When the temperature drops, few dinners beat a big bowl of homemade soup. These 31 cozy healthy soup recipes for winter are packed with vegetables, lean protein, beans, and lentils. They bring real comfort without leaving you weighed down.
You’ll find brothy classics, bright tomato soups, protein-rich chilis, and plenty of chicken soups for cold and flu season. Many are made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, so dinner mostly takes care of itself. Most freeze well too, so one batch can mean several easy lunches.
Healthy soup tip: Store-bought broth is often the biggest source of sodium in a bowl of soup. Try making a batch of this Low Sodium Vegetable Stock (No Salt Added) to use as the base for any recipe below.
Light and Brothy Winter Soups
1. Instant Pot Miso Soup
Tofu, wakame, mushrooms, and bok choy cook in a savory miso broth in just 2 minutes at high pressure. It’s one of the lightest, fastest soups you can make on a cold night.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Miso Soup
2. Instant Pot Egg Drop Soup
Silky ribbons of egg swirled into a rich, gingery broth make this a soothing, low-effort bowl. Stir in corn or use vegetable broth to make it your own.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Egg Drop Soup
3. Trader Joe’s Famous Wonton Soup
Frozen dumplings, garlic, green onions, and spinach come together in a savory broth in about 10 minutes. It’s light, protein-packed, and perfect for busy weeknights.
👉 Get the recipe: Trader Joe’s Famous Wonton Soup
4. Instant Pot Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)
Tender chicken and rice in a bright lemon-egg broth that’s naturally dairy-free. It’s ready in about 35 minutes and tastes like your favorite Greek restaurant’s version.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Cozy Tomato and Vegetable Soups
5. Air Fryer Roasted Tomato Soup
Fresh tomatoes, onion, and whole garlic cloves are roasted in the air fryer until lightly charred, then blended with broth and basil. You get deep roasted flavor in about 40 minutes without turning on the oven.
👉 Get the recipe: Air Fryer Tomato Soup
6. Instant Pot Copycat Campbell’s Tomato Soup
This homemade take on the classic pantry soup comes in at about 123 calories per serving. It’s cozy with a grilled cheese and easy to make vegan with a few simple swaps.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Copycat Campbell’s Tomato Soup
7. Instant Pot La Madeleine Tomato Basil Soup
Onion, carrot, celery, and fresh basil build a rich base for this restaurant-style tomato soup. For a dairy-free version, swap the cream for coconut milk or cashew cream.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Madeleine Tomato Basil Soup
8. Instant Pot Olive Garden Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup
Velvety, fresh, and ready after just 10 minutes of pressure cooking. It works as a light lunch or pairs with a sandwich for a complete dinner.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Olive Garden Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup
9. Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup
This creamy café favorite freezes for up to 3 months, which makes it a smart soup to batch-cook for winter.
👉 Get the recipe: Easy Instant Pot Copycat Panera Tomato Soup
10. Instant Pot Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
This vegetarian classic is loaded with vegetables, beans, and pasta. It’s a dump-and-go soup that happily uses up whatever veggies are in your fridge.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
11. Easy Ina Garten Butternut Squash Soup
Sweet butternut squash, carrots, apple, and herbs slow-cook into a silky, cozy soup at about 148 calories per serving. It’s lovely for weeknights and pretty enough for holiday starters.
👉 Get the recipe: Easy Ina Garten Butternut Squash Soup
Healthy Chicken Soups for Cold and Flu Season
12. Chick-fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup (Copycat)
Lean chicken breast, egg noodles, carrots, celery, and thyme make a comforting bowl that tastes just like the fast-food favorite.
👉 Get the recipe: Chick-fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup
13. Jason’s Deli Chicken Noodle Soup
This homestyle classic is ready in under 45 minutes on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Use rotisserie chicken to make it even faster.
👉 Get the recipe: Jason’s Deli Chicken Noodle Soup
14. Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken Noodle Soup
Tender chicken, hearty noodles, and a medley of vegetables simmer in a rich broth. Freeze it without the noodles so they stay perfect when you reheat.
👉 Get the recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken Noodle Soup
15. Copycat Instant Pot Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup
The Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi makes this café-style soup easy, and slow cooker directions are included too.
👉 Get the recipe: Copycat Instant Pot Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup
16. Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup
Fresh thyme and parsley brighten this hearty chicken noodle soup, and the flavors deepen overnight. That makes it a great make-ahead meal.
👉 Get the recipe: Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup
17. Carrabba’s Spicy Sicilian Chicken Soup (Mama Mandola’s)
Shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and a kick of crushed red pepper make this one-pot soup more exciting than your everyday chicken soup.
👉 Get the recipe: Carrabba’s Spicy Sicilian Chicken Soup
18. Demos Chicken and Rice Soup
Diced chicken breast, rice, carrots, celery, bay leaf, and thyme simmer into a simple, nourishing bowl made with everyday ingredients.
