Soup Basics: Essential Ingredients and Equipment for a Flavourful Start
Learning how to make soup. It all starts with understanding which ingredients and what equipment will help you form that flavourful foundation. So before we get to ladling out steamy bowls of satisfying goodness, let’s make sure we’ve got the essential elements covered.
Ingredients for soup
There’s a handful of ingredients that should be part of your repertoire when it comes to how to make soup.
Broth or Stock
Giving your soup a flavourful base is all-important, and with a Knorr Stock Pot doing that doesn’t get any easier. From chicken, beef and lamb to fish and veggie, you’ve got all the bases covered depending on the style and character of soup you want to create.
Vegetables
If you’re looking to add a variety of veg to your diet then soups are a delicious way to do that. You can whirr and blitz just about any veg into a coup that you can get your hands on, but common options include onions, carrots, celery and potatoes.
Protein
For a satisfyingly hearty and filling soup, include some protein, like chicken, beef, turkey, pork or seafood. If you want to go plant-based, then tofu, legumes and beans will do the trick. Either way, this will give your bowl of soup that extra dimension of flavour and texture.
Herbs and Spices
If you’re tasting your soup and feel like it’s missing something, it may just be a pinch of spice or handful of herbs. Fresh or dried bay leaves, thyme or oregano can work wonders, as well as spices like paprika and black pepper. This is how you elevate the flavour profile of your soup.
Liquids
Broth will give you that integral flavour-base for your soup, but you may need other liquids to balance the consistency and profile of your soup like water, wine or tomato juice.
Equipment for soupmaking
These are the bits and bobs you’ll want to have to hand for making soup.
Large Pot or Dutch Oven
Simmering plays a big part in how to make soup, and for that a sturdy, large pot with a lid is just the ticket, like a Dutch oven – they’re simply fantastic for even cooking.
Cutting Board and Sharp Knife
A proper cutting board and sharp knife are crucial, for chopping veg, herbs and proteins. And if you’re deciding between a plastic or wooden chopping board, the wooden board may just edge it for us: your knives will stay sharper for longer, bacteria is less likely to linger (learn more about chopping board hygiene here), it’s heat resistant so you can transfer hot pots straight from the hob onto it, and it’s also far more environmentally friendly.
Sauté Pan
Releasing the flavours of the aromatic ingredients you want to add to your soup – like onions and garlic – is vital, and for that, sautéing is the name of the game.
Ladle
Serve up that delicious steamy goodness without making a mess.
Immersion or Regular Blender
For a wonderfully smooth texture, you’ll need to puree ingredients – depending on the type of soup you want to make, of course. An immersion blender allows you to directly blend in the pot you’re cooking in which is quite handy.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
For accurate measurements to achieve the right balance of flavours.
Strainer or Sieve
Your best friends when it comes to removing solids and achieving a silky-smooth broth.
Now that you know which ingredients and what equipment will help with how to make soup, let’s move on to looking at the herbs and spices in more detail...
The Role of Spices, Herbs, and Seasonings in Soup-Making
An important aspect of how to make soup is elevating the flavour profile – the last thing anyone wants are spoonfuls out of the bowl that land disappointingly flat on the taste buds. To boost the flavour of your soup, you’ll want to turn to spices, herbs and seasoning, and we’ll run through a few of those in a bit more detail below.
Spices
Cumin
Flavour profile: offers an earthy, nutty, and slight smokiness, with a hint of citrus.
Soup uses: pairs well with bean-based soups, and soups that have Mexican, Middle Eastern, or Indian influences.
Paprika
Flavour profile: depending on the variety, it can be sweet, smoked, or hot, but will always have a subtle earthiness and slight peppery taste to it.
Soup uses: elevate the profile of tomato-based soups and stews, and perfect for if a touch of smokiness is desired.
Coriander
Flavour Profile: provides a citrusy, slightly sweet, and slightly peppery taste.
Soup uses: complements soups featuring root veg, carrots, spuds, and a great addition to Med-inspired soups.
Cayenne Pepper
Flavour profile: delivers heat with a spicy and slightly fruity flavour.
Soup uses: has a punch so use sparingly, but reach for it whenever you want a dash of heat in your soup, like in a creamy potato or butternut squash soup.
Herbs
Basil
Flavour profile: a fresh, sweet, and slightly peppery taste with hints of mint and clove.
