CHICKEN TORTELLINI SOUP

2 cans (14.5-oz each) chicken broth

2 cups water

3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-in cubes

1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

1 pkg (9-oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini

2 celery ribs, thinly sliced

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp pepper

In a large saucepan, bring broth and water toa boil, add chicken. Reduce heat and cook 10 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and cook 10 -15 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.

Yield: 8 servings 1 cup each

Per serving: 170 calories, 4g fat (2g sat),37mg chol, 483mg sod, 20g carb, 14g protein Note: this recipe and nutritional figures are from a Taste of Home magazine. I suggest diabetics use low sodium chicken broth to lower the sodium mgs 

toh photo

TACO SOUP

1 lb ground turkey or beef, 90% to 94% lean

1 med onion, diced

2 cans (15-oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15-oz) corn, drained

1-pint cherry tomatoes, quartered OR 1 can (15-oz) diced tomatoes

1 jalapeno, diced (optional)

2 (1-oz each) packets taco seasoning mix, about 4 tbsp total (1 pkt, if you like less seasoning)

4 cups reduced sodium broth 

Optional toppers: cilantro, avocado, jalapeno, crushed taco shells, Greek yogurt, shredded cheese

Liberally mist a large, deep skillet or pot with cooking oil spray; warm over medium-high heat. Add the meat and onions; cook 6 to9 minutes, chopping with a wooden spoon to crumble meat as it browns.

Add beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapeno and seasoning packets. Stir. Add the broth and mix everything together. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, until soup is piping hot.

Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with desired toppers.

Yield: 9 heaping cups Per serving: 170 calories, 22g carbs, 18g protein, 2 g total fat, 25mg cholesterol, 380 mg sodium, 6g fiber, 0 add sugar.

photo of this recipe

THREE BEAN TURKEY SOUP

1 lb ground turkey

1 cup chopped onion
1 medium bell pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (16-oz) red kidney beans, drained
1 can (16-oz) Great Northern beans, drained
1 can (16-oz) black beans, drained
3 cups water
2 cans, whole tomatoes, undrained, chopped
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp chicken-flavored bouillon granules
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

In a large skillet, cook turkey, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until turkey is no longer pink. Drain off any fat.
Transfer mixture to  a crock pot/slow cooker. Add the beans, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce, carrots, spices and bouillon. Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.

Before serving, mash beans slightly to make a thicker soup. Garnish, if desired.

Yield: 10 servings

May not be this exact recipe

WILD RICE CHICKEN SOUP

1 large onion, chopped

1 medium carrot, shredded

1 celery rib, diced

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup white whole-wheat or garbanzo bean flour

8 cups chicken broth

3 cups cooked wild rice

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded]

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

dash of garlic powder

1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

1/4 cup chopped chives for garnish, optional

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter; sauté the onion, carrot, and celery until tender. Stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually add broth while stirring. Stir in the remaining ingredients except the milk and chives. Bring soup to a boil over medium heat; cook, stirring for 2 - 3 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the milk and cook another 4 -5 minutes. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with the chives, if using.

LENTIL &i CANADIAN BACON SOUP

4 cups water

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp thyme

2 cans vegetable broth

2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces

 1 cup chopped potato

1 medium onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, cut into small pieces

1 16-oz pkg dried lentils, sorted and rinsed

6-oz Canadian bacon, chopped

Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting 8 to 9 hours or until the lentils are tender. Stir well before serving. Garnish with sour cream, if desired.

file photo

FRENCH ONION SOUP

2 tbsp canola oil

1 1/4 lbs (5 cups) sliced onions
1 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 slices whole-wheat bread, toasted & cut in half diagonally
4 tsp ground flaxseed
6 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese, halved

Preheat broiler.

Heat the canola oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat for about a minute.  Add the sliced onions, thyme, bay leaves, and salt; stir to combine.  Cover and cook, stirring frequently, for around 15 minutes until the onions are evenly browned and softened.  Reduce the heat to keep onions from browning too fast.

Add 1/2 cup of the vegetable broth to the onions and turn heat to high.  Cook briskly simmering about 3 minutes.  Add the remaining broth and the water.  Bring to an almost boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.  Remove and discard bay leaves.