👉 Get the recipe: Demos Chicken and Rice Soup
19. Ninja Foodi Copycat Cheesecake Factory Chicken & Rice Soup
Pressure cooking gives this soup slow-simmered flavor in a fraction of the time. Tender chicken, rice, and aromatic herbs make it a cozy weeknight win.
👉 Get the recipe: Cheesecake Factory Chicken & Rice Soup
20. Easy Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup
Tender chicken and fluffy matzo balls in a soothing golden broth. Set it in the morning, and the matzo balls go in for the final 30 minutes.
👉 Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup
21. Dairy-Free Creamy Chicken Soup
All the creamy comfort of chicken soup, made with a plant-based milk base instead of cream. It’s ideal for anyone who is lactose intolerant.
👉 Get the recipe: Dairy-Free Creamy Chicken Soup
22. Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Nutty wild rice, shredded chicken, and soft vegetables cook all day in the crockpot. For a lighter bowl, swap the cream for evaporated milk or coconut milk.
👉 Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Protein-Packed Lentil, Bean, and Chili Recipes
23. Instant Pot Copycat Carrabba’s Sausage Lentil Soup
Hearty lentils, sausage, and herbs come together in about 10 minutes with just six simple ingredients. Lentils add protein and fiber that keep you full for hours.
👉 Get the recipe: Carrabba’s Sausage Lentil Soup
24. Instant Pot Sopa de Chicharos (Cuban Split Pea Soup)
Split peas, smoked ham, vegetables, cumin, and oregano make a thick, nourishing soup. Skip the ham and use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Sopa de Chicharos
25. Panera Turkey Chili (Copycat)
Protein-rich ground turkey and fiber-filled kidney and black beans make this chili filling and nutritious. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
👉 Get the recipe: Panera Turkey Chili
26. Slow Cooker Turkey White Bean Chili
This lighter chili uses lean ground turkey and beans simmered in a warmly spiced broth. It’s also a smart way to use up leftover holiday turkey.
👉 Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey White Bean Chili
27. Copycat Crockpot Jason’s Deli Chicken Chili
Chicken, beans, and savory spices cook on low for 6 hours, then you shred the chicken right in the pot. It’s mildly spiced and a hit with kids.
👉 Get the recipe: Copycat Crockpot Jason’s Deli Chicken Chili
28. Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Chicken, beans, corn, and tomatoes with just the right amount of spice. Everything goes into the Instant Pot, and dinner is ready in under an hour.
👉 Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Hearty Veggie-Loaded Winter Soups
29. Copycat Culver’s Stuffed Pepper Soup
All the flavor of stuffed peppers with none of the stuffing work. Ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, and rice slow-cook into a hearty bowl at about 228 calories per serving.
👉 Get the recipe: Copycat Culver’s Stuffed Pepper Soup
30. Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Vegetable Soup
Frozen meatballs, potatoes, carrots, green beans, and corn simmer in a tomato broth. It’s a dump-and-go dinner and an easy way to sneak in extra vegetables.
👉 Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Vegetable Soup
31. Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup (Ina Garten-Inspired)
Chicken meatballs, orzo, baby spinach, fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon make this soup taste like it simmered all afternoon.
👉 Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Tips for Making Healthier Winter Soups
- Control the sodium. Start with low-sodium broth or a homemade no-salt-added vegetable stock, then season to taste at the end.
- Load up on vegetables. Stir spinach, kale, or extra carrots into almost any soup on this list.
- Choose lean proteins. Chicken breast, ground turkey, lentils, and beans keep soups filling without making them heavy.
- Lighten creamy soups. Swap heavy cream for evaporated milk, coconut milk, or a blended potato.
- Freeze smart. Freeze soups without pasta or rice, and add them fresh when you reheat so they don’t get mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the healthiest soup to eat in winter?
Broth-based soups packed with vegetables and lean protein are some of the best choices. Good options from this list include lentil soup, minestrone, chicken noodle, and turkey chili.
Can I make these soups ahead of time?
Yes. Most soups taste even better the next day and keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Many broth-based and tomato soups freeze well for up to 3 months.
Do I need an Instant Pot to make these soups?
No. Many of these recipes include stovetop or slow cooker directions. Pressure cooker soups can simmer on the stovetop instead, with a longer cook time.
Which of these soups are vegetarian?
The minestrone, miso soup, and tomato soups are easy vegetarian picks, and the split pea soup works without ham. Use vegetable broth to keep them meat-free.
Warm Up All Winter Long
These 31 cozy healthy soup recipes for winter offer something for every cold night. There are quick 10-minute bowls, dump-and-go crockpot dinners, and hearty chilis for game day. Pick a few favorites, make a double batch, and stock your freezer so a comforting homemade meal is always ready.
Which soup are you making first? Let us know in the comments!
