Step back in time with these delicious and nostalgic soups from the '50s.
24 Classic Soup Recipes from the 1950s
Updated on Jul. 18, 2024
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
1/23
2/23
Classic French Onion Soup
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup soup with 2 pieces bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
3/23
Tomato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this soup is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. — Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 104 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
4/23
Cioppino
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and it is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 205 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable.
5/23
Contest-Winning Hearty Hamburger Soup
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 167 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 972mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
6/23
Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I have leftover ham in the fridge, I always like to make this soup. Just throw the ingredients in the slow-cooker, turn it on, and dinner is done. —Pamela Chambers, West Columbia, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 266 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 728mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 15g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat.
7/23
Best Ever Potato Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll be surprised at the taste of this rich and cheesy easy potato soup. It really is the best potato soup recipe, ever. I came up with it after enjoying baked potato soup at one of our favorite restaurants. I added bacon, and we think that makes it even better. —Coleen Morrissey, Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for more, try this old-fashioned potato soup recipe.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 250 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
8/23
Rustic Fish Chowder
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
President John F. Kennedy's affinity for fish chowder was likely inspired by his love of sailing off the coast of New England. In my version, I use fresh halibut my brother-in-law, a commercial fisherman, catches in Kodiak, Alaska. Top servings with grated Parmesan, minced green onions or a few drops of hot sauce.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 242 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
9/23
Cream of Asparagus Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We have a large asparagus patch and are able to freeze a lot for the year. My recipe highlights the flavor of the vegetable and is very easy to make. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 154 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 585mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat-free milk.
10/23
Corn Chowder
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (about 2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Chowder is a classic comfort food here in the Northeast, especially during cooler weather. Whenever I make a trip home to Pittsburgh, Mom has this simmering on the stove for me.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 271 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
11/23
Shrimp Gumbo
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
11 servings (2-3/4 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
A crisp green salad and crusty French bread complete this shrimp gumbo meal. I always have hot sauce available when I serve this and have found that the instant microwave rice packages make the process a little easier. —Jo Ann Graham, Ovilla, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 159 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
12/23
Old-Fashioned Tomato Soup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings (1-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Mother made this soup when I was a child, and it was always one of my favorites. After 75 years, it still is! Mother’s cellar was filled with home-canned vegetables, so the basic ingredient of this soup was right at hand. It never took her long to make a kettle of this wonderful soup. —Wilma Miller, Port Angeles, Washington. Also, try out these other old fashioned soup recipes.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 148 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 423mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
13/23
New Year's Oyster Stew
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Oyster stew is quite popular along the coast of Ireland, where oysters are served to celebrate many festivals. Immigrants brought the recipe with them to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. —Christa Scott, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 251 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 448mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
14/23
Vegetable Beef Soup
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
26 servings (9-3/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
When you need to feed a crowd, consider this beefy favorite loaded with both fresh and frozen veggies. —Sue Straughan, Prattville, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 245 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1090mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 18g protein.
15/23
Buttery Onion Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this recipe when I once had an abundance of sweet onions. I like making it for guests, but sometimes I'll halve the recipe and make some just for me! —Sharon Berthelote, Sunburst, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 294 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.
16/23
Rivel Soup
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For years, I'd been trying to figure out how my grandmother made her rivel soup. Then I discovered that it wasn't just something she came up with, but a prized heirloom recipe. Many families have their own special version. —Kathy Kegley, Rural Retreat, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 169 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
17/23
Cream of Carrot Soup
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Both the bright orange color and the deliciously different flavor of this soup delight guests. A hint of rosemary adds a nice spark to a slightly sweet soup. —Grace Yaskovic, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 267 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 367mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
18/23
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I typically serve this chowder with a tossed salad and hot rolls. It is easy to make and tastes wonderful on a cold winter evening. My family has enjoyed it for more than 30 years. —Joan Hopewell, Columbus, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 91 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
19/23
Turnip Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
In nearby Wardsboro, Vermont, they have a fall festival where one of the entrees is this delicious soup. Reheats wonderfully in a slow cooker! —Liz Wheeler, Wilmington, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 138 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 526mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
20/23
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
14 servings (3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m originally from Minnesota, where wild rice grows in abundance and is very popular in recipes. This creamy chicken wild rice soup has been part of our Christmas Eve menu for years. To save time, I cook the chicken and wild rice and cut up the vegetables the day before. —Virginia Montmarquet, Riverside, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 154 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 807mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
21/23
Creamy Root Veggie Soup
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On chilly nights, we fill the pot with parsnips and celery root for a smooth, creamy soup. Garlic, bacon and fresh thyme make it even better. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 295 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 851mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein.
22/23
Clam Chowder
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best clam chowder recipe ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren't readily available everywhere, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 280 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat.
23/23
Cream of Cauliflower Soup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This mildly cheesy cauliflower soup is a favorite of mine. I make it often in summer, although it's good any time. —Karen Brown, West Lafayette, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 186 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 792mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
