This time of year is never an easy one .. unless of course you're currently living in Vancouver's spring-like weather. But for the rest of us, the days are still short, the weather is still cold, and we’re over a month away from the next long weekend.
So if things feel like a bummer, it helps to have small pleasures to get you through. We think a pot of hot soup is one of those pleasures.
Soup’s appeal during the winter months is about more than the fact that it’s warm — though that obviously helps too. A bowl of soup is often nostalgic and comforting, and may remind you of those days slurping hot chicken noodle soup as a kid.
These 12 soups, which cover ground from vegan to Paleo to traditional, are perfect for these dreary months, or any other. And yes B.C., you can have some too!
12 Great Winter Soups
Alphabet Soup(01 of64)
This vegan soup is the healthier and homemade version of a childhood favourite. Get the recipe from the Post Punk Kitchen here.
French Onion Soup(02 of64)
With this recipe, you can make restaurant-quality French onion soup at home, complete with browned cheese topping, in your slow cooker. Get the recipe from Dashing Dish here.
Thai Red Curry Pumpkin Soup(03 of64)
Pumpkin isn't often associated with Thai cuisine, but it works perfectly with spicy red curry in this dish. Get the recipe from Almost Fearless here.
Chana Dal With Spinach Soup(04 of64)
This Indian-style slow cooker soup is inexpensive and healthy, thanks to all that fibre and protein from spinach and chickpeas. Get the recipe from Everyday Maven here.
Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup(05 of64)
You need a solid chicken noodle soup recipe in your repertoire, and you can’t go wrong with this one. Get the recipe from Smitten Kitchen here.
Pazole(06 of64)
A Mexican stew with pork loin, hominy, and green chilis, this belly warming recipe can be made overnight in the slow cooker or set to cook while you’re at work. Get the recipe from Big Giant Food Basket here.
Grilled Ramen(07 of64)
Ramen is great because it’s endlessly customizable. This particular recipe is vegan, with protein thanks to grilled tofu and healthy fat from the avocado. http://www.theppk.com/2013/08/grilled-ramen/
Easy Beef Pho(08 of64)
When you don’t have time to make pho broth from scratch, this pared-down recipe will do the trick. Get the recipe from Fuss Free Cooking here.
Buffalo Chicken Soup(09 of64)
Along with being Paleo-friendly, this spicy soup has healthy cauliflower and lean chicken for protein. Get the recipe from Yummy Recipes here.
Autumn Squash Soup(10 of64)
This copycat version of Panera’s soup is vegan, gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, and quick to cook up on the stove. Get the recipe from Hungry Health Girl here.
Caldo De Res(11 of64)
This traditional Mexican beef and vegetable soup takes a couple of hours to cook, but the flavour is worth the wait. Get the recipe from Cocina Marie here.
Kale and Quinoa Minestrone(12 of64)
This vegan and gluten-free version of Italian minestrone gets a healthy boost thanks to quinoa and kale. Get the recipe from Cooking Classy here.
French Onion Soup(13 of64)
Get the French Onion Soup recipe by How Sweet It Is (credit:How Sweet It Is)
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken(14 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe from Just A Taste (credit:Just A Taste)
Crock Pot Carne Asada Nachos(15 of64)
Get the Crock Pot Carne Asada Nachos recipe from How Sweet It Is (credit:How Sweet It Is)
Italian Turkey Meatballs(16 of64)
Get the Italian Turkey Meatballs recipe by Skinny Taste (credit:Skinny Taste)
Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin With Balsamic Glaze(17 of64)
Get the Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze recipe by A Spicy Perspective (credit:A Spicy Perspective)
Slow Cooker Maple Bacon Beer Baked Beans(18 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Maple Bacon Beer Baked Beans recipe from The Beeroness (credit:The Beeroness)
Mac And Cheese(19 of64)
Get the Mac And Cheese recipe by No. 2 Pencil (credit:No. 2 Pencil)
Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas(20 of64)
Get the Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas recipe by Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce(21 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce recipe from Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)
Crockpot BBQ Beer Pulled Chicken With Cheddar Corn Popovers(22 of64)
Get the Crockpot BBQ Beer Pulled Chicken With Cheddar Corn Popovers recipe by Half Baked Harvest (credit:Half Baked Harvest)
Sweet And Spicy Crock Pot Ribs(23 of64)
Get the Sweet And Spicy Crock Pot Ribs recipe by Eat, Live, Run (credit:Eat, Live, Run)
Slow Cooker Chex Mix(24 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Chex Mix recipe from Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)
Coconut Ginger Chicken And Vegetables(25 of64)
Get the Coconut Ginger Chicken And Vegetables recipe by Simple Bites (credit:Simple Bites)
Indian-Style Lamb Shanks(26 of64)
Get the Indian-Style Lamb Shanks recipe from Sandy Gluck (credit:New Media Publishing)
Slow Cooked Beef Ragu(27 of64)
Get the Slow Cooked Beef Ragu recipe from Little Leopard Book (credit:Little Leopard Book)
Chicken And Sausage Stew(28 of64)
