Our Best Soups, Stews & Chili Recipes (Comfort in a Bowl)
Our best soups, stews and chili recipes — from loaded baked potato soup to smoky Texas chili. Hearty, comforting, and perfect for cool nights and busy weeknights.
There's something about a big pot of soup simmering on the stove that just makes a house feel like home. Whether it's a stormy afternoon, a cool fall evening, or one of those rare Texas winter days that actually feels like winter — a warm bowl of something hearty is always the right answer.
We've put together our very best soups and chili recipes right here in one place, so you don't have to go searching when the craving hits. From creamy loaded potato soup to bold Texas chili with a kick, there's something in this list for every kind of comfort food lover.
What Makes a Great Soup?
We've made a lot of soup over the years, and we've found that the best ones always come down to a few simple things. Start with good broth — homemade is wonderful, but a quality store-bought broth works just fine. Layer your flavors and don't rush the process. And don't be afraid to season generously — soups need more seasoning than you think, especially salt, which brings everything together.
One more thing: taste as you go. A soup that's been stirred, tasted, and adjusted is always better than one that hasn't.
Texas Soups vs. Traditional Soups — What's the Difference?
Around here, we tend to lean into bold flavors — smoky, spicy, hearty. You'll notice that a lot of our soups have a Tex-Mex or Southern influence, whether it's taco seasoning in the broth, smoked sausage in the pot, or a generous handful of cheese on top. We're not shy about big flavors, and we don't think you should be either.
Our Favorite Soups and Chili Recipes
Best Soups and Chilis
Our best Texas soups and chili recipes — from loaded baked potato soup to smoky Texas chili. Hearty, comforting, and perfect for cool nights and busy weeknights.
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon, this homemade baked potato soup is the ultimate comfort food. Tender russet potatoes, rich cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions come together in one hearty bowl that's perfect for chilly nights or whenever you're craving a warm, satisfying meal.
Texas Taco Tortellini Soup is a creamy slow cooker soup made with tender rotisserie chicken (or turkey), cheese tortellini, taco seasoning, beans, corn, and tomatoes. Easy, hearty comfort food with bold Texas flavor.
Make hearty, meatless 16-bean soup in your Instant Pot! This easy, spicy version uses Rotel and green chiles for flavor and warmth—no meat required.
Smoky Texas Chili made in the Instant Pot with dry kidney beans—no soaking required! Bold, spicy flavor with jalapeños, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Uses just 2 cups of cooked beans for the perfect balance.
This Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup by Backyard Texas Grill is creamy and full of delicious Italian flavor.
This taco soup recipe from Backyard Texas Grill is packed with a hearty blend of ground beef, beans, tomatoes, corn, peppers & seasonings. It's the perfect balance of flavors in one delicious bowl. And it's such a simple recipe!
This Cowboy Chowder (aka Shepherd's Pie Soup) combines savory ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and rich broth into a hearty one-pot comfort meal. Easy, filling, and perfect for chilly nights, and especially great if you're feeling under the weather.
This hearty Dutch Oven Beef Stew gets a bold Texas twist with diced tomatoes and green chiles, cumin, smoked paprika, and colorful bell peppers. The meat is seared until golden, then slow-simmered with red potatoes, carrots, and a rich, savory broth until everything is fall-apart tender. It's the kind of stew that makes the whole house smell amazing — perfect for a stormy night or any night you need serious comfort food.
Tips for Making Soup Even Better
Make it ahead. Almost every soup on this list tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. Make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week.
Freeze it. Most soups freeze beautifully. Let it cool completely, portion it into freezer bags or containers, and you've got a ready-made meal waiting for you on the nights when cooking just isn't happening.
Top it well. Never underestimate the power of toppings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, crushed chips, crispy bacon — a good topping takes a bowl of soup from good to great.
Adjust the heat. Whether you like it mild or fiery, most of these recipes are easy to dial up or down on the spice level. Add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne to turn up the heat, or reduce it for a milder bowl the whole family can enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best soup to make for a crowd?
Taco soup is our top pick for feeding a crowd — it comes together fast, it's easy to double or triple, and it's always a hit. The cowboy chowder is a close second and is hearty enough to be a full meal on its own.
Can I make these soups in a slow cooker?
Several of these are already written for the slow cooker, and most of the others can be adapted easily. Brown your meat first, toss everything in the slow cooker, and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
What's the difference between Texas chili and regular chili?
Traditional Texas chili — also known as "chili con carne" — is typically made without beans and focuses heavily on beef and dried chiles. Our Smoky Texas Chili puts a backyard spin on the classic with bold smoky flavor and a little kick from the Instant Pot.
How do I thicken a soup that's too thin?
A cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and cold water) stirred in at the end works great. You can also let the soup simmer uncovered for a while to reduce it, or mash some of the beans or potatoes right in the pot for a natural thickener.
What bread goes best with soup?
We'll never say no to a skillet of jalapeño cheddar cornbread alongside a bowl of chili. For creamier soups, our 2-ingredient cast iron biscuits are quick, easy, and absolutely perfect for dipping.
Other One-Pot Meals
If you love the ease of prepping a meal in one pot you'll also love these other comforting one-pot meals from Backyard Texas Grill, also perfect for fall and winter!
- Mama's Old-Fashioned Goulash
- Beef and Zucchini Pasta
- Easy King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
- Easy Spanish Rice
- Texas Style Baked Beans
- Creamy Italian Bow-Tie Pasta
- Cast-Iron Cowboy Casserole
Thanks for Stopping By!
If you make any of these delicous soups, stews, chilis, or one-pot meals, please leave a comment or review! And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?
