Soup Season: Cozy Fall & Winter Soup Recipes for Cold Weather Comfort

I love soup! I always have. I may have been born with a "soup" spoon in my mouth.

There's nothing I like better than having a big pot of soup simmering on the stovetop all afternoon as temperatures drop outside. It gives the entire house a cozy feeling and makes me want to curl up in my favorite chair with my favorite magazines. Relaxation at its finest.

When Cool Weather Calls for Soup

When the temperatures start to drop and there's that first hint of cooler weather in the air, my mind immediately shifts into soup mode! There's something magical about that transition from warm summer days to crisp fall mornings that makes you crave comfort food.

Childhood Soup Memories

My slight obsession with soup isn't new. Some of my favorite childhood meals involved a bowl of soup—my everyday favorites included Campbell's Chicken Noodle, Tomato, and Vegetable ABC soups. These canned soups were quick, easy, and delicious with grilled cheese sandwiches and crackers (my all time favorite meal)

Dad's Famous Potato Soup

My Dad didn't cook often because he traveled for work, but when he did, it was always amazing. One of his specialties was Potato Soup—a Southern cook through and through, his culinary skills came directly from my grandmother, Mammy, who inspires so many of my recipes.

What made Dad's Potato Soup so incredible was the bacon grease he used as the base after frying bacon pieces for topping. Back then, whole milk, real butter, and cheddar cheese were recipe mainstays—no skim milk or margarine would do! The funny thing is, I'm really not a big fan of potatoes and almost never eat them, but Dad made this soup so flavorful that I overlooked it completely.

Seasonal Soup Inspirations

As I started cooking and experimenting with recipes, soups became a natural starting point. One of my kitchen passions is using the freshest, seasonal ingredients. Fall and winter are perfect for hitting local farmers markets in search of the best available vegetables.

Perfect Cold Weather Soup Varieties

Pumpkin Soup and Butternut Squash Soup are two of my cold weather favorites. My recipe allows you to swap out either vegetable depending on your mood. These vegetables are available pre-chopped—a shortcut I highly recommend! Both bring unique flavors to the pot:

Pumpkin offers creaminess and slightly sweet flavor
Winter squash provides similar sweet, nutty flavor that creates the perfect soup canvas

Spicy ingredients like cumin and hot pepper flakes balance the sweetness, and I top them with smoky, crumbled bacon. Sometimes I get more excited about soup toppings than the soups themselves! I always look for something that complements flavors without overwhelming them.

Texture matters too—crunchy croutons or seeds make perfect choices. Often, I incorporate elements from the soup itself, like spicy toasted pumpkin seeds for pumpkin soup. Be curious and creative!

Family Vacation-Inspired Recipes

Crab Chowder with Corn

Another family favorite comes from our vacation memories. Both parents are native North Carolinians, and we'd travel there often throughout the years. Asheville became one of my favorite destinations—we almost always spend the night there on our way to Hilton Head or Charleston.

During one memorable stop, we discovered the Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village, where I naturally ordered soup. Their Crab Chowder with Corn was a game changer—so delicious that I raved about it endlessly! The chef graciously shared the recipe with me (it never hurts to ask!). I've shared my interpretation of this rich, creamy chowder at In the Curious Kitchen.

Creating Curious Recipe Twists

In the Curious Kitchen Beer Cheese Soup

One of my earliest culinary experiences involved experimenting and making recipes my own. I typically take the concept, note key ingredients, and build from there.

While thinking of ways to use my products in new recipes, I discovered a Beer Cheese Soup recipe—the perfect opportunity to use my Beer Cheese in a different way! Using ingredients from Findlay Market, I began working on a curious twist.

After reading the original recipe, I decided to change it up:

Substituted my beer cheese instead of making it from scratch
Used poblanos instead of jalapeños for less intense, smoky flavor
Added colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange) instead of just green

My first attempt was good—great texture, okay flavor—but needed something more. My second attempt included more beer (always a good decision!) and a darker Dunkle beer, which made all the difference!

Beer Cheese Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

3 stalks celery, fine dice
1 medium yellow onion, fine dice
1 each small red, yellow, and orange bell pepper, finely diced
3-4 fresh garlic cloves, minced
1-2 poblano peppers, fine dice
6 bacon slices, diced into chunks
½ cup all-purpose flour
3-4 tablespoons butter
2 containers In the Curious Kitchen Beer Cheese
2 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
1 can dark beer (I used Dunkle)

Garnish: Rye or pumpernickel croutons, green onions, grated sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon crumbles

Instructions:

Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces, render in large stock pot, stirring frequently
Remove when crispy, drain on paper towel, save for topping
Save 2 tablespoons bacon grease in pot bottom
Add onions, celery, bell peppers to bacon grease, cook until tender (8 minutes), stirring frequently
Add poblano peppers and garlic, sauté 3 minutes
Add butter, sprinkle flour over vegetables, stir to make light brown roux (5 minutes)
Add beer cheese, stir until combined
Stir in chicken stock, milk, and cream, simmer until slightly thickened
Add beer, continue simmering until soup thickens
Adjust consistency with additional beer or stock as needed