Irish cuisine involves so much more than just simple cabbage and potatoes.
You will certainly find those ingredients in many of these 25 recipes but there is plenty more to explore.
I am talking about rich beer cheese blends and hearty seafood chowders.
Some of these dishes feature bright flavors like lager or fresh herbs.
Others focus on comforting ingredients like barley and tender beef.
I have gathered 25 delicious Irish soups for you to try this week.
1. Guinness Onion Soup
Think of French onion soup but with a distinct Irish twist. You simmer sweet caramelized onions in a broth rich with umami from beer.
Then you top it all with toasted bread and plenty of melting cheese. It might not follow the strict French method but I bet Julia Child would still approve.
2. Irish Seafood Chowder
Ireland has water all around it so the seafood supply is massive. That means chowder is a staple meal.
This version uses crab and shrimp along with salmon. You can also toss in clams or mussels if you have them handy.
3. Parsnip and Apple Soup
Apples and parsnips join forces once again here. The result is a creamy soup with both sweet and savory notes.
You add ground ginger and a bit of curry powder to the broth for an extra kick of flavor.
4. Slow Cooker Irish Potato Soup
You cannot have a collection of Irish recipes without a classic potato soup. This bowl features plenty of spuds along with bacon and cheddar cheese.
It feels like a warm hug and offers total comfort. It truly is as good as it gets.
5. Irish Vegetable Barley Soup
You might not get excited about a plant-based soup right away. This one will change your mind after a single bite.
The combination of fiber-rich barley and vegetables creates a surprisingly delicious vegan meal.
6. Beer Cheese Soup
I mentioned this beer cheese soup earlier because it is just that good. It pairs lager and cheese with mustard for bright flavor.
You combine soup and cheese in one bowl and top it with crumbled bacon. I suggest serving it in a bread bowl to make it even better.
7. Rutabaga and Carrot Soup
Rutabaga is just a fun word to say. This Swedish turnip joins carrots to create a vibrant yellow-orange soup.
The color shines brighter than the sun. You get a perfect balance of savory and creamy flavors in every bite.
8. Paleo-Friendly Irish Beef & Cabbage Soup
This recipe features leafy cabbage and tender beef with sweet carrots. The tomato broth is absolutely incredible.
It uses red wine and tomato paste along with garlic to create a savory umami flavor profile.
9. Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
This traditional stew puts corned beef and cabbage into one magnificent meal. It gives you protein and carbs along with plenty of fat and vegetables.
The soup is incredibly tasty. I bet you cannot limit yourself to a single serving.
10. Irish Fish Chowder
This chowder combines mussels and fish with bacon for a surf and turf vibe. You use both fresh fish and smoked fish in the pot.
That combination creates a lovely balance that makes this Irish chowder unique.
11. Mulligatawny Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
You can fight off gloomy weather with this cozy soup. It combines wild rice and chicken with plenty of vegetables.
The broth gets tons of flavor from herbs like tarragon and coriander plus curry and aniseed.
12. Irish Colcannon Soup
Colcannon is traditionally a dish of mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale. This recipe gives you all those elements in soup form.
It is rich with cream and butter to help warm you up in the winter.
13. Dublin Coddle – Irish Bacon, Sausage, and Potato Stew Recipe
You cook Dublin coddle low and slow to develop deep flavor in the broth. The term “coddled” refers to this slow cooking method.
The soup features savory bacon and sausage along with potatoes. It is definitely worth the wait.
14. Carrot and Coriander Soup
The bright orange hue makes this soup very popular in Ireland during Halloween. Coriander provides a balance of spice and sweetness that reminds me of roasted orange peel.
Just add it in moderation to the carrot soup for a perfect pop of flavor. I am positive it will change your mind about coriander.
15. Irish Leek and Potato Soup
This soup looks incredibly creamy but it is actually low in calories. Leeks provide the green hue while potatoes provide the main flavor.
It manages to be hearty and delicious while still being diet-friendly. You rarely see those descriptions for the same dish.
16. Beef Barley Stew
This stew requires slow cooking so the flavors are crazy good. You can look forward to melt-in-your-mouth beef and tasty broth.
It also features protein-rich barley and sweet onions.
17. Irish Farmhouse Vegetable Soup
Skip this one if you prefer chunky soups. This Irish vegetable soup is silky and smooth.
You puree a blend of leeks and potatoes and carrots to form a nutritious meal. The mix of flavors is wonderful.
18. Potato Cheddar Guinness Soup
Guinness extra stout gives this potato cheddar soup real Irish flair. You should definitely try using beer to flavor your soups if you haven’t yet.
The alcohol evaporates as it cooks so you are just left with delicate flavors. It makes all the difference.
19. Vegetarian Irish Stew for Lentil Lovers
Most traditional Irish stews rely on chunks of beef or lamb. You can skip the meat entirely and use lentils instead for a vegetarian option.
These starchy beans change the texture but I think this version is even better. The recipe also uses Guinness to add a punch of flavor.
20. Pea and Mint Soup
You might think this combination is odd but pea and mint are a common duo in Irish cooking. It is so popular that grocery stores there sell it in pre-made cartons.
The result is surprisingly refreshing and creamy. This soup works perfectly for summer.
21. Nettle Cream Soup
Nettles have stinging hairs that will hurt you if you handle them wrong. Cook them correctly though and you get a rewarding cream soup.
This recipe purees nettles with carrots and potatoes. You can serve it chilled or warm.
22. Irish Parsnip Soup
Parsnips play a major role in Irish cooking because they are available in winter when other vegetables are scarce. This root vegetable looks like a white carrot but tastes much sweeter.
This soup is warming and creamy with a gentle kick from curry. Apples add a subtle sweetness to the mix.
23. Roasted Carrot & Fennel Soup
You should pop your fennel and carrots in the oven to really enhance their flavors. Roasting makes the carrots taste sweeter and reduces the strong anise flavor of the fennel.
You then puree these roasted veggies with seasonings. The result is a tasty and refreshing soup.
24. Irish Creamy Cauliflower Soup
This soup is insanely delicious and velvety. It combines cauliflower florets with leeks and potatoes.
The addition of sharp Irish cheese makes it silky smooth.