Delicious and Healthy Paleo Soup Recipes

This article explores a variety of paleo-friendly soup recipes, offering comforting and nutritious options for those following a paleo diet or anyone looking for healthy and flavorful meals. These recipes cater to different tastes and preferences, from hearty minestrone to creamy vegetable soups, all while adhering to paleo principles.

Paleo Minestrone Soup

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup, typically packed with vegetables and sometimes meat. Traditional minestrone often includes beans or pasta, but this paleo version substitutes those ingredients to remain compliant with the diet.

Recipe Highlights:

• Hearty and Vegetable-Rich: This soup is loaded with a variety of vegetables and features grass-fed ground beef for added protein.
• Paleo-Friendly: It excludes beans and pasta, making it suitable for those following a paleo diet.
• Instant Pot Adaptable: The recipe can be easily adapted for the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to saute mode.
2. Brown the ground meat until cooked through and drain any excess liquid.
3. Add the vegetables.
4. Cook for 5 minutes on high pressure, reducing the broth by 1 cup.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through.
2. Add onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and celeriac to the pan and sauté over medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly tender.
3. Add the remaining ingredients, except the squash and basil.
4. If you'd like the soup to more visually resemble a minestrone with tomatoes, add the nomato sauce later on in the cooking process to achieve a redder color.
5. I like chunkier veggies in my soup. The zucchini is cut about ½-inch thick so I let them have a longer cook time (about 15 minutes). If you cut the zucchini in thinner pieces, they won't need to cook as long as this.
6. If using pasta to serve immediately, cook it directly in the soup until pasta is al dente. If storing leftovers, I recommend boiling the pasta separately and stirring it into the leftovers so that it doesn’t get too soggy/mushy in the soup in the fridge.

Healthy Paleo Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is a comforting classic, and this paleo version is no exception. It's a delicious, Whole30, and keto-friendly meal packed with vegetables and flavor.

Recipe Highlights:

• Gluten/Grain-Free: Zucchini noodles replace traditional pasta, making it suitable for those avoiding grains.
• Veggie-Loaded: The soup is packed with zucchini, carrots, and onions, providing essential nutrients.
• Versatile Cooking Methods: It can be made in a crockpot, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop.

Cooking Instructions:

Crockpot Instructions:

1. Sauté celery, onion, carrots, and garlic in a pan with olive oil for about 5 minutes. (This step is optional but highly recommended for best flavor!)
2. In the slow cooker base, layer chicken breasts on the bottom.
3. Layer cooked veggie mixture on top.
4. Sprinkle with spices and fill to the top with chicken stock.
5. Cook on low for 6 hours.
6. Once soup has cooked, remove chicken breasts and shred by pulling apart with forks (they should fall apart easily).
7. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and stir.
8. When ready to serve, add raw, room temperature zucchini noodles; they will warm in the soup!

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Turn instant pot on sauté mode for 5 minutes.
2. In pot, heat olive oil.
3. Sauté celery, onion, carrots, and garlic for about 5 minutes.
4. Once vegetables have sautéd, layer chicken breasts on top of mixture.
5. Sprinkle with spices and fill with chicken stock. (It is recommended to add 2 total quarts of broth if using instant pot, vs 1.5 quarts for slow cooker due to the high pressure cooking
6. Cover instant pot and set to ‘Soup’ for 13 minutes.
7. Allow the soup to come to pressure and cook.
8. Once finished, quick release the pressure.
9. Remove bay leaves and throw away.
10. Remove chicken from the pot and shred on a cutting board with forks or in a mixer.
11. Place chicken back in instant pot, and stir to combine.
12. When ready to serve, add raw, room temperature zucchini noodles; they will warm in the soup!

Stovetop Instructions:

1. Sauté celery, onion, carrots, and garlic in a pan with olive oil for about 5 minutes.
2. Add chicken breasts into the pot.
3. Stir in spices and add in chicken stock.
4. Turn the stove to high heat and bring the soup to a boil.
5. Tip: For best results, I recommend adding the zucchini noodles to the bowl instead of adding to the slow cooker pot.

