8 Jaw-Dropping Food Photos from 2019’s Polar Vortex
Updated: Dec. 26, 2021
The record-breaking weather is the coldest winter in years, with temps dropping BELOW -50 degrees. Here are some foodie scenes we'll never forget from this year's Polar Vortex.
If you’re lucky enough to live in the Midwest, you’re probably pretty familiar with the appropriately dubbed Polar Vortex of 2019. Record-setting temperatures were low enough to turn boiling water—or coffee!—to snow.
It’s just now finally warming up, and we’re glad to be saying goodbye to this wicked winter weather. Here are some of the most memorable food photos and videos from this year’s Polar Vortex.
1. Talk About Iced Coffee
https://twitter.com/MBCoffeeCo/status/1090703451972096000
We’ve seen plenty of people turn water to snow, but coffee? At least it smells good. If it’s ever that cold again, try to re-create this one with your own coffee shop drink.
2. Ghost Ramen
https://twitter.com/MrArsenie/status/1091354658050895872
It took only 15 minutes for this person to freeze ramen noodles and chopsticks in mid-air. (You won’t want to leave these ramen recipes out in the cold.)
3. This Is a Crime Against La Croix
https://twitter.com/43north89west/status/1091199726886838272
These cans of La Croix were no match for the temps. Slushies, anyone?
4. The Weather Is No Yolk
https://twitter.com/MatthewDux/status/1090641663347838978
Stay cozy inside with these eggy recipes.
5. What’s the Opposite of Hard Boiled?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtV5iyyhzWg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The eggs shared by one chilly user aren’t so easy to crack.
6. A Winter Beyond Science
https://twitter.com/katydids424/status/1090955825127018496
We all knew it was possible to freeze bourbon, we just didn’t think we’d ever see it. This year’s Polar Vortex turned this 90-proof liquor into a delicious little ice pop.
7. Spontaneous Cold-bustion
https://twitter.com/jpuopolo/status/1091336509733523458
Careful where you keep those cans! Temperatures like these can cause an ugly soda explosion.
8. Cold and Crafty
https://twitter.com/KoRickZenz/status/1090438598363500549
The winter’s not all bad. @KoRickZenz found a colorful way to make the most of the 2019 Polar Vortex. Just fill a water balloon with food coloring and water for a cute and crafty porch decoration.
Stay Warm! Make a Simple Soup Recipe for Your Next Snow Day
Quick Ham and Bean Soup
If you like ham and bean soup but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty, quick version will leave you with a satisfied smile. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Meatball Soup
This meatball soup recipe is a hearty meal. It's great for chilly days. —Sue Miller, Walworth, Wisconsin Turn all that fluff into some snow ice cream!
Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup
It doesn't take long to put bowls of this comforting cheesy potato soup recipe on the table. Convenience items, such as canned soup and processed cheese, simplify the preparation. —Tammy Condit, League City, Texas
Quick Ravioli & Spinach Soup
I love my Italian American traditions, but I never had time to make a classic Italian wedding soup. So I created this shortcut version with ravioli. —Cynthia Bent, Newark, Delaware
Mexican-Inspired Chicken Soup
This zesty chicken taco soup is loaded with corn and black beans in a mildly spicy red broth. As a busy mom of three young children, I'm always looking for dinner recipes that can be prepared in the morning. The kids love the taste of this easy soup. —Marlene Kane, Lainesburg, Michigan
Cheddar Broccoli Soup
Frozen broccoli speeds preparation of this warm and satisfying soup. —Louise Beatty, Amherst, New York
Dutch Oven French Onion Soup
I've also made this savory soup in a slow cooker for a fuss-free meal. It cooks on low for 3 to 4 hours. —Denise Hruz, Germantown, WI
Ramen Corn Chowder
This tastes so good, as if it simmered for hours, but it’s ready in 15 minutes. I thought the original recipe was lacking in flavor, so I jazzed it up with extra corn and bacon bits. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Curried Squash Soup
Cayenne pepper gives a little kick to this pretty curried squash soup, a first course that everyone seems to love. It can be made several days ahead to fit a busy schedule, then heated up whenever needed. —Evelyn Southwell, Etters, Pennsylvania
Quick and Healthy Turkey Veggie Soup
I freeze our leftover turkey at the holidays so we can enjoy meals like this year-round. This soup is especially delicious on a chilly fall or winter day. If you're looking for a dish that's more filling, add some cooked pasta. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Easy Butternut Squash Soup
When the weather turns cold, get cozy with a bowl of this butternut squash soup. This recipe is super easy. The cream adds richness, but if you're looking to cut calories, it can be omitted. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin If you love butternut squash, you have to try this butternut apple soup.
