Soups + Stews = The Best Comfort Food

I can eat soup all year long, but as soon as the weather begins to turn and there is a slight chill in the air, that is all I want for dinner. What is great about comfort food soup is that it’s easy to enjoy on its own or pair with a larger entree, so one big batch can last you all week long. 

I go back and forth about meal prepping on the weekends. During the holidays, when things get extra busy, I do like soups to meal prep too. Making meals ahead of time and find that soups and stews are perfect to whip up and tuck away in the fridge or freezer (I recommend freezing soup in plastic Ziploc bags or inside of quart-sized glass jars). Soup is the perfect emergency meal to have on hand for nights when you don’t feel like cooking (or to drop off with a friend or neighbor who is on the mend!). 

Below, you’ll find several of my favorite soup and chili recipes. I like to serve homemade soup alongside a crusty bread and some delicious butter for the perfect bread pairing. Serve with a classic green salad with homemade lemon vinaigrette (sharing my own recipe here!). 

Lemon Vinaigrette: 

• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons). I recommend only using fresh lemons—do not use bottled juice! 

• ¼ cup white-wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons sugar.

• 1 teaspoon coarse salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

• 1 cup olive oil

Now for the soups! Whether you’re craving something hearty stews and soups or are looking for a meal that’s on the lighter side, there’s an option for every mood. 

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/beef-bourguignon

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/chickenchili

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/veggie-soup

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/veggie-soup

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/hoppin-john

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/crab-chowder

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/pumpkin-soup

https://inthecuriouskitchen.com/recipes/best-chili 

Before you get cooking, you may also want to stock up on some of my favorite tools. I've put together a simple list with my go-tos: 

• Cast iron dutch oven: This will allow your soup to simmer. Get one big enough to double a recipe! 

• Wooden Spoon

• Sharp knife for chopping

• Ladle: I recommend stainless steel for serving. 

I’m also sharing some of the essential ingredients I recommend keeping on hand so that you can whip up a soup whenever the mood strikes. 

• Onions: I prefer Vidalia

• Fresh garlic

• Carrots

• Celery

• Potatoes

• Chicken stock

• Beef stock

• Fresh parsley for a garnish

• Kosher salt

• Course ground pepper

• Bay leaf

• Cayenne

• Paprika

• Red chili flakes

• Sage

• Oregano

• Onion salt/powder