Tips for the Best Paleo Chicken Soup:

• Chicken: You can use boneless chicken thighs or tenders, but chicken breasts are often preferred. Cut the cooking time in half if you’re not using raw chicken.
• Zucchini Noodles: Add zucchini noodles to the bowl instead of the pot to prevent them from becoming soggy. You can also substitute pasta for zucchini noodles.
• Broth: Broth is the same thing as stock and can be used interchangeably. Chicken broth is allowed on Whole30, but be sure to check the ingredients.
• Extra Veggies: Consider adding chopped zucchini, kale, crushed tomatoes, or spinach.
• Rosemary: You can omit rosemary if you don’t like it.
• Freezing: This soup freezes well, but it’s best to freeze it without zucchini noodles or pasta. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Flavor Enhancement:

• Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley add loads of flavor to soup.
• Salt and pepper can also help to add flavor!

Paleo Chicken Pot Pie Soup

This paleo-friendly soup captures the rich, creamy flavor of traditional chicken pot pie filling but with healthier ingredients.

Recipe Highlights:

• Taste: Tastes just like traditional chicken pot pie filling.
• Seasonings: Includes fresh fall herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme, with a hint of cayenne for a slight kick.
• Versatile: Can be used as a base for paleo casserole.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 5 minutes, or until soft.
3. Next, add the 1 pound of roughly chopped potatoes and chicken broth to the pot.
4. Bring the broth to a boil then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
5. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
6. Turn the heat to low.
7. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the potatoes into a blender.
8. Add the coconut milk to the blender and puree. Set aside for now.
9. Add the pound of diced potatoes and the carrots to the pan (the carrots and potatoes should be about the same size).
10. Bring the broth to a boil, cover with a lid and reduce heat to low.
11. Cook for 9-10 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are fork tender.
12. Add the celery, peas, spices, cooked chicken and pureed potatoes to the pan and mix well.
13. Raise the heat to medium low and cook for 5 minutes.
14. Serve.

Instructions for Cooking Chicken:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Carefully add chicken pieces and any seasonings you’d like to the boiling water.
3. After about 5 minutes, reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
4. Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Once cool, remove chicken from bones.
5. Save the broth - it’s liquid gold!

Other Paleo Soup Recipes to Explore

Here's a brief overview of additional paleo soup recipes that offer variety and cater to different preferences:

Read also: Paleo Granola Recipes

1. Turkey Taco Soup: A subscriber favorite, perfect for feeding a crowd. Set up a toppings bar for added fun.
2. Creamy Soups with Cashews: Cashews soaked in hot water and blended until smooth create a decadent creaminess without dairy.
3. Chowder: Another creamy, dairy-free option.
4. Pureed Soups: Elegant and simple, perfect for freezing.
5. Beef and Vegetable Stew: Designed for the slow cooker for easy preparation.
6. Thai Curry Soup: Combines Thai curry paste with coconut milk for creamy, delicious flavor.
7. Freezer-Friendly Stews: Designed as freezer meals for convenient healthy eating.

Creamy Golden Turmeric Vegetable Soup

This soup is made with vegetables, cashews, and curry spices, offering a warm and comforting paleo and Whole30-friendly dinner.

Recipe Highlights:

• Anti-Inflammatory: Turmeric is chocked full of anti-inflammatory and healing benefits.
• Rich Earthy Flavors: A blend of spices and vegetables creates a flavorful and nutritious soup.
• Vegan: Gluten free, dairy free, paleo, vegan - this soup checks all the boxes!

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large soup pot, add olive oil, cashews, and vegetables.
2. Cover with a lid and saute until soft, stirring occasionally.
3. Then add spices and water.
4. Blend everything in a large blender until smooth and serve.

Tips for Sticking to a Paleo Diet with Soups

• Meal Prepping: Spend time prepping food for the week to ensure you have healthy options available.
• Freezer Meals: Stock your freezer with pre-made soups and stews for easy weeknight meals.
• Creative Ingredients: Use vegetables like zucchini noodles in place of pasta.

Read also: Paleo Diet Delivered: What You Need to Know

Read also: Paleo Mayonnaise Recipe

tags: #paleo #diet #soup #recipes