15 Vegetarian Soups & Stews

We re-imagined the usual pork-based posole and turned it into a celebration of hearty vegetables, toasted seeds, and Mexican seasonings.

Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Seed and Green Chile Posole

Romesco is a classic Spanish sauce made of ground tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, and almonds. We turned it into a twist on cream of tomato soup, with lentils added for a nice protein boost. Choose the vegetable broth option.

Recipe: Romesco Soup

This Southwestern-inspired soup hits all the right notes: solid protein from the beans, crunchiness from the cucumber, creaminess from the avocado, a sweet hit of acidity from the citrus, and a hint of spice.

Recipe: Black Bean Soup with Avocado, Orange, and Cucumber

This hearty yet elegant soup contrasts the sweetness of coconut milk and hazelnuts with earthy vegetables.

Recipe: Sunchoke Soup with Brussels Sprouts and Hazelnuts

Asian flavors come together in a flash in this easy soup. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken to make it vegetarian.

Recipe: Shiitake Mushroom and Tofu Soup

A Sunset reader amps up her zesty and refreshing soup with fresh herbs and loads of garlic; feel free to start with less garlic if you’d like it on the milder side.

Recipe: Chilled Cucumber, Avocado, and Yogurt Soup

For inspired vegetarian cooking, we often turn to the flavors and techniques of India. In this dish, cooking the dal (or stew) with some seasonings, then adding more seasonings at the end, infuses it with layers of flavor.

Recipe: Broccolini and Chickpea Dal

It’s not just the depth of flavor that makes this curry a winner, but also the way it lends itself to improvisation. Once you get the proportions down, you can change up the main ingredients; try eggplant or tofu instead of winter squash, and toasted almonds instead of cashews.

Recipe: Cashew, Coconut, and Squash Curry

Earthy sweet potatoes add depth to this vegetarian chili. New Mexico chile powder is fruity and mild, so don’t be scared off by the generous amount called for here. Feel free to swap in any other kind of chile powder you have on hand—just use less of it.

Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

If you stock your pantry with tamarind paste (made from the sweet-sour fruit by the same name), a few spices, and canned chickpeas, this tasty dish makes an excellent last-minute meal, as it comes together in only 30 minutes.

Recipe: Tamarind Chickpea Curry

This gently spicy dish uses a North Indian technique called tadka or chaunk: seasonings are sizzled in hot oil or clarified butter, then swirled into the lentils right before serving for a massive flavor boost.

Recipe: Spiced Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions and Spinach

Flavorful ginger, garlic, and a medley of spices produce a robust heat, while also providing an array of health benefits. Try pairing with brown rice and a dollop of yogurt to cool things down.

Recipe: Curried Red Kidney Beans and Cauliflower (Rajma Masala)

This fragrant, buttery stew is hearty enough to work as a main dish. Serve with a green salad and naan (Indian flatbread) or fresh pita.

Recipe: Split Pea-Squash Stew with Basil and Serrano

This robust dish unites hearty lentils with the best of winter vegetables.

Recipe: Lentil Stew with Winter Vegetables