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    Home » Soups and Chowders » Healthy Soup Topping Ideas

    Healthy Soup Topping Ideas

    Published: Jan 11, 2020 · Modified: Oct 14, 2022 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 18 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Image and text overlay for healthy soup topping ideas
    PInterest Pin for Soup Garnish Ideas. Soup toppers in small bowls with labels
    Image and text for ideas for garnishing a bowl of soup
    image with text overlay for soup topping ideas
    PInterest Pin for Soup Garnish Ideas. Soup toppers in small bowls with labels

    Lots of ideas for healthy soup toppings and garnishes to transform a bowl of soup into something spectacular! Soup toppers add crunchiness, creaminess or herbs for extra flavour, nutrition and fun!

    Soup Topper Ideas in small bowls

    Soup topping ideas! Transform soup into a meal with extra add-ins and soup toppers. Take your soup from good to great!

    Enhance and enrich your favourite soup with these fun and healthy soup garnish ideas.

    A bowl of homemade soup can be comforting when we're tired, when we're sick, when it's cold outside or when we simply don't feel like cooking a big dinner.

    But why have plain soup when you can make it fancy schmancy with very little effort?

    Jump to:
    • A few soup topping deas to get you started
    • Take your soup from good to great!
    • Favourite Soup Garnish Ideas
    • Which soup recipes and toppings go together?
    • 📖 Recipe

    A few soup topping deas to get you started

    For example, try adding something as simple as a few toasted sage leaves to Butternut Squash Soup.

    A bowl of Butternut Squash Soup with no garnish.
    Plain Butternut Squash Soup
    A bowl of butternut squash soup with toasted sage leaves.
    add toasted sage leaves
    A bowl of butternut squash soup with toasted sage leaves and crispy shallots.
    add crispy shallots
    A bowl of soup with toasted sage leaves, crispy shallots, crumbled bacon and herbs.
    add crumbled bacon and herbs.

    Or take a few more steps and add toasted sage leaves with crispy fried shallots, or add some crumbled bacon and parsley. Much more interesting and appealing, don't you agree?

    Did you grow up adding a handful (or two) of crushed saltine crackers to your soup?

    I know I did. I think we may have done that because canned soup was simply boring. Adding crackers gave it some texture (and depending on how many you added, made it more like a chowder!) However, there are so many healthier options than crackers.

    Take your soup from good to great!

    A healthy homemade bowl of soup can be transformed into a work of art, if you choose, simply by adding soup garnishes and accompaniments. Choose soup toppings that are crisp and crunchy, fresh and herby, or add a swirl of creaminess!

    Have you ever noticed what a difference a squeeze of fresh lemon juice makes to a bowl of Seafood Chowder?

    Small bowls filled with soup topping ingredients.

    A plain bowl of soup is good, but one with garnishes is better! Adding soup toppings and accompaniments adds interest, crunch and flavour and makes a simple bowl far more appealing.

    Why not upgrade your soup and make it a masterpiece?

    Favourite Soup Garnish Ideas

    These are some of my favourite soup toppers. Choose one or more to add to your soup. Or serve toppings in individual bowls and let your family pick and choose what they would like best. The sky's the limit!

    Check your fridge or pantry for possible toppings. You'll be surprised at how many ideas you can find in your own kitchen.

    • crispy fried shallots
    • thinly sliced green onions
    • herbs: parsley, cilantro, thyme, tarragon, chives
    • toasted sage leaves
    • grated cheese: Parmesan, Cheddar, Gruyere, Mozzarella or your favourite cheese
    • Parmesan crisps: homemade Easiest Ever Parmesan Crisps (or store-bought)
    • croutons:  homemade, gluten-free if necessary
    • polenta croutons
    • spiced pumpkin seeds
    • toasted flaked almonds
    • crumbled bacon bits
    • crispy prosciutto
    • crumbled tortilla chips
    • a spoonful of salsa
    • a dollop of harissa or pesto
    • sautéed peppers: I sometimes use shishito peppers leftover from Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
    • pomegranate arils
    • roasted chickpeas
    • a swirl of sour cream or cream
    A bowl of soup with polenta croutons and sage leaf garnish

    Which soup recipes and toppings go together?

    If you're not sure which toppings would work well together, try these suggested combinations. For example,

    Butternut Squash Soup:  toasted sage leaves, crispy shallots and crumbled bacon bits, or a swirl of sour cream or yogurt

    Creamy Tomato Soup: Parmesan crisps, croutons, green onions

    Smoky Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup: polenta croutons, or crumbled tortilla chips, avocado cubes and cilantro

    Roasted Cauliflower Soup:  spicy pumpkin seeds, croutons and thyme

    Broccoli White Cheddar Soup: fresh herbs

    Slow Cooker Moroccan Harissa Soup: toasted almonds, cilantro, harissa

    Slow Cooker Vegan Black Bean Soup: avocado cubes, cilantro, lime slices, tortilla chips

    Vegan Sweet Potato Corn Chowder: this soup is so loaded it only needs a sprinkle of green onions.

