Gumbo, ham chowder, creamy chicken and dumplings—these hearty southern soups are comfort food at its finest. Bold flavors from the South are now officially on the menu.
30 Recipes for Southern Soups That Will Warm Your Soul
Updated on Mar. 04, 2025
1/30
Chicken and Dumplings
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured the little dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It's one of those soups you'll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 470 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 892mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
2/30
Corn Chowder with Bacon
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 335 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 592mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
3/30
Vegan Jambalaya
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This flavorful vegan entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 281 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein.
4/30
Ham and Bean Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like ham and bean soup but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty and quick version will leave you with a satisfied smile. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 300 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 1383mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 13g fiber), 22g protein.
5/30
Brunswick Stew
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
24 servings (6 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Brunswick stew dates back to the 1860s, when it was served as a complete meal. We now use it as an accompaniment to barbecues. It is delicious picnic fare when served with country ribs, coleslaw or potato salad. When I make this stew, I double the recipe and freeze small portions so we can enjoy it at several meals. —Alyce Ray, Forest Park, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 151 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 348mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
6/30
Black-Eyed Pea Soup
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I had eaten this soup countless times at a small restaurant in our town. When the owner finally retired, he said I deserved the secret recipe and passed it along. Now my family enjoys this soup at least once a month! —Alice Jarrell, Dexter, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 145 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 731mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
7/30
Lowcountry Boil (Frogmore Stew)
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ideal for camping and relaxing trips to the beach, this crowd-pleasing recipe makes an appetizing presentation of perfectly seasoned meats, veggies and seafood. —Mageswari Elagupillai, Victorville, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 500 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 212mg cholesterol, 1318mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 40g protein.
8/30
Red Bean Vegetable Soup
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Cajun seasoning boosts the flavor of this brothy soup. The easy recipe makes a big batch that's loaded with beans and fresh veggies. —Ronnie Lappe, Brownwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 158 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 8g fiber), 11g protein.
9/30
The South in a Pot Soup
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
With black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, ground beef and comforting spices, this soup has every wonderful memory from my childhood simmered together in one tasty pot. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schapp, Cincinnati, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 267 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
10/30
Chicken and Andouille Gumbo
Total Time
2 hours 40 min
Servings
9 servings (3-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Gumbo goes back to 1700s Louisiana. Today's version is just as hearty using andouille sausage. Serve it with cornbread or crusty French bread. —Billy Hensley, Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups (calculated without rice): 544 calories, 39g fat (9g saturated fat), 175mg cholesterol, 1514mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
11/30
Jambalaya
Total Time
4 hours 50 min
Servings
11 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
During chilly times of the year, I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup jambalaya: 230 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1016mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
12/30
Crawfish Bisque
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This seafood-rich bisque tastes complex and sophisticated but is surprisingly quick to make. The crawfish are the star of the show here, but a luxe and creamy broth provides them with a worthy setting. A splash of mild sherry vinegar at the end helps brighten the flavors. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 269 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 147mg cholesterol, 901mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
13/30
Easy Chicken Corn Chowder
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings (1-1/2 quart)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I haven’t planned for dinner, I often play around with ingredients in my pantry instead of running to the store. This recipe was a happy experiment. Cut some fat by omitting the bacon—it’s still tasty. —Barbara Banski, Fenton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 474 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 1252mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
14/30
Shrimp Chowder
Total Time
3 hours 45 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I simmer my rich and creamy shrimp soup in the slow cooker. Because the chowder is ready in less than four hours, it can be prepared in the afternoon and served to dinner guests that night. —Will Zunio, Gretna, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 202 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 169mg cholesterol, 745mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
15/30
Chicken Cabbage Soup
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get cozy with this hearty chicken soup with cabbage. Packed full of veggies, it is a wonderful recipe to use up the ingredients you have on hand. Consider adding turnips, rutabagas or frozen peas. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 114 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 677mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
16/30
Ham Chowder
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My five children all agree that this soothing recipe is wonderful. The soup is full of potatoes, carrots and ham. The best part is that I can get it on the table in only a half hour of hands-on time. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 404 calories, 26g fat (12g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 1081mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
17/30
Potato Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll be surprised at the taste of this rich and cheesy easy potato soup. It really is the best potato soup recipe ever. I created it after enjoying baked potato soup at one of our favorite restaurants. I added bacon, and we think that makes it even better. —Coleen Morrissey, Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 250 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
18/30
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We enjoy this soup for lunch with crispy rolls and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 312 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 699mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat.
