I’m a Soup Master, and These Are the Go-To Tools I Rely On

Soup is life, at least during the colder months. Indeed, during this time of year, we love warming ourselves with hearty soups and stews. Whether your preference is earthy tomato soup, spicy chili, complex gumbo, savory lamb stew, or sweat-inducing pozole, if you’re committed to cooking things you need to eat with a spoon, this is your time to shine — and we have some tips. 

I’m a former professional cook and an avid home cook who loves making liquid feasts this time of year, and I’m here to share some of the best cookware and tools I rely on when whipping up my favorite dishes. I’ve given this a lot of thought over the years. I have my favorite soup bowl, the Dutch oven I depend on, my beloved immersion blender, and a specific type of wooden utensil I can’t live without. Read on for my favorite go-to tools for making soups, stews, and more.

Favorite Tools for Soups and Stews

• Dowan 22-Ounce White Ceramic Bowls, Set of 4, $20
• Cuisinart GreenGourmet Bamboo Turner, $4
• OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Set, $15
• Lodge Cast Iron 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Dual Handles, $47
• Made In Cookware 7.5-Quart Oval Dutch Oven, $299
• Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Soup Ladle, $14, originally $20
• Vitamix Immersion Blender, $170
• Hasense Spoon Rest, $12 with coupon, originally $15

Dowan 22-Ounce White Ceramic Bowls, Set of 4

I’m a big believer in finding that one piece of dining gear you absolutely love, whether it’s a spoon or a dinner plate, and then using it forever. When I met my wife, she was already in love with this specific Dowan bowl; now, we probably have a dozen of them in our kitchen. In many ways, this durable 22-ounce bowl is a perfect soup bowl. (It’s great for pasta and ice cream, too.) I love how deep it is — your soup stays warm for as long as you’re working on it. The best part is that these bowls are $5 each.

Cuisinart GreenGourmet Bamboo Turner

If you’re making a soup that starts with sweating onions and garlic or one that simmers for a really long time, you’ll want a wooden utensil with a flat edge to scrape all those good bits off the bottom of the pot or Dutch oven. This is an essential kitchen tool for elevated soup-making.

OXO Good Groups 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Set

People have moved away from using black plastic utensils after reports came out that they were potentially toxic. I make a point of avoiding toxic cookware of any sort, and having a set of wooden spoons is a fundamental part of safer cooking. You will never catch me making soup, stew, beans, or any other cozy food without at least one wooden spoon in play — these from OXO with over 7,800 five-star ratings clock in at only $5 each.

Made In Cookware 7.5-Quart Oval Dutch Oven

If I could only use one piece of cookware for the rest of my life, it would probably be my 7.5-quart oval Dutch oven from Made In. From chili and gumbo to curries and tomato soup, it’s been my go-to for years. I love how heavy it is and how evenly its enameled cast iron distributes heat. It’s truly an incredible Dutch oven.

Lodge Cast Iron 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Dual Handles

As much as I love my bigger Made In Dutch oven, I also recognize that not every recipe calls for its large capacity. I love using this 5-quart cast iron oven from Lodge for smaller batches, reheating, braising, and searing. This powerful piece of cookware is under $50 and has nearly 30,000 perfect ratings on Amazon, so I highly recommend it to start your 2025 off right. 

Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Soup Ladle

If you prefer eating your soup to cleaning it up off the counter and stove, you’ll probably agree that the ladle is actually one of the silent heroes of cooking utensils. This no-frills stainless steel ladle has a comfortable, ergonomic rubber grip that makes it super easy to maneuver, so you can grab a couple extra beans or that chunk of meat that simply needs to make it to your bowl. 

Vitamix Immersion Blender

If you want creamy, evenly cooked soup with a great depth of flavor and a luscious texture, you need a high-quality immersion blender. This professional-grade option from Vitamix is incredibly easy to use, super powerful, and a breeze to clean. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it — especially if you want to avoid painstakingly scrubbing tomato pulp off your appliances (which can happen with less powerful blenders). 

Hasense Spoon Rest

Getting a spoon rest might seem frivolous — like, can’t you rest your spoon anywhere? If you don’t like cleaning up messes, the answer is no. Lay your messy, soup-covered utensil on this unassuming piece of gear to minimize cleanup. After, just wipe it off and you’re ready to move on. I love a porcelain spoon rest because they’re especially easy to clean.