12 Days of Holiday Soups

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Warm up your home and heart with 12 Days of Holiday Soups: cozy, healthy, and easy-to-make soups perfect for the holiday season. From Polish classics to creamy veggie blends, these recipes bring comfort, tradition, and nourishment to your Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving table.

As a chef and nutrition consultant, I love this time of year, the smells, the cozy food, and the way soup just seems to make everything better. In Poland, I was raised on soups, and we often ate them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We eat a lot of soup during the winter and holiday seasons.

The holiday season is usually busy for everyone, and sometimes you just need something warm, easy to make, and nourishing. That’s where soup comes in. Whether you’re planning your Christmas dinner, hosting a holiday party, or just want a cozy bowl after a long day, these 12 holiday soups are full of flavor, comfort, and nostalgia.So grab a pot, light a candle, and let’s cook our way through the holidays, one bowl at a time.

12 Days of Holiday Soups

1. Creamy Polish Dill Pickle Soup

This one always surprises people. It’s tangy, creamy, and a little salty, kind of like the best parts of a pickle and mashed potatoes in one bite. In Poland, this soup is pure comfort food, and trust me, once you try it, it becomes a craving.

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2. Kapusniak (Sauerkraut Soup)

If there’s one soup that tastes like a Polish winter, for sure it is kapusniak. One of my favorite soups is nourishing, tangy, and filling. Made with sauerkraut, root veggies, and sometimes smoky meat, it’s hearty, sour, and full of depth. Perfect for cold evenings and even better the next day when the flavors come together.

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3. Creamy Parsnip Soup

Parsnips are often underrated, and we Poles have a special affection for them. They go in many dishes during the winter season. They’re slightly sweet, nutty, and when you blend them up, you get this silky, dreamy cream soup. I love making this for a holiday party, it’s simple but feels elegant, and it’s packed with flavor and warmth.

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4. Polish Wild Mushroom Soup

This one is pure Christmas magic. No kidding! If you haven’t had this traditional Polish soup, you need to try it! The smell alone, earthy mushrooms simmering away, takes me right back to childhood. It’s rich, woodsy, and deeply satisfying. In Poland, it’s often part of Christmas Eve dinner, and it just feels special every single time.

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5. Cream of Roasted Acorn Squash and Tarragon Soup

A combination of squash and tarragon is absolutely delicious. The roasting brings out its sweetness, and tarragon gives it that lovely herbal flavor that is very unique. Easy to make soup that tastes fancy, and it is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or any holiday gathering.

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6. Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup is a classic holiday soup that should find its way to your table because it is velvety, slightly sweet, and incredibly comforting. I love adding a different spice or coconut milk to make it extra creamy. It’s one of those soups that works for any holiday table, from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

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7. Cream of Celery Root Soup

Celeriac, or celery root, is a staple in Polish kitchens. It’s earthy, slightly sweet, and makes the creamiest soup when blended. It’s one of my go-tos when I want something simple but a little different. Perfect for a cozy night in or as a starter at Christmas dinner.

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8. Creamy Purple Sweet Potato Soup

This one is just gorgeous, that deep purple color looks so festive on your table! It’s naturally sweet, super creamy, and loaded with nutrients. It’s one of those soups that makes people say, “Wow, what is this?” and then go back for seconds.

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9. Traditional Ukrainian Borscht

Borscht is vibrant, tangy, and absolutely full of flavor. The beets give it that gorgeous ruby color, and the veggies make it hearty but still light. It’s especially lovely during the Christmas season, with a spoon of sour cream and some crusty bread on the side.

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10. Butternut Squash Soup with Pistachio Gremolata

This is one of my favorite holiday soups because it’s a little fancy but super easy to make. The creamy butternut base is enhanced by a bright, fresh topping of pistachios, lemon, and herbs; it really wakes up your taste buds. It’s perfect for a holiday dinner or to impress guests.

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11. Creamy Potato Leek Soup

You can’t go wrong with a classic. Nothing better than a combination of potatoes and leeks! They are meant for each other. The leeks give it a gentle oniony flavor, and the potatoes make it smooth and cozy. It’s perfect when you want something simple, familiar, and comforting.

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12. Polish Christmas Barszcz (Borscht)

This is the heart of the Polish Christmas table, a clear beet broth, tangy and aromatic, often served with tiny mushroom dumplings. It’s elegant, traditional, and absolutely full of meaning. For me, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without it.

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So there you have it, 12 Days of Holiday Soups that’ll keep you warm, nourished, and happy all season long. Whether you’re making something traditional like barszcz or trying something new like purple sweet potato soup, each one brings its own little bit of magic to the table. They’re healthy, easy to make, and perfect for sharing with the people you love most.Which one will you start with?

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