Get the Chicken And Sausage Stew recipe by Confections of a Foodie Bride (credit:Confections of a Foodie Bride)
Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes(29 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe from Damn Delicious (credit:Damn Delicious )
Vietnamese Spring Rolls With Slow Cooker Pork(30 of64)
Get the Vietnamese Spring Rolls With Slow Cooker Pork recipe by Steamy Kitchen (credit:Steamy Kitchen)
Slow Cooker Beer And Brown Sugar Pulled Chicken Sliders(31 of64)
Ge the Slow Cooker Beer And Brown Sugar Pulled Chicken Sliders recipe from The Beeroness (credit:The Beeroness)
Parmesan Chicken(32 of64)
Get the Parmesan Chicken recipe by How Sweet It Is (credit:How Sweet It Is)
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing(33 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing recipe from Damn Delicious (credit:Damn Delicious)
Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki(34 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe by Cooking Classy (credit:Cooking Classy)
Slow Cooker Spinach And Artichoke Dip(35 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Spinach And Artichoke Dip recipe from Damn Delicious (credit:Damn Delicious)
Vietnamese Chicken Pho Ga(36 of64)
Get the Vietnamese Chicken Pho Ga recipe by Steamy Kitchen (credit:Steamy Kitchen)
Honey Sesame Chicken(37 of64)
Get the Honey Sesame Chicken recipe by The Comfort Of Cooking (credit:The Comfort Of Cooking)
Brisket & Brie Quesadillas(38 of64)
Get the Brisket & Brie Quesadillas recipe by Confections of a Foodie Bride (credit:Confections of a Foodie Bride)
Crockpot Coconut Hot Chocolate(39 of64)
Get the Crockpot Coconut Hot Chocolate recipe from How Sweet It Is (credit:How Sweet It Is)
Sweet And Tangy Pulled Pork(40 of64)
Get the Sweet And Tangy Pulled Pork recipe by Taste of Home (credit:Taste of Home)
Black Bean Chili With Chocolate And Coconut(41 of64)
Get the Black Bean Chili With Chocolate And Coconut recipe by Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)
Slow-Cooked Turkey With Mustard Sauce(42 of64)
Get the Slow-Cooked Turkey With Mustard Sauce recipe by Simply Recipes (credit:Simply Recipes)
Slow Cooker Spiced Applesauce(43 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Spiced Applesauce recipe from Completely Delicious (credit: Completely Delicious)
Slow Cooker Lasagna(44 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe by Recipe Girl (credit:Recipe Girl)
Chipotle Stout Crock Pot Chili(45 of64)
Get the Chipotle Stout Crock Pot Chili recipe from Little Leopard Book (credit:Little Leopard Book)
Chicken Taco Chili(46 of64)
Get the Chicken Taco Chili recipe by The Comfort Of Cooking (credit:The Comfort Of Cooking)
Crockpot Crispy Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup With Curry Roasted Acorn Squash(47 of64)
Get the Crockpot Crispy Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup With Curry Roasted Acorn Squash recipe from Half Baked Harvest (credit:Half Baked Harvest)
Chicken Tikka Masala(48 of64)
Get the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe by Cooking Classy (credit:Cooking Classy)
Slow Cooker Beer Chicken Tacos With Jalapeño Slaw(49 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Beer Chicken Tacos With Jalapeño Slaw recipe from The Beeroness (credit:The Beeroness)
BBQ Beer Chicken(50 of64)
Get the BBQ Beer Chicken recipe by How Sweet It Is (credit:How Sweet It Is)
French Onion Slow Cooker Pot Roast(51 of64)
Get the French Onion Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe by Real Mom Kitchen (credit:Real Mom Kitchen)
Filipino Adobo Pulled Pork(52 of64)
Get the Filipino Adobo Pulled Pork recipe by Skinny Taste (credit:Skinny Taste)
Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers(53 of64)
Get the Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe by No. 2 Pencil (credit:No. 2 Pencil)
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe(54 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe recipe from Buns In My Oven (credit:Buns In My Oven)
Pulled Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches(55 of64)
Get the Pulled Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches recipe by Recipe Girl (credit:Recipe Girl)
Garlic Chicken(56 of64)
Get the Garlic Chicken recipe by Recipe Girl (credit:Recipe Girl)
Pot Roast(57 of64)
Get the Pot Roast recipe by Sandy Gluck (credit:New Media Publishing)
Ginger Curry Lentil Soup(58 of64)
Get the Ginger Curry Lentil Soup recipe by The Fountain Avenue Kitchen (credit:The Fountain Avenue Kitchen)
Slow Cooker Apple Cider(60 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Apple Cider recipe from Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)
Slow Cooker Turkey Taco Chili(61 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Taco Chili recipe from Gimme Some Oven (credit:Gimme Some Oven)
Slow Cooked Boston Baked Beans(62 of64)
Get the Slow Cooked Boston Baked Beans recipe by Simply Recipes (credit:Simply Recipes)
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup(63 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup recipe by Foxes Love Lemons from Food52 (credit:Food52)
Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Nachos(64 of64)
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Nachos recipe from Bev Cooks (credit:Bev Cooks)