The Type Of Ingredient Your Soup Has Been Missing All Along

The versatility of a good bowl of soup can't be overstated. In the winter months, it's a godsend because it can warm your bones and titillate your taste buds all at the same time. When spring dawns and the sunlight begins to stick around longer, soup is a great accompaniment to a nice outside brunch as you take in the comforting ambiance. With all that said, sometimes it's missing that extra something to take it from good to unforgettable. What could that be, you ask? Well, just a little bit of crunch is all.

Soups prioritize balancing flavor and texture within the broth, but adding a crunchy topping can introduce contrast, depth, and a new element of excitement. You can add crunch to a litany of soups, including but not limited to a classic tomato soup, a hearty chowder, or a velvety bisque. The right crunchy garnish really can make a huge difference in how you enjoy your bowl.

Requiring little extra effort, throwing something crunchy in the mix is an easy shortcut to making great soup. What I absolutely love about this customization is there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Different soups call for different toppings, and you've got a ton of options at your disposal.

You heard that right... croutons don't just belong in salads. They're actually a go-to crunchy soup topping, adding the perfect amount of crispiness. On top of that, croutons can be customized with different seasonings to complement the flavor of the soup. For example, if you're a fan of French onion soup, you can grab garlic croutons (a secret pantry ingredient that melds beautifully with French onion soup). A fresh batch of herb-infused croutons has the ability to add a nice bit of flavor to a creamy potato soup.

Fresh veggies are another classic ingredient that can provide a bit of an unexpected crunch. Thinly sliced radishes on top of a bowl of tortilla soup or a spoonful of pickled onions over a lentil soup can create a refreshing contrast that balances out the richness of each dish. Some of my favorites are roasted chickpeas because they bring a nutty, crunchy bite to smooth soups like butternut squash or carrot ginger. 

Fried tortilla strips are a go-to for adding a crisp texture to tortilla soup or a bowl of chili. And of course, everyone loves bacon, so you can always throw on some crispy pancetta or bacon bits to elevate simple soups like baked potato or clam chowder. Even a handful of crushed crackers will do the trick as they give you a light crunch without changing the flavor of the dish.

Some of the best crunchy soup additions come from the most unexpected places. Puffed rice or crispy rice noodles bring a crisp but airy texture to soups that's not too heavy. For a spicier kick, crispy fried shallots or garlic chips can bring boldness and a satisfying bite to brothy soups like pho or a basic chicken noodle.

If you like cheese, Parmesan crisps can be otherworldly in your soup. These crunchy, salty rounds melt just slightly when added to a hot bowl of soup which creates a delicious contrast between crisp and creamy. For something with even more bite, consider crumbled cornbread crisps or cheese crackers for extra flavor. Don't be afraid to try it on your favorite canned soup or to mix and match toppings to find the perfect, quirky bowl of comfort with a kick.

For something a little different, consider toasted nuts or seeds. Slivered almonds or pepitas sprinkled over a creamy mushroom or pumpkin soup provide both crunch and flavor. Sunflower seeds can add a fun pop of texture to tomato soup and sesame seeds can enhance the flavors of an Asian-inspired miso or ramen broth. The right garnish can completely transform your bowl of soup, turning it from a humdrum meal into something that feels layered, interesting, and kinda addictive.