There's a massive soup craze going on right now and regardless of the reason why (could it be the cold, chilly weather combined with the need for cozy comfort foods?), it would be a major oversight to not take inspiration from countries around the world for the said soup. There's something about the classics, such as chicken soup and clam chowder, that are delicious and wholesome, but trying a new soup is satisfying in a whole new way. The use of spices, different vegetables, and combination of proteins helps us abandon our comfort zone and explore the vast world that is true soup comfort.
It sounds silly but trust us - during times such as these, you can never have too much soup and you can never try too many soups at once. This is exactly why, if you're going to add any to your freezer stockpile, it should be these... if there's anything left after you make it the first time.
Italy's Minestrone
Minestrone is a highly underrated soup that's made even better when it's homemade from scratch. The classic trademark of minestrone is its hearty array of vegetables, consisting of celery, beans, onions, carrots, and tomatoes, with a healthy dose of pasta to complete the country's best soup. Its flavor is akin to the kind of thing you'd want on a chilly winter's day, and the vegetables loaded into its tomato-based broth are known for their health benefits. It's also vegetarian-friendly and can be made vegan by using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, so it's a win-win for everyone.
Canada's Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup might get a bad rep due to its use of one of the least popular vegetables around and its unusual color, but that shouldn't stop anyone from making this comforting Canadian soup. Split peas add a level of sweetness that's perfectly matched with chunks of ham, blending together the best of both worlds: sweet and salty, with just a hint of savory herbiness from thyme. It's a beautiful marriage of vegetable and protein and while it's made with ham traditionally, bacon would also be a great substitute.
France's French Onion Soup
French onion soup might seem daunting but the most daunting part about it is having to cut up all of those onions. Pro tip: wipe the cutting board and the knife with some white vinegar first to keep the onion vapors down. Once the onions are sliced, though, the work is done! All that's left to do is allow them to caramelize (the browner the better), before adding beef stock, dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and perhaps some other secret ingredients depending on which recipe you're following. Topped with a slice of crusty bread and cheese, this soup is unbeatable in terms of comfort and flavor.
Scotland's Cock-a-Leekie Soup
It might sound strange but it's a surefire winner in Scotland, where it's one of the most popular cold-weather soups. It's similar to chicken noodle but with leeks instead of onions, adding a level of sweetness and buttery flavor that's hard to compete with. To thicken the soup and give it body, potatoes, barley, or rice are usually added and, to finish, an unusual but necessary traditional ingredient: prunes!
Japan's Miso Soup
Miso soup is easy enough to make these days and gives you a great excuse to visit your local Asian market. Miso has its own health benefits but miso soup, as a whole, is delicious and warming from the inside out. With fresh green onions, (optional) pieces of tofu, and a broth that's just as savory as it is rich, this soup is perfection on every level.
Philippine's Arroz Caldo
Jasmine rice is what puts arroz caldo over the top in terms of both flavor and aromatics. With the help of fried garlic and ginger, this soup is bold and flavorful with an inspiring blend of flavor notes that check off the box on every craving level. Saffron is responsible for this soup's rich color and to make it a complete meal, add some cooked chicken, either on the bone or shredded, to each bowl.
Korea's Kimchi Ramen
There's no debating that ramen is one of the best winter dishes (or year-round dishes, for true ramen lovers) and the addition of kimchi only adds to its delicious flavor. For those who are seeking spice in their soup, kimchi ramen packs the heat but also packs a healthy dose of digestive benefits.
India's Dal Soup
Green lentils are the star of India's dal soup and add a nice level of protein and meatiness to a dish that can be made to be vegetarian. The spices, though, speak to traditional India and add such a great level of warmth and flavor: garam masala, turmeric, and cumin seeds are a winning combination and will make you kitchen smell heavenly.