10 Cozy Protein-Packed Soups With 5 Ingredients or Less That You Can Make in Your Instant Pot

Between donning your favorite sweaters and indulging in many beloved holiday-spiced, coffee-based beverages, there are few things more innately satisfying than the arrival of the winter season. And between the frolicking in the snow and buying great gifts for everyone on your list, you’ll undoubtedly need to find time to nourish yourself. While you could turn to your seasoned takeout menus and delivery apps, the dropping outside temperatures may just inspire you to crank the heat in your own kitchen. That’s right, friends—it’s high time to pull out your pots (instant or otherwise), grab your apron, and check out some of the best winter soup recipes.

Luckily, these dishes do not require any sort of extensive culinary experience or epicurean expertise. Rather, if you have just a few ingredients—three, to be exact—you’ll be well on your way to making some of the best winter soup recipes out there. We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorite simple soups so that you can spend the season gallivanting rather than worrying about how to feed yourself (and your lucky brood).

The 10 best winter soup recipes with five ingredients or less (and plenty of protein)

1. 5-Ingredient Vegan Green Pea Soup

This five-ingredient vegan soup by Vibrant Plate is not only packed with protein (there are nearly eight grams of protein in each cup of green peas alone), but also has a chock full of additional health benefits. Lutein and zeaxanthin help with your eye health, and the great amount of fiber in peas helps keep your digestive system in check. Vitamins C and E, plus zinc and catechin, are all powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation with every bite of this tasty and vibrant pea soup.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Vegan Pea Soup 

2. 5-Ingredient Vegan Chili

Time for a quintessential fall staple: chili (but make it vegan). This one by Sweet Simple Vegan is packed with protein—10 grams to be exact—thanks to the a tri-blend of beans. The addition of fire roasted tomatoes give this recipe its classic, smoky chili flavor. Plus, you can’t forget the best part of making chili: the toppings. Looking for some ideas? You can’t go wrong with a heaping serving of vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, minced cilantro, and thinly-sliced green onions. Swoon.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Vegan Chili 

3. 3-Ingredient Black Bean Soup

Looking for anti-inflammatory soups? Say no more. This delicious soup by Honey and Birch calls for just black beans, chicken broth, and canned tomatoes, all of which are great sources of many essential nutrients. For example, a single cup of cooked black beans contains a whopping 16 grams of plant-based protein. They’re also a solid source of quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound which can help invigorate your immune system. Need I say more?

Get the recipe: Black Bean Soup

4. 5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

This five-ingredient sweet potato black bean chili by Minimalist Baker is what you’ve been missing in your winter repertoire. Thanks to the protein-rich black beans that gives this vegetarian and vegan-friendly chili body, you’re in for a real treat that is as delicious as it is nutritious. Plus, each bowl of this hearty soup is packed with tons of gut-healthy fiber, about nine grams per cup, to be exact. BTW, if you think this recipe is totally soup-er, then you also need to try making a sweet potato lentil soup next.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili 

5. Vegan Zucchini Soup

So, why do we eat soup in winter? Perhaps it’s because recipes like this one exist. This plant-based soup recipe requires just three ingredients and is absolutely packed to the brim with both protein and copper, which both help combat low bone density and osteoporosis, thanks to the cashews (which also lend creaminess). Moreover, zucchini boasts significant anti-inflammatory benefits as well as fiber, vitamin A, and potassium.

Get the recipe: Vegan Zucchini Soup 

6. 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup

All you need to make this chicken tortilla soup recipe by The Modern Proper is a can of fire roasted tomatoes, a can of sweet corn, chicken stock, red enchilada sauce (we love Siete Family Foods Red Enchilada Sauce) and protein-packed rotisserie chicken for a great and beyond effortless soup. Plus, if you’re looking for ways to use up all that leftover Thanksgiving goodness, this is undoubtedly the way to go. But, don’t forget the toppings!

Get the recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup 

7. 5-Ingredient Potato and Corn Chowder

Potato and corn. Can you name a more heavenly combination? This five-ingredient recipe by The Modern Proper is made with simple ingredients: bacon, chicken stock, canned creamed corn, yellow potatoes, and green onions. That’s it. The key, however, in making this soup recipe as creamy and delectable as virtually possible is using an immersion blender to purée half of the soup, which yields the perfect juxtaposition between textures. Swoon.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Potato and Corn Chowder

8. 5-Ingredient Chicken Meatball Soup with Kale & Parmesan

Who needs spaghetti and meatballs when you can have soup and meatballs instead? This tasty five-ingredient chicken meatball soup with kale and parmesan by The Modern Proper is loaded with protein (yep, 29 grams!) and is as nourishing for your body as it is for your soul. The best part? Choosing the type of pasta to make this recipe complete. For a fun and a take reminiscent of a childhood classic, anelli pasta is the perfect choice. Hellooo, SpaghettiOs! What’s more, this tasty soup is packed with tons of nourishing essential vitamins and nutrients, making it one of the best soups for a cold on the list.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Chicken Meatball Soup with Kale & Parmesan

9. 5-Ingredient Tomato Soup

This list of best winter soup recipes wouldn’t be complete without a delicious (minimal ingredient) tomato soup recipe. This iteration by Feel Good Foodie is packed with anti-inflammatory lycopene-rich tomatoes, veggie broth, onion, garlic, and a few pats of butter. Of course, you’ll need to make an obligatory side of grilled cheese to soak up every last bit of this recipe. Pro tip: Add a bit of garlic salt to your grilled cheese just before tossing it in a pan for even more delicious flavor.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Tomato Soup

10. 5-Ingredient Pesto Chicken Soup

Fam, prepare to have your mind blown with this five-ingredient pesto chicken soup by Gimme Some Oven. You know that half-used jar of pesto sitting in the back of your fridge? We’ve finally found another genius way to use it. This recipe is infused with the delicious flavors and aromas of pesto, which season the stock with that nutty, herbaceous flavor we all know and love. The best part? This recipe is packed with loads of protein and nutrients, thanks to longevity-boosting beans and vitamin-rich spinach. Then, all you need to take things up a notch and complete this meal is to pair this hearty soup with some warm and crusty sourdough bread for dunking and absorbing every last drop of pesto-y goodness. Okay, we’re officially drooling.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Pesto Chicken Soup

Discover how to make a delicious vegan Italian meatball soup: