Soup

Soup is a liquid-based dish of seasoned broth often containing vegetables, grains, and pieces of meat or legumes. It ranges from clear, light broths to thick blended purees with a comforting steam and savory aroma; cooks use it as a course, a base for casseroles or sauces, or to poach grains and proteins, and it is sold canned (condensed or ready-to-serve), boxed, and fresh. Many styles include meat or seafood, so suitability for vegetarian diets depends on the specific soup.

Soups developed independently across many cultures, from ancient Near Eastern grain-and-legume broths to European potages and East Asian noodle soups. Today they feature in cuisines worldwide and are produced at scale by canning and aseptic packaging as well as cooked fresh at home.