Examples of Paleo Soups and Stews | 3 Delicious Examples You’ll Actually Crave

3 delicious examples of paleo soups and stews to start with

Let’s skip the theory and go straight to the pot. Here are three best examples of paleo soups and stews that hit all the marks: simple ingredients, big flavor, and easy meal prep.

1. Comfort-Style Paleo Chicken “Noodle” Soup

Think classic chicken noodle soup, just… smarter. This is the kind of example of a paleo soup that makes you forget you’re “on a diet” at all.

Instead of wheat noodles, you’ll use zucchini noodles (zoodles) or thinly sliced cabbage. They soak up flavor, stay tender, and keep things light.

How it comes together:
You start with a base of onion, celery, and carrot sautéed in olive oil or ghee. Add garlic, dried thyme, and a bay leaf. Pour in chicken bone broth, then add cooked shredded chicken. Right at the end, stir in your zoodles or shredded cabbage so they stay slightly firm.

You’ve just created one of the simplest examples of paleo soups and stews: high in protein, rich in minerals from the broth, and packed with vegetables.

Easy variations:

• Add a squeeze of lemon and a handful of chopped parsley for a brighter, fresher flavor.
• Stir in a beaten egg slowly while the soup simmers for an egg-drop vibe.
• Use leftover rotisserie chicken (skin removed if heavily seasoned) to save time.

2. Slow-Simmered Beef & Root Vegetable Stew

If you want a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs dinner, this is one of the best examples of paleo stews you can make. It feels like classic beef stew, just without flour, potatoes, or processed ingredients.

The basic idea:
Brown chunks of beef chuck or stew meat in a heavy pot. Remove the meat, then sauté onion, carrot, and celery in the same pot to pick up all those browned bits. Add tomato paste, garlic, and herbs like rosemary and thyme. Return the beef to the pot, cover with beef broth, and add chopped root vegetables: turnips, parsnips, and carrots work beautifully.

Simmer low and slow until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft. The stew thickens naturally from the collagen in the meat and the starch in the root veggies, so you don’t need flour.

How to tweak this example of a paleo stew:

• Add mushrooms for extra umami.
• Stir in chopped kale or spinach in the last 10 minutes for more greens.
• Use a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end to brighten the flavor.

3. Creamy Coconut Chicken & Vegetable Curry Soup

This one is for the nights when you want something a little more exciting than basic broth. It’s still one of the best examples of paleo soups and stews, but it leans into warm spices and silky coconut milk.

Here’s the structure:
Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger in coconut oil. Stir in curry powder or a mix of turmeric, coriander, cumin, and paprika. Add bite-size pieces of chicken thighs, then pour in chicken broth and full-fat coconut milk.

Toss in vegetables that hold up well: cauliflower florets, sliced bell peppers, green beans, or shredded cabbage. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Finish with lime juice and fresh cilantro.

This example of a paleo soup is rich enough to feel indulgent, but still fits the paleo template: no dairy, no grains, no legumes.

Simple twists:

• Add a spoonful of red curry paste if you like more heat.
• Swap chicken for shrimp and reduce the cooking time.
• Use butternut squash cubes for a slightly sweet, cozy version.

More real examples of paleo soups and stews you can rotate in

Once you’ve mastered those 3 delicious examples, it’s easy to branch out. Here are more real-world examples of paleo soups and stews that follow the same pattern: quality protein, lots of vegetables, and a flavorful broth.

Hearty Turkey & Vegetable Soup (Perfect for Leftovers)

If you’ve ever stared at leftover roast turkey and felt uninspired, this is your answer. Think of it as a sibling to the chicken soup above.

You’ll sauté onion, celery, and carrot, then add garlic and herbs. Pour in turkey or chicken broth, add shredded cooked turkey, and toss in vegetables like green beans, zucchini, or chopped kale. Sweet potato cubes work well here to make it more filling.

This is one of those examples of paleo soups and stews that’s perfect after holidays or big batch cooks. Freeze portions for quick lunches.

Italian-Inspired Sausage, Kale & Tomato Stew

This is a bold, flavorful example of a paleo stew that feels like something you’d get at a rustic Italian restaurant.

Brown sliced Italian sausage (look for sugar-free, paleo-friendly brands) in a pot. Add onion and garlic, then stir in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Simmer with chopped kale and sliced zucchini until everything is tender.

You end up with a rich, tomato-based stew that’s naturally grain-free and loaded with greens.

Simple Egg Drop & Vegetable Soup

Eggs are often overlooked in examples of paleo soups and stews, but they shouldn’t be. They’re inexpensive, widely available, and a great protein source.

Bring chicken broth to a simmer with ginger and garlic. Toss in thinly sliced vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or napa cabbage. Beat a couple of eggs, then drizzle them slowly into the hot broth while stirring gently. The eggs form silky ribbons that make the soup feel much more substantial.

A splash of coconut aminos can add a soy-sauce-like flavor while staying paleo-friendly.

