9 Comforting Indian Soups for Fall and Winter

As it gets colder, the body starts to crave hearty foods to keep it toasty and comfortable. These nourishing, satisfying Indian-inspired soups are perfect for warming you up on those colder nights. They're filling, with lots of seasonal spices that bring some heat and offer anti-inflammatory properties, which will keep the sniffles at bay during those colder months. Here are a few delicious soups to try at home when you need a comforting bowl of soup that'll stick to your bones.

01 of 10

Mulligatawny Soup II

Mulligatawny Soup I
Photo by Molly.

This comforting, creamy soup combines a variety of spices, such as cloves, cumin, coriander, turmeric and cardamom, and rich coconut milk to give it that hearty feel. Red lentils provide protein and fiber, but you can bulk it up further by adding in chicken too.

02 of 10

Indian Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

Close up of Indian Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup
J-Niecy

In this nutritious soup, sweet potatoes and lentils offer lots of filling fiber, while aromatic spices, like garam masala, garlic and turmeric, will warm you up.

03 of 10

The Maharajah's Mulligatawny

The Maharajah's Mulligatawny
Pelican Gal

This Indian soup has apple, carrots, and tomatoes to lighten up the hearty lamb, along with a medley of spices, including red chile peppers, curry, and coriander. If you prefer, substitute ground beef for lamb. "The ultimate Mulligatawny," says Sonya Jane, who submitted the recipe. "I first cooked this under instruction in a 5-star hotel in India, where it was one of the best sellers. This is far more than a mere spicy soup!"

04 of 10

Masala Cabbage Soup

Masala Cabbage Soup
Soup Loving Nicole

Healthy cabbage combines with lots of bold Indian spices in this nutritious, delicious, Indian-inspired soup.

05 of 10

Creamy Indian Yogurt Soup

Creamy Indian Yogurt Soup
Sarah

Yogurt offers a smooth, creamy texture to complement the soup's spicy profile. Plus, it is ready in 25 minutes flat, which makes it ideal for a busy weeknight meal. Cook a big batch and keep it on hand for quick meals throughout the week.

06 of 10

Spicy Tomato Soup

Spicy Tomato Soup
Aggy Eriangga

This tomato soup has a spicy kick and provides a nice base for any proteins you wish to include — chicken, beef, or plant proteins like lentils. Best part is it's done in just 30 minutes.

07 of 10

Spinach and Tomato Dal (Indian Lentil Soup)

Spinach and Tomato Dal (Indian Lentil Soup)
Lady at the Stove

"This is a basic dal (Indian lentil soup) recipe that my mom always makes," says Lucky, who submitted the recipe. "This is a hearty and healthy dish that leaves you satisfied without overfilling you. You can substitute different vegetables and greens and follow similar procedure. You can substitute spinach for other dark greens like mustard greens, kale, or swiss chard. The cook time will vary. Serve with steamed rice."

08 of 10

Vegan Curried Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, and Lentil Soup

Vegan Curried Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, and Lentil Soup
Rita

This curried cauliflower, sweet potato, and lentil soup is totally vegan, tastes rich and creamy, and really fills you up during the cold months. Add in more spices if you want extra heat, but there will be a nice aromatic feel to this curried soup already!

09 of 10

Thai-Indian Veggie Soup

Thai-Indian Veggie Soup
Linda T

Tofu stars in this this hearty vegetarian soup that gets its inspiration from both Indian and Thai traditions. The ginger, coconut milk and sriracha all come together nicely for a balanced bowl of soup that has some spice, creaminess, and heat all at once. "It's great on a cold, fall evening," says Marci, the recipe submitter. "The key is to slowly add each ingredient and let each flavor develop before going on to the next addition. That will help distribute the flavors and ensure that the tofu has a nice taste."

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