Many vegetarians complain that they only get served dishes with pasta and cheese, because no one can think of anything else they can eat. Meat free soups are a fantastic recipe idea for vegetarians and vegans alike because they can be packed with flavour and nutrition too, even without meat!
Say goodbye to the same, boring meals over and over again, and say hello to a few wonderful meat-free soup recipes that you and your friends and family will love – even the meat-eaters amongst them.

Why Choose Meat Free Soups?

Vegetarians choose not to eat meat, chicken or fish and vegans choose not to eat any kind of animal products, which includes eggs, cheese and dairy. So, if you have a vegan or vegetarian coming over for dinner, or if you are one yourself, then serving a delectable, easy meat free soup is a great way to pack in lots of nutrients and is ideal for both cold and warm weather.

There are also so many different kinds of meat-free soups that you’ll never have to try the same one twice unless you love it of course. Let’s talk about the health benefits of meat-free soups now and then we’ll give you some of the best meat-free soup recipes that we love.

The Health Benefits of Meat Free Soups

If you’re wondering what the benefits of meat free soups are, the short answer is, plenty! Soups – whether meat-free or not – are known to be nutritionally-dense thanks to the number of vegetables and whole grains that can be added. Here are a few other reasons why hearty meat-free soups are healthy to eat;

• Meat-free soups are low in calories, making them excellent meal options for people that are trying to lose weight or trying to eat a lighter meal at dinner time.
• Soups with beans, legumes, green leafy vegetables and starchy vegetables are packed with nutrients and vitamins, making them highly nutritious.
• You can add your five vegetables quota for the day into one meal when you create a soup.
• Kids love soup and they are a good way to disguise healthy vegetables into a meal.
• Ideal for vegetarians and vegans alike.

Meat Free Soup Recipes That The Whole Family Will Love

The key element in meat-free soups (and any soup for that matter) is flavour. If you don’t add flavour in the form of sauces, stock, herbs, and spices, you will end up with a soup that is bland and not very appetising. We’ve selected our top five meat-free soup recipes that are made even more delicious thanks to Knorr sauces and stock pots;

Butternut soup

is a firm soup favourite of many South Africans. This recipe is hearty and creamy and is best served with fresh, crusty, warmed bread.

Mushroom Soup

This soup is a perfect meal idea for lunch or dinner and combines the flavours of onion, garlic, celery and mushrooms into one hearty, creamy, meat-free soup.

Cauliflower Soup

It might not sound as amazing as it tastes, but this soup is rich and flavourful combining coconut milk, garlic and roasted cauliflower into one sumptuous dish.

Italian Lentil and Spinach Soup

With its clean and simple flavours, this light Italian-style lentil soup is delicious served hot with grated Parmesan cheese (if you’re not vegan) and warm hunks of wholewheat bread. You can add any other vegetables of your choice to this dish, like celery or red peppers.

Spiced Roast Carrot and Coconut Soup

Rich in vitamin A and packed with important antioxidants, carrots are the hero ingredient in this soul-warming vegan soup flavoured with ginger, garlic and chillies. Roasting carrots helps to intensify their natural sweetness. Use coconut milk to round out the flavours and serve with plenty of warm crusty bread. For more recipes and other great mealtime ideas, visit What’s For Dinner today.