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup (Cozy and Slightly Sweet)

This is a great example of a paleo soup when you’re craving something creamy but can’t do dairy.

Roast butternut squash cubes with a little olive oil and salt. Sauté onion and a chopped apple, then add the roasted squash, chicken or vegetable broth, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Simmer and blend until smooth.

Finish with a swirl of coconut milk if you like it extra velvety. This soup pairs well with a simple protein on the side, like grilled chicken or salmon.

How to build your own examples of paleo soups and stews

Once you understand the pattern behind these 3 delicious examples, you can improvise.

Think in four parts:

1. Start with a paleo-friendly fat
Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or ghee all work well. Heat it in a pot and sauté aromatics like onion, garlic, celery, or carrot. This is where you build flavor.

2. Add your protein
Chicken, turkey, beef, pork, seafood, or eggs all fit within paleo guidelines when they’re minimally processed. For a quick reference on healthy protein choices and heart health, you can look at resources from the American Heart Association.

3. Load up on vegetables
Use a mix of:

• Base veggies: onion, carrot, celery, leeks
• Hearty veggies: cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, green beans
• Root veggies: carrots, parsnips, turnips, sweet potatoes (if you include them in your version of paleo)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a helpful overview of vegetable subgroups if you want more ideas.

4. Choose your liquid and seasoning
Bone broth or regular broth is classic. Coconut milk works when you want something creamy. Season with salt, herbs, spices, citrus, and fresh herbs at the end.

When you combine these four parts, you can create endless examples of paleo soups and stews without following a strict recipe every time.

Are these examples really paleo? A quick note on ingredients

Paleo guidelines can vary slightly depending on who you ask, but most people agree on a few basics:

• No grains (wheat, rice, corn, etc.)
• No legumes (beans, lentils, peanuts, soy)
• No dairy (except sometimes ghee)
• No refined sugar or highly processed oils

The examples of paleo soups and stews in this article stay within those boundaries by focusing on meat, vegetables, herbs, spices, and natural fats.

If you want to understand more about how different foods affect blood sugar and inflammation, resources like the National Institutes of Health and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offer evidence-based information on healthy eating patterns. While they may not promote paleo specifically, they do explain why whole, minimally processed foods are generally encouraged.

Practical tips: making these paleo soups and stews work in real life

Batch cook once, eat all week
Most of these examples of paleo soups and stews keep well in the fridge for 3–4 days. That lines up with general food safety guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which recommends refrigerating cooked leftovers and eating them within a few days.

Make a big pot on Sunday, portion it into containers, and you’ve got grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners.

Freezer-friendly ideas
Stews and brothy soups with sturdy vegetables freeze best. Creamy coconut soups also freeze fairly well, though the texture may change slightly. Avoid freezing soups that are heavy on delicate greens or zucchini noodles; add those fresh when you reheat.

Short on time? Use shortcuts

• Pre-chopped vegetables from the store
• Rotisserie chicken (check ingredients for non-paleo additives)
• Frozen mixed vegetables
• Pre-made bone broth with clean ingredients

These shortcuts don’t make your meal less “real.” They just make it more realistic for a busy week.

FAQ: Common questions about examples of paleo soups and stews

Q: What are some quick examples of paleo soups I can make in under 30 minutes?
A: Two fast options are egg drop vegetable soup (broth, veggies, and beaten eggs) and a simple chicken & spinach soup using pre-cooked chicken and bagged spinach. The creamy coconut chicken curry soup can also be done in about 30 minutes if you use thin-cut chicken and quick-cooking vegetables.

Q: Can you give an example of a paleo stew that works for meal prep?
A: The slow-simmered beef & root vegetable stew is a great example of a paleo stew for meal prep. It actually tastes better the next day, and it reheats well for 3–4 days. The Italian-style sausage, kale & tomato stew is another solid option because the flavors deepen over time.

Q: Are potatoes allowed in these examples of paleo soups and stews?
A: Traditional paleo guidelines often skip white potatoes, but some modern versions allow them in moderation, especially for active people. If you’re following a stricter approach, swap potatoes for turnips, rutabaga, or extra carrots in any example of soup or stew.

Q: How can I make these paleo soups and stews more filling without grains or beans?
A: Increase the protein (more chicken, beef, or eggs) and add hearty vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and root vegetables. Coconut milk also adds satisfying fat and creaminess to several examples of paleo soups and stews.

Q: Can I use store-bought broth in these examples?
A: Yes, just read the label. Look for broths without added sugar, soy, or wheat. Many brands now offer bone broth or stock with minimal ingredients, which works perfectly in all 3 delicious examples and the extra variations.

If you take nothing else from this, remember this: once you’ve tried a few examples of paleo soups and stews | 3 delicious examples like chicken “noodle,” beef & root veggie stew, and coconut curry soup, you’ll start to see the pattern. From there, you can mix and match ingredients based on what you have and what you love—and that’s when paleo cooking starts to feel easy, not restrictive.