14 Healing Soup Recipes Perfect for Autumn Cooking
Fall brings cooler weather and the perfect excuse to make warming, nourishing soups. These healing recipes combine seasonal ingredients with anti-inflammatory benefits to support your wellness.
Each soup features nutrient-dense vegetables, herbs, and spices that naturally reduce inflammation while delivering incredible flavors your whole family will love.
01. Hearty Potato Kale Soup
Creamy potato soup loaded with nutrient-rich kale and aromatic herbs. This comforting bowl delivers velvety texture without heavy cream.
Ingredients: 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (diced), 4 cups fresh kale (chopped), 1 large onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Hearty Potato Kale Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
2. Add minced garlic and thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant. The garlic should sizzle gently without browning to avoid bitterness.
3. Add diced potatoes and vegetable broth, bringing mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and easily pierced.
4. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some potato chunks for texture. Stir in chopped kale and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted and bright green.
02. Plant-Based Green Minestrone
Vibrant vegetable soup packed with green goodness and Italian flavors. This vegan version focuses on nutrient-dense vegetables for maximum health benefits.
Ingredients: 1 cup green peas, 1 medium zucchini (diced), 2 cups kale (chopped), 1 can cannellini beans (drained), 6 cups vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Plant-Based Green Minestrone
1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add garlic and oregano, cooking until aromatic.
2. Add vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in diced zucchini and cook for 8 minutes until beginning to soften but still holding its shape.
3. Add green peas and cannellini beans, simmering for 5 minutes to heat through. The peas should be bright green and tender.
4. Stir in chopped kale during the last 2 minutes of cooking. The leaves will wilt quickly and turn vibrant green.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting flavors as needed for a well-balanced, satisfying soup.
03. Rich Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Soup
Luxurious tomato soup with earthy spinach and creamy white beans. This umami-rich bowl combines intense flavors with satisfying nutrition in every spoonful.
Ingredients: ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 4 cups fresh spinach, 1 can cannellini beans (drained), 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 lemon (juiced), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Rich Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook diced onion for 5 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to release their intense flavors. The tomatoes should become slightly softened and aromatic.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and cannellini beans, bringing mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
4. Add fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and bright green. Stir in fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
04. Creamy Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Earthy mushroom soup with tender wild rice and fresh spinach. This protein-rich bowl offers incredible depth of flavor and satisfying texture.
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked wild rice, 8 ounces mixed mushrooms (sliced), 2 cups fresh spinach, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 onion (diced), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 cloves garlic (minced), ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Creamy Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and their liquid has evaporated completely.
2. Add diced onion to the mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and cooked wild rice, bringing to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend and rice to heat through.
4. Stir in coconut milk and fresh spinach, cooking for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Let soup rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the creamy texture to develop fully.
05. White Bean Pasta Kale Soup
Rustic Italian soup with tender pasta, creamy beans, and nutritious kale. This hearty bowl gets natural creaminess from mashed beans rather than dairy.
Ingredients: 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow), 2 cans cannellini beans (drained), 3 cups kale (chopped), 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make White Bean Pasta Kale Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook diced onion for 5 minutes until softened, then add garlic and rosemary, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add half the cannellini beans to the pot and mash them with a fork or potato masher to create a creamy base for the soup.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in remaining whole beans and chopped kale during the last 3 minutes of cooking. The kale should wilt and turn bright green.
5. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting consistency with additional broth if needed for your preferred thickness.
06. Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup
Nourishing chicken soup loaded with garlic, kale, and chickpeas for wellness support. This vitamin-packed bowl helps fight off seasonal sniffles naturally.
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, 1 can chickpeas (drained), 3 cups kale (chopped), 8 cloves garlic (minced), 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 onion (diced), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F internally.
2. Remove chicken and set aside to cool. In the same pot, cook diced onion for 4 minutes, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 2 minutes.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Shred the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
4. Add shredded chicken and chickpeas to the pot, simmering for 10 minutes to heat through and develop flavors.
5. Stir in chopped kale during the last 3 minutes of cooking until wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07. Ginger Shrimp Vegetable Soup
Light Asian-inspired soup with succulent shrimp and crisp vegetables. This colorful bowl combines fresh ginger and garlic for incredible aromatic flavor.
Ingredients: 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled), 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms (sliced), 1 bell pepper (sliced), 2 tablespoons fresh ginger (minced), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 6 cups vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 green onions (sliced), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Ginger Shrimp Vegetable Soup
1. Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add minced ginger and garlic, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and sizzling gently.
2. Add sliced shiitake mushrooms and bell pepper, cooking for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms are golden and peppers are slightly softened.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
4. Add shrimp to the simmering broth and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and cooked through. Don’t overcook or they’ll become rubbery.
5. Remove from heat and stir in sliced green onions. Season with salt and pepper, serving immediately while hot.
08. Slow-Cooker Barley Bean Soup
Hearty slow-cooker soup with chewy barley, tender beans, and nutrient-rich kale. This set-it-and-forget-it meal develops incredible depth of flavor.
Ingredients: ¾ cup pearl barley, 2 cans white beans (drained), 3 cups kale (chopped), 1 ounce dried mushrooms, 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 lemon (juiced), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Slow-Cooker Barley Bean Soup
1. Add pearl barley, white beans, diced onion, minced garlic, and dried mushrooms to your slow cooker. The dried mushrooms will rehydrate and add earthy flavor.
