The internet's favorite season is upon us. It's that time of year when Meg Ryan, patron saint of turtlenecks, sprinkles pumpkin spice all over the Western Hemisphere and it officially becomes fall.
The fall season brings blessings as abundant as a good harvest: sweaters, darkness, Fat Bears, the list goes on. But most important of all, fall is a time for hot, nourishing, comfort-in-a-bowl. Also known as: soup.
People really like soup. In fact, the hashtag #soupseason has almost 36 million views on TikTok. And what's not to like? It's easy to make, endlessly versatile, and soothing to mind, body, and soul. Truly, there is nothing more therapeutic than a simmering pot of soup on the stove. Except maybe actual therapy.
SEE ALSO: Which Instant Pot should you buy? Here's a breakdown.
You might take soup-making pretty seriously. You judge foods by their potential as a soup ingredient, you save the parmesan cheese rinds, you've picked the meat off of many a rotisserie chicken carcass.
Or maybe you're new to soup and want to see what the deal is with this hot, savory liquid that people keep raving about. No matter what, these gadgets have been carefully selected to take your soup game to the next level. This #soupseason, you're going all the way.
Immersion blender
Like Thor's hammer or Wonder Woman's lasso of truth, the immersion blender is the quintessential tool for any "souperhero." These handheld blenders can turn almost anything into a silky smooth puree. And the best part is that it all happens directly in the pot. Butternut squash? Split pea? Potato leek? You name it, this baby blends it.
Instant Pot
The magic of a good soup comes from everything cooking together so that every spoonful is infused with complex flavor. If you're making soup on a stove, this process takes a while. But with the Instant Pot, you can achieve the simmering-for-hours flavor in a fraction of the time. Throw in your soup contents, adjust the settings, and let the Instant Pot do its thing.
Hot/cold blender
Another way to make soup quickly is with a blender that blends and heats at the same time. Throw in a bunch of ingredients, and a few minutes later you have fresh, hot soup. For a long time, Vitamix had the market cornered... for about the same price as a round trip flight to Europe. But nowadays several brands make less expensive blenders that have this function.
Hot Pot
The exact origin is uncertain, but archeologists in China discovered ancient hot pot vessels that date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). Thankfully, technology has advanced since then and there are many on the market that you just plug in. Jae Thomas, shopping reporter at Mashable loves her hot pot because, she said, "it gives meals a cozy, communal feel."
Automatic stirrer
Initially this one felt a little too gimmicky to include, but the reviews have us...intrigued. "[I]t's basically a vibrator with feet," wrote one reviewer who goes by Allison. "The kitchen is so much more fun when you're not stuck stirring." Anyway, somehow, the little motor at the top rotates the feet, and it really does stir your soup.
Kale and herb razor
Maybe you're using fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to add vibrant flavor. Or maybe you've realized that kale is best consumed in a soup with sausage and white beans. Either way, this handy little gadget will save you the tedious job of picking the leaves off the stems.
'Nessie' ladle
You could use a regular ladle, or you could use one that looks like the mythical creature believed to inhabit a body of water in the Scottish Highlands; the one who has spawned intrigue, delight, and conspiracy theories for hundreds of years. The choice is yours.
Fat separator
Not to sound like a snob or anything, but using homemade stock really is better. Making stock with bones releases nutrients and flavor, but also fat. And nobody wants that. You could skim the fat off the top of the stock as you're cooking it, or you could pour it into a fat separator which does the job for you. The fat rises to the top, and you pour the stock out from the bottom. Genius!
Souper cubes
So you've made stock that the Barefoot Contessa would be proud of. Now you need to store it for all of your future soup endeavors. According to the product website, these silicone trays hold two cups, are dishwasher/oven safe and protect your precious stock from weird freezer smells. Plus, they're a good alternative to single-use plastics.
Hydroflask food jar
If you want to take your soup on-the-go and be an influencer at the same time, look no further. Hydroflask's trendy status aside, reviewers love it for its wide-mouth design and ability to keep soup (or any food) warm for hours. It's also leak-proof, dishwasher-friendly, and comes in fun colors.
