Four Fall Favorite Soups

Some areas of the country are still in the dog days of late summer while our northern states are on the tail end of fall. Wherever you are in the country, or in the world, soup season is likely heading your way soon. Here are 4 different ideas for soup season, all featuring recipes developed by the defense commissary agency to be simple, nutritious, and budget friendly.

1. Chili– the comfort soup full of protein. The best thing about chili is that it can be thrown together with whatever mix of beans, tomatoes, and ground meat you like. With the right seasonings, it’s hard to mess this one up. And there’s something familiar and cozy about the smell of chili on the stove with hot cornbread right out of the oven. If you’re looking for a chili recipe, try this vegetarian chili for a starting base. It’s simple, flavorful, budget friendly, and can be customized to your personal preference of spices, beans, vegetables, or even meat.
2. Chicken and dumplings- a great catchall for leftovers. When it comes to holiday meals, leftovers can be the best part, or the overwhelming last straw that sends an exhausted cook over the edge. Thankfully, this chicken and dumplings recipe is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas feasting. 
3. Broth soup with veggies- a lighter fare that goes perfectly with a crusty bread. Nothing says “feel better soon,” like a bowl of flavorful broth full of veggies with a crusty bread to dip into it. A Spicy turkey sausage and kale chili is a great way to pack in those extra nutrients without sacrificing flavor. **If you’re battling tummy trouble, it may be better to choose a less spicy sausage option.
4. Meat and vegetable stew- the ultimate meal in a bowl. Whenever I think of cold winter evenings, I think of homemade stew simmering on the stove and homemade bread (or canned biscuits if we’re being honest). Try a hearty beef stew like this one for a filling dinner that makes cleanup a breeze. 

An honorable mention for soup would be any kind of creamy, vegetable-based soup, like baked potato, butternut squash, or even a cheesy broccoli. Creamy, vegetable soups can be a simple, comforting way to add flavor and nutrients into your family’s meal routine. Whatever your dinner routine looks like, remember to prioritize the relationships with the people gathered around your table. It’s the people, not the food, that ultimately create a feeling of safety, warmth, and belonging that make us so excited to gather around tables together during soup season. 

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As a nutrition expert, one of the things I appreciate most is quality groceries for my family. As a military spouse, I’ve experienced a variety of grocery options including living 100 miles from the Arctic Circle. In our time in Interior Alaska, we lived 40 minutes from the closest grocery store, other than our local commissary. When I combine my expertise as a Registered Dietitian with my tenure as a military spouse, here are the easiest ways I’ve found to shop for healthy groceries on base-even in the most remote of locations.