Ideas for healthy soup toppings and garnishes to transform a bowl of soup into something spectacular! Add crunchiness, creaminess or herbs for extra flavour, nutrition and fun!
Soup topping ideas! Transform soup into a meal with extra add-ins. 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?
For example, try adding something as simple as a few toasted sage leaves to Butternut Squash Soup.
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.
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?
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 Topping Ideas
These are some of my favourite soup toppings. 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
- a swirl of sour cream or cream
- sautéed peppers: I used shishito peppers leftover from Blistered Shishito Peppers
- pomegranate arils
- roasted chickpeas
Combinations of Soup Garnishes to Try
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
But don't stop there! Once you start thinking of possible garnishes, it will be hard to stop!
Soup Topping Ideas
Ingredients
- 1 - 2 Tbsp herbs, seeds, nuts, croutons, etc as listed in the post above.
Instructions
- Ladle soup into bowl, then top with one or more of the suggested soup garnishes.
Fouzia says
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.
Vanessa says
Lots of fantastic ideas to elevate a basic bowl of soup!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Vanessa!
Colleen says
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!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Colleen!
Bernice M Hill says
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.
Flavour & Savour says
Agreed! It makes a bowl of soup far more interesting and delicious!
Cathy says
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!
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Cathy, Obviously your interest and talents in cooking started at an early age!
Kelly Neil says
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!
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Kelly, I know, I know. Those polenta croutons are crave-worthy!
Sabrina says
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!
Flavour & Savour says
You're welcome, Sabrina! Cheers to loaded bowls of soup!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
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!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Katherine! Hope your kids like all the fixin's!
Lisa says
Thanks for all the great soup topping ideas! Sometimes soup just needs that little simple something to make it that much better!
Terri Gilson says
Wow - these are great soup topping ideas! I too, love crispy toppings on my soup. It must be from my saltine days haha
Yvonne Langen says
This is such a great way to get out of a soup rut and mix it up with all these different topping variations!