36 french soup recipes

Soupe de potiron is a French Provencal pumpkin soup with white onion, sage, garlic and a handful of rice for body. Pureed, then finished with Parmesan shavings. A simple, peasant-style fall soup.

Classic French leek and potato soup made with just leeks, potatoes, butter, and stock. A 5-ingredient gluten-free soup that turns pantry basics into a creamy first course or light supper.

Tangy cream sorrel soup with leeks, potatoes, and fresh herbs, pureed silky smooth. A classic French potager soup with a bright, lemony bite that's ready in 40 minutes.

Traditional Quebec habitant pea soup with yellow split peas, smoked ham hocks, savory, and thyme simmered three hours until thick and creamy. A French-Canadian classic.

Fish fumet made from sole or salmon bones simmered with white wine, bouquet garni, onion, and carrot, then strained and reduced by half. A foundational French stock for seafood sauces and soups.

Soupe de saumon a la creme is a French salmon cream soup made with a homemade fish stock, diced salmon, and whipped cream finished with fresh dill. An elegant, light first course for a dinner party.

Littleneck clams steamed open in white wine with leeks, garlic, and cream, finished with a splash of Ricard for an anise-kissed French bistro soup. Ready in 30 minutes.

Earthy lentil soup pureed to velvet smoothness and served with a delicate celery root flan. A French-inspired showstopper that turns humble lentils into fine dining.

Fish fumet, the quick French fish stock: bones simmered briefly with white wine, onion, carrot and herbs, then strained and reduced. The aromatic base for seafood soups, sauces and risotto.

A refined chilled snow pea soup with fresh tarragon, romaine lettuce, and creme fraiche, pureed silky smooth and strained. Bright spring green color and elegant French-inspired flavor.

Cold soups make for excellent summer fare. The best vichyssoise I ever had in my life was at a French restaurant during a Montreal summer. Humor me. Try the soup in the traditional manner but then, if you must heat it up, (sigh), go ahead.

Elegant red wine fruit soup with poached pears, candied orange slices, pineapple, and a crème fraîche finish. A stunning French-inspired dessert layered with star anise, vanilla, and cardamom.

Cream of artichoke and oyster soup poaches plump oysters in butter, then folds them into a tarragon-chervil pureed artichoke veloute finished with cream. Elegant French Creole first course.

Southern onion soup ladles a wine-laced caramelized onion broth over crumbled cornbread and cheese, swapping the French baguette croutons for proper Southern cornbread. A Georgia twist on a classic.

Martinique-style crayfish bisque simmered with fennel, garlic, and hot pepper, then enriched with coconut milk and egg yolks. A Caribbean French Creole soup that's silky, spicy, and deeply savory.

French onion dip from just two ingredients: sour cream stirred with a packet of onion soup mix. The classic creamy, savory party dip for chips and veggies, ready in two minutes.