Place a half slice of toast in the bottom of four shallow heatproof bowls and sprinkle each with a teaspoon of the flaxseed.  Divide the soup evenly between the four bowls.  Top each bowl of soup with 3 of the cheese half slices.

Broil 6-inches from the heat for 1 minute or until the cheese is bubbly and light golden brown being careful not to let the cheese burn.  Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

file photo for reference

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving: 315 calories, 28 g carb, 13 g protein, 15 g (5 g sat) fat, 20 mg chol, 350 mg sodium (without adding salt to the bowl), 5 g fiber, 330 mg calc, 650 mg omega-3s.

QUICK TURKEY SOUP

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups diced yellow onions

3/4 cup diced carrots

3/4 cup diced celery 

salt, lightly, to taste

pepper to taste

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or turkey stock

1/2 cup uncooked pearl couscous

3 cups chopped, cooked turkey 

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Lemon wedges, for serving

In a large heavy-bottomed stock pot or Dutch oven set over medium heat, add butter, onions, carrots and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme, cook another 2 minutes.

Add the broth and bring mixture to a boil. Stir in couscous, then reduce soup to a simmer. Cover and simmer until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in turkey then season with salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve with grated Parmesan and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 

Yield: 6 servings

recipe and photo woman's world 2025

GIFT JAR OF TUSCAN MARKET SOUP MIX

If you enjoy giving food gift jars as gifts or make them to sell at craft shows, etc, this is a good one for diabetics as well as the general public.

Layer the ingredients in a quart jar:

1/2 cup barley

1/2 cup split peas

1/2 cup brown rice

1/2 cup lentils

2 tbsp dried minced onion

2 tbsp dried parsley

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 tbsp beef bouillon granules

1 tsp dried cumin

1 pkg dehydrated onion soup mix

Attach recipe for TUSCAN MARKET SOUP

1 jar Tuscan Market Soup Mix

3 quarts water

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

1 cup shredded cabbage

1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes

Combine ingredients and place in a soup pot; cover. Cook over medium heat and simmer 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender. 

file photo for reference only

ITALIAN CHICKEN ARTICHOKE SOUP

1 tbsp canola oil

1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp dried oregano
4 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth*
1 can (14-oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, do not drain
2 cups water
6 tbsp minute brown rice
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups diced cooked boneless skinless chicken breast meat
1 pkg (9-oz) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
Fresh ground black pepper, optional
4 tsp grated Parmesan cheese

Heat canola oil in soup pot over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the onion and oregano; stir and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until onion starts to soften and turn translucent. Stir in the broth, water, tomatoes, rice and salt. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender.

Add the chicken and the artichoke hearts to the soup. Simmer another 3 to 4 minutes, just until heated through. Stir in the chopped parsley. Season to taste with fresh ground black pepper, if desired. Divide into 4 soup bowls ad sprinkle a teaspoon of the grated Parmesan over each bowl.

*May substitute vegetable broth, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving: 322 calories, 30 g protein, 33 g carbs, 7 g (1 sat) fat, 55 mg cholesterol, 527 mg sodium Bonus: 380 mg omega-3s!

BLACK BEAN SOUP

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 cup water

2 cans (15-oz each) black beans

2 cans (15-oz each) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream

Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet; add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté approximately 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Drain the black beans.

In a large saucepan, combine the sautéed veggies, black beans, water, and undrained tomatoes; stir in the cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Spoon half the mixture into a blender container and process until pureed. Return pureed mixture to the saucepan with the remainder of the soup. Cook, stirring occasionally, until completely heated through.

To serve, ladle into bowls and top each bowl with a tablespoon of sour cream. Serve with baked tortilla chips, if your diet allows.

