80+ Creative Soup Toppings

If you are used to eating naked soup, you are missing out.

The right toppings can make a humble bowl of soup main course-worthy.

A simple bowl of stew can turn into something that your family and friends rave about.

Best of all, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do so.

Contrast Is The Key

Toppings that contrast with the flavor and texture of the soup are going to work best.

Heavy cream soups pair well with fresh toppings (like chopped green onions) and briny or sour toppings (like chopped olives or a squeeze of fresh lemon).

Many brothy soups pair well with crunchy toppings (like tortilla chips or croutons).

Chili Toppings

Chili is in a league of its own when it comes to delicious toppings. There are so many of them.

A simple bowl of chili (smoky whiskey chili, mango habanero chicken chili, or leftover turkey chili) can turn into something unbelievable when you add toppings like:

• Tortilla chips
• Corn chips (Fritos)
• Cornbread, broken into pieces
• Salsa
• Pico de gallo
• Chopped scallions/green onion
• Chopped avocado
• Sliced radishes
• Shredded Mexican blend cheese
• Cotija cheese
• Jalapenos (fresh or pickled)
• Sour cream
• Greek yogurt
• Hot sauce
• Lime wedges

Fresh Soup Toppings

Sprinkle some fresh vegetables, herbs, and even fruit on top of your soup to liven it up:

• Scallions/green onion
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Basil
• Dill
• Sliced radishes
• Chopped red pepper
• Chopped tomato
• Chopped onion

• Chopped shallots
• Chopped avocado
• Pico de gallo
• Pea shoots
• Fresh lemon or lime
• Chopped cucumbers (great on gazpacho)
• Pomegranate seeds (great on butternut squash soup)

•  Sliced pears or sliced apples (also great on squash soup)

Crunchy Soup Toppings

Want to add some crunch (and some bulk) to your soup? Try some of these:

• Croutons
• Tortilla chips

• Corn chips
• Kale chips
• Brussels sprouts chips

• Parmesan crisps
• Freeze-dried corn
• Crackers
• Toast
• Nori/toasted seaweed
• Pumpkin or squash seeds
• Fried tofu
• Popcorn
• Salami crisps
• Bagel chips
• Pita chips
• Wonton crackers
• Grilled cheese
• Cheese-topped crostini
• Oven-roasted edamame
• Oven-roasted chickpeas
• Oven-baked tortilla strips

Rich And Indulgent Soup Toppings

This is my favorite section of all. These toppings will make your soup over-the-top delicious:

• Chopped bacon
• Pancetta
• Mini pepperoni pieces
• Whole grain mustard
• Caramelized onions
• Olive tapenade
• Olives
• Pesto
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Chopped nuts (pistachios, pecans, sliced almonds, etc.)
• Roasted red pepper, chopped
• Chopped pimentos
• Smoked paprika
• Soft-boiled egg (good in ramen or udon soup)
• Seasoned sour cream
• Creme fraiche
• Truffle oil
• Good quality olive oil (drizzled on broccoli cheese or other creamy soup)
• Cheese (blue cheese, goat cheese, paneer, Parmesan, cheddar, Gruyère, Feta, etc)

And finally, don’t underestimate what a pinch of good-quality salt and fresh cracked pepper can do to a bowl of soup.

Never eat naked soup again! Please share your thoughts and ideas below or on Facebook. What toppings do you put on your soup?

Save Time On Your Next Batch Of Soup

These make-ahead soup starter pods are a huge timesaver: You simply prep these pods in advance (using a mirepoix mixture of celery, carrots, onions, and spices) – and freeze them for future use.

These are ideal for pureed soups.