I’ve discovered a number of ways to enhance both store-bought and homemade soups over the years, and I thought I’d share some of those tricks with you today! I’ve included 11 excellent soup hacks you can use to enjoy easy, flavorful, and filling soups all winter long.
The one silver lining to this darker, colder time of year, is that I can enjoy one of my favorite foods as often as I like: soup! When it’s cold out, I could happily eat soup for lunch and dinner every day. (Is there such a thing as breakfast soup? I might have to look into it…)
While I’m likely to make a soup from scratch for dinner, I won’t say no to a time-saving canned or boxed soup at lunchtime. They make a warm, comforting meal that’s ready in a flash, and I keep a variety of soups in my pantry for that reason! And these soup hacks make those store-bought soups taste spectacular, so let’s get to it!
11 Easy And Delicious Hacks For Soups
1. Add Parmesan Rind
If you buy chunks of Parmesan to grate over your food (you know, like they do at Olive Garden), don’t let the rinds go to waste! Toss a piece of Parmesan rind into your soup while it simmers to add a delicious salty, cheesy flavor that will give it a whole new dimension.
2. Top With Seeds
If you ever feel like your soup is missing something, that something could be a crunchy element. Croutons and crackers make tasty additions, but don’t overlook seeds! Sprinkle some pumpkin or sunflower seeds on top, whether raw, salted, or toasted.
3. Add An Egg
Add body and creaminess to ramen or chicken noodle soup by adding an egg or two. Whisk the egg in a small bowl, then stir the whisked egg into your gently simmering soup. Top with green onions and sesame seeds, if you like!
4. Turn Up The Heat
Add a flavorful new dimension to creamy soups by adding a dash of garlic chili oil. You may be able to buy it at your grocery store, or you can briefly sauté some minced garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil, then drizzle it over your soup. (You can thank me later!)
5. Add Greens For Nutrition
Most of us could probably stand to get more greens and veggies in our diets, and adding greens to soups is one of the easiest ways to do it. Just toss some fresh spinach or kale into your simmering soup and stir until the greens are wilted and incorporated (or sprinkle in a handful of frozen chopped spinach and stir until heated through).
6. Turn Sauce Into Soup
No canned soup on hand? No problem! Sauces and soups aren’t exactly interchangeable, but they’re similar enough that you can use a sauce as a basic building block for a soup with a little culinary creativity.
For instance, equal parts marinara and chicken broth makes a great start to minestrone. Add some veggies, beans, and noodles (or whatever you like, really), and you’ll have a delicious, filling soup.
7. Add A Splash Of Acid
If a soup has plenty of salt and fat to begin with, adding more of either isn’t the way to go. What it really needs is some acid in the form of a splash of apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, etc.
If your soup tastes like it needs something but you’re not sure what, add a splash of acid. It’s often the missing piece of the puzzle that balances the other flavors. Give it a try!
8. Make It More Filling
Some canned or boxed soups aren’t quite filling enough on their own, but you can change that by adding leftover meat or veggies from your fridge. Canned beans make a tasty addition to soups as well while adding protein and fiber.
9. Dollop Something Creamy On Top
A dollop of sour cream on in a warm bowl of soup adds body, creaminess, and a hint of tangy flavor. For a similarly velvety element with less fat, use Greek yogurt instead.
10. Make Your Own Broth
Many soups have a broth base, and the better the broth you use is, the better your soup will be! You can make great broths at home using leftover bones and veggie scraps — just save them in your freezer until you have a stash substantial enough to make broth. Check out the post at the link below to get all the details.
Related: The One Kitchen Scrap I Will Never Throw Away
11. Freeze The Leftovers
It’s just as easy to make a large pot of soup as a smaller one, so I often make more than I need so I end up with leftovers. I’ll freeze the leftovers in these awesome freezer pods for individual portions of frozen soup that are easy to warm up whenever I could us a hot bowl of soup.
What’s your favorite soup?