lentils, tomatoes, cumin, and vegetable broth. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the lentils are tender and have broken down. Blend the soup if you prefer a smoother texture, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil. This high-protein, fiber-rich soup is perfect for busy weeknights.

Corn and Potato Chowder

This creamy yet dairy-free chowder uses corn, potatoes, onions, and vegetable broth. Sauté the onions, then add diced potatoes and corn, cooking for a few minutes. Add vegetable broth and let the soup simmer until the potatoes are tender. Blend half of the soup to create a thick, creamy base while leaving some chunks for texture. This chowder is hearty, filling, and packed with natural sweetness from the corn.

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

Roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic form the base of this flavorful soup. Roast the red peppers and tomatoes with olive oil, then sauté onions and garlic. Add the roasted vegetables and vegetable broth to the pot, simmering for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth for a vibrant, creamy soup that’s naturally sweet and tangy. This simple yet delicious soup is perfect for a quick, healthy meal.

Beet and Coconut Soup

This vibrant soup uses fresh beets, coconut milk, onions, and ginger for a unique blend of earthy and creamy flavors. Start by roasting the beets to bring out their natural sweetness, then sauté onions and ginger in a pot. Add the roasted beets, coconut milk, and vegetable broth, and let everything simmer for about 20 minutes. Blend until smooth for a velvety texture. This soup not only looks stunning but is rich in antioxidants and has a delightful balance of sweetness and spice.

Pumpkin and Coconut Soup

This creamy, slightly sweet soup uses fresh pumpkin, coconut milk, onions, and a touch of curry powder for extra flavor. Start by roasting the pumpkin to enhance its natural sweetness, then sauté the onions until soft. Add the roasted pumpkin, coconut milk, and a pinch of curry powder, letting the soup simmer for about 15 minutes. Blend until smooth for a rich, velvety texture. This fall-inspired soup is comforting and full of vitamins, making it a perfect seasonal dish.

Green Pea and Mint Soup

This refreshing and light soup combines frozen green peas, fresh mint, onions, and vegetable broth. Sauté the onions in olive oil, then add the peas and broth, cooking for about 10 minutes. Blend the soup with fresh mint leaves for a bright, herby flavor that complements the sweetness of the peas. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of yogurt for extra richness. This simple yet elegant soup is perfect for spring or summer, offering a burst of fresh flavor with minimal ingredients.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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