When the air turns crisp, there’s something so comforting about warming up with a homemade bowl of soup. And the best part? It turns out that don’t have to stand over a stove for hours to make that a reality! With your microwave, whipping up a cozy soup (from scratch) is faster and easier than ever. Whether you’re craving a hearty chili, a brothy noodle soup, or a silky blended bisque, the microwave makes it simple to prepare all kinds of flavors and textures.

Before diving into the recipes, check out these simple tips for making flavorful soups in the microwave. Plus, learn how to batch cook and freeze portions so a quick, comforting bowl of soup is always just a few minutes away.

Tips for cooking flavorful soups in the microwave

Did you know you can use your microwave to cook soup from scratch? Yes, you read that right. With the right techniques, the microwave works as a super-powered steamer to create bold, rich flavors in a fraction of the time. From sweating aromatics to steaming vegetables, you can layer flavors just like you would on the stovetop.

Here are some tips to help you create soups that are not only fast but deliciously satisfying:

• Choose your own adventure: It’s easy to build a quick soup with this basic formula: Start with your aromatics (onions, garlic, ginger, etc) and microwave with a bit of fat like olive oil or butter. After a quick sweat, add additional veggies of choice and steam them for a few minutes. Then, just add broth and maybe some protein (like canned beans or shredded rotisserie chicken) and heat everything to a simmer for a quick, flavorful soup that tastes like it simmered for hours.
• Use your freezer stash: Got frozen dumplings? Maybe some veggies, beans or cooked lentils hiding in the back of your freezer? They’re perfect for bulking up your soup. Toss in some frozen spinach or peas, or drop in a few wontons, and you've got an even heartier meal with almost no extra effort.
• Blend to your liking: Do you prefer your soup chunky or silky smooth? If the latter, grab an immersion blender and blend your soup right in the Anyday dish for the perfect texture without dirtying extra dishes.
• Make a quick stock: Using homemade chicken stock is a flavor game changer. Follow our recipe for a rich, flavorful soup base in no time and you’ll never reach for the boxed stuff again.
• Use concentrated ingredients for a flavor boost: When cooking in the microwave, a little goes a long way. Using concentrated ingredients like tomato paste, bouillon base, or miso can ramp up the richness and depth of your soups. Other options include Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or a splash of fish sauce for an umami punch.

How to batch cook soups in the microwave

Soup is the ultimate batch-cook meal. With the Extra Large dish, you can make enough soup for the whole week, or freeze some for those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking. After cooking your soup, portion it out into Anytime Freezer Trays. This way, you’ve got individual servings ready to go whenever you need them.

When it’s time to eat, simply pop a portion into a Small dish and reheat it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (depending on the portion size). In just minutes, you’ll have a homemade meal that tastes like you made it fresh in a fraction of the time.

Tools you need to make soups in the microwave

If you want to start making soups in the microwave, the right tools make all the difference. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Deep Dishes: Deep dishes are perfect for microwaving soups from scratch, thanks to their depth and spacious design. They allow for even heating and have plenty of room to hold all of the ingredients without spilling. If you’ve got leftovers, simply pop the lid on the finished soup and store it in the fridge for tomorrow.
• Anyhand Mitts: Handling hot dishes (especially full of boiling hot soup) is easy with Anyhand mitts. The silicone surface provides a non-slip grip on your dish, offering protection from the heat. As a bonus, Anyhand mitts double as trivets to protect your table from hot dishes straight out of the microwave.
• Anytime Freezer Trays: Perfect for portioning out leftover soup, these FDA-grade silicone trays make it simple to freeze individual servings. When you’re ready for a quick meal, just pop out a portion (or two) and reheat. It’s an easy way to make sure you always have a homemade bowl of soup at the ready.

Even when it’s not exactly soup weather, sometimes you just can’t resist a cozy bowl. The great thing about using the microwave is that it makes it easy to whip up flavorful, comforting soups without heating up the whole kitchen. Whether it’s a cold day or you fall in the camp that believes that every season is soup season, the microwave makes it easy to whip up flavorful soups anytime.

Ready to dive in? Check out these flavorful microwave soup recipes for your next cozy meal: