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35 Soups That Will Be The Star Of Your Thanksgiving Spread

Soup is the one thing your Turkey Day meal is missing.

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pumpkin soup with cream
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you're looking for that little added something to your Thanksgiving table, we implore you to consider an oft-overlooked dish—soup! Though not as flashy as the turkey, or as beloved as mashed potatoes, we swear it’s the soups we’ve made over the years that have been the sleeper hit of our holiday dinners. Check out our 35 Thanksgiving soups for ideas, then get ready to share these recipes with anyone who tries them. 😉

One of the best things about adding soup to your feast is how much color, flavor, and extra veggies they bring to the table without a ton of additional effort. Looking to break up the brown and beige monotony of your dinner spread? Try our vibrant spinach soup, our cabbage soup, or our green goddess soup. Want to add some spice or heat to your meal? Try our curried butternut squash soup, our ginger-miso carrot soup, or our spicy turkey sausage and kale chili (particularly good if you’re forgoing the bird this year). Just looking to add more fall veggies to your dinner? Try our butternut squash soup (including a curried version and a vegan slow cooker version!), our pumpkin soup, our cream of mushroom soup, or our broccoli cheddar soup. Try serving them in bread bowls to take these sides over the top.

We’ve also included a few soups here for after the big day (or for if you’re having multiple celebrations and want to repurpose leftovers). Try our turkey carcass soup, our leftover turkey and rice soup, or our turkey noodle soup. They’re the perfect source of comfort after all the Thanksgiving hubbub is over.

Want more Turkey Day ideas? Check out our favorite Thanksgiving appetizers, side dishes, and pies too.

1

Butternut Squash Soup

butternut squash soup with thyme and cream
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

What dish is the most indicative of leaves falling and the chilly autumn breeze? Some might say it's pumpkin pie, others might say warm apple cider, but to us, nothing fits better with November sweater weather than a delicious bowl of butternut squash soup.

Get the Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

2

Potato Soup

potato soup
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Whether you're a seasoned vegetarian, looking to explore more plant-based recipes, or just want a potato-focused recipe, this easy, creamy soup is the perfect way to showcase the humble potato in all its comforting glory.

Get the Potato Soup recipe.

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3

Pumpkin Soup

pumpkin soup with cream
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Nothing goes the distance all fall and winter long quite like pumpkin soup. It's warming and welcoming whether you're enjoying it as a casual weeknight dinner or serving it alongside turkey for Thanksgiving.

Get the Pumpkin Soup recipe.

4

Cream Of Turkey Soup

cream of turkey soup
PHOTO; LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLIST; FRANCESCA ZANI

This savory, delicious, hearty cream of turkey soup recipe is a bowl of hearty goodness that might just be the best use of turkey leftovers. Be sure to serve with bread alongside for dipping!

Get the Cream Of Turkey Soup recipe.

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5

Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

slowcooker vegan butternut squash soup garnished with coconut milk and cilantro
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

This vegan butternut squash soup is made in a slow cooker, so after you chop up all your vegetables, it’s essentially hands-off. A quick blitz with an immersion blender at the end, and you’ve got a silky, drinkable butternut squash soup.

Get the Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

6

French Onion Gnocchi Soup

french onion gnocchi soup

Forget bread and croutons, we found an even more delicious way to enjoy French onion soup—by adding gnocchi!

Get the French Onion Gnocchi Soup recipe.

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7

Creamy White Bean & Sausage Soup

creamy sausage and white bean soup
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

A little heat tamed by cream turns this nearly effortless soup into a feel-good go-to that'll kick off any Thanksgiving spread. Pro tips: Save a Parmesan rind to give this soup extra depth, and give the sausage time to sear so it develops that irresistible golden crust.

Get the Creamy White Bean & Sausage Soup recipe.

8

Instant Pot Potato Soup

instant pot potato soup
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Throwing everything in the Instant Pot will give you a delicious soup in about 40 minutes flat (and won't take up precious stovetop space this Thanksgiving!). This one is fully loaded and has all of our favorite things, like bacon, cheddar, cream, and chives. What more could you want?

Get the Instant Pot Potato Soup recipe.