Yield: 4 servings.

file photo

MUSHROOM BISQUE

3/4 b fresh mushrooms, sliced 

1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 tbsp white whole-wheat flour (or your favorite no/low carb substitute)
1 tsp salt
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups fat-free half-and-half cream
fresh chopped parsley

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter; add the mushrooms, garlic, and onion sautéing 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice. Blend in the flour then gradually stir in the broth. Add the salt and pepper. Cook soup, stirring constantly, until the soup is slightly thickened. Stir in the cream, heat thoroughly, but do not boil. Garnish with the chopped parsley.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

file photo

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP WITH FRESH BASIL

3 1/2 lbs fresh tomatoes (approximately 11 medium), halved

1 small onion, quartered

2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

12 fresh basil leaves, optional

Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan and place tomatoes, onion and garlic on the pan; drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with the thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat.  Roast 25 to 30 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Cool slightly.

Process tomato mixture and basil leaves in batches in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan; heat through. If desired, top with julienned basil.

Yield: 6 servings Per serving: 107 calories, 5g fat (1g sat), 0 cholesterol, 411 sodium (reduce or eliminate salt to cut back on sodium), 15g carbs, 4g fiber, 3g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

Recipe and photo TOH 2009

LEMONY CHICKEN RICE SOUP

3 cans (13 to 14-oz each) condensed chicken broth

2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
1/2 tsp tarragon
1 tsp grated lemon peel
3 large eggs
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cans (5-oz each) premium chunk white chicken, drained, shredded
1 cup cooked wild rice

In a medium saucepan, simmer the chicken broth with the parsley, tarragon, and lemon peel over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile beat the eggs and lemon juice until light and frothy. Slowly beat in 1 cup of the hot broth then pour the mixture into the saucepan with remaining broth. Reduce the heat to low and add the chicken and rice. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. Do not boil the soup.

Yield: 4 servings

Note: File Photo shown with white rice, but diabetics should eat wild rice.

CHICKEN AND LENTIL SOUP

1 tbsp canola or olive oil 

1 1/2 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 can (14-oz) chicken broth
3 cups water
2 large tomatoes, seeded, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
2 carrots, pared and thinly sliced
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven.  Add the chicken and onion; saute 5 minutes, until browned.  Add the lentils, broth, and water.  Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.  Remove lid and add the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  Remove the chicken and shred; add back into the soup.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

file photo 

BARLEY VEGETABLE SOUP

NOTE: This recipe is from my Vintage Recipes blog. With a few changes, this should be okay for most diabetics. I have put some diabetic suggestions in ( ).

This old-fashioned recipe is also a healthy one. Give it a try for an old-fashioned healthy, tasty meal. Just add a crusty whole-grain bread or muffin and you have a meal! (Leave off the bread unless you use low carb/no carb bread.)

In a stock pot, heat 2 tbsp oil(olive or coconut) and saute 2 medium chopped onions until transparent. Add: 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced and 1/3 cup barley. Saute a for a few minutes.
Add to the stock pot: 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced celery, 3 cups sliced mushrooms, 1 potato, scrubbed clean and diced with peeling left on (sweet potato), 8 cups water or beef or chicken stock--your preference, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 3 tbsp (lite) soy sauce, and 3/4 (1/4 to 1/2) tsp seasoned salt. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Add to soup: 2 small zucchini, cut in half lenthwise then cut into slices. Continue to cook until zucchini is tender. Season with salt (omit), if desired, pepper, and cayenne pepper to suit your taste. After dishing soup into serving bowl, garnish with a dollop of sour cream (plain low-fat yogurt), if desired.

Yield: 8 servings

file photo for reference - not this exact recipe

SPINACH TORTELLINI SOUP

2 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 cups chopped onions
4 minced garlic cloves
1 pkg (8-oz) sliced fresh mushrooms
4 cans (14.5-oz each) ready-to-serve low-sodium chicken broth
1 pkg (9-oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
3 cups fresh spinach
1/3 cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese

Heat the oil in a large saucepan placed over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add the onions and cook a couple of minutes. Add garlic and mushrooms to the onions and cook while stirring for 2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini and return to boiling. Boil 5 to 7 minutes or until the tortellini is done.

Stir the spinach into the soup; cook for a minute or two until wilted.

To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls and top with the Parmesan cheese.

Yield: 6 servings of 1 1/4 cup each.
Per serving: 260 calories, 29 g carbs (3 g fiber), 13 g protein

file photo

MEATLESS ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP

2 tsp olive or coconut oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups diced zucchini
2 cups diced yellow squash
1 cup diced red bell pepper
3 cans (14.5-oz each) ready-to-serve chicken broth
1 cup uncooked macaroni rings (whole-grain or your favorite low carb is best)
2 cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
Grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese for topping

In a Dutch oven, heat oil; add onion and garlic, cooking a couple minutes until tender. Add the zucchini, squash, and bell pepper; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until crisp tender.

Add the broth and macaroni; mix well. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and cook over medium heat 7 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is tender. Stir occasionally during cooking.

Add the spinach and cook 1 minute to wilt.

To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls and top with the cheese.

Yield: 6 servings of 1 1/2 cups each
Per serving: 180 calories, 25 g carbs, 10 g protein

file photo

CHICKEN-VEGETABLE-NOODLE SOUP

1 whole chicken

2 cloves garlic
2 celery stalks, diced
2 medium-size carrots, peeled and sliced
1 medium-size onion, chopped
1 medium-size potato, cut into bite-size pieces
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 cup salsa (sugar-free or low sugar content)
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp seasoned salt
1 cup dry whole-wheat noodles or your favorite low-carb noodles

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, boil the chicken in water. When chicken is cooked through, remove from broth, set chicken aside to cool.

Add the garlic, celery, carrots, onion, potato, tomato, salsa, cumin and seasoned salt to the broth. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and cook until the vegetables are tender.

While the vegetables cook, skin and debone the chicken.

Add the chicken back into the broth along with the noodles. Bring back to a boil and cook 10-15 minutes until the noodles are tender.

file photo for reference only

LASAGNA SOUP

For those times when you just need the comfort of a good bowl of soup! The carbs are rather high in this recipe but that is negated by the high proteins. The carb to protein ratio is better than what is recommended for diabetics (1/3 as many proteins as carbs per meal). Remember, if you make the substitutions listed in () you will change the nutritional numbers below.

1 lb 90% lean ground beef (or lean ground poultry)

2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans diced tomatoes - do not drain
2 cans (14 1/2-oz each) low sodium beef broth
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
1 cup frozen corn (corn doesn't work for me so I eliminate) 
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 1/2 cups uncooked whole-wheat spiral pasta (or your favorite low-carb pasta)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

In a large saucepan, cook beef, bell pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Stir to break up beef crumbles as meat cooks. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Drain well.

Stir the tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, and seasonings; bring to a boil. Stir in the pasta; return to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook, covered, 10-12 minutes (pasta should be tender).

Before serving, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese if using.

Yield: 8 servings
Per serving: 280 calories, 35 g carbs, 20 g protein
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 1/2 starch

file photo

SPICY BEAN SOUP

1 cup dried pinto beans, washed, covered with water and soaked at least 2 hours (preferably overnight)

5 cups cold water
1/2 tsp salt
3 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 large ripe tomato, peeled, seeded, diced
3 1/2 cups low-fat chicken broth
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
2 tbsp uncooked whole-wheat elbow macaroni
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Drain beans and rinse in a colander under running water; place in a Dutch oven.

Add the cold water and salt to the beans and heat to boiling; lower heat, cover and simmer for 2-3 hours until beans are tender.

Combine 1 cup of the cooked beans with 1 cup of their liquid in a blender container or a food processor; process until smooth and set aside.

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain off drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon.

Add the onion and garlic to the bacon and reserved drippings and sauté until tender; add the tomato and cook another minute. Transfer mixture to the Dutch oven with the remaining beans and liquid. Add the chicken broth and Tabasco sauce; bring to a boil

Add the macaroni to the Dutch oven; turn down the heat to a slow boil and cook 7 to 10 minutes until macaroni is tender.

Add the cilantro just before serving.

Yield: 8 servings

file photo

Personal Note: Please do not ask me if I know beans are carbs. First, I only count carbs in relation to protein. Second, beans are also protein. Third, beans are one of the best tools in my blood sugar fighting arsenal. Fourth, there are bad carbs and good carbs. Everyone including diabetics need good carbs and that includes beans.