7 Things To Do To Fix Bland Soups That Don’t Involve Adding More Salt

how to fix bland soup

A good soup is a great way to warm up in the winter, but sometimes it can be a bit bland.

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This article will point out some common reasons and give you some tips on how to make your soups more flavorful without having it be overpowering.

Why is my soup bland?

Many of us have at least once ended up with a bland pot of soup.

There are some common causes for this issue, so read on to get rid of it the next time:

  • Under seasoning: If you don’t season your soup properly, it will taste very bland.

Make sure you add the right amount of salt and pepper to your soup because this is what makes it taste good.

  • Ingredients aren’t cooked through enough: Suppose some of your ingredients aren’t cooked through enough.

In that case, they won’t taste as good as they should when added to the soup because cooking the liquid longer will help it absorb more flavor from other ingredients, enhancing the flavor of your homemade soups.

10 ways to spice up your bland soup

The good news is that several methods can easily fix bland soups.

Here are some common ways that can make your soup more flavorful even when you are done cooking:

Add more salt

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Salt is a key ingredient in soup and can help bring out the flavor of other ingredients.

If you’re making a bland soup, adding more salt will help to bring out the flavors of your dish.

Adding just a little salt will give your soup a savory taste and make it taste better overall.

This will also help to bring out the meat flavors in soups made with chicken or beef broth bases.

But be careful to overseason your soup and make it too salty.

Add dairy

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Adding dairy to a soup is one of the easiest ways to add flavor.

The most basic way of doing this is by adding cream, sour cream, or cheese.

Simply stir in a bit at a time until you reach the desired flavor—but don’t go overboard! Too much dairy will make your soup too creamy.

Add fish sauce

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If your soup is lacking in flavor, try adding fish sauce to it.

Fish sauce is a popular Asian condiment that adds a lot of flavor to soups and stews—and is also a good source of protein.

It is not only salty but also helps enhance the flavor of your soup by providing a fragrant flavor from this condiment.

Add herbs and spices

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Adding herbs and spices is another good way to fix a bland soup.

Use your favorite combinations of garlic, ginger, and onion; chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and pepper.

These dried spices and herbs can be easily found on the market and have a long lifespan in your kitchen.

Add grated cheese

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If you find yourself with a dull-tasting soup, one of the best ways to add flavor is by adding cheese.

It can be any kind of grated cheese that melts well: cheddar, parmesan, and feta are just some examples.

Add it before serving: Sprinkle some cheese on top of your soup before serving it up.

This will also help prevent the soup from boiling and add saltiness.

How much? Don’t go crazy with this one—just enough so that every spoonful has some cheesy goodness.

Add sauce

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If your soup is bland, there are a few ways to fix it.

For example, you could add some soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to give the soup some depth and more of a kick.

These ingredients will add an extra dimension without altering the flavor too drastically.

If you’re still looking for something bolder and don’t mind spending money on hot sauces or chilies, these would also be fantastic additions!

Reduce the soup

If you find your soup to be bland, try reducing the water in the soup.

Increase the cooking time so the soup will get thicker, and the flavors become bolder as the water evaporates.

With this method, there is no need for further seasonings involved to bring more flavors to your soup.

Sear the meat

Searing the meat before adding it to your soup is a great way to add a layer of flavor.

It can be done in a pan on the stovetop or in an oven.

Or you can use a pressure cooker!

Just make sure that you take into account how much time you have for this step because both methods require more time than most soups need for all the flavors to meld together and taste amazing.

Brown the veggies

The easiest way to improve your soup is by browning the vegetables.

This will give them a richer flavor and make them softer.

To do this:

  1. Cut your veggies into small pieces and place them in a skillet with some olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Keep stirring the veggies so they don’t burn or stick to the pan.
  3. When the veggies have softened, add water and bring to a boil on high heat for 10 minutes until they’re soft enough that they fall apart when you stir them (but not mushy).
  4. Add salt & pepper as needed before serving.

Use homemade and fresh ingredients

You might be surprised to learn that the secret to making your soup taste better is not adding salt.

In fact, adding too much salt can ruin the flavor of your soup.

Instead, try using homemade ingredients.

Try making it fresh if you’re using canned broth or stock.

You can do this by boiling chicken bones or vegetables with water and herbs in a large pot on the stove.

After that, let the mixture simmer for several hours until you have a flavorful liquid, straining out any solids, and then freeze what remains, so you don’t waste any time while cooking again later on.

If you want to opt for store-bought options, looking for organic products from reputable brands is best.

Conclusion

So, the next time you find yourself with a bland soup, don’t give up! There are plenty of ways to make your soup taste better.