The Best 6 Soup Bowls of 2024 – My favorites for soup, chili, stews, and more! Affordable, practical, and they can be used for recipes other than just soup! I’m sharing dozens of my favorite recipe links so you won’t lack for ideas on how to fill up your bowls!
Today I want to talk about an absolute must-have for the chilly weather: the best soup bowls. Soups, stews, and chili are some of my favorite things to make when the weather takes a turn for cooler temps.
If you’re one of those people who think that “soup can’t be a meal”, then you haven’t made any of my recipes because they are hearty, comforting, filling, and cozy!
In this post I am sharing some of my favorite bowls for soups – and they all do double duty for other uses and recipes, don’t worry! And I am sharing plenty of my favorite recipes so you won’t lack for tons of great soups to fill up those bowls! Make sure to read all the way through because I share my top 3 favorite soup recipes.
I like to use different soup bowls for different recipes. For example, French Onion soup bowls tend to have handles, a deeper interior, and a smaller diameter to accommodate that cheese crust.
So a shallow bowl, like the ones I use for thinner, broth-based soups or this healthy Easy Black Bean Soup, are better suited to those soups.
Want this recipe? It’s my 30-Minute Homemade Alphabet Soup recipe. It’s a family favorite and picky eater approved!
Keep reading to learn more about my favorite bowls for soup that I use in my kitchen. I even included some of my famous soup recipes, as well as fun decorative bowls to pull out for the holidays!
My Top Picks
- Best French Onion Soup Bowls Le Tauci 15-Ounce French Onion Soup Bowls (Set of 4) – $29.99 at Amazon
- Best Large Soup Bowls: Jingdezhen 40-Ounce Basic Microwave-Safe Soup Bowl Set (Set of 4) – $24.95 at Amazon
- Best Shallow Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 42-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Pasta Bowls (Set of 4) – $64.99 at Amazon
- Best Small Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 7-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Soup Bowls (Set of 4) – $29.99 at Amazon
- Best Splurge Soup Bowls: Le Creuset 8-Ounce Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte (Sold Individually) – $32 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Holiday Soup Bowls: Spode Christmas Tree Collection Stacking Bowls (Set of 4) – $39.99 at Amazon
Reviews of the Best Soup Bowls
1. Best French Onion Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 15-Ounce French Onion Soup Bowls (Set of 4)
As much as I LOVE my Easy One-Hour French Onion Soup recipe, I can’t just pour the finished product into any bowl. You’re going to need the best soup bowl with handles, because once you melt that HEAVENLY Gruyere cheese layer on top you want it to stay intact.
Because I always want to get a lot of life out of every single thing I buy for the kitchen, I use these bowls for more than French Onion soup. Bowls with handles are PERFECT for a chunky chili, like my hearty and filling Triple Pork Black Bean Chili recipe.
I’m a big fan of the heavy ceramic construction that’s oven-safe at up to 482F. The 15-ounce capacity is pretty big, too, so you’re able to serve a hearty serving of soup every time. I also LOVE the colors these bowls come in—you can choose between a pretty dark blue, a bright cherry red, or a neutral white.
The Specs:
- Weight: 5.5 pounds (Set of 4)
- Capacity: 15 ounces
- Dimensions: 5.3” W x 2.5” H
- Material: Ceramic
- Max Temp: 482F
The Pros:
- Microwave-, oven and dishwasher-safe
- Easy to hold and grip
- Can withstand high temperatures
The Cons:
- Two-hole design for draining traps water after cleaning
What Others are Saying:
This product has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from more than 1,850 reviews.
Buy the Le Tauci 15-Ounce French Onion Soup Bowls with Handles (Set of 4):
2. Best Large Soup Bowls: Jingdezhen 40-Ounce Basic Microwave-Safe Soup Bowl Set (Set of 4)
Every dish I buy HAS TO be microwave-safe. This basic set of white soup bowls look similar to what I use in my own house on the daily.
I like that they’re wide and deep, which means they’re perfect for quick and yummy soup recipes, like this Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup or this Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
You could also even scoop a serving of my Chicken Pad Thai in these. They’re that BIG!
Plus, since I LOVE to get the most out of my kitchenware, it’s a big bonus that these bowls are scratch-resistant!
The Specs:
- Weight: 18 ounces
- Capacity: 40 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.88” D x 7” W x 7” H
- Material: Porcelain
- Max Temp: 248F
Pros:
- Scratch resistant
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Not good for French onion soup
What Others Are Saying:
The Jingdezhen 40-Ounce Soup Bowls have a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,250 Amazon shoppers.
Buy the Jingdezhen 40-Ounce Basic Microwave-Safe Soup Bowl Set (Set of 4):
3. Best Shallow Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 42-Ounce Embossed Pasta Bowls (Set of 4)
I am a huge fan of shallow ceramic soup bowls! But they’re not only for soup. In fact, I use a shallow flat bowl for this reader favorite recipe for 15-Minute Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl.