    Creamy Roasted Garlic Irish Potato Soup:  fresh parsley and a drizzle of cream

    Potato Leek Soup with Bacon:   crisp bacon bits, snipped chives, yogurt or sour cream drizzle

    Carrot Ginger Soup with Apple: shallots, matchstick apple slices, parsley

    Tuscan Minestrone Soup: another loaded soup that only need a few Parmesan shavings or Parmesan crisps.

    Sweet Potato Turmeric Soup  roasted chickpeas, crispy fried shallots, pomegranate arils
    Soup Topping Ideas in small round prep bowls
    But don't stop there! Once you start thinking of possible garnishes or soup toppers, it will be hard to stop!

    When you use any of these soup topper ideas, please leave a comment and a star rating below. I'd love to hear your favourites! Thanks in advance. Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox once a week.

    📖 Recipe

    Overhead view of small bowls filled with soup topping ingredients.

    Soup Topping Ideas

    Take your bowl of soup from good to great with these soup topping ideas! Turn your soup into a meal with these suggested healthy add-ins.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup and Chowder
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 56kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 - 2 tablespoon herbs: parsley, cilantro, thyme, tarragon, chives
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon toasted sage leaves
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon grated cheese: Parmesan, Cheddar, Gruyere, Mozzarella or your favourite cheese
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon homemade Parmesan Crisps
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon croutons gluten-free if necessary
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon polenta croutons
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon spiced pumpkin seeds
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon toasted flaked almonds
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon crumbled bacon bits
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon crispy prosciutto
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon crumbled tortilla chips
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon salsa
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon harissa paste
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon sour cream
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon pesto
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon shishito peppers
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon roasted chickpeas
    • 1 - 2 spoonful pomegranate arils

    Instructions

    • Ladle soup into bowl, then top with one or more of the suggested soup garnishes.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is impossible to calculate, as it depends on what you choose to add to your soup. Calories were calculated for 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

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    • Thai Pumpkin Soup Shooters
    • Smoky Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Yvonne Langen

      January 19, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great way to get out of a soup rut and mix it up with all these different topping variations!

      Reply
    2. Terri Gilson

      January 19, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      Wow - these are great soup topping ideas! I too, love crispy toppings on my soup. It must be from my saltine days haha

      Reply
    3. Lisa

      January 17, 2020 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for all the great soup topping ideas! Sometimes soup just needs that little simple something to make it that much better!

      Reply
    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      January 15, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      These topping ideas are so terrific!! I love my soups loaded up with crunchy goodness like this. We're actually having soup tonight so I"m going to take your advice! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 16, 2020 at 11:09 am

        Thanks Katherine! Hope your kids like all the fixin's!

        Reply
    5. Sabrina

      January 15, 2020 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      These are really great ideas! Soup is so good and economical but adding some flavour through garnishes really kicks it up a notch. Thanks for the ideas!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 15, 2020 at 12:45 pm

        You're welcome, Sabrina! Cheers to loaded bowls of soup!

        Reply
    6. Kelly Neil

      January 15, 2020 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      Is it wrong that i kind of want to put everything on the list on top of a bowl of soup? Especially crispy prosciutto and polenta croutons. YUM!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 15, 2020 at 11:38 am

        Hi Kelly, I know, I know. Those polenta croutons are crave-worthy!

        Reply
    7. Cathy

      January 15, 2020 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      Saltine crackers on canned tomato soup were regular menu items at our house growing up! I agree; the soup was boring. I remember playing with the spices in my mother's cabinet trying to jazz it. Thank you for providing this great resource!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 15, 2020 at 11:38 am

        Hi Cathy, Obviously your interest and talents in cooking started at an early age!

        Reply
    8. Bernice M Hill

      January 14, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      What a great idea! I love to top my soup with all sorts of things, especially when I want some texture on smooth and creamy soups.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 14, 2020 at 7:52 pm

        Agreed! It makes a bowl of soup far more interesting and delicious!

        Reply
    9. Colleen

      January 14, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      Some delicious soup topping ideas here. I'm all about soup at this time of year, and I agree, plain soup is nice but it can be boring. Thanks for the inspiration, Elaine!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 14, 2020 at 7:52 pm

        Thanks Colleen!

        Reply
    10. Vanessa

      January 14, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      Lots of fantastic ideas to elevate a basic bowl of soup!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        January 14, 2020 at 7:52 pm

        Thanks Vanessa!

        Reply
    11. Fouzia

      January 14, 2020 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      I love the combinations of your garnishes with soup. I can't imagine soup without any garnishes. That's what makes the soup taste great and enjoyable. thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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