22 Quick and Easy Soup Recipes Ready In 30 Minutes Or Less

When time is short but you’re craving something warm and comforting, these quick and easy soup recipes come to the rescue. Each of these 22 delicious soups can be on your table in 30 minutes or less, making them perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. From hearty meat-based options to vegetarian delights, these soups deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Hearty Meat and Poultry Soups

These protein-packed soups will satisfy even the hungriest appetites while coming together in record time.

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup

This robust soup combines the savory flavors of Italian meatballs with a tomato-based broth that’s enriched with vegetables and pasta. The pre-made meatballs (either homemade or store-bought) are the secret to this soup’s quick preparation time. Simply brown the meatballs, add broth, tomatoes, and your favorite small pasta shape, then finish with fresh herbs for a soup that tastes like it simmered all day.

Avocado Soup with Chicken and Lime

Bright, creamy, and packed with protein, this Mexican-inspired soup brings together the rich texture of avocados with tender chicken and zesty lime. Using rotisserie chicken cuts down on cooking time dramatically. The soup gets its velvety consistency from blended avocados rather than cream, making it a healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. The lime juice adds the perfect amount of acidity to balance the creamy avocado, while cilantro brings a fresh, herbaceous note.

Pho-Inspired Vietnamese Soup

While traditional pho takes hours to develop its deep flavors, this quick version captures the essence of the beloved Vietnamese soup in just 30 minutes. The trick is using store-bought beef broth that’s enhanced with aromatic spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. Thinly sliced beef cooks directly in the hot broth, and pre-packaged rice noodles need only a quick soak. Top with bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, and sriracha for an authentic experience in a fraction of the time.

Albondigas Soup

This Mexican meatball soup is surprisingly quick to prepare despite its complex flavors. Small, seasoned meatballs cook directly in a tomato-based broth alongside carrots, potatoes, and zucchini. The meatballs are often flavored with mint and rice, which adds both texture and helps them hold together. The soup comes together in about 25 minutes but tastes like it’s been simmering for hours.

Fantastic Fish and Seafood Soups

Seafood is perfect for quick soups because it cooks in minutes while providing wonderful flavor and nutrition.

Quick Manhattan Clam Chowder

Unlike its creamy New England cousin, Manhattan clam chowder has a tomato-based broth that comes together quickly. Using canned clams and their juice provides instant flavor, while diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions add substance. A dash of hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce gives the soup depth, and the entire dish can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

Easy Thai Shrimp Soup

This bright and aromatic soup features the classic Thai flavors of lemongrass, ginger, lime, and coconut milk. Shrimp cook in just minutes, making this exotic-tasting soup one of the quickest options on the list. Pre-made Thai curry paste helps develop complex flavors without requiring dozens of individual spices. Mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and fresh cilantro round out this vibrant soup that’s ready in about 20 minutes.

Quick Cioppino

Traditional San Francisco cioppino can take hours, but this streamlined version delivers the same seafood-forward flavors in just 30 minutes. The key is starting with a flavorful tomato broth enhanced with white wine and clam juice. Quick-cooking seafood like shrimp, scallops, and chunks of firm white fish are added near the end. Pre-cooked crab meat can be stirred in just before serving for an extra-special touch.

Vegetarian and Vegan Delights

These plant-based soups prove that meatless options can be just as satisfying and quick to prepare.

Pasta Fazoolander

This playful take on pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans) is both hearty and quick to make. Canned white beans provide instant protein, while small pasta shapes cook directly in the broth to save time. A base of sautéed onions, carrots, celery, and garlic builds flavor quickly, and a Parmesan rind (optional for strict vegetarians) adds incredible depth. The soup is finished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Fast Gazpacho

This no-cook Spanish tomato soup is the ultimate quick recipe, requiring just a blender and fresh ingredients. Ripe tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and garlic are blended with bread soaked in water to create a smooth, refreshing soup that’s perfect for hot days. A splash of sherry vinegar brightens the flavors, and the soup can be served immediately or chilled for a more traditional presentation.

Quick Miso Soup

This Japanese staple comes together in literally five minutes. The foundation is dashi (instant dashi powder works perfectly here) and miso paste, which creates a savory, umami-rich broth. Soft tofu cubes and thinly sliced scallions are traditional additions, but you can customize with spinach, mushrooms, or whatever vegetables you have on hand. This simple soup is surprisingly satisfying and makes a perfect starter or light lunch when paired with a salad.

15-Minute Lentil Soup

Using quick-cooking red lentils is the secret to this nutritious soup that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Unlike their green or brown cousins, red lentils break down quickly, creating a naturally creamy texture without any dairy. A blend of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric gives the soup a warm, earthy flavor profile. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors and brings the dish together.

