21 Best Thanksgiving Soups to Kick Off Your Holiday Feast
Warm your guests right up!
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There are tons of ways to kick off your Thanksgiving celebration. You can start with a few bite-sized Thanksgiving appetizers or keep things light with a fall salad, but if you want to warm your guests up right from the start, you'll want to look no further than these Thanksgiving soup recipes. While soup might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to planning a Thanksgiving menu, it definitely makes sense in terms of serving up something warm and cozy. Just look at Ree Drummond's velvety pumpkin soup or the turkey soup with sweet potato dumplings—both are the epitome of fall comfort foods!
So, what's the key to the perfect Thanksgiving soup, you might ask? For starters, all the recipes ahead have one thing in common. They're easy! You'll have plenty of other dishes to fuss over this holiday, so when it comes to the soup, keep things simple. We've also included tons of Instant Pot soup recipes, so you'll have plenty of space on your stovetop for the gravy and other Thanksgiving sides. Another way to identify the perfect Thanksgiving soup recipes? They're loaded with fall flavors! Here, you'll find butternut squash soup, cauliflower soup, and a pumpkin chili that's perfect for a holiday lunch. Plus, these fall soups can be downright elegant when served in your delicate soup bowls, ramekins, bread bowls, or even scooped out pumpkins!
Broccoli Cheese Soup
If you want a soup that'll put a smile on anyone's face, this broccoli-cheese soup is just the thing! Ree says it "triggers a happy, peaceful memory."
Get Ree's Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
A hearty lentil soup is surprisingly easy to whip up—especially when you use your Instant Pot. There's no soaking, no sautéing, and no stove-top required!
Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe.
Chicken and Corn Chowder
To make this cozy chowder even easier, use pulled rotisserie chicken and thawed frozen corn kernels. Then, prep it up to three days ahead.
Get the Chicken and Corn Chowder recipe.
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Skip a big holiday ham and make this split pea soup with ham instead! It's still loaded with all that smoky flavor you love.
Get the Split Pea Soup with Ham recipe.
Pumpkin Chili
Seasonal pumpkin puree and warm ground cinnamon make this chili perfect for any fall occasion. It would be especially delicious at a casual Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving lunch.
Get the Pumpkin Chili recipe.
Italian Wedding Soup
This traditional soup is elegant enough for a holiday dinner but easy enough for any night of the week. It only takes 25 minutes to make so you can focus on the rest of the menu.
Get the Italian Wedding Soup recipe.
Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
If the thought of chopping squash makes you nervous, simply look for pre-cut butternut squash at the supermarket. It's pretty easy to find and it'll make this soup a whole lot easier.
Leftover Turkey Soup
Put your Thanksgiving turkey to good use all weekend long with this holiday soup that's perfect for lunch. It can also be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
Get the Leftover Turkey Soup recipe.
Pumpkin Soup
This creamy, velvet-y soup is loaded with fall flavors—from the fresh roasted pumpkin to the maple syrup. There's even toasted pumpkin seeds on top!
Get Ree's Pumpkin Soup recipe.
Potato Leek Soup
This soup is both comforting and elegant all at the same time. It's perfect for a special occasion or holiday dinner. And if you have extra fried onions from your green bean casserole, it makes a delicious garnish for this potato soup.
Get the Potato Leek Soup recipe.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
If you want to serve soup for Thanksgiving, but don't want to take up any precious stove space, this Instant Pot soup is your answer. It takes just 10 minutes to prep and it has a nice warm, curry flavor.
Cabbage Soup
You're likely going to have plenty of hearty sides and a big turkey to dig into, so when it comes to Thanksgiving soups, you don't want one that will weigh you down. This broth-y cabbage soup is light, flavorful, and a great way to start the night.
Get the Cabbage Soup recipe.
Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon
To balance out the naturally sweet flavor of seasonal butternut squash, this soup recipe adds crispy, salty bacon on top. It's almost too good to be true!
Get Ree's Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon recipe.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup
If you're looking for a way to warm your guests up right from the start, there's nothing better than a cheesy bowl of French onion soup. Using ramekins makes for a cute presentation—and it's just the right amount of soup for a starter.
Get the Instant Pot French Onion Soup recipe.
Slow Cooker Potato Soup
If you want to switch things up from your typical potato side dish, try a creamy potato soup instead. It has all the flavor of a loaded baked potato!
Get the Slow Cooker Potato Soup recipe.
Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortelloni Soup
This cozy fall soup is just as delicious for a Thanksgiving appetizer as it is for a satisfying lunch before the big feast. Either way, you're going to want to make an extra batch.
Get the Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortelloni Soup recipe.
Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings
Looking for a Thanksgiving dinner for two? This hearty soup has everything you need for a feast—including the turkey, veggies, and sweet potato dumplings—all in one pot.
Get the Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings recipe at Butter Be Ready.
Cream of Mushroom Soup with Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs
This rich and savory mushroom soup is way better than the kind you might find in a can. It's made with fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of milk. Let's not forget the garlicky oven-toasted breadcrumbs—they're the perfect finishing touch!
Get the Cream of Mushroom Soup with Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
This creamy vegetarian soup gets its flavor from roasted cauliflower, shallots, garlic, and fresh thyme. It's simple but oh-so good.
Butternut Squash Apple Soup
Granny Smith apples are the perfect balance of tart and sweet. They're sautéed with onions, rosemary, and sage, before getting blended into this creamy squash soup.
Get the Butternut Squash and Apple Soup recipe at From My Bowl.
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