Soups and stews are the ultimate comfort food in fall and winter. They warm you from the inside, they satisfy, and they are usually quite easy to prepare. You simply throw everything into a large pot and let the veggies and other ingredients simmer for some time – the result usually tastes just as good (if not better) when reheated the next day. We created a little list of our favorite soup recipes (plus a few stew recipes) for fall and winter, so you don’t have to look all over the internet for recipes. It never hurts to always have something on hand! Whether as a recipe you can follow step-by-step or simply as an inspiration so you can create your own recipes. ;)
Let’s be honest, soups and stews are not only delicious and easy to prepare. They’re also perfect for using up leftover veggies, pasta, or meat before they eventually go to die in the fridge or in the cabinets. Also, in fall and winter, it’s worth using ingredients that are in season – potatoes, root veggies, legumes, or cabbage, for example. When something is available everywhere in large quantities, the prices are usually much better than out of season. Anyone who ever wanted to buy strawberries in the depths of winter (well out of season) will certainly be able to confirm this. ;P
The recipes we’ve put on our list are »all over the place« – in the best possible way. A lot of different ingredients, flavors, and dishes from all over the world. We are big fans of international cuisines, so we’ve also included some soup recipes that are considered comfort food in countries around the world but not necessarily made for cold days only. ;P
Creamy Miso Ramen with Chicken Katsu
In this version of a classic ramen bowl, miso, coconut milk, and a rich chicken broth are combined to create a creamy and delicious soup. Mushrooms, bok choy, spring onions, and soft-boiled eggs are added enhance the experience. Not to mention the crispy chicken katsu, of course! All together, it’s simply delicious! Preparing this Miso Ramen is a little more complicated than using an instant soup, but many of the ingredients can be prepared in advance, making it quicker later when hunger strikes. ;)
Easy Potato Soup with Sausages (Wieners)
A classic that never disappoints: potatoes, soup veggies, bacon, and sausages (Wiener or Frankfurter) make this soup particularly hearty and quite filling. Prefect if you want to feed a larger group or family. This Easy Potato Soup with Sausages is probably one of the reason why we Germans are called »Kartoffelköppe« (aka. potato heads) around the world. ;P
Simple & Easy Hungarian Goulash Soup
If there’s one soup that reminds us of grandma, it’s this delicious Goulash Soup. Tasty beef, bell peppers, onions, garlic – all braised for a long time to allow the flavors to develop. Our grandma wasn’t from Hungary, though, but her goulash soup was/is simply the best! ;) If you want something hearty (and meaty) that warms you from the inside, this is the one to cook!
Easy Coconut Curry Dumpling Soup
This soup brings a tropical flair to Germany and other cold places: coconut milk, curry, ginger, and garlic are combined for the aromatic base, complemented by delicious gyoza dumplings. You can’t survive the winter on potatoes and beets alone. This Coconut Curry Dumpling Soup is quick to make (if you use frozen gyozas, for example) and incredibly delicious. If you’re looking for something exotic yet warming, this is the perfect option for you!
Tips & Tricks for Soups & Stews
Prepping is key. Many soups and stews are easy to prepare and taste even better after another round on the stove (the next day). Goulash soup, pea soup, and the like are often more flavorful the next day because all the ingredients had some time to get to know each other. ;)
You need a good broth to get things started. Whether it’s a veggie, chicken, or beef broth – a rich broth is the basis for many soups and stew recipes. Fortunately, there are many good products available in supermarkets. Making chicken broth and the like from scratch is often nor really necessary. But it can’t hurt if you have the time to prepare it!
A generous portion of ingredients makes all the difference. A soup without veggies, legumes, meat, or sausage is basically just flavorful dishwater. Our motto is: the more you add to the soup, the better!
A creamy soup is better than a skinny broth. We like our soups hearty and with plenty of ingredients. Coconut milk, heavy cream, or pureed veggiess make soups creamier and (we think) much better. Those who prefer lighter meals should carefully back up and leave the website. ;P
Don’t forget the seasoning! Salt, pepper, and various herbs belong in every soup. A little acidity from lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar rounds out the flavors and should definitely not be forgotten.
Fresh herbs and the like aren’t just for decoration. A few chopped fresh herbs, roasted nuts, a splashes of oil, vinegar or lemon juice not only make soups and stews more attractive, they also have a positive effect on the flavors of the soup.
