Soup is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and meat while also creating a warming meal. It makes for a great winter meal because it's wholesome, versatile and inherently warm. Whether you want to try something different at home or you want to serve something new in your restaurant or takeaway below we have 6 of the tastiest best soups for you to try this winter.

1. Chicken tortilla soup

Chicken tortilla soup is a hearty, spicy and nutritious soup that can be made from scratch with ingredients you likely have in your pantry. The chicken tortilla soup recipe below makes 6 servings. This makes it a great option for family dinners or if you're hosting friends and want to serve something easy but filling. You’ll need some chicken breasts, canned tomatoes, chicken stock and some onions to get this soup started.

Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker. Pour your tinned tomatoes on top and then add the onion and chicken broth. Remember to add some spicy seasonings like chilli powder and cayenne to give it a kick! Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until the meat falls apart easily when touched with a fork or tongs.

2. Beef noodle soup

Beef noodle soup is a delicious and hearty soup that uses beef broth as the base. The broth can be made easily at home by boiling beef bones for several hours, but if you’re looking for an easier way to get this delicious soup in your belly, try using store-bought beef stock cubes instead. You can add any vegetables to the broth, but onions and carrots are a good place to start. Celery also makes a nice addition!

When you're ready to add your meaty ingredients, try using thinly sliced steak or stew meat—but if you want to make things even easier on yourself (and who doesn't?), then consider purchasing mince from the butcher instead of slicing up individual pieces yourself. If possible (and depending on how much time you have), use locally sourced grass-fed ground beef; it'll taste better than pre-packaged frozen supermarket brands with added fillers like sodium nitrate or MSG.

3. Beef barley soup

It's no surprise that this soup is a favourite in the winter months. It's rich and creamy, but you can adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes. Beef barley soup is made with beef and barley, but it can also be made with other meats or vegetable broth instead of beef broth. It's an excellent source of iron and vitamin B, making it a good choice for anyone wanting to add more nutrients to their diet or increase their energy levels.

Beef barley soup is also a great cost effective recipe. Barley gives the soup its rich texture and the great thing is it's cheap and also filling. Barley is full of fiber that is great for filling up. If you are offering take out soup beef barley soup is a great option to keep your customers satisfied. It's also a great option for making in bulk at home for those cold nights when you want a filling and comforting meal.

4. Caldo verde

Caldo Verde is a soup made with potatoes, kale, and sausage. The origin of this traditional Portuguese soup comes from the Minho region (northeastern Portugal), where the locals used to eat it after they slaughtered their pigs. In more recent times, Caldo Verde has become a popular dish nationwide and can now be found on menus throughout Portugal as well as the UK.

It's a great option for a restaurant menu with its vibrant colours. The kale gives the soup a glorious green colour. If you cooking at home its ideal for a special meal such as birthdays or valentines day.

5. French onion soup

French onion soup is a rich, aromatic broth with caramelised onions, croutons and cheese. It's usually served hot—but it can be made with beef stock or chicken stock. The broth can also include white or red wine. To make French onion soup, follow the steps below:

• Slice the onions very thin (no more than 1/8-inch thick). Place in a large pan and cover with cold water; let sit for 15 minutes; drain well.

• Add butter to the pan and sauté onions over low heat until almost soft (about 20 minutes). Add thyme, salt and pepper to taste; continue to cook slowly until browned (about 45 minutes total). 

• Remove from heat; add broth gradually while stirring constantly until desired consistency is reached (if too wet for your liking, remove some of the liquid before adding cheese). Cover the surface of the soup with croutons; sprinkle grated Gruyere cheese on top just before serving).

6. Leek and coconut milk soup

Add a twist to a traditional favourite. This simple soup takes leek and potato soup and gives it a creamy finish with a tang of chilli. Add some oil to a pan and add leeks, potatoes and chilli. Sweat down and then add your stock. Simmer until your potatoes and leeks are soft and cooked through. At this point you can leave your soup chunky or use a food processor for a smooth soup. Next add coconut milk, lime zest and lime juice. Add salt, pepper, and chilli to taste.

This recipe is not only tasty but also very versatile. It can easily be made vegetarian or vegan by choosing vegetable stock. Not only can it be vegan but it can also be added to a healthy choices menu. You could even offer additional chopped chilli’s to alter the spice levels.

Serving your soup

Whether you have gone for a simple soup or something more complex how you serve your soup matters. At Cooksmill we have a massive selection of crockery to suit both your needs and your colour choices. We have modern reactive glazes, classic whites, and unbreakable melamine for fast-serve businesses or homes with small children. If you offer soup to go we have you covered too with heavy duty disposable paper soup containers.

Shop Aura by Porcelite

The Aura collection has four new modern reactive glazes which are sure to delight diners and chefs alike. Perfect for adding a touch of modern style and colour to any soup dish.

Shop Simply White Crockery

The Simply collection is made from professional vitrified porcelain. It's a classic style that will last a life time. Let the colours of your soups shine.

Shop Soup Containers

A great collection for soup on the go!

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