If we were to follow the dictates of popular culture, we would spend the first few weeks of the new year fasting, cleansing or munching on lettuce. But winter will be over before we know it, and we wouldn’t want to look back with regret on missed opportunities to experience in the finer side of cold-weather dining, now would we? Certainly not. January calls for the kind of comforting indulgence that can only be found in a big round ladle: Chicken noodle, hearty minestrone, cream of tomato — the list goes on. With 5 stars and over 100 reviews, these are the soups we can’t wait to simmer this month.
French Onion Soup
High-end French restaurants probably don’t want you to know how simple it is to make classic French Onion Soup from scratch — but this year, we’re staying home for our fix. Tyler Florence demystifies the process with this traditional recipe that calls for a buttery beef broth fortified with sweet caramelized onions. For classic bistro presentation, ladle the soup into ramekins, then crown each one with a slice of toasted baguette and some freshly grated Gruyere cheese.
Chicken Noodle Soup
We don’t need to be the ones to tell you that a bowl of chicken noodle soup can cure any and all things. With 5 stars and over 350 reviews, Tyler’s Chicken Noodle Soup keeps it classic, using homemade chicken stock, shredded chicken, buttery egg noodles and veggies. Grandma would surely approve.
Tomato Bisque
The Pioneer Woman’s Best Tomato Soup Ever earned its glowing title by sticking to the basics. Heavy cream and a touch of sherry transform pantry staples like diced tomatoes and tomato juice into a wondrously creamy winter treat. If you decide to pair it with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich, who are we to stop you?
Cream of Mushroom Soup
You won’t find this kind of cream of mushroom in a can. The Barefoot Contessa’s rich Cream of Wild Mushroom is downright luxurious, simmered with shiitake, cremini and portobello mushrooms, plus leeks, white wine and cream.
Minestrone
Giada De Laurentiis punches up the flavor of this rustic Italian soup by adding garlic, pancetta and Parmesan to her simmering stock pot. Serve it the bowls with some crusty Italian bread to mop up that wholesome, tomato-y beef broth.
Split Pea Soup
While most split pea soups reel in a little smokiness from a ham bone, Ina Garten’s healthy recipe is so good it doesn’t even need it. With 250-plus top reviews, Parker’s Split Pea Soup is thick and creamy without the cream, and it’s vegetarian to boot.
Italian Wedding Soup
Simmered with a traditional mix of green vegetables and meat, Giada De Laurentiis’ take on Italian Wedding Soup has garnered over 300 reviews. Strewn with curly endive and homemade beef and pork meatballs, it’s a hearty bowl ready to go in just 35 minutes.