This type of wide shallow bowl is GREAT for everything from soups to salads to grain-bowl and pasta dinners.
I personally prefer flat and shallow bowls instead of dinner plates for just about everything I make and serve, including soup. I like that these bowls have a 9-inch diameter, which allows me to pull them out of the cabinet often – they’re THAT versatile.
Plus you can really pile things up nice and high like I do in this Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potato Salad!
If you’re willing to spend a little extra, each piece features a different embossed design, but all in the same off-white color to match your other tableware.
The Specs:
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Capacity: 42 ounces
- Dimensions: 9” W x 2” H
- Material: Ceramic
- Max Temp: 500F
Pros
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe
- Easy to clean
- Stackable
- BPA- and lead-free
Cons
- Can break easily if dropped
What Others Are Saying:
Reviewed gave the Le Tauci 42-Ounce Bowls high marks, stating that they “hold a lot of food” and have a sleek appearance.
Buy the Le Tauci 42-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Pasta Bowls (Set of 4):
4. Best Small Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 7-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Soup Bowls (Set of 4)
Some people use ramekins for soup, but I think those are WAY too small. If you’re craving a side portion of soup, my famous Better-Than-Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup, I suggest getting these small soup bowls.
It’s a set of four bowls that are each 3.5 inches in diameter and have 6 ounces of capacity, making them a great option for a soup-and-salad meal.
Six ounces of a thick and rich soup like my Beer Cheese Soup or this easy 30-Minute Beef Taco Chili is actually a fair amount of food!
Like the other options on my list, these are safe to go in the microwave, dishwasher, and oven up to 500F. I also like that they’re stackable for quick and easy storage! The embossed design is super similar to the 42-ounce bowls I recommended above, so these are a GREAT alternative if you want something smaller—or if you just want a matching set!
The Specs:
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Capacity: 7 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.5” W x 3.5” H
- Material: Ceramic
- Max Temp: 500F
Pros:
- Dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe
- Easy to clean
- Chip-resistant
Cons:
- Not versatile for everyday use due to size
What Others Are Saying:
These bowls have a 4.8-star rating from more than 980 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Le Tauci 7-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Soup Bowls (Set of 4):
5. Best Splurge Soup Bowls: Le Creuset 8-Ounce Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte
These 8-ounce bowls are from Le Creuset, a famous French cookware company that’s been in business since 1925—ooh la la! They come in 17 different colors, ranging from a bright cherry red to a sleek matte navy. I love them so much, and ESPECIALLY for holiday entertaining.
The top-tier stoneware is SO, SO beautiful and each mini cocotte comes with its own tight-fitting lid, so it’s the perfect option for soups with a melty cheese top.
You don’t have to limit yourself to JUST soup or meals. They’re great for dessert whether we’re talking about my easy crème brûlée recipe.
Or if you’re a chocolate person, Easy Chocolate Pots de Crème is just for you, made even sweeter in one of these little bowls!
Just be aware that, unlike my other picks, these soup bowls are sold individually, so buying a few can rack up a pretty penny.
The Specs:
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
- Capacity: 8 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.75” D x 3.75” W x 2” H
- Material: Stoneware
- Maximum Temperature: 500F
Pros:
- Good heat distribution
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe
- Pretty
Cons:
- Have to buy each one separately
- It’s more of a side dish soup bowl
What Others Are Saying:
On Amazon, the Le Creuset mini round cocettes earned a 4.5-star rating out of more than 2,920 reviews. The Kitchn also dubbed it “the most versatile piece of stoneware.”
Buy the Le Creuset 8-Ounce Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte:
6. Best Holiday Soup Bowls: Spode Christmas Tree Collection Stacking Bowls (Set of 4)
There are SO MANY cute Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday-themed bowls at top retailers! This set of four, in particular, is so fun, festive, and eye-catching, whether they’re stacked on the kitchen island, plated with dinner. Or for keeping your favorite snacks placed strategically around your home for your holiday guests to nibble on like my Reindeer Chow!
These bowls are also from a famous houseware brand, Spode, with this pattern specifically being in production since 1938!
At 5.5 inches, these stackable Christmas tree bowls would be the best way to serve my Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup which uses leftover holiday ham. YUM!
The Specs:
- Weight: 3.65 pounds
- Capacity: 20 ounces
- Dimensions: 5.5” D x 5.5” W x 2.5” H
- Material: Earthenware
- Max Temp: Not specified
Pros:
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe
- Timeless design
- Can be stacked for easy storage
Cons:
- Limited, seasonal use
What Others Are Saying:
The Spode Christmas Tree Collection Stacking Bowls have a 4.8-star rating from more than 450 Amazon buyers.
