It’s been a tough old year in more ways than one, so I’m sure we could all do with a bit of comfort food! These soup recipes provide the perfect warmth that we’re all seeking but aren’t shockingly unhealthy or calorific. I’ve chosen recipes which should be quick to whip up on a weeknight and incorporate traditional winter flavours with a little bit of a twist, it’s really fun to riff like a rockstar in the kitchen! So without further ado, let’s get into these Cosy Vegan Soups: 5 Perfect Winter Recipes You’ll Love!
1. Vegan Pea Soup
Top of the list is my favourite winter soup: pea and mint. This vegan version only includes a handful of ingredients, but if you want to make things simpler, I suggest using frozen petit pois. Not only does this cut down on cooking time, but petit pois are sweeter than other pea varieties. For a more complex base, I also suggest adding more aromatics in with the shallots such as carrots, celery, and garlic. Not only will these vegetables add another dimension of flavour, but they all carry special health benefits which our bodies need throughout the wintertime.
2. Mushroom Soup
This vegan mushroom soup recipe is quite a bit healthier for you than regular Cream of Mushroom soup due to its lower fat content. The nutty flavour of the mushrooms, holistic value from the winter herbs and high vitamin C content of the onions is a perfect combination not only nutritionally, but flavourfully as well!
3. Butternut Squash Soup
This sweet ‘n’ savoury soup is just what you need in the depths of winter. The butternut squash is seasonal and healthy, and by sautéing the onions and garlic, you can give this meat-free broth a rich, satisfying flavour. For extra crunch and nutritional value, top with toasted pumpkin seeds. Scrummy!
4. Tomato Soup
Tomato soup never gets old. This classic winter recipe is perfect because it doesn’t require a lot of chopping work, and the winter herbs provide a great depth of flavour.
To begin, simply slice tomatoes and garlic and then drizzle with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar to roast. After this, you can make a base for your soup by sautéing carrot, onion, and celery in some olive oil for about 6-8 minutes. When the vegetables are sweet and tender, you can add in the roasted tomatoes and garlic, vegetable stock, tomato paste, as well as any additional seasoning.
After this, leave your soup on the stove to simmer for about ten minutes, which should allow all the flavours to marry together. To finish off your soup, you can use an immersion blender to blitz everything together until it’s a nice and smooth consistency. Voila!
5. Broccoli Soup
Brimming with healthy, flavourful ingredients, this creamy, comforting soup is just the thing for any cold night, when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Broccoli is a staple for most households, so this soup is a great recipe to add to your collection. It’s full of protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins, making it the perfect winter meal. To spice things up, just top with some red pepper flakes. Mmm…moreish!
