These vegan soup recipes combine layers of vegetables and plant-based ingredients to create ultra-cozy soups like hearty lentil soup and creamy coconut milk curries.

18 Best Vegan Soup Recipes

Mulligatawny Soup
The combination of coconut milk and lentils gives this soup a rich backbone and an incredible texture. If you can’t find split pigeon peas (aka toor dal), you can substitute red lentils.
Vegetable Lentil Soup
Lentils cook up nicely in the slow cooker. No need to soak them in advance, just rinse them well and add them to the pot with a melange of butternut squash and other veggies. This is a cheap soup recipe that will keep your belly full.
Vegan Potato Soup
This thick, hearty potato soup takes advantage of the many good vegan butter and milk substitutes on the market today. (Try one of our favorite nondairy milk brands if you don’t have a favorite yet.) The result is a creamy soup that no one would guess is vegan.
Moroccan Chickpea Stew
In this recipe, a Moroccan spice blend adds complexity and heat to a simple plant-based stew. Pair the soup with couscous or pita bread—or it make a gluten-free dinner by serving the soup with rice or quinoa.
Whether you’re a vegan or simply trying to eat more plant-based foods, we have these vegan main dishes for you!
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
The most surprising ingredient in this butternut soup? Apple! The fruit draws out the natural sweetness of the butternut squash. The squash is so creamy that it becomes silky-smooth when blended, no dairy required. If you enjoy this, then you must check out our collection of dairy-free soups.
Pumpkin Soup
This is one of the simplest vegan soups around, since the main ingredient comes in a can. No need to use fresh pumpkin here since the uniform, super-smooth texture of canned pumpkin actually works best. A dash of coconut milk, maple syrup and cinnamon make this one of our best fall recipes.
Bean Counter Chowder
This soup is everything you want on a chilly day: simple, cozy and filling. Use your favorite type of mild bean, like great northern beans or cannellini beans.
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
Many split pea soups include ham, which adds smoky flavor and richness to the broth—but it’s not the only way to make a really good pea soup. This vegan recipe adds mustard for an umami flavor, as well as a sweet, complex base of leeks, potatoes and carrots. This soup is perfect for people new to vegan recipes.
Vegan Cabbage Soup
Shredded cabbage makes an affordable and healthy base for a vegan soup. The cabbage slowly simmers in a cozy, tomato-rich stock until it becomes tender and super-savory. To fill out a full meal, add a can of beans to the pot.
Easy Gazpacho
Many gazpacho recipes are naturally vegan, since they’re meant to be quite simple, showcasing the flavor of in-season tomatoes. This sweet-tangy recipe is delicious in a big bowl at lunchtime, and it also makes a refreshing party appetizer.
Vegan Carrot Soup
The trick to a velvety smooth carrot soup isn’t cream—it’s potatoes. Adding a Yukon Gold to your recipe will lend a super-smooth texture that doesn’t dilute the delicate, sweet flavor of carrots. Serve the soup with crusty bread and your favorite vegan butter.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
A good vegetable soup recipe balances spices with a rich tomato broth, both of which are naturally vegan. When you add lots of veggies, you won’t even miss the meat.
Vegan Tortilla Soup
When eating vegan, it can be a challenge to get enough protein. This tortilla soup includes a hefty portion of quinoa, which is a good (and gluten-free) source of protein. Adding a topper of cubed avocado makes it hearty enough for dinner.
Mushroom and Broccoli Soup
This soup is a great kid-friendly vegan recipe. While the recipe calls for only one bunch of broccoli, you can also add finely sliced broccoli stalks (save them in the freezer to use in this soup).
Cabbage Barley Soup
To lend a tasty tomato flavor, this soup adds an unusual ingredient: V8 juice. A mix of cabbage, carrots and mushrooms pack plenty of nutrients, while barley and lentils are filling and hearty.
Vegan Potato Leek Soup
A classic French recipe, potato leek soup is famous for its simplicity and elegance. Serve as a starter course before a plant-based dinner, and don’t skip a vegan dessert!
Italian White Bean Soup
To add more vegetables than the simple mirepoix and zucchini mix in this soup, add bell peppers, spinach or broccoli. You can also skip the jalapeno if you prefer not to add heat.
Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This vegan broccoli “cheddar” soup recipe is creamy, rich and comforting. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners or to make ahead and store as a freezer meal. Enjoy the soup along with these vegan comfort foods, or keep it simple and serve it in bread bowls.
Vegan Soup Recipe FAQ
How do you thicken vegan soup and chili?
In general, the longer you cook a vegan soup or stew, the more it will thicken. You can also add starchy ingredients, like rice or pureed squash, carrots or other root vegetables. These starchy veggies give soups a decadent creamy texture without adding any extra ingredients. In chili, mashing or pureeing the beans will thicken it up.
For more creaminess, work in plant-based dairy substitutes like lactose-free milk, vegan butter or full-fat coconut milk. Or, if you have a bit more time on your hands, soak cashews in water to make a nutty, cheese-like cashew cream.
How do you add flavor to vegan soup recipes?
For flavorful vegan soups, start with a classic mirepoix, use a rich vegetable broth instead of water, and add your favorite herbs and spices. Dried mushrooms like porcini and shiitake add umami flavor to whatever liquid they’re soaked in, so we like to add a small amount of those to savory stews. The longer you cook your soup, the more the flavors will develop (hence why soup always tastes better the next day), so the slow cooker is your best friend.
Can you freeze vegan soup recipes?
Freezing soup is a great way to stock your freezer with easy comforting meals. In general, broth-based soups freeze better than dairy-based soups, so vegan soup is great for the freezer. However, soups with starches like pasta, cubed potatoes and rice don’t freeze amazingly because those ingredients soak up the liquid and become mushy when reheated.