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9

Baked Feta Soup

baked feta soup with crumbled feta and fresh dill
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

The original baked feta pasta took the world (and Delish) by storm. Think of this version as a bright, slightly feta-y vodka sauce–we definitely can’t complain about that! Top it with some fresh herbs, more feta, and a few freshly made croutons for the best tomato soup ever.

Get the Baked Feta Soup recipe.

10

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

broccoli cheddar soup sprinkled with cheddar cheese
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Is there anything more hearty, cheesy, and perfect than broccoli cheddar soup? You get all of the stick-to-your bones, comfort food goodness from the sharp, cheesy flavor from the cheddar, while still getting a good dose of veggies. Serve it in mini bread bowls for the perfect Thanksgiving side.

Get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe.

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11

Vegetable Soup

vegetable soup with potato green bean english peas fennel corn tomato vegetable bouillon celery onion carrot red pepper flakes dried thyme dried basil
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Though vegetable soup is often just made up of random ingredients hanging around your fridge and pantry, it deserves to be exceptional. With a few tricks and tips (bouillon paste, a Parmesan rind, and frozen veggies are key!), it’s easy to take it from basic to “chef’s kiss”.

Get the Vegetable Soup recipe.

12

Carrot Ginger Soup

carrot ginger soup
PHOTO: Erik Bernstein; FOOD STYLING: Simon Andrews

Canned coconut milk makes this flavorful soup super-creamy and rich while keeping it conveniently dairy-free. Want to up the presentation even more? Add some fried onions (leftover from green bean casserole) and chili oil for that final chef’s kiss.

Get the Carrot Ginger Soup recipe.

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13

Vegan French Onion Stew

vegan french onion stew

Got vegan guests this year? This ultra-savory stew will definitely help make them feel included (and will likely make your meat-eating friends jealous of their bowl). Finishing the cheese toasts right in the soup pot makes for an impressive presentation, so don't skip it!

Get the Vegan French Onion Stew recipe.

14

Best Vegetarian Kale Soup

vegetarian kale white bean soup topped with parmesan and red pepper flakes
PARKER FEIERBACH

If you want this soup to be extra thick and creamy, you could immersion blend it before adding the kale. We like it chunky, so we just mash the beans to thicken it once they come to a simmer.

Get the Best Vegetarian Kale Soup recipe.

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15

Leek And Potato Soup

leek and potato soup in a white bowl on a dark wooden surface
June xie

While many recipes using leeks call for discarding the tougher, more fibrous green tops, we reserve them, slice 'em real thin, and stir-fry them until crispy and golden. Sprinkled with a little salt, fried leek greens transform an otherwise fine bowl of soup into an outstanding one.

Get the Leek And Potato Soup recipe.

16

Green Goddess Soup

green goddess soup in a bowl
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: HADLEY SUI

For this recipe, we took inspiration from one of our favorite salad dressings, Green Goddess. The creamy green dressing can improve even the most lackluster of salads, so we knew it had potential to be an incredible soup. Eating your greens this Thanksgiving just got a whole lot easier and tastier!

Get the Green Goddess Soup recipe.

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17

Turkey Carcass Soup

turkey carcass soup  delishcom
Park Feierbach

The best cure for overeating on Thanksgiving day? This simple and delish soup. The most important element is a turkey carcass, so keep yours after the big day. Just slice off as much turkey as you can (use it for a Thanksgiving sandwich)—and let the rest simmer with the soup.

Get the Turkey Carcass Soup recipe.

18

Creamy Cauliflower Leek Soup

cauliflower leek soup vertical
Ethan Calabrese

Cauliflower soup on f(LEEK). Vegetarian? Skip the bacon.

Get the Cauliflower Leek Soup recipe.

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19

Chickpea Noodle Soup

chickpea noodle soup
Erik bernstein

This vegan-friendly play on chicken noodle soup will win over everyone at your table. Cooking the pasta in the soup will yield a velvety, substantial broth, but for a leftover-friendly version, boil the noodles separately so they don’t bloat in the broth over time.

Get the Chickpea Noodle Soup recipe.

20

Creamy Spinach Soup

spinach soup
Parker Feierbach

Bought too much spinach on accident this Thanksgiving? Have some that's starting to go bad faster than you hoped? Make this easy soup! It's simple and extra creamy thanks to potatoes and a little heavy cream.

Get the Creamy Spinach Soup recipe.

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