Feel like a kid again by making one of these comforting soup recipes from Grandma's recipe box. With one spoonful you'll feel like you're back in her kitchen!
Grandma’s Best Homemade Soups
Updated on Feb. 22, 2024
Grandma’s Chicken ‘n’ Dumpling Soup
I’ve enjoyed making this rich homemade chicken dumpling soup recipe for more than 40 years. Every time I serve this type of soup, I remember my southern grandma, who was very special to me and was known as an outstanding cook. —Paulette Balda, Prophetstown, Illinois
1/27
2/27
3/27
Minestrone with Turkey
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (about 2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember my mom making this soup; now I make it for my kids as often as I can. It's a good way to use up leftover vegetables. Sometimes I add a can of rinsed and drained kidney or garbanzo beans. —Angela Goodman, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups (calculated without cheese): 172 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 1251mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.
4/27
Lemony Turkey Rice Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma cook. Lemon and cilantro add a deliciously different twist to turkey soup.
—Margarita Cuellar, East Chicago, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 166 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1047mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
5/27
Loaded Potato-Leek Soup
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings (about 1-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a child, my mother made potato and onion soup because it was affordable and fast. I’ve trimmed the calories, but it’s still a comforting family favorite. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without sour cream): 108 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 593mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
6/27
Egg Drop Soup
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We often start our stir-fry meals with this fast egg drop soup — it cooks in just minutes flat. There are many versions of the recipe, but we like the easy addition of cornstarch to thicken the soup and give it a rich, golden color. I got the recipe from my grandma’s old cookbook. —Amy Beth Corlew-Sherlock, Lapeer, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 39 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 714mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
7/27
Slow-Cooker Potato Soup
Total Time
8 hours 45 min
Servings
12 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to put twists on my grandmother's recipes, which is what I did with this one. I look forward to passing my own delicious comfort food recipes to my kids. —Jamie Chase, Rising Sun, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 447 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 1512mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein.
8/27
Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother was a pastor's wife, and she did a lot of cooking for potlucks. This recipe is one she created herself. I serve it frequently to my husband and to our four children. Every one of them is a hearty eater! —Marlene Doolittle, Story City, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 429 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 1012mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 34g protein.
9/27
Borscht Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother used to make this hearty soup from her garden's bountiful crop of beets and other vegetables. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 48 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
10/27
Roasted Tomato Soup
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto. —Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 276 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
11/27
Turkey Dumpling Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Simmering up a big pot of this soup is one of my favorite holiday traditions. This is a variation on a recipe my mom made while I was growing up. My husband and children can't get enough of the tender dumplings. —Debbie Wolf, Mission Viejo, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 185 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 724mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
12/27
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 this amazing pie crust, and I added this delicious chicken potpie soup for 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.
13/27
Curried Chicken Corn Chowder
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is close to one my mom used to make for us kids when the weather turned cold. Hers called for heavy cream, but I came up with a slimmer version that I think is pretty true to the original! —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 229 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.
14/27
Tomato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this soup is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. — Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 104 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
15/27
Sausage and Kale Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom dehydrates the last pick of tomatoes from her garden each fall—perfect for quick soups like this one. When I have time to prepare dried beans, I do—but don't worry if you don't. Canned beans are just as good. —Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 217 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 868mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
16/27
Hearty Quinoa & Corn Chowder
Total Time
40 min
Servings
14 servings (3/4 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother lived in the Appalachian Mountains and always served straight-from-the-garden corn and beans. I updated her dish with quinoa and herbs. — Kari Napier, Louisville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 264 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 485mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.
17/27
Split Pea Soup Mix
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
4 servings (1 quart soup) per batch
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother sent me some of this pretty dry blend along with the recipe. The hearty soup is thick with lentils, barley and peas, and chicken is a nice change from the usual ham. —Susan Ruckert, Tangent, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 158 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 117mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.
18/27
Colorful Three-Bean Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings (about 3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was growing up, my mother prepared many different soups, each seasoned just right. She often made this colorful combination that's chock-full of harvest-fresh goodness. It showcases an appealing assortment of beans, potatoes, carrots and spinach.
-Valerie Lee, Snellville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 158 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 meat.
19/27
Italian Vegetable Soup
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings (2 qts.)
From the Recipe Creator:
This Italian zucchini soup recipe was given to me by my neighbor. Nice and simple, it's a good way to use a lot of your zucchini and other garden vegetables. It freezes well and is great to have on hand on a cold winter day. —Clara Mae Chambers, Superior, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 156 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 1046mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
20/27
Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings (21/4 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
When the weather turns cold, get cozy with a bowl of this butternut squash soup. The cream adds richness, but if you're looking to cut calories, it can be omitted. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 157 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 3g protein.
21/27
Turkey Sausage Bean Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is from my great-grandmother, though I've added a few ingredients to make it my own. Serve it with a side salad and some artisan bread for a wonderful, hearty family dinner. —Terrel Porter-Smith, Los Osos, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without cheese): 168 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 585mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat.
22/27
Meatball Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup is just like a meal in a bowl ... or for heartier appetites, serve it with a sandwich. It's great for chilly days. —Sue Miller, Walworth, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 248 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 20g protein.
23/27
Rivel Soup
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For years, I'd been trying to figure out how my grandmother made her rivel soup. Then I discovered that it wasn't just something she came up with, but a prized heirloom recipe. Many families have their own special version. —Kathy Kegley, Rural Retreat, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 169 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
24/27
Lemony Mushroom Orzo Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (2-3/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother used to make a similar classic Greek soup, avgolemono, every Sunday after church. Here’s my version of her recipe. The kids and I came up with this variation while experimenting with different ingredients. I think my yia-yia would be proud. —Nick Haros, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 225 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 1243mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein.
25/27
Beef Cabbage Soup
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a little girl, I helped my parents work the fields of their small farm. Lunchtime was always a treat when Mother picked fresh vegetables from the garden and simmered them in her big soup pot. We loved making this delicious recipe. —Ethel Ledbetter, Canton, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 116 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
26/27
English Pub Split Pea Soup
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of the slow cooker, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for five hours, and come back to "soup's on." Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 141 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.
27/27
Ham & Potato-Rutabaga Chowder
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
The ingredients in this dish are a nod to my mother's tasty potato and rutabaga side dish, which was always paired with baked country ham; dishes she served during the cold months when I was a child. Whenever I make this chowder it brings me back to a time when life was just a little bit simpler. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 254 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 776mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
