The big bird gets all the glory, but I'm here to tell you these 17 Thanksgiving soups are the real opening act your feast deserves. They're cozy and welcoming, perfect for anyone who wants a lighter start or just something to warm up those picky eaters at the table. Kick off your holiday with a bowl of something special.
1. Cream of Celery Soup
If the only cream of celery soup you've ever tasted was from a can, I have great news: homemade is worlds better. This version delivers all that velvety goodness with even more flavor. It does require a little extra time, but you can't rush something this perfect.
2. Raspberry Cranberry Soup
For anyone who gravitates toward bright, chilled soups, this raspberry cranberry bowl is right up your alley. I make it all summer long, but my family begs for it in the fall thanks to that gentle cranberry taste and punchy tang.
And I'm totally on board because it comes together in just 35 minutes. Quick Thanksgiving dishes are my love language.
3. Easy Tomato Soup
I'm a total tomato soup addict, and this four ingredient wonder (plus salt) lets me indulge anytime. Just butter, an onion, water, a big can of tomatoes, and salt to taste.
In under an hour, you have two hearty, steaming bowls. It's simple and so satisfying.
4. Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup
This soup is exactly what its name promises: a cozy vegetable soup full of autumn produce and quinoa. It has that familiar, classic vegetable soup vibe, with a tomato and veggie broth base, but instead of summer staples like corn, peppers, and leafy greens, you'll pile in squash, carrots, celery, sweet potato, and a bunch of fresh herbs.
5. Spinach Artichoke Soup
This soup is creamy and dreamy, tasting just like spinach artichoke dip, only a little thinner and with an extra buttery touch. If you already love that classic dip, you are going to be obsessed with this bowl. It's all the same goodness in slurpable form.
6. Cream of Mushroom Soup
Another one that's infinitely better when you make it yourself. This cream of mushroom soup delivers a rich, velvety broth loaded with real mushroom pieces and diced onions, along with fresh parsley and thyme. It blows any canned version right out of the water.
7. Autumn Wild Rice Soup
If you love cooking with what the season has to offer, this one’s for you. It's loaded with autumn veggies and soft mushrooms, plus a whole lot of Old Bay.
Every spoonful is herby and earthy, and just plain fantastic. I can't get enough of it with a thick slab of crusty bread for dipping.
8. Homemade Corn Chowder
This chowder delivers sweet meets savory and creamy meets crunchy, with fresh herbs tying everything together. It's packed with corn, garlic, bacon, onions, potatoes, and other goodies. While a lot of these soups shine as starters, I honestly think this one deserves a spot right alongside the main event.
9. Chestnut Soup with Bacon and Chives
You might not realize you need this nutty, earthy soup studded with bacon in your life, but after one spoonful, you'll be hooked. Chestnuts, chives, leeks, shallots, nutmeg, and more come together for a bowl that's absolutely bursting with flavor.
I also love its soft tan, almost pinkish hue. It's just lovely.
10. Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Searching for a lower carb Thanksgiving soup? This roasted cauliflower number is exactly what you need.
It's garlicky and incredibly tasty, with a whisper of zesty brightness. And the best part? You need less than ten ingredients and only 15 minutes of hands on time.
11. Acorn Squash Soup
Need a
12. Thanksgiving Leftover Soup
This one is really for the day after the feast, but it's such a genius way to enjoy those leftovers all over again. Toss in shredded turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, chicken broth, and a handful of frozen mixed veggies. It absolutely belongs in this roundup.
13. Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is the kind of chunky, hearty bowl I crave when the weather turns cool. It's jam packed with lentils, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and all sorts of herbs and spices.
The flavor is spectacular, blending those tomatoes and herbs with every favorite veggie in the pot. Honestly, it's hard to top.
14. Turnip Soup
Turnips, Granny Smith apples, potatoes, curry powder, and a splash of light cream all come together in this creamy little number. It's a quick 30 minute soup that calls for olive oil, onions, your choice of chicken or veggie broth, and a bit of salt. The flavor is mild and absolutely delicious, and I love dressing it up with crisp, well seasoned croutons and a handful of fresh herbs.
15. Borscht
I don't think I've ever met a soup that divides people quite like borscht. You either adore it or you can't stand it, which makes sense because beets tend to inspire the same strong feelings.
If beets and cabbage make your heart sing, then this soup is your jam. If not, maybe just wave from a distance.
16. Autumn Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Dessert might force you to pick between carrot cake and sweet potato pie, but your soup says, have it all. This ten ingredient beauty brings together onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, chicken broth, honey, apples, butter, curry powder, salt, and pepper. The result is a sweet meets savory spoonful that is unbelievably good.
17. Curried Cauliflower Apple Soup
The person who created this recipe calls it 'seductive' and swears the cauliflower, apple, and curry pairing is 'a magical flavor combination.' With such high praise, I had to test it out myself, and honestly, she wasn't wrong. It's spicy, nutty, and tartly sweet in a way I've never tasted before.