Buy the Spode Christmas Tree Collection Stacking Bowls (Set of 4):
Others Soup Bowls I Researched
Pottery Barn Figural Pumpkin Stoneware Lidded Bowl
Let’s face it, fall is the perfect time to make a delicious, cozy batch of soup, but it’s also an excuse to score some harvest-themed bowls. Instead of an in-your-face brightly colored bowl, this pumpkin-shaped option is up for grabs in a creamy white. It looks elegant and could even be a nice addition to the Thanksgiving table. I LOVE that it has a lid because that tells me it can keep a stew hot while you wait for guests to pull up a chair. However, it didn’t make my list of favorites because it has a matte glaze that could crack, and it doesn’t state whether it’s safe to pop in the oven or microwave (UGH!). The Figural Pumpkin Stoneware Lidded Bowl is available at Pottery Barn for $15.
How to Use: These bowls would be so cute to serve my Butternut Squash Soup recipe in if you’re not going to serve it in the acorn sqash.
The Pioneer Woman Floral Medley 20-Ounce Soup Bowl, Set of 4
I like these 20-ounce soup bowls from The Pioneer Woman because of their large capacity and fun floral design! They are versatile enough to use at a fancy dinner or for a quick, casual lunch. Bonus: They are SUPER affordable, and the little handles on the sides are too cute. But, if you’re looking for a neutral matching set, these definitely aren’t versatile enough to buy. Each bowl has a different color scheme and flower arrangement. The Pioneer Woman Floral Medley 20-Ounce Soup Bowl (Set of 4) is available at Walmart for $19.96.
How to Use: These are a beautiful vessel to hold this Lemony White Bean Stew which is a lighter soup and these pretty bowls are a wonderful complement.
French Home 24-Ounce Clear Vintage Recycled Glass Soup Bowl
Clear dishware can sometimes be boring, but this set of six soup bowls from French Home is a fun take on the design. There’s a textured feel and a subtle green hue, plus, they’re made from recycled glass for bonus sustainability points. They even look like you picked them up second-hand from a flea market, not a big retailer! While they’re pretty, they don’t have any ratings from customers, and the glass may feel way too hot if you’re transporting a soup-filled bowl from the kitchen to the dining room. The 24-Ounce French Home Clear Vintage Recycled Glass Soup Bowl (Set of 6) is available at The Home Depot for $38.
How to Use: Great for a vibrant colored bowl of Easy 30-Minute Healthy Turkey Chili because you’ll get to see all the hearty textures and lovely color of the chili through the semi transparent glass.
Bricktown Supply Co. Stainless-Steel Double-Wall Vacuum Insulated Bowl
Ranking high on Amazon with a 4.7-star rating from more than 820 buyers, this soup bowl’s stainless steel double-wall insulation means you’ll never get stuck with cold soup (NO, that’s not the same as gazpacho!). They’re also great for ice cream, but they’re not the most appealing bowl I found and you, of course, can’t use it in the microwave, either. The Bricktown Supply Co. Stainless-Steel Double-Wall Vacuum Insulated Bowl is available at Amazon for $12.99.
How to Use: Without a doubt, my favorite homemade ice cream is this No-Churn Cake Batter Sprinkles Ice Cream that’s out of this world delish and these bowls will help it stay nicely chilled.
S’well Stainless Steel Bowl
Once you get past the price point (yes, I know it’s costly!), you’ll love this 21.5-ounce bowl from S’well. The product claims it can keep your soup hot for 11 hours. WOW! S’well is best known for its water bottles, so I’m not opposed to trusting them when it comes to keeping my meals warm. It’s probably best for meals on-the-go, though, and—we all know it—the price is a hard pill to swallow. The S’well Stainless Steel Bowl is available at Amazon for $50.
How to Use: For anyone trying to eat healthier at work or at lunch away-from-home, make a batch of Weight Loss Vegetable Soup and pour it right in, and easily transport to your office or employee break room.
Anthropologie Briar Cereal Bowl
I bought this bowl on sale over the summer. It holds more than the corresponding flat version of this bowl, also sold at Anthropologie. Honestly, you can totally use any cereal bowl for soup, vice versa, but this one nails it. It’s deep enough to get your spoon into the milk without getting all over the place, while the pretty mint and lavender colors are nice to wake up to in the morning. The Briar Cereal Bowl is available at Anthropologie for $14.
How to Use: I use this set of bowls on repeat in my kitchen! They’re perfect for everything from my famous 30-Minute Thai Chicken Coconut Curry to this fan favorite Easy 30-Minute White Chicken Chili. Some of my favorite bowls of all time!
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi, I’m Averie and I love making soup! I know there are a gazillion recipes out there for every time of year, but trust me when I say I know a thing or two about making delicious soups—in fact, I always turn to my 15 Best Fast and Easy Soup Recipes after a long day when I’m in need of some comfort food.
