Chicago Soup Recipe

Welcome to a deep dive into one of Chicago’s most beloved dishes-Chicago Soup! While the city is famous for its towering deep-dish pizzas and savory hot dogs, Chicago Soup offers a comforting, flavorful experience that many overlook. The beauty of this dish is in its versatility, rich texture, and the ability to showcase bold, vibrant flavors. It’s not just a soup; it’s a meal that reflects the heart of Chicago itself: hearty, diverse, and brimming with flavor.

This recipe is inspired by the essence of Chicago, blending a variety of ingredients to create a robust, filling, and satisfying bowl of comfort. Whether you’re a Chicago native or just curious about trying something new, this soup will be your new go-to for a warm, hearty meal that’s packed with the right amount of spice and depth.

Let’s dive into the details and get you cooking!

Chicago Soup is a dynamic blend of vegetables, meats, and a special mix of seasonings that all come together in perfect harmony. It has elements of classic soups, but with a unique twist-sometimes you’ll find a base of tomatoes or a savory broth, often paired with the classic flavors of Italian sausage, ground beef, and a mix of hearty beans and vegetables. You can think of it as a cross between a stew and a soup, with lots of textures and flavors working together.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to bring this Chicago-inspired masterpiece to life in your kitchen.

Ingredients Needed

Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the essential ingredients on hand. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to create a rich, flavorful Chicago Soup:

Ground Beef or Italian Sausage – A mix of the two adds a rich, savory depth to the soup. If you prefer one over the other, feel free to stick with just one!
Onions – Chopped finely, these add a touch of sweetness and aromatic base to the soup.
Garlic – A few cloves, minced, to really bring out that fragrant, rich flavor.
Carrots – Thinly sliced or diced for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Celery – Diced, for added freshness and texture.
Tomatoes – You’ll need both diced tomatoes (for a nice chunky texture) and tomato paste (for depth of flavor).
Beef Broth – The soul of your soup’s liquid base. It gives the soup its hearty, meaty richness.
Beans – Kidney beans or cannellini beans, to provide substance and a hearty texture.
Spinach – Fresh spinach adds a pop of color and earthiness, as well as some added nutrition.
Herbs and Spices – Oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes (for heat), and bay leaves. These elevate the soup with aromatic, zesty flavor.
Salt and Pepper – For seasoning, to taste. Always adjust depending on your flavor preferences.
Olive Oil – For sautéing the vegetables and meat to create a flavorful base.
Parmesan Cheese – For topping at the end, bringing a nice sharpness and creaminess.

Cooking Instructions

Let’s get this soup simmering. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you bring Chicago Soup to life:

Sauté The Meat
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add your ground beef or sausage (or both) and cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Once cooked, remove the meat from the pot and set it aside.
Cook The Vegetables
- In the same pot, add a little more oil if necessary. Toss in the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant.
Add The Tomatoes And Liquids
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Bring everything to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Incorporate The Beans And Spinach
- Stir in the beans and spinach. Let it cook for another 5 minutes, just until the spinach wilts and the beans are heated through.
Season The Soup
- Add oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes (if you like it spicy), bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
Simmer And Serve
- Let the soup simmer for an additional 15 minutes to develop even more flavor.
- Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a slice of crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredient Insights

Each ingredient in this recipe brings its own distinctive contribution to the final dish. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key elements:

Ground Beef & Italian Sausage: These meats are foundational for adding richness and umami. The sausage adds a nice touch of spice, while the ground beef offers a meaty, hearty base.
Tomatoes & Tomato Paste: The tomatoes give the soup a slight tanginess, while the paste helps to thicken the soup and add depth, making it feel more like a stew than a typical broth-based soup.
Beef Broth: This isn’t just a liquid base-it’s what gives the soup its soul. The beef broth infuses the soup with savory, rich flavors that complement the meat and vegetables perfectly.
Beans: They aren’t just fillers; beans make the soup more substantial. Kidney beans or cannellini beans add both texture and nutritional value, giving the soup that “meal-in-a-bowl” feeling.
Spinach: A bit of greenery never hurts! Spinach adds a fresh, earthy flavor and a pop of color, balancing out the richness of the meats and the savory broth.

Expert Tips

To take your Chicago Soup to the next level, here are a few expert tips that will elevate the dish:

Brown the Meat Well: Don’t rush the browning process. It’s important to develop a deep, caramelized flavor from the meat, as this will form the flavor foundation of the soup.
Simmer Slowly: The more time you let your soup simmer, the better the flavors will meld together. Patience is key to allowing the spices and meats to really come through.
Don’t Skip the Parmesan: It’s the finishing touch! A sprinkle of Parmesan right before serving adds richness and sharpness that perfectly complements the soup’s hearty flavors.
Add a Dash of Worcestershire Sauce: A splash of Worcestershire sauce at the end adds a subtle tanginess and depth. Don’t overdo it, just a teaspoon will enhance the flavor profile.
Make It Ahead: This soup actually gets better the next day, once the flavors have fully melded. Make a big batch and store leftovers for a quick, satisfying meal.

Recipe Variations

While this Chicago Soup recipe is delicious on its own, there’s always room for customization! Here are a few variations to consider:

Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat and opt for a vegetable broth base. You can add extra veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or even butternut squash. To keep the soup hearty, try adding more beans or lentils.
Spicy Chicago Soup: If you like heat, amp up the red pepper flakes or add a fresh chopped jalapeño to the soup. A drizzle of hot sauce when serving is another great way to add spice.
Add More Greens: While spinach is a great choice, feel free to swap it for other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for a different texture and flavor.
Make it a Casserole: For a more filling, casserole-like variation, top the soup with breadcrumbs and cheese, and bake it in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Final Words

Chicago Soup is not just a recipe-it’s a comfort food experience. It’s rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re serving it on a chilly evening, bringing it to a potluck, or just looking for a filling meal, this dish will not disappoint.

It’s the perfect balance of hearty meat, wholesome vegetables, and a savory broth. Whether you enjoy it as-is or choose to mix things up with variations, this Chicago Soup is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a new favorite in your culinary repertoire.

Chicago Soup Recipe