Featured Post

15 Slow Cooker Mediterranean Soups [10 Ingredients or Less]

By

Warm up on chilly nights with these effortless Mediterranean-inspired soups. Using just a handful of ingredients, let your slow cooker do the work to create hearty, flavorful meals.

Goulash soup image by ivabalk
Source: Pixabay

Keep It Simple

Crafting a delicious soup with few ingredients is easy when you stick to some key items:

  • Protein: Chicken, turkey, lentils, chickpeas, white beans
  • Veggies: Tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, onions, garlic
  • Grains: Orzo, Israeli couscous, rice
  • Herbs and Spices: Oregano, basil, cumin, cinnamon, paprika
  • Broth: Chicken, vegetable, beef

Combine items from each category and let them simmer to perfection.

Satisfying and Nutritious

These soups pack in nutrients from protein-rich legumes, antioxidant-loaded tomatoes, and fiber-filled grains. They provide a healthy dose of veggies in each spoonful.

Complex flavors from Mediterranean spices mean you'll never get bored. Try recipes with warm cinnamon, bright mint, earthy cumin, and more.

Keep reading for 15 satisfying and simple soups perfect for any night.

1. Moroccan Chickpea Soup

Warming spices give this chickpea soup an exotic Moroccan flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp each cumin, cinnamon, paprika
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft.
  2. Add spices and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Add chickpeas and broth to the slow cooker.
  4. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.

2. Italian Turkey and Spinach Soup

Protein-packed turkey, nutrient-rich spinach, and Parmesan pair beautifully in this Italian-style soup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup uncooked orzo
  • Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning

Instructions:

  1. Brown turkey in skillet, drain fat.
  2. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

3. Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup

Zesty lemon and fresh herbs give this chicken soup an authentic Greek flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup uncooked rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley and dill
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6 hours.

4. Tuscan White Bean Soup

Creamy cannellini beans and zesty pepper flakes make this Tuscan-inspired soup absolutely delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 15-oz cans of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 28-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
  2. Combine with remaining ingredients in slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

5. Lentil and Veggie Soup

Protein-packed lentils plus a variety of vegetables make this hearty, meatless soup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 15-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

6. Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Soup

Tender chicken and orzo swim in a flavorful tomato broth with spinach and feta.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 14-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup uncooked orzo
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/4 crumbled feta cheese
  • Italian seasoning, salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all but spinach and feta in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  3. Stir in spinach and feta before serving.

7. Rosemary White Bean Soup

Savory rosemary complements creamy white beans and veggies in this simple soup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb dried great northern beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  3. Remove rosemary sprigs before serving.

8. Chicken Tortellini Soup

Tender cheese tortellini and spinach make this chicken soup feel elegant.

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 9 oz cheese tortellini
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine chicken, onion, garlic, and broth in slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  3. Add tortellini and spinach and cook 20 minutes more.

9. Greek Chicken and Eggplant Soup

Chunks of tender eggplant contrast nicely with orzo, tomato, and lemon.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 28-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup uncooked orzo
  • 2 Tbsp fresh dill
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

10. Italian Meatball Soup

Savory turkey meatballs simmer in a tomato broth with zesty Italian flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 28-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups chopped kale

Instructions:

  1. Make meatballs and brown in skillet. Set aside.
  2. Sauté onion until soft. Add to slow cooker with broth and tomatoes.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Add meatballs and kale and cook 30 minutes more.

11. Middle Eastern Lentil Soup

Warming spices add exotic flavor to hearty lentils and veggies.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 15-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp each cumin, coriander, cinnamon
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

12. Chicken and Rice Soup

Comforting chicken and rice get a flavor boost from garlic, citrus, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1/2 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6 hours.

13. Avgolemono Greek Chicken Soup

A luscious egg and lemon mixture gives this soup its signature flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup uncooked rice
  • 2 eggs
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine chicken, onion, carrots, broth, and rice in slow cooker. 
  2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  3. In a bowl, whisk eggs, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup hot broth.
  4. Stir the mixture into the soup and stir well. Do not boil once added.

14. Spanish Chickpea and Chorizo Soup

Smoky chorizo and tender chickpeas give this soup a big Spanish flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 oz Spanish chorizo, sliced
  • 1 15-oz can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  3. Remove bay leaf before serving.

15. Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

Hearty kale and protein-packed sausage make this a deeply satisfying soup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bunch kale, chopped
  • 15 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup uncooked small pasta
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Brown sausage and onions, drain fat.
  2. Combine in slow cooker with remaining ingredients except pasta.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. Add pasta and cook for 20 minutes more.

With just a handful of ingredients and your slow cooker, you can enjoy flavorful and nourishing Mediterranean soups any night of the week.

Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

What Others Are Reading

Breathe Life Bible: Breathe Life Into Your Faith

By
Image
In a world that often feels divided and unfair, the Breathe Life Bible brings a new perspective on the age-old wisdom of Scripture. It inspires us to become agents of hope, reconciliation, and transformative change. Through the lens of the BREATHE acronym— Believe, Reconcile, Exalt, Act, Trust, Hope, and Elevate —this unique Bible invites us to experience the Word of God in a way that empowers us to live out our faith in action. Contributors: Voices of Wisdom and Experience What sets the Breathe Life Bible apart is the wealth of wisdom and experience it draws from a diverse group of 24 esteemed leaders, including Dr. Bernice A. King, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. Matthew Wesley Williams, Dr. Thelma Thomas Daley, Derrick Johnson, and many others. These individuals, deeply invested in addressing issues of justice with biblical truth, offer invaluable insights that breathe new life into the Word of God.
Read more

My Can't-Miss Purchases This Month [November 2023]

By
Image
I've significantly cut back my spending this month as part of my commitment to better budgeting going into 2024. But even so, I simply couldn't pass up these gems I discovered in November. These purchases have brought me joy, from self-care treats to perfect gifts for my husband. Read on for the highlights! Source: Pexels Healthy Breakfasts, Fast Mornings are always a rush at my house between getting up late, feeding the pets, and logging into Slack for work. Plus, I often just drink some coffee and then fast until lunchtime. Even then, finding time to make something to eat feels like a stretch. But no more! Oatsome's Organic Overnight Oats are my new solution for healthy, convenient breakfasts.
Read more

DIY Toys for Indoor Pet Rabbits

By
Image
Rabbits are one of my favorite animals and undeniably adorable creatures, hopping bundles of joy that bring a smile to any face. But beneath that super soft fur and twitching nose lies a very curious and energetic soul.  These playful personalities crave stimulation and enrichment, especially when confined to indoor spaces. I've had five pet rabbits in the past, and now I'm the proud owner of two new baby mini-lop rabbits! That's in addition to my two guinea pigs and one very spoiled cat. So, as you can imagine, I've got my hands full right now. © A Little Bit Of Me As a rabbit mom (once again), I understand the struggle of keeping your furry friends entertained. While store-bought toys offer a quick solution, they can be expensive and often don't hold their attention for long. Here's where the magic of DIY toys comes in! Not only are they cost-effective and eco-friendly, but crafting them allows you to personalize the experience and cater to your rabbit's s
Read more