5 winter soup recipes to warm you up

A warm bowl of winter soup featuring veggies, grains, spices, proteins and more can keep you cozy this season.

If you’re experiencing frigid temperatures this winter, you may be looking for ways to warm up.

If not, it's time to find some! Stews, chili, gumbos, bisques and soups galore are certainly the stars this time of year — and not just because they can warm us all up. Winter bowls offer an easy way to pack in good-for-you produce, settle in on sick days, cobble together cost-effective meals and even bolster your body's defenses with immune system superfoods during cold and flu season.

But while online recipes are a dime a dozen, it can be challenging to discover healthy soups that won't shortchange you on flavor. Fortunately, plenty of those exist — if you know where to look. With picks from the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and other go-to sources, here's what you should consider adding to your recipe box this winter.

1. Turkey and veggie chili

Who doesn't love an easy family favorite? This gluten-free and high-fiber chili recipe from the American Diabetes Association can be thrown together into a single pot and ready to serve in a half-hour. A rich assortment of veggies —including tomatoes and carrots — give this bowl its color, and they also deliver immunity-supporting vitamins A and C. Turkey and beans contribute a savory warmth many crave during wintertime, as well as the protein power you might need to get through those bitterly cold days.

2. Butternut squash soup

Make the most of seasonal powerhouse butternut squash with this cozy-colored bowl. Coming from the American Heart Association, this soup features 2 grams each of fiber and protein and can be made even faster by buying precut and packaged squash from the store. Not only does it go down smooth and easy, but it's also a good source of vitamins A, C and copper — which all help the immune system function as it should. Consider freezing in smaller one-serving containers to make reheated meals in a flash.

3. Chicken noodle soup

What would a winter soup list be without the classic chicken noodle? This soup from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate program might take a while to cook — about three hours — but the effort is worth it, especially when a family member or friend is under the weather. With carrots, celery and onions, you get your veggies with the familiar hearty delights of homemade broth, chicken and noodles. Cook this up in a big batch, and send it to loved ones. Nothing lifts your spirits and stokes nostalgia like a delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup!

4. Curry soup

You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this international, meat-free bowl from the Peace Corps. This Cambodian curry is a natural choice for the wintertime. With its blend of fresh herbs, it's almost like sipping from a hot and soothing mug of tea. This recipe features turmeric, ginger and lemongrass — all known for their unique health benefits, including disease-fighting antioxidants. You'll enjoy the fragrant combination of ingredients.

5. Vegan superfood soup

This pick from Well and Full lives up to its name and then some. With greens, hemp seeds, bell peppers and so much more, you'll pack in the essentials your body needs by the spoonful. As the author suggests, you can customize the recipe to your liking or based on what you have in the pantry — for example, try adding in grains to level up the heartiness.

Warm up to a hearty bowl of goodness

Nothing says winter like a warm and comforting bowl of veggies, grains, spices, proteins and more, so start the season off right and escape the cold-weather blues with these delicious winter soup recipes. And if you need more healthy inspiration, don't forget to look through top-rated picks from the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association and MyPlate. Your next delicious dish awaits!