What Is a Soup Swap?
Think of a soup swap as a savory version of a cookie exchange: Instead of a sweet treat, everyone brings a large batch of a different soup to share. Guests each prepare their soup ahead of time and leave with to-go containers of soup so they can stock their fridge (or freezer) with leftovers.
What You’ll Need for a Soup Swap
- Tasting bowls and spoons
- Ladles
- Accouterments (sourdough bread, baguettes, cornbread, etc.)
- Light bites for snacking
- To-go containers
How to Host a Soup Swap
- Send out the invites and sign-up sheet. When you invite guests, make sure to include a sign-up sheet (I like using Google Sheets) that includes each guest’s name and soup recipe title. Guests will be able to see what everyone else is bringing, so you can avoid duplicates and also ensure you get a good mix of different styles of soup.
- Stock up on supplies. If you cook regularly, you likely don’t need much to host a soup swap, but it doesn't hurt to have a few extra ladles, tasting bowls, and spoons on hand. Encourage guests to bring their own to-go containers, but it’s also wise to supply some extras just in case (freezer-safe deli containers are perfect). A six-cup muffin pan (like these) also makes for a fun way to sample several different soups without committing to a full bowl of each.
- Set up a landing zone. Depending on your kitchen layout, you might want to set the soup pots out on your stovetop or on your dining room table—either works great! If you opt for the table, borrow a trick from Dan Pelosi’s famous cookie swap and cover it with butcher paper, then write the name of each soup next to it in permanent marker.
- Enjoy! While guests will leave with soup to take home, they’ll likely want to dig in while you're together. Have some tasting bowls and spoons set out and encourage guests to try as many soups as they like before filling their to-go containers with leftovers.
Tips for Hosting a Successful Soup Swap
- When you’re cooking for a crowd, it can be stressful to try out a brand-new recipe. To take the pressure off, opt for a recipe—or at least a style of soup—that you’ve made before.
- In addition to the soups and accouterments like bread, set out some light bites, like a cheese or charcuterie board, and encourage guests to snack upon arrival. Inevitably, a guest or two will be running behind, so having some snacks on hand will help tide everyone over until you all dig in.
- Depending on how many guests you’ll have, you might want to double your recipe to make sure everyone leaves with a generous serving. A recipe that yields about 8 quarts is ideal.
- If stove space is limited, encourage guests to bring their soup in a slow cooker to keep it warm while serving.
We Tested the Best Small Slow Cookers—These 5 Are Perfect for Easy Weeknight Meals
Our Favorite Soup Recipes to Bring to a Soup Swap
The best recipe to bring to a soup swap is one you love. I made my go-to turkey, white bean, and kale soup, while my friends brought chicken gnocchi soup, potsticker dumpling soup, tomato soup, and potato-leek soup.
Lasagna soup is a tried-and-true winner, but you could also try classic French onion or Italian wedding soup, or lean into fall flavors with a butternut squash-carrot soup. Whether you’re looking for creamy soups, ground beef soups, or soups you can make in 30 minutes or less, the options are endless.