Soup uses: a classic herb for tomato-based soups, as well as pesto-flavoured and Italian-inspired soups.
Thyme
Flavour profile: provides an earthy, woody, and slightly floral flavour with a subtle citrus undertone.
Soup uses: pairs well with poultry, veggie, and creamy soups like chowder and bisque.
Rosemary
Flavour profile: offers a robust, pine-like flavour with a hint of lemon.
Soup uses: complements roasted veggie soups, bean soups, and lamb-based soups.
Parsley
Flavour profile: a fresh, herbaceous taste with mild notes of earthiness and pepper.
Soup uses: a versatile herb that can garnish a wide range of soups and adds a pop of colour and freshness.
Seasonings
Salt
Role: essential for enhancing the overall flavours of the soup and helps balance sweetness, bitterness, and acidity.
Tip: season gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-salting, as it's quite hard to correct once you’ve used too much.
Pepper
Role: adds a subtle heat and complementary towards the other flavours in the soup.
Tip: best to use freshly ground pepper for the most robust flavour.
Garlic
Role: infuses a rich, aromatic quality and depth into the soup, enhancing its overall flavour.
Tip: you can use minced or crushed garlic, and it's often sautéed with other ingredients at the beginning of soup-making to release its flavour.
Mastering the use of spices, herbs and seasoning means your soups will go from good to great. All it takes is some practice and a lot of tasting, but that perfect bowl is out there, waiting to be created…
Adding the Finishing Touches with Soup Garnishes
You’ve done all your blitzing, whirring and blending, and you’ve carefully given your soup the right amounts of herbs, spices and seasoning. But there’s still one more step in how to make a soup that shouldn’t be forgotten. It’s the finishing touch: the garnish.
They not only enhance the visual appeal of your bowl but also introduce yet more complementary textures, flavours, and aromas. Here are some popular garnishes and how they help to take your soup to the next level:
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs like basil, coriander, parsley, and chives provide a burst of freshness and colour.
They’re typically sprinkled over the soup just before serving, and their vibrant green hues are hugely appealing to the eye.
Citrus Zest
Grated citrus zest, such as lemon or lime, adds a bright, zesty aroma and a subtle tang to your soup.
It's an excellent choice for creamy or rich soups to cut through their richness.
Croutons
Crispy croutons add a delightful crunch to your soup, creating a pleasing textural contrast.
You can make croutons from day-old bread, season them with herbs and spices, and toast them until golden brown.
Grated Cheese
Grated cheese, such as Parmesan, cheddar, or Gruyère, can be sprinkled over hot soups for a creamy, salty finish.
It's particularly popular for French onion soup and creamy potato soups.
Sour Cream or Yoghurt
A dollop of sour cream or Greek yohgurt adds creaminess, a touch of tanginess, and richness to your soup.
It's an excellent choice for tomato soups.
Crispy Bacon or Pancetta
Crumbled or finely chopped crispy bacon or pancetta offers a savoury, smoky flavour and a satisfying crunch.
It pairs exceptionally well with potato soups, chowders, and split pea soup.
Nuts and Seeds
Toasted nuts (e.g., almonds, pine nuts) or seeds (e.g., pumpkin or sunflower seeds) provide a nutty, crunchy element to your soup.
They work nicely with creamy, pureed soups and bisques.
Drizzled Olive Oil or Pesto
A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a swirl of pesto can add richness, depth, and a burst of flavour.
It's a great enhancement for veggie-based soups and gazpacho.
Sliced Avocado
Creamy slices of avocado bring a creamy, buttery texture and a mild, nutty flavour to your soup.
They are a wonderful addition to gazpacho and chilled veggie soups.
Freshly Ground Pepper
A final twist of freshly ground black pepper can add a subtle heat and depth to your soup's flavour.
While an important in the actual making of your soup, it’s also a simple but effective garnish for nearly any type of soup.
The choice of garnish should complement the flavour and style of your soup. Whether it’s a little bunch of fresh herbs to brighten up a light broth or crispy bacon to add richness to a hearty stew, think of garnishes as the crowning touch that transforms your soup into something truly memorable.
Vibrant Plant-Based Soups for Every Palate
To help get you started with your soup making endeavours we have a whole array of recipes that you can give a go. They cater to any and all occasions and taste preferences, and they’re all bursting with goodness and flavour.
The best thing is, you’ll find that making them isn’t as hard as you’ve thought.
Explore all our soup recipes here.
