10 Best Broth-Based Soup Recipes for a Light Meal

You may not know that broth-based soups can boost your immune system. You're likely familiar with classic recipes like Chicken Noodle, but there are many more options. You'll discover a variety of soups, from Vegetable Broth to Tom Yum, that are perfect for a light meal. Now, you're probably wondering what other recipes made the list, and how they can benefit your health.

1. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup is a comforting and soothing dish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless chicken breast
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces egg noodles

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in a little bit of oil until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until it's browned on all sides.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Add the thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
6. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions and drain.
7. Add the cooked noodles to the pot and stir to combine.
8. Serve the soup hot and enjoy.

2. Vegetable Broth Soup

Delicious and healthy vegetable broth soup made with various vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 potatoes, chopped
• 1 celery, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the dried thyme.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

3. Chicken and Rice Soup

Classic comfort food made with chicken and rice in a savory broth.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in a little bit of oil until softened.
2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Add the rice, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot, stirring to combine.
5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender.
6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

4. Light Minestrone Soup

Light Minestrone Soup is a hearty and healthy Italian-inspired soup.

Ingredients

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can cannellini beans
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 can diced zucchini
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Chop the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery into small pieces.
2. In a large pot, sauté the chopped vegetables in a little bit of oil until they're tender.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, diced zucchini, basil, and oregano to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

5. Spicy Tom Yum Soup

Spicy Tom Yum Soup is a Thai dish made with aromatic spices and sour broth.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons of tom yum paste
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 onion
• 1 cup of mixed mushrooms
• 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon of grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon of lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic, onion, and ginger and sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the tom yum paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and add the mushrooms, tomatoes, and coconut milk.
6. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the soup has thickened slightly.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and lime juice.
8. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

6. Roasted Vegetable Soup

Roasted Vegetable Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish made with roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 potatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cut the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
3. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
4. Roast the vegetables in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until tender.
5. In a large pot, combine the roasted vegetables and vegetable broth.
6. Add thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
8. Purée the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender.
9. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

7. Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy butternut squash soup for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
3. Place the squash on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.
4. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
5. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
7. Scoop the roasted squash into the pot and add the chicken broth.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
9. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
10. Stir in the heavy cream and serve hot.

8. Clear Chicken Broth

Clear Chicken Broth is a light and flavorful base for soups.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
• 4 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 4 sprigs of fresh parsley
• 6 quarts of water
• 2 tbsp black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Rinse the chicken and remove the giblets and neck.
2. Chop the carrots and celery into large pieces.
3. Peel and crush the garlic cloves.
4. Combine the chicken, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, parsley, water, peppercorns, and bay leaves in a large stockpot.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours.
6. Skim the foam and fat that rises to the surface periodically.
7. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or container, discarding the solids.
8. Let the broth cool, then refrigerate or freeze it for later use.

9. Asian Style Wonton Soup

Delicious Asian-style wonton soup with savory broth and tender dumplings.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 package round wonton wrappers
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup finely chopped cabbage
• 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and bring to a boil.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together ground pork, grated ginger, chopped cabbage, and chopped scallions.
3. Lay a wonton wrapper on a flat surface and place a tablespoon of the pork mixture in the center.
4. Dip your finger in water and run it along the edges of the wrapper, then fold the wrapper into a triangle and press the edges together to seal.
5. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
6. Carefully add the wontons to the boiling broth and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.

10. Healthy Lentil Soup

Healthy Lentil Soup is a nutritious and flavorful dish packed with protein and fiber.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Rinse the lentils and drain well.
2. Chop the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery.
3. In a large pot, sauté the chopped vegetables in a little water until tender.
4. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and thyme to the pot.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Conclusion

You've survived the exhaustive list of broth-based soups, and now you're a connoisseur, ready to dazzle friends with your tom yum skills, or boringly serve chicken noodle soup - the epitome of culinary excitement. Your taste buds (and diet) will thank you, or not, as you set out on this cattle-call of soups, because, let's face it, they're all pretty healthy.