Cheesy Wild Rice Soup
We often eat easy-to-make soups when there’s not a lot of time to cook. I replaced the wild rice in the original recipe with a boxed rice mix. This creamy concoction is now a favorite.
Taco Twist Soup
The fun, family-friendly twist in this taco soup is the spiral pasta. I lightened this soup by substituting black beans for ground beef. —Colleen Zertler, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup
This isn't Grandma's chicken soup, but it is comforting in a whole new way. The lemon juice gives this easy soup enough zip to make it interesting. —Bill Hilbrich, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Swiss Potato Soup
You have a few options when it comes to fixing this soup—it can also be made in the microwave or started in a slow cooker in the morning. —Krista Musser, Orrville, Ohio
Hearty Pork Bean Soup
It's wonderful to come home to this pork bean soup dinner simmering away in a slow cooker, especially on a busy weeknight. This soup uses dried beans and is simple to throw together in the morning before work. When you get home, just add a few more ingredients, and in half an hour dinner is ready! Do not put the tomatoes in for the first 8 hours of cooking, or the beans will not become soft. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Contest-Winning Hearty Hamburger Soup
At family get-togethers, our children always request this spirit-warming ground beef soup along with a fresh loaf of homemade bread and tall glasses of milk. This hamburger soup has robust flavor, plenty of fresh-tasting vegetables and is easy to make. —Barbara Brown, Janesville, Wisconsin
Mac ‘N’ Cheese Soup
I found this recipe a few years ago and made a few changes to suit our tastes. We love this creamy soup. Because it starts with a package of macaroni and cheese, it's ready in a jiffy. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
One night I didn’t have any noodles for my chicken soup, so I gave it a twist with wonton wrappers. It was great! Don’t skip the celery leaves; they bring great flavor to this Asian chicken soup. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
One-Pot Spinach Beef Soup
My idea of a winning weeknight meal is this beefy soup simmering in one big pot. Grate some Parmesan and pass the saltines. —Julie Davis, Jacksonville, Florida
Cheese Chicken Soup
Kids won’t think twice about eating their vegetables after tasting this cheesy soup. —LaVonne Lundgren, Sioux City, Iowa
Red Flannel Stew
When I was a child, every Saturday night was red flannel night. Grandpa and I wore our red flannel long underwear to supper and Grandma, the cook, dressed in a long calico dress and sunbonnet. We’d eat this beet stew spooned over fluffy southern-style biscuits. Grandma learned to make the stew from earlier generations of our family. —Kathy Padgett, Diamond City, Arkansas
Grandma's Tomato Soup
This recipe is my grandmother’s. Originally, she even made the tomato juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Bean Counter Chowder
This hearty chowder is one of our favorite vegetarian dishes. Loaded with beans, noodles and bright herbs, it's so comforting on a chilly day. —Vivian Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Spicy Cheeseburger Soup
This creamy and spicy cheeseburger soup brings my family to the table in a hurry. I love the warming zip of cayenne, but it also tastes terrific without it if you like milder flavor. With a few simple side dishes, this soup is a full meal.
