30 spring soup recipes that are fresh, light and ideal for snacking
70 spring dinner ideas to celebrate the season
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time commitment: 40 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, <500 calories, gluten free
The only way to eat fresh peas that’s better than popping them in your mouth at the farmer’s market is to gently simmer them with aromatics and mix them with every spice you can find.
Download the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time commitment: 7 hours, 15 minutes
Why we love it: <500 calories, vegan, slow cooker recipe
Winter, we love your hearty, comforting meals, but it’s time for a change of pace. This slow cooker number is gluten and dairy free yet satisfying.
Download the recipe
Maria Siriano/The probiotic kitchen
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: <30 minutes, low sugar content
Restrictive diets are out and nourishing your body with nourishing, filling ingredients is in. Here, miso soup gets an upgrade with soba noodles and mushrooms.
Download the recipe
Pinch Yum
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, <30 minutes, dairy free
Vegetables are not forbidden, so throw everything you have in your vegetable drawer in the pan. Think soup meets salad in the best way possible.
Download the recipe
The endless meal
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: vegetarian, <30 minutes
Thanks to tofu and chewy udon noodles, no one will miss the meat. It’s light, bright, and an absolute delight—not to mention eight varieties of veggies.
Download the recipe
Plays well with butter
Equal parts cozy and fresh, save this one for a day when it’s still cold enough to wear your puffer coat. The dumplings are as easy to make as mixing cookie dough.
Download the recipe
Well plated by Erin
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Is it just us, or are people going wild for the asparagus season? Get ready for the madness with this green bowl. It is enriched with Greek yogurt instead of whipped cream for a lighter taste.
Download the recipe
MICHELLE K. MIN/SPICEBOX KITCHEN
Pozole is a hominy-based soup of pre-Hispanic origin in Mexico, usually reserved for special occasions. FYI, the toppings are not optional: they add flavor, texture, and color that make the meal.
Download the recipe
Pinch Yum
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, beginner friendly, <500 calories
It is firmer than canned chicken noodles, but not as heavy as a stew. Basically, it’s our ideal spring dinner (and don’t even get us started on the tortilla strips).
Download the recipe
Pinch Yum
Time commitment: 45 minutes
Why we love it: beginner friendly, <500 calories
This soup has a secret: it’s made with rotisserie chicken, so it only takes 45 minutes to prepare.
Download the recipe
The modern one actually
Time commitment: 50 minutes
Why we love it: <500 calories, gluten free, low carb
The trick to spring-ready chowder is to keep the texture silky smooth, not gloppy. The easiest way to achieve that effect is to thicken the soup as little as possible – here it’s cornstarch, but you can also substitute flour if you’re not gluten-free.
Download the recipe
How sweet eat
Time commitment: 45 minutes
Why we love it: suitable for special occasions, suitable for beginners
Tender meatballs, bright citrus fruits, and plenty of spinach make for a springtime soup that’s both comforting and refreshing. Pass the crusty bread for dipping, please.
Download the recipe
So much food
Time commitment: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Why we love it: vegetarian,
The charred poblano crema takes this meal from “good” to “Are there seconds? This is great.”
Download the recipe
Spoon Fork Bacon
Time commitment: 55 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, special occasion worthy
Bring on the fresh herbs, mushrooms and especially spices. Making your own curry paste adds so much more flavor than using store bought ones.
Download the recipe
The defined dish
Adding sweet red peppers and fennel to an otherwise standard tomato soup gets it out of winter and into the light. (And we love how it tastes like romesco sauce.)
Download the recipe
Minimalist bakery
Time commitment: 40 minutes
Why we love it: gluten free, vegan, Instant Pot recipe
It’s not easy being green…unless you’re this plant-based version of pea soup, which is made in the Instant Pot and tastes like a garlic dream.
Download the recipe
Cookie and Kate
Forget what you know about creamy soups. This one is made without a single drop of dairy, yet has a velvety texture and rich flavor.
Download the recipe
The modern one actually
Time commitment: 55 minutes
Why we love it: gluten free, child friendly
It’s not quite warm enough for a mussel pastry, but we can dream. This soup, which can be made with fresh or canned clams, will satisfy our appetites just fine.
Download the recipe
Pinch Yum
Time commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, <10 ingredients
Simple, healthy, and a little spicy, this springtime soup will clear up your lingering cold without weighing you down.
Download the recipe
Give me an oven
Time commitment: 35 minutes
Why we love it: gluten free, vegan
The key to brightening up any dish is to add a ton of fresh citrus, and this high-protein lentil soup is no exception. (Bonus, you can make it in your Instant Pot or slow cooker.)
Download the recipe
Give me an oven
Time commitment: 40 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, dairy free
This is the equivalent of a baked potato stripping off his winter coat and putting on a cute short-sleeved top for spring. It’s brothy and spicy, but bacon still comes to the party.
Download the recipe
How sweet eat
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: vegetarian, <30 minutes
There is pasta for fun and chickpeas for #health. What else do you want?
Download the recipe
Cookie and Kate
Time commitment: 25 minutes (plus cooling)
Why we love it: no cook, make ahead
It’s never too early to start thinking about chilled soup, especially when false summer rolls around. Use cherry tomatoes if your store’s product selection isn’t ideal.
Download the recipe
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Aran Goyoaga
Time commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why we love it: make ahead, beginner friendly, crowd pleaser
We love how simple this spring soup recipe is precisely because it allows for tons of customization. Use leeks instead of onions, Swiss chard instead of spinach, you get the idea.
Download the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time commitment: 15 minutes
Why we love it: beginner friendly, <15 minutes
Is there a sweet spot between emptying a can of soup and sitting on a simmering pot all day? Yes, and it’s this blender beauty that’s ready in 15 minutes.
Download the recipe
Two peas and their pod
Time commitment: 35 minutes
Why we love it: crowd pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Serve this fan favorite with tons of crusty bread and a big, fresh salad for the ultimate dinner. Psst: The leftovers freeze beautifully.
Download the recipe
Give me an oven
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: <30 minutes, beginner friendly
It’s the season for fresh artichokes, but you can also use straight from a jar for convenience.
Download the recipe
Party at home
Time commitment: 30 minutes
Why we love it: gluten free, vegetarian
You had us at pesto, and again at vegan-optional. Try adding miso paste or parmesan zest for more depth of flavor.
Download the recipe
The endless meal
Time commitment: 28 minutes
Why we love it: gluten free, <30 minutes
Minestrone is the perfect one for spring because you can dump all the veggies in your pot and call it a day.
Download the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Why we love it: beginner friendly, crowd pleaser
We yearn for summer, but can settle for mediocre tomatoes as long as they pop in the oven for a bit to concentrate the flavor.
Download the recipe
29 spring salads that are easy, fresh and full of seasonal produce
Katherine Gillen is senior food editor of PureWow. She is a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to whip up sugary sweet desserts in a patisserie kitchen, now she’s an avid home cook and avid baker.