Discover easy ways to build flavour and enjoy homemade soup

Written by Vivian Cui, a student in the  Food, Nutrition and Health  Program at the University of British Columbia, and reviewed by Registered Dietitian, Amy Yiu.

Why does good soup matter? 

All soup recipe variations have practically the same base ingredients, but how do you make soup really the star of the show? As most of us know, soup is generally a simple dish that can pack a lot of nutrients for fewer calories. When made with nourishing ingredients, such as lean meat or vegetables, it can even be associated with lowering blood pressure and increasing heart health. Together, broth, simple ingredients, and time can transform into a simple yet satisfying meal.

If you’re new to making soup or interested in taking your soups to the next level, here are 7 simple tips on how to make soup taste amazing and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Get started with one of our favourites: the Pork & Apple Herbal Soup recipe below!

Key Takeaways

• Soup is a simple, comforting dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
• Choosing a few well-matched ingredients and using techniques like sautéing and simmering helps build balanced flavour.
• Herbs and seasonings make it easy to customize soup to your personal taste.
• Garnishes and sides add texture and make the meal feel more complete.
• The pork and apple herbal soup recipe is a cozy option and a great way to try something new at home.

7 Tips on How to Make Soup Taste Great

1. Choose 3 to 4 main ingredients 

Most soups are simple. Overcomplicating them can create a clash of flavours and be the opposite of what you want to achieve. Not sure what kind of soup you want to try? Check out these easy soup recipes. 

You can also substitute some ingredients for healthier alternatives.

• Switching out the heavy cream for silken tofu and soy milk for a lactose-free, vegan replacement. 
• Similarly, you can use unsweetened Greek yogurt and milk. Greek yogurt is notable for being high in protein and can be an easy way to boost protein while still enjoying your favourite soups
• Use oil in moderation to caramelize vegetables, such as onions, for extra flavour.

2. Start with aromatics and fats

Fats can be a vehicle to trap that beautiful garlic flavour in your potato soup or help caramelize onions to perfection in your French Onion Soup. 

3. Sear or roast before you simmer 

• Searing your vegetables can help seal in their flavours so they don’t get lost in the final product.
• Roasting vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, and garlic in the oven can add another layer of deep, smoky flavour.
• Let it infuse longer by simmering it in its own flavourful broth.

4. Choose broth over water 

People tend to use water, but if you want a good soup, try using store-bought or homemade vegetable broth or chicken stock. That extra umami from the broth can enhance your soup even more.

Fact or myth: Is bone broth still nutritious if you boil it for over an hour?

The short answer is YES — and here’s why:

A study examined bone soup cooked for 10 hours and found that minerals continued to increase the longer it cooked, while proteins and free amino acids increased until they began decreasing around ~9 hours. Maximum flavour compounds were also found around 4–5 hours. As long as you’re not cooking soup for 9+ hours, this study suggests it will still be very nutritious.

5. Spicing things up

Spices are your ultimate tool and can absolutely make or break your soup! Keep aromatics to a controlled amount, especially in broths; you don’t want the spices to overpower the broth itself.

Don’t know where to put your seasonings? Try these recommended soups! 

• Dried Basil: Tomato soup, chicken noodle soup 
• Smoked paprika: Red pepper soup, vegetable soup, chickpea soup, lentil soup, mushroom soup 
• Dill: Roasted cauliflower soup 
• Dried oregano: Tomato soup, vegetable soup 
• Ras el Hanout Spice: Lentil soup, carrot soup, potato soup 
• Italian Herb Blend: Minestrone 
• Thyme: Butternut squash soup, potato soup, black bean soup 
• Rosemary: Chicken noodle soup, minestrone, tomato soup, black bean soup, potato soup 
• Fresh basil: Tomato puree soup 
• Dried shallots: French onion soup, broccoli soup, mushroom soup, butternut squash 
• Maharajah Curry: Curry stews, carrot soup, potato soup 

6. Last-minute corrections

Have you ever tasted your soup right as it’s about to be served and it feels like it’s missing something? Try ladling out a small portion and adding a bit of salt, acid, or sugar.

• Salt can be plain kosher salt, or even a parmesan rind if you have it on hand.
• Acids: most people lean towards tomato paste or a dash of sour cream.
• Sugar: adding a small amount can help balance a tangy tomato soup and make it more neutral to the palate. On the other hand, if you’ve added too much, try these 5 tips to fix it.

7. Toppings and sides 

Now that you’ve cooked up a hearty pot of soup, you’re not done just yet. Try finishing the bowl with a bright garnish; think of it as a way to make it visually eye-catching while also balancing any missing textures. Believe it or not, pairing your bowl of soup with a little extra something can enhance the flavours!

• Some of our favourite toppings and sides include:
• Crushing up chips for extra crunch in your chicken noodle soup.
• Cubes of halloumi sprinkled on top of your tomato purée soup.
• Garlic bread for dipping.
• Yellow squash casserole on the side! Find some other classic favourite side dishes that pair well with soup here. 

The Bottom Line

Knowing how to make soup taste great takes practice! Whether you choose to add more spices to make it earthier, include extra protein in that cauliflower purée soup, or keep it plain and simple, soup gives you creative freedom in the kitchen while crafting a beautiful and hearty meal. Enjoy your favourite soups with ease; after all, soup is one of life’s many treasures. If you want to stay updated with new soup recipes, be sure to check out our website blog from time to time. And remember, good soup comes with patience and practice.

Try one of our favourite soup recipes below: 

Pork & Apple Herbal Soup Recipe  

Recipe by Cook with 3C (Traditional Chinese Medicine Dr. Jennifer Gao, Chinese Cuisine & Herbal Chef Jason He, Registered Dietitian Amy Yiu) 

Ingredients:  

• 500g of pork shank 
• 2 green apples (medium) 
• 4 Chinese water chestnut (fresh or canned) 
• 1-2 pears or dried Chinese pear 

Herbal ingredients: 

• 20g of ginseng 
• 20g polygonatum root 
• 20g of barley 
• 1 piece of dried tangerine peel 
• 2 sweet dates  

Step by step:  

1. Boil a pot of water for blanching, then prepare the pork shank. 
2. Clean and slice the pork shank into small pieces. 
3. Blanch the pork shank in boiling water, then set aside. 
4. Rinse the apples and remove the core. 
5. Cut the apples into similar sizes as the pork shank, then set aside. 
6. Peel and wash the water chestnuts. 
7. Wash the ginseng, barley, polygonatum root, sweet dates, dried tangerine peel, and dried pear. 
8. Put all of the ingredients in a soup pot, add water, and bring to a boil over high heat. 
9. After it’s boiling, turn it to a low heat and simmer for two hours.  
10. Season to taste, and serve. 

Let us know what your favourite soups are in the comments below! 

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