MUST-KNOW Soup Tips
Be sure to check out our TOP soup tips. These tips and tricks will help you when making your favorite soup recipes.
- Cut all the ingredient the SAME SIZE. For example the chucks of meat and pieces of potatoes should be similar in size.
- To save time, you can buy fresh or frozen cut-up or chopped vegetables at the supermarket.
- THAW FOOD, especially meats, before cooking.
- Broth vs Stock: Broth and Stock are considered to be a basic building block for soup. They both come with a base of beef, chicken or vegetable. You can also find versions to be organic, gluten free and vegan. Broth is thinner, has few calories and less fat, than stock. Stock (aka bone broth) has slightly more calories, fat and protein, but also has significantly higher vitamins and minerals. They can be used interchangeably so pick the one that best fits your dietary needs.
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Ways to make your soup more flavorful
Spices are not the only way to make soups more flavorful. Here are a few more ideas to help:
- Sauté the aromatic veggies first. These include ingredients like celery, bell peppers, onions and garlic.
- Season to taste. Allow the soup to simmer a bit before tasting and adding any other seasonings.
- Opt for using the more flavorful chicken or beef stock instead of broth.
- Add a squeeze of lemon for a bright flavor.
- If a soup recipe calls for cooked meat, using seasoned cooked meat really lifts the entire soup.
New Soup Recipes
Making Ahead + Serving Soups
Make Ahead:
- Most all soups can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the freezer for up to two to three months. Remember to leave out the “add at the end” ingredients when making a freezer meal. Thaw the soup overnight in the fridge and throw it in the crock pot.
- Freezer Meal: If you plan to make a freezer meal out of the soup there are a few key ingredients that are best left out and added when you’re heating the soup up. Dairy such as cream cheese, cheese, or heavy cream as well as pasta should be saved to add when you are reheating the soup. Thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator before heating.
How much to serve?
- One serving is between 8-12 ounces. A soup cup can usually hold 8 ounces and a soup bowl can hold 12 ounces.
- 5-6 oz of soup or stew, or 1 ½-2 cups.
- Serving soup: Keeping soup warm at a dinner party can be easily done by using a crock pot or a chafing dish.
Slow Cooker Soups
Converting to Slow Cooker
Want to make a slow cooker version of your favorite soup? Don’t fret! Most soups can be simmered in the slow cooker.
NOTE: In general, the high setting of a crock pot is about 280°F. The low setting is about 170°F. Generally speaking, cook the soup for 3-4 hours on high heat or 6-8 hours on low heat. (Always refer to your particular crock pot manual to find more specific cook times and guidelines)
