Healthy Soups For Winter

The benefits of soup are endless, making them a great winter companion. Whether you're looking for the best soup for a cold, or a comforting soup to warm up your soul, this blog is destined to satisfy your healthy winter soup needs.

 

The chill in the air is becoming ever more apparent as winter draws near. Thankfully, soup season is here to warm things up a little bit! There is nothing more satisfying than cocooning yourself in a pile of blankets, booting up Netflix and enjoying a nice, hot bowl of your favourite soup. 

The Benefits Of Soup

Soup is the ultimate winter companion. Do you find yourself experiencing common cold symptoms? Many soups contain immune boosting ingredients that can help stave off a cold or flu, and are often a great source of nutritious veggies, protein and enchantingly savory flavours! Also, soups are known for convenience, as they are very easy to prepare and freeze extremely well.  

Here are 3 soul warming soups for winter that are easy to make and absolutely delicious: 

1. Sprague Organic Lentil Soup

There’s no doubt that Sprague’s Organic Lentil Soup is one of the best organic vegan soups on the planet! Lentils are rich in dietary fiber, protein and zinc, making them one of the best gut friendly foods. Due to their high protein and zinc content, lentils can also boost daily energy and benefit your immune system. This vegan lentil soup houses a medley of savory veggies like carrots, celery and potatoes, making for a warm blanket of pleasant flavors. If you didn’t have time to prepare a lunch for work, Sprague’s gluten free canned soup is the perfect fix, only needing to be heated in a microwave or pot before serving. Enjoy this delicious lentil soup with a soft slice of low carb bread or a fresh garden salad with a vegan salad dressing. This is a fantastic, all-around soup for anyone trying to keep healthy, happy, and warm this winter!     

2. Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth

Let’s give a warm welcome to the Kettle & Fire’s Chicken Bone Broth Chicken & Ancient Grain Soup! The zesty, lip-smacking blend of satisfying ingredients radiates a mild spice that hits just right. This creamy, rich soup is made with real, tender bites of chicken, organic celery, carrot and onion puree, and chicken bone broth, creating a bright, bold flavor palate that feels like a parade in your mouth. Kettle & Fire’s organic chicken bone broth is simmered for up to 24 hours, allowing for tons of healthy nutrients, collagen and amino acids to soak in. Collagen is excellent for maintaining healthy skin, increasing muscle mass and reducing joint pain, whereas amino acids help increase the production of natural antibodies that aid in fighting a cold or flu. Preparing this keto-friendly soup is an absolute breeze, only needing 5 minutes of heating time on a stove or a single minute in the microwave. This low-carb soup will certainly provide a spicy escape from the winter freeze.

3. Bar Harbor Clam Chowder

Bar Harbor’s New England Clam Chowder is the perfect soup to make as the weather starts to cool down! The recipe for this thick, creamy clam chowder has been refined over generations to arrive at the best possible flavor. This is the type of soup you enjoy with a friend on a cold friday night, sharing stories, memories and experiences as you indulge in the traditional flavors packed in this delicious chowder. Not only is it breathtakingly tasty, Bar Harbor’s Creamy New England Clam Chowder contains 12g of protein and provides a healthy dose of iron and vitamin C. This is great for combatting winter fatigue syndrome, as the proteins will give a solid boost to your daily energy. Not only is this chowder tasty and rich in protein, all you have to do to prepare it is heat it up in a saucepan or microwave. If you’re feeling creative, toss in some cream, salt, pepper and garnish to make it your own. Serve with a fragrant homemade garlic bread or quinoa salad to amplify your clam chowder experience!

All in all, instant soups are a fantastic way to make a healthy, hearty, immune boosting winter meal without requiring a lot of cooking equipment or prep time. 

How Do I Make Homemade Soup?

Now you may be thinking, “Natura Market, these instant soups look great, but how do I make my own homemade, healthy, immune boosting and delicious soup?” Luckily, it's a lot easier than you think! We’ll get you started on your soup making journey with this healthy vegetable and chicken soup recipe that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. Chicken and vegetable soup is known for its cold and flu fighting properties, so it is a perfect immune system booster as the winter months draw closer.

This recipe uses Organika’s Chicken Bone Broth, which houses incredibly bold, deep flavors that will enhance any soup recipe. Bone broth is made from boiling animal bones and connective tissues, allowing for tons of nutrients, collagen and amino acids to be released into the broth. Which means that not only does this healthy chicken soup contain tons of nutritious ingredients, it is an easy meal prep recipe too, since chicken noodle soup freezes with ease! 

What You'll Need to Make A Hearty Chicken Soup

• Chicken Bone Broth
• Cooked, pre-cut chicken
• Diced vegetables (Onion, carrots, celery and garlic)
• Frozen peas
• Quinoa or rice
• Cooking Oil of Choice
• Lemon Juice
• Herbs & Spices (Ground ginger, Ground turmeric, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Oregano, Bay leaves)
• Salt and pepper

How to Make an Easy Homemade Chicken Soup

1. Place a large dutch oven or pot over medium high heat and add in oil. Once oil is hot, add in onion, carrots and celery.

2. Once veggies have cooked for a few minutes, add in garlic, stirring occasionally as the veggies begin to soften.

3. Next, add in ground ginger and ground turmeric. Sauté the veggies and spices, letting them cook. 

4. After veggies and spices have had time to cook, add in Chicken Bone Broth. 

5. As the bone broth begins to heat up, add rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper (Other spices such as oregano and bay leaves are also a great addition). 

6. Bring the soup to a boil, then add quinoa or rice, stirring often. 

7. Reduce heat to allow soup to simmer and add in pre-cut and cooked chicken. Make sure the pan or dutch oven is left uncovered. 

8. Once chicken is fully heated, add frozen peas. 

9. After the peas are fully cooked, you can add a hint of lemon juice and a pinch of parsley to brighten up the flavor if you so desire. 

At last, your healthy, homemade chicken soup is ready to be served! Throw in some grain-free crackers or enjoy with a grilled cheese sandwich to complement this wonderfully hearty soup recipe. After you've prepared your soup, feel free to put it in the freezer to use for work lunches or future dinners. Soups can last up to 3 months or longer in the freezer, so make a big batch and you’ll have a prepped meal for weeks to come!

Final Thoughts

Hearty soups are one of the best ways to warm up your life during the cold, tiring winter months. They contain so many amazing health benefits that help combat illnesses that are oh so common as the temperature plummets. On top of the high nutritional value, soups are often incredibly convenient to whip up, especially if they’re canned, providing a quick meal without the hassle of spending hours on prep. Beyond the health benefits and conveniences, there are an insane amount of different types of soups, ranging from mushroom bisque to butter curry to tomato red pepper…The list goes on! Check out our soups and broths category and make this a shiverless winter!