Worried that a bowl of soup won’t satisfy your hunger? Luckily, there is an array of mouth-watering sides for soup that can turn it into a nutritious and filling meal.
If it’s carbs you’re craving or you need a veggie boost, pairing soup with a tasty side can lift it to the next level.
Soup with an accompanying sandwich is a guaranteed winner that will fill anyone up. Sometimes, you want your soup to be the star of the show, and, for that, you’ll require a more suitable side dish.
Your choice of side will depend on the type of soup you are making as some flavours will pack a punch, whilst others will harmonise with the rest of the ingredients. For example, a smooth soup like tomato or asparagus is crying out for a thick hunk of bread for dunking. A hearty and meaty soup may require something more delicate like a side of sautéed vegetables or a simple salad.
Whatever your preference or mood, here are our suggestions for 15 of the best mouth-watering sides for soup.
1. Grilled cheese sandwich
Cheese and tomato are a match made in heaven. So, what better way to bulk up some warm Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup than with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich that melts into the bowl? Firmer cheeses like Cheddar, Red Leicester, Gruyere, and Gouda are perfect melting cheeses for this recipe which can be further tweaked by adding bacon to enhance the flavour even further.
2. Spinach salad with bacon
This warm spinach salad with bacon makes a great side for any soup. It’s quick to make as it only needs a few ingredients. Take your spinach then add finely chopped red onion and cooked bacon. Drizzle over a simple dressing of red wine vinegar, a little sugar, and warm bacon grease and watch as the warm dressing wilts the spinach leaves.
3. Stuffed baked potatoes
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What could be an easier satisfying side for soup than a baked potato? Take your potato out of the oven, hollow out the middle then stuff with your favourite fillings like cheese, bacon, ham, sundried tomato or vegetables of your choice. The bonus is you can freeze stuffed baked potatoes and pop them into the oven whenever you need them.
4. Vegan sweet potato fries
You’ll love this low-fat, substitute that delivers all the salty loveliness of French fries but without the deep frying. Slice sweet potatoes into thin strips, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt, paprika, or cayenne pepper then bake in the oven until golden. Serve with vegetable soup for a meat-free option, or with Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup for a more robust meal.
5. Cheese and vegetable quesadillas
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These baked, vegetarian or even vegan beauties are ideal for any occasion and go so well with soup. Fry sliced bell peppers in a little oil, remove then spoon into fresh tortillas with the cheese of your choice and a pinch of cumin. Bake in the oven until crispy, cut into triangles and dip into your favourite soup. Serve on their own or with salsa or guacamole.
6. Garlic bread
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What could be simpler and more delicious than warm garlic bread as a side for soup? Mix butter with a little olive oil then add as much grated fresh garlic and herbs as you like. We recommend using half a garlic clove per slice of bread, while parsley works particularly well as a herb too. Smear the mixture over slices of your favourite bread then bake in the oven or place under a hot grill until golden. This garlic bread recipe can be made in advance and kept in the freezer so all you need to do is oven bake or grill – a real-time saver!
7. Air fryer cauliflower
Delicately seasoned, tender-crisp cauliflower makes a perfect side to any creamy soup like Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, or for a vegetarian option, Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup. Toss cauliflower florets in olive oil, salt, dried thyme, garlic powder and black pepper. Arrange in an even layer in an air fryer and cook at 200c for around 15 minutes, tossing occasionally.
8. Roasted green beans with harissa
This quick, easy, lightly-spiced dish works a treat alongside soup. The beans soften without becoming mushy and roasting adds a slight char for a smoky flavour. Mix olive oil and harissa in a bowl, throw in your washed beans and season. Spread the beans across a large baking sheet and place them on the upper rack of a preheated oven at 220c for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped almonds.
9. Red potato salad
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The great thing about potato salad is that it’s fully versatile and can be tweaked any way you like. This version takes red potatoes cut into small pieces mixed with mayonnaise, plain Greek yoghurt, shallot, fresh dill, and Dijon mustard. For a new twist add boiled eggs, bacon pieces or even chilli flakes for a filling side to any soup flavour and meat or fish-based soups in particular.
10. Buttered noodles
The options are almost limitless with buttered noodles as you can throw in any ingredients you like for a perfect side to soup. Let your boiled noodles cool down then toss in butter with garlic, spinach, parmesan cheese or whatever takes your fancy. Add chilli flakes for a spicy kick and consider adding a stock cube to boiling water when cooking your noodles for extra flavour.
11. Roasted pear salad
While your Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup is simmering away, prepare this decadent salad as a delightful side dish. Cut up your pears, toss in olive oil, sprinkle with salt then roast in the oven. Remove, mix with chopped spinach, parmesan cheese and a dash of balsamic vinegar and serve, with a little cracked black pepper on top.
12. Smoked salmon bagel
This side is an ideal match for hearty soups such as Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup. Simply toast your bagel then fill it with smoked salmon, cream cheese, avocado, red onion and fresh dill. The smoky flavours of the salmon are complimented by the sweet, herb topping and creamy cheese.
13. Bread bowls
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If you enjoy dunking bread into soup, you’ll love this simple variation. Take your favourite loaf of bread, cut off the top and hollow out the middle before filling it with any soup you like, such as Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup. Crusty bread and sourdough make ideal bread bowls, or you could even bake your own bread for an added personal touch.
14. Chicken strips
Crispy, golden-brown chicken strips are perfect for dipping in sauces or as a side dish for soup. Coat your bite-size chicken pieces with flour, dip into an egg and water mixture then coat in breadcrumbs. Place on a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Serve as a meaty accompaniment to the soup of your choice.
15. Fish sticks
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Crispy morsels of flaky fish make a tasty side dish for soup and will please even the fussiest eaters. Cut your fish into finger-sized sticks, coat in flour, dip in a beaten egg and then breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the fish begins to flake easily with a fork. This is a great side dish for Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup.
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