I’m also the author of two cookbooks: “Peanut Butter Comfort: Recipes for Breakfasts, Brownies, Cakes, Cookies, Candies, and Frozen Treats Featuring America’s Favorite Spread” and “Cooking with Pumpkin: Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie”.
I have been a food blogger since 2009 which means I’ve been around the block! It also means I test the heck out of recipes until I get them right. Why would I want to serve them in a soup bowl that’s subpar?
To come up with this list of the best soup bowls, I carefully considered many different types of soups. If you always make French Onion all fall long, then you’ll DEFINITELY want a handle. For soups that function more like side dishes, like my Chicken Poblano Tortilla Soup that will pair perfectly with taco night, I recommend small ones, including the adorable Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte.
I also examined how easy these are to clean, their durability, and how long they’ll last. That’s why I’m a huge fan of Le Tachi soup bowls: They are AWESOME, EVERYDAY dishware that I know I won’t have to replace anytime soon.
What to Know About Soup Bowls
Want the recipe? It’s my Creamy Sweet Potato Chicken Soup.
What to Look for When Choosing a Soup Bowl
Believe me, your search for soup bowls should not forget about style because there are SO MANY cute bowls out there, but it should also include function. Is this bowl going to hold up and not chip? Will it keep the soup hot? Is it easy to clean? These are the kinds of things I look for when shopping for soup bowls.
Size & Capacity
As you’ll see in the soup bowls I selected, there are a TON of different sizes. The smallest is 7 ounces and the largest one is a whopping 42 ounces—this is the one I pull out for comfort foods so no one goes hungry. But that’s just the capacity. You also need to look at the actual inches for width and height. Is the soup you’re making a side or a meal?
People don’t realize there’s a huge difference in volume when you go up to the next soup bowl size. The 7-inch width is huge, whereas the 3.5-inch width is not. A 3.5-inch-wide bowl is going to look like a dollhouse version if you present that as an entrée. But as a side? It works! Average bowl sizes are around 7 inches. Make sure there’s enough depth in the bowl, especially if you’re a fan of thin, pureed soup or chunkier noodle- or meat-based soups.
Material
Soup bowls come in a variety of materials. There are glass, ceramic, stoneware, porcelain, earthenware, and insulated walls, for example. Much of this decision-making will drill down to aesthetics: What else is in your kitchen (and adorning your tabletop), and what do you think looks the best? You do want to look at the thickness of the material, however. The thicker those soup bowl walls are, the longer your soup will stay hot.
Shape & Design
There are times when you want to choose a specific size for a recipe. For example, I would absolutely NOT recommend a chicken noodle soup or pho soup—or anything with noodles you have to slurp—in a tiny bowl. It’s guaranteed to be messy!
A shallow bowl is your best bet if you really want to showcase your hard work, while a deeper, narrow bowl is perfect for thin or colorful soups so there’s less chance of spillage.
Other Features
In my guide to the best soup bowls, I keep a couple of different features in mind, including lids. Having an included lid can make your bowl easier to transport, but it’s also great for heat retention. I also looked for options that are safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven. Who wants to hand-wash the entire family’s soup bowls after dinner—or not be able to throw them in the microwave for a warm-up? Not me!
What Types of Soup Bowls Are Best?
As I said earlier, there’s a soup bowl for every type of soup. For robust soups, you want a crock-like bowl with a handle because of the heavy texture and melty cheese. For a thick and creamy soup, I like a shallow bowl, especially if I want to show off its bright color and texture. Noodle soups do fine in a soup bowl with more height than width.
Ultimately, though, the best type of soup bowl will depend on your personal preference and your favorite soup recipes. Regardless of what you end up buying, there’s nothing cozier than cupping a bowl of soup and diving into all that warmth.
How Much Do Soup Bowls Cost?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $20 per soup bowl, although you’re going to find amazing values the minute you start looking at sets (typically, there are four bowls in a set). A good quality set of soup bowls can run as low as $30. What affects the price range is who you’re buying it from: Target and Walmart will cost WAY less than Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, or Anthropologie as those places are super design-focused. The size will also affect the price range. Nine times out of ten, a soup bowl with a wider diameter is more expensive than its smaller siblings.
Favorite Soup Recipes
While soups are thought to be a cold-weather meal, I beg to differ!
I love nothing more than whipping up a batch of Creamy Tomato Soup, another one of my Panera copycats, in late summer or early autumn, for example.
My Personal Favorite Soup Recipes
Once you have your soup bowls all picked out, you can check out my three favorite soup recipes below and make them at home.
Hint: These are also reader favorites with thousands of glowing 5-star reviews and millions and millions of views!
Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (and Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup too)
Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup
The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup (Better Than Panera Copycat) (a.ka. “the best soup of your life”)
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.