10 Thick, Rich, Hearty, Meal-In-A-Bowl Winter Soups from Savvy Vegetarian

When it’s cold and snowy, and the days are short and dark, I just want to stay in with a good book and a bowl of hot sustaining soup.

I get my exercise shopping for soup ingredients and cooking the soups. On days I actually make it to the gym, I might eat two bowls at once.

My Top 10 All Time Favorite Vegan Winter Soups:

These substantial winter soups all involve beans or lentils. They may have grains or pasta added, or can be served with whole grains or pasta or bread. Make them on the stove top, in a crock pot or even in a pressure cooker.

Adapt these meals in a bowl to your taste, and make your tummy very happy!

Barley Bean Veggie Soup ^[1]

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Since this recipe makes a BIG pot of soup, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd. It’s great served with a salad & corn bread, delicious sprinkled with dairy or non-dairy cheese, or nutritional yeast (nooch).

Total Prep & Cook Time: 60 Min

8 Servings

Nutrition Data Per Serving (no added salt): 195 cal, 37g carb, 3g fat, 163mg sodium, 8g fiber, 8g protein. Low saturated fat & cholesterol, good source Vit. A, C, K, B6, Folate, Potassium & Manganese. Estimated glycemic load 15

Black Bean Soup ^[2]

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Earthy black bean soup, seasoned with cumin and the mild heat of jalapeño chile. This flavorful soup will delight the pickiest eaters.

Total prep & cook time: 50 min

6 Servings

Nutrition Data Per Serving: 251 Calories, 14g protein, 2g fat, 41g carbs, 17g fiber, 237mg sodium, low saturated fat & cholesterol, good source Vit C, Iron, Potassium, Copper, Vit A, Folate. Estimated Glycemic Load 16

Lentil Coconut Spinach Soup ^[3]

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Thick, rich warming curried lentil soup recipe. I’ve used both brown and French lentils with good effect. Pressure cooker directions are included.

Total prep & cook time: 55 min, 25 min pressure cooker

6 servings

Nutrition Data, 88g Serving: 164 cal, 39 fat cal, 5g fat, 3g saturated fat, 23g carb, 9g protein, 12g fiber, 133mg sodium, 2g sugars, low cholesterol, good source Vit A, Vit C, Vit K, Folate, Manganese, Iron. Estimated glycemic load 8

Lentil Potato Cauliflower Soup ^[4]

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Lentil, cauliflower and potato soup, a slew of compatible ingredients in mildly curried broth - a perfect winter soup recipe, light and hearty at the same time. From Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons by Nava Atlas.

Total prep & cook time: 50 min

8 Servings

Nutrition Data, 333g serving: 280 cal, 52g carb, 4g fat, 50mg sodium, 15g fiber, 13g protein, Low Saturated Fat & Cholesterol and Sodium, good source Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Potassium and Manganese, Vit C, Vit K, Folate. Estimated glycemic load: 18

Mung Dhal Vegetable Soup ^[5]

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Vegan crockpot mung dhal soup calls for sweet potato & spinach, also delicious with cauliflower, carrot & green beans, potato or butternut squash.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 6 hrs crockpot, 1 hour stove top

8 Servings

Nutrition Data, 236g Serving: 147 cal, 22g carb, 4g fat, 424mg sodium, 4g fiber, 6g protein, low Cholesterol. Estimated glycemic load 10

Pasta Fagoli ^[6]

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Easy Italian Pasta Recipe: Thick, hearty vegetarian pasta and bean soup, ready to eat in half an hour.

Or make this pasta bean soup in the slow cooker to eat later, with generous slices of crusty artisan bread.

Total Prep & Cook Time: 45 min

4 Servings

Nutrition Data, 194g Serving: 305 cal, 47g carb, 8g fat, 55mg sodium, 10g fiber, 14g protein, low Cholesterol, good source of Vit A, K, Folate. Estimated glycemic load 21

Quinoa Chili ^[7]

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Our quinoa chili is so good, you should double the recipe, or you’ll be sad that there isn’t any left over. If you’re cooking for only one or two, then this recipe might just make enough chili.

Total Prep & Cook Time: 60 Min

6 Servings

Nutrition Data, 194g Serving: 227 cal, 39g carb, 4g fat, 183mg sodium, 8g fiber, 11 g protein, low Cholesterol, good source Vit C, Folate. Estimated Glycemic Load 17

Quinoa Red Lentil Stew ^[8]

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Light and easily digested, yet satisfying and nutritious, this easy quinoa stew is a perfect one pot meal. What really makes it special are flexible vegetable options and a generous hand with seasonings.

Prep Time: 20 min. Cook Time: 5 - 6 hr

8 Servings

Nutrition Data Per Serving, 116 g: 143 cal, 23 g carb, 3g fat, 191 mg sodium, 5g fiber, 8g protein, low Saturated Fat, Cholesterol; good source Vit B6, Folate, Iron, Phosphorus, Copper, Vit A, Vit C, Vit K, Manganese. Estimated glycemic load 11

Red Lentil Kidney Bean Stew ^[9]

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Perfect to make when you come home feeling tired and hollow inside. You’ll feel brand new with the first bite! Delicious with quinoa or brown rice.

Total Prep & Cook Time: 30 min

4 Servings

Nutrition Data, 233 g Serving: 263 cal, 34 fat cal, 45g carb, 5g sugars, 4g fat, 247mg sodium, 10g fiber, 14g protein, low Cholesterol, high in Vit. K. & Folate. Estimated glycemic load 19

Zoës Vegetarian Chili ^[10]

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Guaranteed To Satisfy Starving Teenagers, also perfect for serving to non-veg family or guests - it’s so tasty, satisfying & colorful they don’t notice it has no meat. And it can be dressed up with cheese or sour cream.

Total Prep & Cook Time: 60 Min

6 Servings

Nutrition Data, 189g Serving: 293 cal, 52g carb, 6g fat, 291mg sodium, 12g fiber, 13g protein, low Cholesterol, good source Vit A, C, K, Folate, Potassium. Estimated glycemic load 22

More Savvy Veg Soup Recipes ^[11]