Creamy Comfort Soups

When you’re craving something rich and velvety, these creamy soups deliver satisfaction without the long cooking time.

Instant Potato Leek Soup

This classic French soup usually requires long simmering, but this version uses a clever shortcut: instant mashed potato flakes. They add body and creaminess to the soup in seconds. Leeks are quickly sautéed until soft, then broth is added along with the potato flakes. A splash of cream at the end creates a luxurious texture. The soup can be served chunky or blended smooth depending on your preference.

Quick Cream of Mushroom

Miles better than the canned version, this homemade cream of mushroom soup takes just 20 minutes from start to finish. The key is cooking the mushrooms over high heat to quickly develop their flavor and evaporate their moisture. A roux of butter and flour thickens the soup, and a combination of broth and milk or cream creates the perfect silky texture. Fresh thyme and a splash of sherry elevate this simple soup to something special.

Rapid Tomato Bisque

This velvety tomato soup comes together in about 15 minutes, yet tastes like it simmered for hours. The secret is starting with good-quality canned tomatoes (fire-roasted add extra flavor) and adding a touch of cream to create the signature bisque richness. A pinch of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, while fresh basil adds a fragrant, herbal note. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate comfort meal.

Global Flavors in Minutes

These internationally-inspired soups bring exotic flavors to your table in record time.

Express Tortilla Soup

This Mexican favorite typically requires long simmering to develop its complex flavors, but this version uses rotisserie chicken and prepared broth to create a delicious shortcut. The soup gets its distinctive taste from toasted dried chilies (or chili powder in a pinch) and is finished with classic toppings like crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro. From start to finish, this vibrant soup takes just 25 minutes.

Quick Mulligatawny

This Anglo-Indian soup traditionally takes hours to prepare, but our streamlined version captures the essence of the dish in under 30 minutes. Curry powder provides instant flavor, while diced apples add the signature sweet-tart notes. Coconut milk creates richness, and pre-cooked chicken cuts down on time significantly. A final squeeze of lemon juice brightens all the flavors and balances the richness of the coconut milk.

Speedy Wonton Soup

Store-bought frozen wontons turn this Chinese restaurant favorite into a lightning-fast home meal. The wontons cook directly in seasoned broth, absorbing flavor as they heat through. Baby bok choy, sliced mushrooms, and scallions add freshness and nutrition. A drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of white pepper finish the soup, which takes just about 15 minutes from start to finish.

5-Minute Greek Avgolemono

This lemony Greek chicken soup gets its creamy texture not from cream but from a mixture of eggs and lemon juice. Using pre-made chicken broth and rotisserie chicken cuts the cooking time dramatically. Orzo pasta cooks directly in the broth in just minutes. The signature egg-lemon mixture is tempered with hot broth before being stirred back into the soup, creating a velvety consistency without any dairy.

Tips for Making Quick Soups Even Quicker

• Keep a selection of broths (chicken, beef, vegetable) on hand, either in cartons or as bouillon cubes or paste
• Utilize pre-chopped vegetables from the grocery store
• Rotisserie chicken is a time-saving protein that adds instant flavor
• Canned beans and tomatoes are essential pantry items for quick soups
• Small pasta shapes, quick-cooking grains like bulgur or couscous, and instant rice all cook directly in broth
• An immersion blender can quickly transform a chunky soup into a creamy one without transferring to a blender

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can I make canned broth taste more like homemade?

A: Simmer it with aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery for just 10 minutes. Adding fresh herbs, a splash of wine, or a Parmesan rind can also enhance the flavor significantly.

Q: Can these soups be made ahead and reheated?

A: Most of these soups reheat beautifully and often taste even better the next day as flavors meld. The exceptions are seafood soups, which are best enjoyed fresh, and cream-based soups, which may need gentle reheating to prevent separation.

Q: How can I thicken a soup quickly without adding cream?

A: Puree a portion of the soup’s vegetables and return them to the pot, add instant potato flakes, stir in some cornstarch mixed with cold water, or blend in white beans for a creamy texture without dairy.

Q: What’s the best way to store leftover soup?

A: Cool soup completely before refrigerating in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Most soups also freeze well for up to 3 months, though cream-based soups may separate slightly when thawed (vigorous whisking while reheating helps).

Q: How can I add more protein to these soups without increasing cooking time?

A: Add canned beans, pre-cooked chicken or shrimp, tofu cubes, or a beaten egg stirred into hot broth (egg drop style) for quick protein boosts that don’t extend cooking time.

Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a simple starter, or a satisfying dinner, these 22 quick and easy soups prove that delicious, homemade soups don’t have to be an all-day project. With smart shortcuts and time-saving techniques, you can have a comforting bowl of soup on the table in 30 minutes or less any day of the week.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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