Roasted Tomato & Garlic Soup
In the US, tomato soups like this Roasted Tomato & Garlic Soup are often served with grilled cheese. We love the combination, but that’s optional, of course. Can’t hurt, though. ;P A few simple croutons or a slice of bread will do, too. It doesn’t make the soup any less delicious or warming on a cold day in fall or winter!
Lasagna Soup with Sausage & Spinach
This Lasagna Soup combines everything we love about lasagna – meat, a well-seasoned sauce, a lot of cheese, and pasta. Just served as a soup rather than baked in a casserole dish. Instead of ground meat, we use sausage meat, which adds extra flavor and simplifies the preparation (and often makes everything cheaper). The soup is filling and even children rarely refuse it. Something some parents might apreciate. ;)
Minestrone with Swiss Chard & Broccoli (vegan)
A delicious veggie soup, like this simple Minestrone with Swiss Chard & Broccoli, tastes great in winter and summer. The only catch might be that not every ingredient (aka. the Swiss chard) is available year-round. However, you can easily adapt and swap out some veggies. No matter what, veggies, pasta, and beans together are a real healthy meal you don’t want to miss. If you prefer a plant-based diet this is the perfect option for you.
Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken Coconut Soup)
If there’s one soup we’ve eaten countless times, it’s probably Tom Kha Gai. This simple chicken coconut soup can be found on the menu of many Asian restaurants and is definitely one of our favorite Asian dishes. Easy to prepare and incredibly delicious!
Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)
The name might suggest that Zuppa Toscana is a dish that originates in Italy… but that’s not really the case here. This soup is actually an »Americanized« version of a Tuscan soup, but we love it. Potatoes, kale, bacon… this soup has everything to make a cold winter evening cozy.
Easy Chorizo & White Bean Soup
The combination of spicy chorizo and large white beans creates a hearty, rustic soup. Bell peppers, onions, and some herbs added to the soup create bring out even more flavors. If you are looking for something hearty with meat, this Chorizo & White Bean Soup might be the right choice for you. The color of the soup also looks great, right?! ;)
Classic German Stew with Peas, Potato & Cured Pork
Not a soup, but still a great dish we love to cook: a Classic German Stew with Peas, Potato & Cured Pork. Thanks to its slightly »soupier« consistency, this delicious stew still fits into this soup category here, we think. A feast for cold days. Also ideal for reheating the next day – the stew only gets better…!
Braised Mushroom, White Beans & Leek Stew
This Braised Mushroom, White Beans & Leek Stew doesn’t necessarily fall into the soup category, either… but that shouldn’t bother us here at all. This delicious casserole is one of our absolute favorites to cook in fall and winter and should not be missing from any list of warming dishes. Period! ;P
FAQs
How long can soups/stews be stored?
Soups and stews usually last about 2-3 days in the fridge. This is assuming you worked with fresh ingredients and stored leftovers correctly. Dishes without meat and dairy products often last even longer if kept refrigerated.
Can you freeze soups and the like?
Yes, absolutely no problem. Many soups and stews freeze perfectly. It’s best to freeze them in smaller portions without any garnish (cream, herbs, nuts, etc.) so the portions can be thawed quickly and easily be reheated.
What do I do if the soup is too thin?
Soups can be thickened quickly with a little cornstarch or flour. Simply mix a little cornstarch/flour with cold water, then add it to the simmering soup and stir in. The liquid in the pot should thicken quickly. Heavy cream or sour cream can also be used to thicken soups – however, this changes the flavor and is not as effective as flour or cornstarch at binding liquids. Alternatively, you can also puree some of the veggies in the soup.
How do you season properly?
It’s best to start with small amounts of salt and other spices and then add more later if it isn’t enough. The flavors develop over the course of preparation, and salty ingredients (e.g., bacon) gradually add flavors to a soup or stew – in this case, seasoning should always be done at the end of the cooking time. Salt, spiciness, and acidity should always be the last step in the preparation process. Better safe than sorry. ;P
If you’ve tried one of these recipes, be sure to share your experience in the comments… and maybe even share your favorite soup recipes as well? Have fun cooking! Stay warm!
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I love my job, but in between I love to bake and try new things in the kitchen. A lot of my friends and colleagues encourage me to bake - for a very simple reason: they get the leftovers - and it seems they like it most of the time ;) 
