I’ve rounded up 17 Thanksgiving soups that are the perfect way to kick off your holiday feast. Sure, they might not get the same star treatment as the big bird, but these cozy bowls are ideal for picky eaters and anyone who craves a lighter, brothy start. Grab a spoon and jump right in.
1. Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is a cold weather champion, all chunky and hearty and deeply comforting. It’s packed with filling lentils, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and a whole bouquet of herbs and spices. That spectacular herb tomato flavor mingled with all your favorite veggies is really tough to beat.
2. Spinach Artichoke Soup
This scrumptious soup is basically spinach and artichoke dip in a bowl, just a little thinner and extra buttery. If you are a fan of the classic dip, you are going to absolutely love this spoonable version. It’s creamy, dreamy, and ridiculously good.
3. Thanksgiving Leftover Soup
Okay, this one is more of a next day after Thanksgiving kind of soup, but it gives you another brilliant way to enjoy all that holiday food, so it absolutely deserves a spot here. Shredded turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, chicken broth, and frozen mixed veggies all simmer together into one glorious pot. It’s the best encore meal ever.
4. Easy Tomato Soup
I am somewhat addicted to tomato soup, so this super simple four ingredient (plus salt) recipe is my kind of magic. All you need is butter, an onion, water, and a big can of tomatoes, plus salt to your liking. In less than an hour, you’ve got two hearty servings of pure, slurpable comfort.
5. Autumn Wild Rice Soup
This wild rice soup is my go to when I want to cook with the season. It’s jam-packed with all the best fall vegetables, tender mushrooms, and a generous shake of Old Bay seasoning. The whole thing is earthy, herby, and absolutely fantastic, especially when you scoop it up with a thick hunk of crusty bread.
6. Autumn Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Who says you have to pick between carrots and sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving? This soup winks and says, “Why not both?” With just ten ingredients (onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, chicken broth, honey, apples, butter, curry powder, salt, and pepper) you get a sweet and savory bowl that is unbelievably delicious.
7. Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup
Fall vegetable quinoa soup is exactly what it sounds like: a cozy vegetable soup made with autumn veggies and fluffy quinoa. It has a vegetable broth and tomato base, but instead of summer stars like corn and peppers, you get squash, carrots, celery, sweet potato, and loads of fresh herbs. It tastes just like your favorite traditional vegetable soup, all dressed up for sweater season.
8. Raspberry Cranberry Soup
If you’re all about chilled, colorful soups, this raspberry cranberry beauty is exactly your vibe. I make it most often in the summer, but my family begs for it in the fall because that light, tangy cranberry kick feels so right for the season. And honestly, I’m sold because it comes together in just 35 minutes, and I am all about lightning fast Thanksgiving starters.
9. Cream of Celery Soup
If your entire cream of celery soup experience begins and ends with a certain red and white can, oh my goodness, you are missing out. This homemade version has all that nostalgic creamy flavor but tastes a million times better. Yes, it takes a bit longer, but you simply cannot rush perfection.
10. Curried Cauliflower Apple Soup
The creator of this recipe calls it “seductive” and insists that the cauliflower apple curry combo is “a magical flavor combination.” With praise like that, I obviously had to test it myself. I have to say, she wasn’t far off. It’s spicy, nutty, and tartly sweet all at once, and there’s truly no other soup like it I’ve ever tried.
11. Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of mushroom soup is another one of those spoonfuls of joy that is so much better from scratch. You get a rich, creamy, mushroom packed broth along with real tender chunks of mushrooms, diced onions, and fresh parsley and thyme. It completely knocks the canned stuff right out of the water.
12. Homemade Corn Chowder
Corn chowder hits that sweet spot between sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy, all in one spoon. It’s loaded with corn, garlic, bacon, onions, potatoes, and more, just like you’d hope. While most of these soups are perfect starters, I truly think this one deserves a spot right alongside your main plate.
13. Chestnut Soup with Bacon and Chives
You might not realize you need a nutty, earthy, bacon packed chestnut soup in your life, but trust me, once you try it you’ll be making it again and again. Chestnuts, chives, leeks, shallots, nutmeg, and a few other goodies pack a ton of flavor into a single bowl.
And that soft tan, almost pink color? It’s just so lovely.
14. Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Looking for a lower carb option that still delivers? Roasted cauliflower soup is where it’s at.
It’s tasty, garlicky, and has just a whisper of zestiness. Even better, you can make it with fewer than ten ingredients and only 15 minutes of hands on prep.
15. Acorn Squash Soup
If you need a vegetarian option that will totally wow your Thanksgiving crowd, this acorn squash soup is the answer. It’s thick, creamy, and the caramelized squash gives it the most fantastic, almost sweet depth. Even your most steadfast meat loving friends will not be able to resist second helpings.
16. Turnip Soup
Turnips, Granny Smith apples, potatoes, curry powder, and a splash of light cream all get cozy in this creamy, 30 minute wonder. A few pantry staples like olive oil, onions, broth, and salt are all you need to pull it together. The flavor is mild and totally delicious, and I love jazzing it up with well seasoned croutons and a handful of fresh herbs.
17. Borscht
I am pretty sure I’ve never met a soup more polarizing than borscht. People either love it or they really, really hate it, kind of like the beets you use to make it.
If you’re a fan of beets and cabbage, you’ll probably enjoy this. If not, you might want to give it a pass.