2. Pour vegetable broth over ingredients, stirring gently to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours until barley is tender and chewy.
3. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in chopped kale. The leaves will wilt and become tender in the hot broth.
4. Before serving, stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten all the earthy flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste for perfect balance.
09. Slow-Cooker Kielbasa Mushroom Soup
Savory soup with smoky kielbasa, earthy mushrooms, and warming spices. This protein-rich bowl offers incredible flavor with minimal hands-on preparation time.
Ingredients: 12 ounces turkey kielbasa (sliced), 8 ounces mixed mushrooms (sliced), 1 onion (diced), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Slow-Cooker Kielbasa Mushroom Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown sliced kielbasa for 4-5 minutes until golden and slightly crispy on the edges.
2. Transfer kielbasa to slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook mushrooms for 5 minutes until golden brown and their liquid has evaporated.
3. Add mushrooms, diced onion, garlic, cumin, and thyme to the slow cooker with the kielbasa. Pour chicken broth over everything.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours until flavors are well blended and vegetables are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving, adjusting spices to your taste preferences for the perfect warming bowl.
10. Colorful Rainbow Minestrone
Vibrant vegetable soup with butternut squash, kale, and colorful bell peppers. This nutrient-dense bowl celebrates seasonal produce with classic Italian flavors.
Ingredients: 2 cups butternut squash (cubed), 2 cups kale (chopped), 1 red bell pepper (diced), 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can cannellini beans (drained), 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
How To Make Colorful Rainbow Minestrone
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook diced onion for 4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and oregano, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
2. Add cubed butternut squash and diced bell pepper, cooking for 5 minutes to begin softening. The squash should start to become tender around the edges.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until squash is fork-tender.
4. Add chopped kale during the last 3 minutes of cooking, stirring until wilted and bright green throughout the colorful soup.
11. Aromatic Rosemary Spinach Soup
Elegant spinach soup infused with fragrant rosemary and garlic. This simple yet sophisticated bowl showcases the natural flavors of fresh seasonal greens.
Ingredients: 6 cups fresh spinach, 1 onion (diced), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 5 cups vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (minced), 1 can white beans (drained), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Aromatic Rosemary Spinach Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent and softened throughout.
2. Add minced garlic and fresh rosemary, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. The rosemary should release its aromatic oils without burning.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and white beans, bringing to a simmer. Cook for 8 minutes to allow the rosemary flavor to infuse the broth.
4. Add fresh spinach in batches, stirring as each addition wilts down. The spinach will reduce significantly and turn bright green.
5. Season with salt and pepper, letting the soup rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
12. Spicy Green Curry Soup
Aromatic Thai-inspired soup with green vegetables and delicate curry spices. This vibrant bowl combines coconut milk richness with fresh vegetable textures.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons green curry paste, 1 can coconut milk, 2 cups spinach, 1 cup green beans (trimmed), 1 cup broccoli stems (sliced), 4 ounces mushrooms (sliced), 3 cups vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, salt to taste.
How To Make Spicy Green Curry Soup
1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add green curry paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly darkened.
2. Slowly whisk in coconut milk to prevent lumps from forming. The mixture should be smooth and well combined with the curry paste.
3. Add vegetable broth, sliced broccoli stems, and green beans. Simmer for 8 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender but still bright green.
4. Stir in sliced mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add spinach during the last minute, cooking just until wilted.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed, keeping in mind that curry paste already contains significant sodium.
13. Slow-Cooker Turkey Kale Minestrone
Hearty minestrone with lean ground turkey, nutritious kale, and Italian seasonings. This protein-packed soup offers customizable heat levels for every taste preference.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground turkey, 3 cups kale (chopped), 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can kidney beans (drained), 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes to taste.
How To Make Slow-Cooker Turkey Kale Minestrone
1. Brown ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink.
2. Transfer cooked turkey to slow cooker. Add diced onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to taste for your preferred heat level.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours until flavors are well developed.
4. Add chopped kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking, stirring occasionally until wilted and tender throughout the soup.
5. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving, adding more red pepper flakes if you prefer extra heat in your bowl.
14. Simple Chicken Kale Soup
Classic comfort soup with tender chicken and nutrient-dense kale. This easy recipe delivers homestyle warmth perfect for chilly autumn days.
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, 4 cups kale (chopped), 2 carrots (sliced), 2 celery stalks (diced), 1 onion (diced), 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Simple Chicken Kale Soup
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then brown for 5 minutes per side until golden.
2. Remove chicken and set aside. In the same pot, cook diced onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add thyme and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and return chicken to the pot, bringing to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken, shred into pieces, and return to pot.
5. Stir in kale and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted and bright green. Season with salt and pepper before serving hot.
Final Thoughts
These healing soup recipes prove that nutritious eating can be absolutely delicious. Each bowl combines anti-inflammatory ingredients with satisfying flavors for autumn wellness.
From quick weeknight options to slow-cooker favorites, these soups make it easy to nourish your body while enjoying incredible homemade comfort food.
