21 Healthy Soups and Stews That'll Warm You up All Winter
There ain't nothing better when the weather turns frosty.
We're just as into comfort foods as the next person, but if you still want to be healthy, we can give you the best of both worlds. Each and every one these healthy soups and stews is loaded with good-for-you ingredients and will still satisfy all of your cozy winter cravings. From vegetarian soups to stews packed with protein and vegetables, there's no shortage of delicious, filling recipes on our list.
Whether you’re on the hunt for an easy weeknight dinner or are preparing to host a lot of friends by cooking a make-ahead meal to serve a crowd, it’s important to make warm, winter dishes that don’t always pack on the calories. Thanks to these dishes, mostly under 500 calories, you’ll be loaded with great ideas for any time of year.
No matter your flavor preferences, you can make a quick soup or stew to enjoy throughout the year — all while sticking to your healthy lifestyle. Here are some of our favorite picks!
Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Get an extra hit of warmth from cinnamon, chili, and star anise in this easy Instant Pot soup.
Get the recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Pho »
RELATED: 20 Best Instant Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners
Chicken, Sausage, and White Bean Stew
Slow cooked chicken and beans make for a protein-packed, winter-ready stew.
Tomato-Quinoa Soup
In just 20 minutes, you can have a bowl of piping-hot, homemade soup that tastes way better than the canned stuff. With protein-packed quinoa and heart-healthy pumpkin seeds, it's healthier too.
Miso Spinach Noodles
This noodle soup packs serious flavor thanks to its savory sesame-miso broth.
Savory Pumpkin and Sage Soup
Serve up this silky, savory soup as a starter. Or, ladle it up into big bowls for a main. Either way, you shouldn't feel guilty for licking the bowl clean.
Cioppino
This Italian-American stew requires basically no effort — just dump the ingredients into a pot, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Slow-Cooker Tex-Mex Chicken Soup
Bring out the slow cooker, so you can come home to a steamy pot of soup.
Chipotle Lentil Chili
We're obsessed with this fiery chili for a few reasons: While vegetarian, it packs 19 grams of protein per serving. Because it's made in a pressure cooker, it is ready in 15 minutes. And, it's crazy-delicious (duh).
French Onion Soup
Give the cold-weather classic a healthier spin. Made with olive oil, low-sodium chicken broth and reduced-fat Swiss, our version has 890 fewer calories than the original.
Supergreen Mushroom and Orzo Soup
Consider this the tastiest way to use up all your pantry ingredients in one go. Pro tip: Stash all your onion peels, celery stems and Parmesan rinds in a bag in the freezer to make a super-flavorful stock.
Chilled Caprese Soup
A spoonful of this Italian-inspired dish is enough to help you escape the -30° temps. One slurp and you'll be swear you traveled to the sunny coast of Capri.
New England Chowder
We're cutting down the calories of the classic chowdah. Thanks to the potatoes and low-fat milk, the diet version stays velvety and rich ... so no one (except you!) will even know it's healthier.
Saucy Creole Shrimp
Get a taste of The Big Easy without hopping on a plane! This bold-flavored stew marries classic New Orleans flavors — sweet, succulent shrimp and zesty Creole spices. Now, you just need to find a Sazerac.
Ginger-Spiced Carrot Soup
Out of broth? Sub in ginger-steeped green tea. Seriously! The brew keeps the liquid and flavor at a high, while slashing the sodium of the finished dish.
Tomato Soup With Shrimp
This garlic-herb shrimp garnish is every bit as healthy as it is delicious. Sorry grilled cheese, we've moved on.
3-Bean Sweet Potato Chili
Whether it's Game Day or just any given Tuesday, this stick-to-your-ribs dish will score big with everyone, even vegetarians.
Chunky Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet potatoes are one of our SuperCarb Diet superstars. Why? These carbs are crazy-flavorful and chock-full of filling fiber and immune-boosting antioxidants. So, when added to a dish, like this soup, it'll leave you feeling satisfied for a real long time.
Tuscan Veggie Stew
The next time you're sick, forgo the classic chicken noodle and opt for this veggie-rich stew instead. All the kale, carrots, tomatoes, and beans will have you feeling better in no time.
Lentil Stew With Butternut Squash
Looking for a reason to buy a slow cooker? Here it is.
Indian Cauliflower Curry Stew
Thanks to the world's most versatile veggie (hello, cauliflower!), a hearty bowl of this stuff clocks in at 360 calories.
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