As the temperatures drop, there’s no better time to cozy up with a bowl of homemade soup. Not only can you create delicious, heartwarming soups, but with Goodwill NCW, you can find unique kitchen essentials to make your experience extra special. From crockpots to charming, one-of-a-kind bowls, you’ll find everything you need to make your soups memorable. Here are three comforting soup recipes to try and some Goodwill items to look out for as you prepare your soup-making station!

1. Classic Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy butternut squash soup is a fall favorite and adds warmth to any gathering. It’s both simple to make and packed with flavors.

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup coconut milk

Salt, pepper, and a pinch of cinnamon

Instructions:

In your Goodwill-found crockpot, add all ingredients except the coconut milk.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, until the vegetables are tender.

Use a Goodwill NCW immersion blender (if you can find one!) to puree the soup until smooth.

Stir in coconut milk and season to taste. Serve warm in a unique bowl and garnish with fresh thyme or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Goodwill Finds: A large crockpot, immersion blender, and cozy oversized bowls make serving easy and visually inviting.

2. Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew

Perfect for chilly nights, this stew combines tender beef with hearty vegetables for a filling, satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb beef stew meat

2 large potatoes, diced

3 carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 onion, chopped

4 cups beef broth

1 can diced tomatoes

1 tsp thyme, 1 bay leaf, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to your crockpot, layering the meat and vegetables.

Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the meat is tender and flavors have melded together.

Stir and remove the bay leaf. Ladle into bowls and top with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Goodwill Finds: Look for a ladle, some mismatched but beautifully rustic soup bowls, and serving spoons to complete the presentation. Goodwill’s unique finds can turn a simple stew into a beautiful meal.

3. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

A rich, comforting classic with a hint of fresh basil—this tomato basil soup is perfect with grilled cheese or crusty bread.

Ingredients:

1 can whole peeled tomatoes

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk

Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Add tomatoes, onion, garlic, and broth to your crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6 hours.

Puree the soup until smooth, then stir in heavy cream or coconut milk. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve with a warm slice of bread.

Goodwill Finds: Keep an eye out for vintage bread baskets, mini crockpots to serve small portions, and a classic soup spoon set to elevate your table.

Make the Most of Your Goodwill Soup-Serving Setup

When shopping for kitchen essentials at Goodwill NCW, look for:

Crockpots of all sizes for easy soup-making and keeping your soup warm.

Mix-and-match bowls and mugs that bring personality to the table.

Serving utensils like ladles, spoons, and even soup pot trivets.

Cute napkins, vintage spoons, and bread baskets to create a rustic tablescape.

Goodwill NCW is filled with unique items that turn a warm bowl of soup into a memory. So, head over to your local Goodwill to find treasures for all your meals, and enjoy the comfort of soup season!