Everybody fusses over the big bird, but in my house, the real kickoff to Thanksgiving dinner is a soul warming bowl of soup. I’ve gathered 17 incredible recipes that set the perfect tone, ideal for picky eaters and anyone who wants a lighter yet totally satisfying start to the feast.
1. Cozy Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is my go to when the weather turns chilly, all chunky and hearty, packed with goodness. I’m talking lentils, onions, carrots,
2. Corn Chowder from Scratch
I’m completely smitten with this corn chowder because it’s that perfect sweet and savory hug in a bowl, with pops of creamy and crunchy in every spoonful. It’s loaded with corn, garlic, bacon, onions, and potatoes, all simmered into something truly special. While most of these soups shine as starters, I honestly think this one can sit right alongside the main event and hold its own, no contest.
3. Curried Cauliflower Apple Soup
The author of this recipe refers to this soup as “seductive” and claims that the cauliflower-apple-curry combo is “a magical flavor combination.” Well, with praise like that, I certainly had to give this recipe a try. I have to say, she wasn’t far off the mark. It’s spicy, nutty, and tartly sweet, and there’s no other soup like it that I’ve tried.
4. Raspberry and Cranberry Chilled Soup
If a colorful, chilled soup sounds like your kind of Thanksgiving starter, this raspberry and cranberry number is for you. I make it all summer long, but come fall, my family begs for it because of that bright cranberry flavor and zippy tang.
Best part? It takes just 35 minutes, and I’m all about quick holiday dishes that don’t keep me in the kitchen forever.
5. Wild Rice Soup with Seasonal Veggies
I’m all about cooking with the seasons, and this wild rice soup just nails that cozy fall feeling. I toss in whatever veggies look gorgeous at the market, plus tender mushrooms and a generous shake of Old Bay.
It’s herby and earthy, and it’s so satisfying with a thick piece of crusty bread on the side. So simple, and each spoonful tastes like a cozy fall day.
6. Thanksgiving Leftover Soup
Thanksgiving leftover soup is more of a day after Thanksgiving kind of soup. But it gives you one more way to enjoy all that incredible holiday food, so it deserves a spot on the list. To make it, you’ll use all the best of your Thanksgiving leftovers – shredded turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, chicken broth, and frozen mixed veggies.
7. Creamy Turnip and Apple Soup
Turnips, Granny Smith apples, potatoes, a touch of curry powder, and a swirl of light cream are all hanging out together in this ridiculously good soup. I love that it comes together in just 30 minutes with olive oil, onions, broth, and salt. It’s mild and creamy, delicious on its own, but I like to take it over the top with crunchy seasoned croutons and a shower of fresh herbs.
8. Acorn Squash Soup
If you’re looking for a vegetarian option that’ll wow your Thanksgiving crowd, this acorn squash soup is just the thing. It’s thick and creamy, and the caramelized acorn squash gives it the most fantastic, almost sweet taste. Even your most staunch meat-loving friends won’t be able to get enough of it.
9. Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of mushroom soup is another of those delectable soup options that taste so much better when you make them from scratch. Not only do you get the rich, creamy, mushroom-flavored broth, but you’ll also get actual chunks of mushrooms, some diced onions, and fresh parsley and thyme. It knocks the canned stuff right out of the water!
10. Spinach Artichoke Soup
This scrumptious soup is creamy and delicious; it’s like spinach and artichoke dip, but it’s not quite as thick and is a bit more buttery. Even so, if you’re a fan of the dip, you’ll love this soup just as much.
11. Borscht
I’m not sure I’ve ever known a soup more polarizing than borscht. People either love it or really, really hate it.
Then again, most people feel the same way about the beets you use to make it. If you’re a fan of beets and cabbage, borscht is probably something you’ll enjoy. If not, you might want to give it a pass.
12. Chestnut Soup with Bacon and Chives
This nutty, earthy, bacon-packed soup isn’t something you knew you needed in your life, but once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again. With chestnuts, chives, leeks, shallots, nutmeg, and more, you’ll manage to pack a lot of flavor into a single bowl. It also has a tan, almost pink color that’s really lovely.
13. Autumn Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Your Thanksgiving dessert might make you choose between carrots and sweet potatoes, but your Thanksgiving soup says, why not have both? This ten-ingredient soup features onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, chicken broth, honey, apples, butter, curry powder, salt, and pepper for a sweet and savory dish that’s unbelievably good.
14. Creamy Celery Soup from Scratch
If your only encounter with cream of celery soup involved a can opener, oh my friend, you are in for a treat. This from scratch version captures all that nostalgic creamy goodness but kicks the flavor up about ten notches.
Yes, it takes a bit more time, but real deliciousness can’t be rushed. Trust me, this is worth every minute.
15. Roasted Cauliflower Soup
If you’re looking for a relatively low-carb Thanksgiving soup option, consider making roasted cauliflower soup. It’s tasty and garlicky and has just a hint of zestiness. Best of all, you can make it with fewer than ten ingredients with only 15 minutes of prep work.
16. Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup
Fall vegetable quinoa soup is precisely what it sounds like – vegetable soup made with fall veggies and quinoa. It tastes a lot like traditional vegetable soup. It has a vegetable broth and tomato base, but instead of summer veggies – corn, peppers, greens, etc. – you’ll use squash, carrots, celery, sweet potato, and lots of fresh herbs.
17. Easy Tomato Soup
If you’re somewhat addicted to tomato soup like I am, then you’ll appreciate this simple, four-ingredient (plus salt) recipe that’ll allow you to make it any time. All you’ll need is butter, an onion, water, and a large can of tomatoes (and salt to suit your tastes). It takes less than an hour to whip up two hearty servings.