How Do I Turn Soup into a Complete Meal?

Most vegetable-based soups are nutritious but light. A bowl of minestrone or tomato soup will not keep most people full for a full evening. Three additions turn a soup from a starter into a dinner.

Add a complete protein

Stir in cooked shredded chicken or shrimp, drop in a soft-boiled egg, swirl in Greek yogurt, or serve the soup over cooked lentils or chickpeas. Aim for 20 to 30 grams of protein per serving to make it work as a full meal.

Add a grain or starch

A scoop of farro, barley, or rice stirred in, or a piece of crusty bread or a slice of toasted sourdough on the side: these provide the sustained energy that broth-based soups often lack. The Authentic Ribollita builds the grain (bread) directly into the soup.

Add a fat-based topping

A drizzle of good olive oil, a spoonful of pesto, a swirl of tahini, or a handful of toasted nuts adds richness and slows digestion. These toppings also make the soup feel more like dinner than a starter.

The Marry Me Chickpea Soup, the Lentil Spinach Stew, and the Harira Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup are all designed to work as complete meals.

Sous can help you build out any soup into a full dinner. Available in the Kitchen membership at chefhealthyhenry.com.