National Homemade Soup Day

National Homemade Soup Day is observed annually in the United States on February 4. To encourage everyone to celebrate, here's our roundup of personal favorites - homemade soups we make, love, and regularly enjoy. Make one today!

Collage of soups: Potato, Butternut, mushroom, peanut, French onion, and smoked salmon.

If I have a particular specialty, cooking-wise, it is homemade soups. I've simmered countless soups over the years. At one point when my kiddos were young, we had soup every Tuesday for dinner (Souper Tuesday), and rarely did a soup recipe repeat in a calendar year. I absolutely love the endless possibilities of a fresh pot of soup.

Whenever I make soup, particularly soup made from leftovers, I think of a story that a dear friend told many years ago:

Let's call my friend Kate. (Note: It is more than possible that I have embellished this story inside my head over the years, but I tried to stay as close to the original telling as possible.)

It seems that when Kate was newly married, her sweet husband came home one night from a long day at work. Sitting down at the table, he asked her what was for dinner. She replied, "We're having soup."

As Kate tells it, the look that fell across her sweetheart's face when she uttered the word "soup" was somewhere between disgust and the acceptance of impending doom. But he said nothing, and just waited for his dinner like a man anticipating the flip of an electric chair switch.

When Kate set his bowl of soup in front of him he barely looked at it; instead spooning in the first bite like an automaton. Kate looked on expectantly, unable to decode the strained expression that barely masked his revulsion.

And then something marvelous happened: as the soup hit his tongue, his taut expression softened immediately, widening into one of genuine surprise and pure satisfaction.

After finishing his bowl and asking for seconds, he explained why:

"When I was a kid, we were very poor, and we kept a little bucket in the refrigerator. After every meal, anything that didn't get eaten got thrown into that bucket. Then, about once a week, Mom would dump the whole thing into a pot and add water, and that was soup. And that was what I was expecting."

(Did anyone else just reflexively make a face? Because when I first heard that story, I sure did! Ewww! Refrigerator Bucket Soup is certainly not ever going to be on my menu!)

For the record, Kate and her sweetheart are still married, and I'm certain that she still makes him delicious soup on the regular.

Expert Tips

Homemade soups are even better when you start with homemade stock. It's easy to make Homemade Chicken Stock from rotisserie chicken and vegetable scraps for just pennies! Easy, healthy, and delicious, this simple chicken bone broth is perfect for making soups and sauces and countless other recipes.

If you want to keep your soup vegetarian or vegan, try this Rich & Hearty Homemade Vegetable Stock recipe!

Homemade Soup Recipes from GHW

Here is collection of our favorite homemade soup recipes from over the years on GHW - none of which involve a bucket! Pick one and make some homemade soup tonight!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This Loaded Baked Potato Soup has a sweet surprise ingredient that elevates the flavors and results in a perfectly balance bowl of comforting deliciousness. Easy, economical, and ready to serve in just 30 minutes!

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup is serious comfort eats! Rich, earthy flavors combine with fresh herbs in a thick cream base to create this deeply satisfying, umami-intense cold-weather soup!

Slow Cooker Ham Bone Split Pea Soup

It may not be the prettiest of soups, but Old-fashioned Ham Bone Split Pea Soup is always dependably hearty, comforting, and easy on the budget. Oh, and it’s delicious, too!

Smoked Salmon Chowder

This Creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder with leeks and fresh tarragon is a rich bowl of comforting decadence; each ingredient carefully chosen to complement the delicate, smoky salmon and let it shine. Easy 30-minute prep.

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Rich and savory with just a hint of sweetness, this creamy Curried Butternut Squash Soup will satisfy all your fall soup cravings.

Colonial Cream of Peanut Soup

Cream of Peanut Soup, a mainstay at Colonial Williamsburg’s King’s Arms Tavern, is oddly scrumptious. We’ve updated the historical recipe with 21st Century tastes in mind, while retaining the rich, satisfying essence of original.

French Onion Soup

Classic French Onion Soup is a perfect union of sweet caramelized onions, crusty french bread croutons, and bubbly melted cheese. Our tried-and-true, easy-to-make recipe is rich, savory, and satisfying to the bone.

Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup

This rich, creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup is easy, economical, and so satisfying! Serve it as a soup course, or as the main event. Takes just one pot and 30 minutes, stove to table.

Wonton Egg Drop Soup

Perfect for busy weekday evenings, Wonton Egg Drop Soup is savory and satisfying – and so easy to make that I’m almost embarrassed to call this a “recipe!”

Cabbage Roll Soup

Rich, hearty, and satisfying, this easy-to-make Cabbage Roll Soup recipe takes just 20 minutes of hand-on prep and is ready to serve in under an hour.

Bavarian-style German Lentil Soup (Linsensuppe)

Savory and satisfying, this classic Bavarian Lentil Soup is simmered in a hearty beef and bacon base.

Adapted from Chef Horst Mager's original recipe, as served at Der Rheinlander restaurant in Portland, Oregon (1963-2017).

Armenian Lentil Stew

Armenian Lentil Stew is a thick, rich medley of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, onions, golden raisins, and lentils, all flavored with a savory-sweet blend of traditional herbs and spices. Naturally gluten-free, it can be served as it is, or over a bowl of rice or bulgar.

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