9 Hearty Vegetarian Soups to Warm up With Tonight

These cozy vegetarian soups will get you through the rest of winter.

By
Rabi Abonour
Rabi Abonour is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Rabi Abonour
Rabi Abonour is a planner specializing in transportation, but has also been a photojournalist, writer, and editor for several online and print publications.
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Published January 27, 2025
Three bowls of fully loaded vegan baked potato soup.

Serious Eats / Qi Ai

Winter is a time for warm, nourishing meals. While some people might be open to the idea of eating a salad or a sandwich, the only meals I want to eat during the coldest, darkest time of the year are soups, stews, and braises. Not only are they hearty and satisfying, but they can easily be prepared ahead of time, making them a good option for busy weeknights. While many wintry recipes rely on meat for flavor and heft, there are plenty of excellent meatless options that are just as delicious and filling. Below, you'll fine nine hearty and satisfying vegetarian soups—including a loaded baked potato soup, cheesy broccoli soup, and creamy cauliflower soup—that will warm you up from head to toe.

  • Thick and Creamy Tomato Soup

    Overhead view of two bowls of tomato soup with shredded greens on top

    Serious Eats / Morgan Hunt Glaze. Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

    This creamy tomato soup gets its luxurious thickness from carrot purée. As the soup simmers, the carrots mellow out, giving the tomato soup a rich sweetness. Give it a splash of cream to bring it all together, then pair it with your favorite grilled cheese.

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup

    20161008-broccoli-cheddar-soup-25.jpg
    J. Kenji López-Alt

    Cheesy broccoli soup is just an excuse to eat nacho cheese with a spoon, which is totally okay! This soup is as comforting as the ultra-cheesy kind you typically find, but gets an intense broccoli flavor from charred florets and stems that are simmered until softened.

  • Classic Butternut Squash Soup

    A bowl of butternut squash soup on a dish towel. There is a metal spoon in the bowl.

    Serious Eats / Julia Estrada

    The key to the most flavorful butternut squash soup is to roast the gourd, which brings out its natural sugars. A handful of aromatics and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg highlight the squash's warm, earthy flavors, while frizzled sage leaves provide crunch and a herbaceous note.

  • Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    Overhead view of cauliflower soup

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    Roasted with high heat, then simmered, puréed until silky-smooth, and topped with a curry cream, this soup is perfect for the cold months and your holiday table.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below

  • Quick and Easy Creamy Mushroom Soup

    An orange-brown ceramic bowl holding creamy mushroom soup topped with chopped herbs and drizzled olive oil.

    Serious Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Have mushrooms that are past their prime? Brown them in a pan with butter, then turn them into this velvety soup that gets its creaminess from a touch of flour and some milk.

  • Roasted Sweet Potato Soup

    Overhead photo of sweet potato soup in a bowl.

    Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

    This simple soup is made with roasted sweet potatoes, a splash of orange juice, and topped with crushed pistachios, olive oil, mint, scallions, and orange zest.

  • Easy Lentil Soup

    20141013-easy-lentil-soup-recipe-04.jpg
    J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

    Lentil soup is delicious on its own, but it's even more delicious when topped with gremolata, a fragrant mixture of parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil.

  • Classic Creamy Carrot Soup

    Carrot soup in a white bowl.
    Debbie Wee

    In this spin on classic carrot soup, an assemblage of roasted carrots, simmered carrots, and carrot juice bring forth fresh, earthy, sweet, and vegetal notes, while additional layers of flavor come from onion, leek, and garlic.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below

  • Fully Loaded Vegan Baked Potato Soup

    20150202-potato-bacon-cheese-broccoli-cauliflower-soup-vegan-6.jpg

    This loaded baked potato soup may be vegan, but it's still rich and packed with cheesy flavor. The soup's creaminess comes from roasted cauliflower and cashews, while chipotle chiles and paprika give it a hint of sharpness and color.

January 2017

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