Easy Tortellini Spinach Soup
This is the easiest soup you will ever make—believe me! I always keep the ingredients on hand, so if I'm feeling under the weather or just plain busy I can throw together this comforting soup in a flash. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Spinach and Sausage Lentil Soup
During the cooler months of the year, this soup makes regular appearances on our dinner table. It is approved by all, including my picky 6-year-old. —Kalyn Gensic, Ardmore, Oklahoma
Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Much of the work for this soup can be done in advance, and it keeps all day in the slow cooker. The recipe can easily be doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Once you’ve tried it, try mixing it up—add sage or savory with the thyme, or replace the thyme with nutmeg. For a vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. —Jennifer Machado, Alta, California
Pico de Gallo Black Bean Soup
Everyone at my table goes for this feel-good soup. It is quick when you’re pressed for time and beats fast food, hands down. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Quick Cream of Mushroom Soup
My daughter-in-law, a gourmet cook, served this cream of mushroom soup recipe as the first course for a holiday dinner. She received the recipe from her mom and graciously shared it with me. Now I'm happy to share it with my own friends and family. —Anne Kulick, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Spicy Potato Soup
My sister-in-law passed this kid-friendly recipe to me. Since she prefers her foods much spicier that we do, I cut back on the heat by reducing the amount of hot pepper sauce. Feel free to increase it or add your favorite herbs if you want more kick.— Audrey Wall, Industry, Pennsylvania
Shortcut Split Pea Soup
Pair this soup with a simple tossed salad for a well-rounded, nourishing meal that's quick and easy. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine
Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
A good friend made us this rich, comforting, creamy chicken noodle soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah
Onion Cheese Soup
I made a few adjustments to this savory soup recipe I came across in a community cookbook. It's rich, buttery and cheesy, plus it's so quick to prepare. —Janice Pogozelski, Cleveland, Ohio
Potato Chowder
One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It's easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana
Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup
My husband and I love buffalo chicken wings, so we created a soup with the same zippy flavor,. It's very popular with guests. Start with a small amount of hot sauce, then add more if needed to suit your family's tastes. —Pat Farmer, Falconer, New York
Garlic Tortellini Soup
I like to top bowls of this tasty soup with a little grated Parmesan cheese, and serve it with crusty bread to round out the meal. —Donna Morgan, Hend, Tennessee
Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup
Convenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to mix up. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It's wonderful served with bread and a salad. —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Gumbo in a Jiffy
This is a yummy dish. My husband loves the kick that the sausage gives this quick gumbo, and it’s such a cinch to assemble. —Amy Flack, Homer City, Pennsylvania
Italian Sausage and Bean Soup
The unusual blend of sausage and beans with coleslaw makes this soup for a cold winter night the definition of complete comfort food. The recipe doubles easily, so serve a crowd and pair with crusty bread and a tossed salad. —Stacey Bennett, Locust Grove, Virginia
Chicken Gnocchi Pesto Soup
After tasting a similar soup at a restaurant, I created this quick and tasty version. The pesto adds an extra-nice Italian flavor that is often missing from other gnocchi soups. —Deanna Smith, Des Moines, Iowa t
Spicy Pumpkin & Corn Soup
A seriously quick dish, it can satisfy a hungry household in 15 minutes. My family loves sharing this soup with cornbread, or you can add a zesty kick with some Rotel. — Heather Rorex, Winnemucca, Nevada
Super Fast Mexican Soup
We take this spicy soup to rodeos on cool nights or sip it by a campfire. For toppings, try onions, avocado, cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and salsa. —Gloria Huse, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Turkey and Vegetable Barley Soup
Using ingredients on hand, I stirred up this turkey and veggie-packed soup. If you have them, corn, beans and celery are great here, too. —Lisa Wiger, St. Michael, Minnesota
Bacon-Potato Corn Chowder
I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota
Carolina Shrimp Soup
Fresh shrimp from the Carolina coast is one of our favorite foods. We add kale, garlic, red peppers and black-eyed peas to complete this wholesome, filling soup. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Greek Tomato Soup with Orzo
My recipe for manestra, which means orzo in Greek, is straightforward and very easy to make. You need only a few steps to transform simple ingredients into a creamy one-pot wonder. —Kiki Vagianos, Melrose, Massachusetts
Split Pea Soup with Ham & Jalapeno
To me, this spicy pea soup is total comfort food. I cook it low and slow all day, and it fills the house with a yummy aroma. It's so good with a nice, crispy baguette. —Chelsea Tichenor, Huntington Beach, California
Coconut Curry Cauliflower Soup
When I'm in need of comfort food, I stir up a velvety batch of this Asian-spiced soup. Then I finish it with a sprinkle of cilantro over the top. —Elizabeth DeHart, West Jordan, Utah
Mushroom Tortellini Soup
This colorful veggie soup gets all bulked up thanks to cheesy tortellini. It's a real comfort on a cold or rainy day. —Jen Lucas, Baldwinville, Massachusetts
Originally Published: February 01, 2019