19/30
Cajun Corn Soup
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
14 servings (3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this recipe years ago and substituted Cajun stewed tomatoes for a bolder taste. Now I prepare this dish for out-of-state guests who want to taste some Cajun food. Everyone who tries it gives it high marks. Plus, it's easy to prepare. —Sue Fontenot, Kinder, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 396 calories, 24g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 1011mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
20/30
Chicken Potpie Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings. (21/4 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother hand-wrote a cookbook. She included her amazing pie crust, and I added this delicious chicken potpie soup to go with it. —Karen LeMay, Seabrook, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups soup with 3 toppers: 614 calories, 30g fat (9g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 1706mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein.
21/30
Oyster Stew
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
I was introduced to oyster stew while in high school and instantly fell in love with its rich and creamy flavors. Serve it with your favorite crackers or bread. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 265 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 780mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
22/30
Shrimp Gumbo
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
11 servings (2-3/4 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
A crisp green salad and crusty French bread complete this shrimp gumbo meal. I always have hot sauce available when I serve this and have found that the instant microwave rice packages make the process a little easier. —Jo Ann Graham, Ovilla, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 159 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
23/30
Cajun Potato Soup
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
3 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
Cajun potato soup is the perfect mashup between southern comfort and your grandma's beloved potato soup recipe. Made with traditional ingredients like chunks of potatoes, cheese and cream, the soup has a kick of heat that comes from the addition of spicy andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning for a well-rounded blend of flavors. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 305 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 812mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein.
24/30
Black-Eyed Pea Sausage Stew
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I always wanted to try black-eyed peas. I happened to have smoked sausage on hand one night, so I invented this full-flavored stew. It's the perfect way to heat up a cold night without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I usually double the seasonings because we like our food spicier. —Laura Wimbrow, Bridgeville, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 346 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 1378mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 16g protein.
25/30
Burgoo
Total Time
3 hours
Servings
24 servings (7-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A Kentucky Derby favorite, this hearty, comforting meat-and-vegetable stew will feed a large crowd. It takes a bit of effort but is worth it. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 265 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 404mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
26/30
Louisiana Gumbo
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Gumbo is a stew-like dish made with meat or seafood, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and okra. Serve it with hot pepper sauce on the side so guests can add their own heat. —Gloria Mason, Springhill, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 397 calories, 24g fat (5g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 643mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
27/30
Vegetable Beef Soup
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
26 servings (9-3/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When you need to feed a crowd, consider this beefy favorite loaded with both fresh and frozen veggies. —Sue Straughan, Prattville, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 245 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1090mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 18g protein.
28/30
Cream Cheese Chicken Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After tasting a similar soup in a restaurant, I went home and cooked up my own version. It's so soothing served with crusty French bread on a winter evening. For a change of pace, try substituting ham or turkey for the chicken. —Kathleen Rappleye, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 272 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 504mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
29/30
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love this cheesy dish. It is proof that soup doesn't need to be made in big batches to be good. —Cheryl McRae, West Valley, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 494 calories, 37g fat (24g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1145mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
30/30
Duck Gumbo
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family and friends just love this delightful, rich gumbo—it's such a unique way to serve the wild bird. We like that the meat is tender but not greasy. With all the wonderful spices, this gumbo is a flavorful main dish. —Doris Heath, Bryson City, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 334 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
Southern Soups FAQ
What are the most popular southern soups?
There are many to choose from, but offerings like gumbo, beef stew and seafood chowders always come out on top. These classic southern favorites are remixed in home kitchens again and again.
What is swamp soup?
Despite its less-than-appealing name, southern swamp soup is a bold, savory blend of sausage, turnip greens, beans and assorted vegetables. The name also refers to a viral swamp soup TikTok recipe made with spinach, parsley, chicken and jalapenos.
What southern soup recipes can you make ahead of time?
You can make many soup recipes from the South ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer. Soups like okra stew, chicken and dumplings, or any soups made with beans are all excellent options for the make-ahead route. Prepare the soup according to the recipe directions and stash it in an airtight container in the fridge. Or, if you prefer, freeze soup and then thaw it in the fridge overnight for a fuss-free southern dinner.
