Introduction
Soup is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re looking for a hearty winter soup or a light summer soup, there are plenty of recipes to choose from. But if you’re looking to make the perfect soup, you’ll need to know the secrets of the pros. Here, we’ve gathered 12 chefs’ secrets for making the perfect soup, so you can make a delicious soup every time. From the right ingredients to the right techniques, these tips will help you make a soup that’s sure to please.
12 Chefs’ Secrets for Making the Perfect Soup
Soup is one of the most comforting and versatile dishes out there. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a hearty dinner, soup is always a great option. But how do you make sure your soup is the best it can be? We asked 12 chefs to share their secrets for making the perfect soup.
1. Start with a flavorful broth
The key to a great soup is a flavorful broth. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and other aromatics in a pot with some oil. Then add your broth and bring it to a simmer. This will give your soup a great base flavor.
2. Use fresh ingredients
Fresh ingredients are essential for making a delicious soup. Use the freshest vegetables, herbs, and spices you can find. This will ensure that your soup has the best flavor and texture.
3. Don’t be afraid to experiment
Soup is a great way to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Try adding different spices, herbs, and vegetables to your soup to create unique flavor combinations. You never know what delicious creations you’ll come up with!
4. Add some acidity
A little bit of acidity can really brighten up a soup. Try adding a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to your soup to give it a nice tangy flavor. This will help to balance out the other flavors in the soup.
5. Don’t overcook the vegetables
Overcooking vegetables can make them mushy and unappetizing. To avoid this, add your vegetables to the soup at the last minute and cook them just until they’re tender. This will ensure that your soup has the best texture.
6. Add some crunch
Adding some crunchy elements to your soup can really take it to the next level. Try adding some croutons, nuts, or seeds to your soup for a nice textural contrast. This will make your soup even more enjoyable to eat.
7. Don’t be afraid to use canned ingredients
Canned ingredients can be a great way to add flavor and texture to your soup. Canned beans, tomatoes, and other vegetables can be a great addition to your soup. Just make sure to rinse them off before adding them to the pot.
8. Let it simmer
Once you’ve added all of your ingredients, let your soup simmer for at least 30 minutes. This will allow all of the flavors to meld together and create a delicious soup.
9. Taste and adjust
Once your soup is done cooking, taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or other spices to make sure your soup has the perfect flavor.
10. Garnish with herbs
Garnishing your soup with fresh herbs can really take it to the next level. Try adding some chopped parsley, basil, or chives to your soup for a nice pop of flavor and color.
11. Add some cream
Adding a splash of cream to your soup can really make it creamy and delicious. Just make sure to add it at the end of cooking so it doesn’t curdle.
12. Serve with crusty bread
Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of soup. Serve your soup with a warm, crusty loaf of bread for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Now that you know the secrets to making the perfect soup, you’re ready to get cooking! With these tips, you’ll be able to create delicious soups that your family and friends will love.
Is there anything cozier than curling up on the couch with a warm bowl of soup? Didn’t think so. As the temperature begins to drop, you may find yourself craving more of this nourishing comfort food. Instead of stocking up on bland canned versions from the grocery store, why not make a batch (or two) at home?
To help you make the tastiest homemade soup this season, we tapped chefs, nutritionists, and other food experts for some tips. From adding in unexpected ingredients, such as a parmesan rind, to making sure you have the right kitchen appliances on hand, read ahead for easy expert-approved ways you can help elevate your soup this fall. Plus, don’t miss 16 Quick & Healthy Soup Recipes That Could Help You Lose Weight.
Chef Mareya Ibrahim shares that the best soup comes from stock, and there’s truly nothing better than making, and storing, your own. “I pour chicken, veggie and beef stock into an old-school ice cube tray and freeze them,” says Ibrahim. “Then when I need the stock, I pop out the number of cubes I need and they’re perfectly portioned—versus pouring it into a big container and having to thaw everything out or waste bags.”
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Make your life easier, and soup taste better, with a stick blender that especially comes in handy when making pureed soups and broths. “A stick blender is an absolute necessity for purees, so you can do everything in one pan and not have to transfer hot soup to a blender, which can be quite dangerous,” Ibrahim says.
Yankel Polak, Head Chef at ButcherBox, recommends to never boil your soup during the cooking process. “Never more than a gentle simmer,” Polak advises, “This allows you to create a clear broth, while keeping some texture in the vegetables.”
The way you store soup is just as important as the way you prepare it—this is why you should leave your soup uncovered until it’s cooled. “Trapping the hot steam can lead to bacteria growth,” Polak shares, “I always chill my soup in an ice bath if I am in a hurry, or just open at room temperature for 30 mins before refrigerating.”
Help inject some depth into your soups by adding in canned beans with liquid. “Canned beans, with their liquid, add body and viscosity to a soup broth,” says Lisa Lotts, recipe developer, food writer, and owner and publisher of Garlic and Zest. “Don’t drain beans before adding them,” she advises.
Lotts recommends incorporating hefty greens to brothy soup recipes for an extra nutritional boost. “Avoid spinach as it wilts too quickly,” she says, “Kale and escarole are the best choices as they stay bright and add a toothsome chew.”
If you are looking to add a bit of an umami kick to your soup, Lotts suggests placing a parmesan rind into the broth as it simmers. “It flavors the soup adding a salty, umami bite without overpowering,” Lotts shares. Make sure to remove the parmesan rind before serving.
The next time you make homemade soup and feel like something is “missing”, add in a touch of citrus or vinegar to it to elevate its taste. “We often forget or omit acidic additions in soup recipes, but the brightness makes a world of difference,” shares Chef Ellie Golemb of Culinarie Kit. “A nice hit of citrus, vinegar, or wine will act as both a magnifier and a unifier for all your flavors.” Golemb recommends adding a squeeze of lemon to lentil soup, a bit of lime to tortilla soup, and a drop (or two) of balsamic vinegar to French onion soup to help brighten.
“The timing is important, too,” says Golemb, “Stir in an acidic ingredient a tiny bit at a time towards the end of cooking your soup, then allow it to simmer off for a few minutes before tasting and adjusting.”
Husband and wife chefs, Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi, of Shalom Japan in Brooklyn have a tip that will help elevate any soup: add in a square of kombu. The kombu will help bring out the umami flavors while also providing a bit of body and textural mouthfeel to any soup. They recommend adding in a two-inch square for every quart of broth.
Although it’s tempting to want to finish as quickly as possible, it’s important to take your time when cooking homemade soup. Mark Ian, Chef at Mealfan, points out that soups are best when cooked for extended periods at a low temperature. “Slow cooking at a low temperature allows the food’s flavors to mix thoroughly, giving it an even better taste,” Ian says.
Make the most out of leftover soup by storing it smartly. “To extend the freshness of your soup leftovers, fill the container three-quarters of the way,” Ian says. “It will allow air to flow and prevent the growth of mold.”
Boosting immunity is important—especially during soup season when colds and flus are seemingly everywhere. You can easily do this by adding mushrooms into your soup recipes. “Mushrooms contain beta-D-glucan, a compound that boosts IgA levels,” explains Gigi Carter, food blogger, licensed nutritionist, and co-founder of Healthy for My Purpose Academy. “IgA is an antibody—in our nose, mouth, and throat—that helps fight off illnesses,” Carter adds.