Winter asks a lot, especially at dinnertime. We turn to soup when the cold sticks around and the day has already taken its share. Gentle simmering brings rich broth, tender bites, and warmth that settles in without demanding much back. These soups make winter meals easier to live with, one bowl at a time.

A bowl of soup with a piece of corn on the cob, avocado slices, and a drizzle of cream or oil on top.
Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe). Photo Credit: At the Immigrant’s Table

Cheesy Cauliflower and Ham Soup

Soup with ham and cauliflower cooked cheesy and thick.
Cheesy Cauliflower and Ham Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Low heat melts cheese smoothly into a thick, savory base. Simple timing avoids grainy texture and keeps flavors clean.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower and Ham Soup

Bone Broth Beef Pho

Beef pho simmered with bone broth, herbs, and thinly sliced meat.
Bone Broth Beef Pho. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A focused simmer extracts bold beef flavor fast without clouding the broth. Smart shortcuts keep results rich and repeatable.
Get the Recipe: Bone Broth Beef Pho

Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe

Dumpling soup with homemade dumplings floating in seasoned broth.
Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Gentle simmering keeps dumplings tender instead of gummy. One pot and controlled heat make this foolproof.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup

A bowl of cheesy soup with ground meat, potatoes, and vegetables, served with a pretzel bun.
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pressure cooking locks in juicy beef fast. The Instant Pot delivers rich, cheesy flavor on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Chicken enchilada soup with shredded chicken and tortilla strips in creamy broth.
Chicken Enchilada Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Simmering shredded chicken in bold spices delivers big enchilada flavor without extra prep. One pot, juicy meat, and fast cleanup keep busy nights moving.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Soup

Kale and Sausage Soup

Kale and sausage soup with hearty greens and sliced sausage in a steaming bowl.
Kale and Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Browning sausage first builds a savory base before a steady simmer takes over. Crisp edges, tender greens, and reliable timing make this a weeknight lock.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Sausage Soup

French Onion Soup with Roasted Bone Marrow

French onion soup topped with roasted bone marrow on thick toast.
French Onion Soup with Roasted Bone Marrow. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Roasted marrow melts straight into the broth for unmatched richness. Slow caramelization rewards patience with deep, savory payoff.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup with Roasted Bone Marrow

Grilled Chicken Tequila Tortilla Soup

Tequila tortilla soup featuring grilled chicken pieces and hearty broth.
Grilled Chicken Tequila Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Grilling first adds smoky depth before the soup ever simmers. Charred flavor carries through with reliable timing.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Tequila Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup slow cooked creamy and thick.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow cooking keeps noodles tender and chicken juicy without heavy cream. Hands-off timing delivers consistent texture every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe

Turkey carcass soup simmering with vegetables and shredded turkey pieces in broth.
Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A long simmer pulls rich, golden flavor straight from leftover bones. This method stretches one bird into a reliable, full-bodied meal.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe

Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana made slow cooker style with kale, sausage, and creamy broth.
Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Low, steady heat keeps the broth creamy and the sausage juicy. Walk-away cooking locks in flavor and frees up your day.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Chicken, Gnocchi and Kale Soup

Soup with chicken, gnocchi, and kale in creamy broth.
Chicken, Gnocchi and Kale Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Soft simmering keeps gnocchi pillowy and chicken juicy. One-pot prep delivers steady results without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Chicken, Gnocchi and Kale Soup

Steak and Potato Soup

Steak and potato soup hearty with chunks of beef and potatoes.
Steak and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

A quick sear locks in juicy steak before it finishes gently in broth. Even heat keeps the meat tender and the timing predictable.
Get the Recipe: Steak and Potato Soup

Mexican Chicken Soup

Mexican chicken soup with vegetables and herbs simmering in broth.
Mexican Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Gentle simmering keeps chicken juicy while citrus and herbs stay bright. Simple prep and bold flavor make this one repeat-worthy.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken Soup

Greek Chicken and Egg-Lemon Soup

Greek style soup with chicken, egg lemon broth, and herbs.
Greek Chicken and Egg-Lemon Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Gentle heat emulsifies eggs into a silky, lemon-bright broth. Controlled temperature prevents curdling and guarantees smooth results.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken and Egg-Lemon Soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

A quick boil-and-simmer keeps pasta tender without overcooking. One pot and short timing make this weeknight-ready.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Homemade Lobster Bisque

A bowl of creamy soup garnished with corn, herbs, and cheese, topped with a large whole lobster claw.
Homemade Lobster Bisque. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Roasting the shells first builds deep, buttery seafood flavor. A smooth simmer delivers silky texture without restaurant-level effort.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lobster Bisque

Chicken Sancocho

Bowl of chicken sancocho with corn, plantains, potatoes, and carrots in broth.
Chicken Sancocho. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Even simmering cooks starchy vegetables until soft without turning mushy. Fast prep and clear timing keep this efficient.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sancocho

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Hearty slow-cooked beef and barley soup filled with tender short rib pieces in a deep bowl.
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Low heat and long timing break short ribs down until fork-tender. The slow cooker keeps moisture steady and delivers deep, beefy flavor with zero babysitting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Creamy Chicken Hominy Soup

A bowl of mexican chicken chowder with corn and black beans.
Creamy Chicken Hominy Soup. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Slow simmering softens hominy while keeping chicken juicy. The result is thick, savory, and easy to control.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Hominy Soup

Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

A bowl of ajiaco colombiano soup with chicken, corn on the cob, and avocado.
Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Steady simmering breaks down potatoes into a naturally thick, golden broth. One pot delivers tender chicken and dependable results.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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