Sick Day Soup Recipe - | Feel Better Soup (2024)

ByTiffany McCauley

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Sick day soup is exactly what it says it is. A great soup to have on hand when you’re feeling less than your best.

Feeling under the weather? If you have nausea, vomiting, sore throat stuffy, nose, or any other symptoms of a cold or flu, rest and proper nourishment is what you need. What you eat, can make just as much of a difference in how fast you heal, as getting adequate rest and liquids.

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Getting Good Nutrients

With everything going on in the world right now, feel-better food is in high demand. It never hurts to have some good soup, or at the very least, some good broth, stocked in your freezer.

Nobody wants to cook when they don’t feel good. But if you make some ahead of time to keep in the freezer, you’re far more likely to eat something that will actually benefit your body and give your immune system a nice, nutritional boost when it’s feeling at its worst.

Can You Freeze Sick Day Soup?

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You can! Just don’t freeze it with pasta in it. Pasta doesn’t hold up well in a freezer. Other than that, portion this out, if you wish, and freeze it in freezer-safe, airtight containers. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months. It never hurts to have some of this in the freezer for when you feel too sick to cook.

If you are curious about the containers pictured above, Souper Cubes are fantastic for freezing in portions! I use them all the time. The one pictured is the 1 cup measure. Each well holds 1 cup of soup (or whatever you are freezing). Plus, they are dishwasher safe in the top rack! You can find them on Amazon by clicking the image below. (Affiliate link).

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Other Foods To Eat When Sick

If you want something to serve with this soup, the most logical answer is, of course, toast. But to get the most vitamins and minerals out of your diet, you’ll want to eat a variety of foods rich in high-quality nutrients.

So here are some other ideas as well to generally round out your day nutritionally. You can serve them with the soup if you like, or serve them separately. This is simply a list of foods that always helps me feel better when I’m down for the count. Some are just comfort foods, but most are usually good options nutritionally when you feel yucky.

  • orange juice
  • ginger ale or ginger tea
  • a teaspoon of honey
  • grapefruits
  • any citrus fruits will help thanks to the vitamin C.
  • ginger tea
  • turmeric
  • plain yogurt – this is good when you are sick but not congested. Dairy products make congestion worse. But plain yogurt is great for the gut because it’s full of probiotics. So only eat yogurt if you aren’t congested.
  • hot water with lemons or limes
  • broccoli – it’s a superfood for a reason!
  • crackers or pretzels – not the highest-nutrient foods, but they really well with soup without making an upset stomach worse. (In most cases)
  • coconut water – great for keeping you hydrated!
  • bland foods are typically better than spiced foods. You won’t need a ton of flavor in your food anyway if you are congested and can’t taste much.
  • sweet potatoes – they are easy to bake or microwave and have a ton of good nutrients. Plus they tend to be gentle on your tummy.
  • cereals – as long as they aren’t full of sugar, they tend to be easy to throw together and are usually pretty gentle on your tummy. Just remember, if you’re congested, you may want to use non-dairy milk to avoid further congestion. Your nasal passages will thank you.
  • bananas
  • applesauce
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About The Ingredients

Chicken broth– No sugar added (usually as dextrose), low sodium is best. If you are vegetarian, this works with vegetable broth too.

Celery seed

Garlic granules – Garlic powder work great too.

Largeeggs – Beated in a bowl with a fork or whisk.

Cooked quinoa– Cooked pasta or rice work too.

How To Make Sick Day Soup

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In a large soup pot, combine your broth, celery seed, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.

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Add your pre-cooked quinoa or pasta. (Or whatever grain you want to use.) Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.

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When everything is warmed through, turn the heat off, whisk in your eggs quickly and remove the pot from the heat.

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Season with salt and serve.

How To Store Sick Day Soup

Made with vegetable broth – This will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Made with chicken broth – This will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

See freezing instructions above.

Need Recipe Supplies?

More Feel Better Soups

  • Lentil Soup
  • Chicken Soup (Just add noodles for chicken noodle soup!)
  • Split Pea Soup

Sick Day Soup Recipe Card + Video

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Sick Day Soup Recipe

Comforting soup that's excellent when you are sick.

3 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American, German

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 11 servings

Calories: 98kcal

CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!

Ingredients

  • 8 cups chicken broth (no sugar added, low sodium is best)
  • 1 tsp. celery seed
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 cups cooked quinoa (cooked pasta or rice work too)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, combine your broth, celery seed and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.

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  • Add your pre-cooked quinoa or pasta. (Or whatever grain you want to use.) Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.

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  • When everything is warmed through, turn the heat off, whisk in your eggs quickly and remove the pot from the heat.

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  • Season with salt and serve.

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Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 664mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe from the ®Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted 11/23/10.

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Sick Day Soup Recipe - | Feel Better Soup (2024)

FAQs

What is the best soup to eat when you're sick? ›

Broths. Like chicken soup, broths are excellent sources of fluid and electrolytes that can be helpful when you're sick. When hot, they may also help relieve sinus congestion. They're full of flavor and rich in various nutrients while still being easy on your digestive system.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

Worcestershire Sauce

Similar to the fish sauce, Worcestershire Sauce adds umami to soups and stocks. It's because of the anchovies in there. It doesn't taste like anchovies, just like good rich meatiness. Give it a whirl in Vegetable Soup or a Beef Stew.

What soup is good for cough and phlegm? ›

15 Soothing Soups for Cold and Flu Season
  • 01 of 15. Super Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup. ...
  • 02 of 15. Garlic Spinach Soup. ...
  • 03 of 15. Miso Soup. ...
  • 04 of 15. Cold-Busting Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  • 05 of 15. Hearty Chicken and Rice Soup. ...
  • 06 of 15. Spicy Chicken Thai Soup. ...
  • 07 of 15. Roasted Butternut Squash, Garlic, and Apple Soup. ...
  • 08 of 15.
Feb 5, 2020

What soups not to-eat when sick? ›

Don't eat anything acidic.

Orange juice and tomato soup may seem like healthy sick day essentials, but nutritionist Dr. Elizabeth Trattner says it's important to avoid anything too acidic when sick, especially when you are experiencing nausea or the stomach flu.

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. "Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices.

What gives soup a good taste? ›

Use aromatic vegetables, like carrots, celery and onions. Adding some egg noodles or pasta can make the soup more thicker and turn it into a complete meal as well. Add some fresh herbs of your choice to add another layer of flavour to your dish.

How do you make homemade soup taste better? ›

Go Bold. A punch of flavor at the end of cooking can make your soup a standout. Mix herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano, or spices such as cumin, coriander, and cardamom, into some olive oil, and let it infuse for at least an hour or two. Pour it over soup just before serving.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What can I add to soup to make it better? ›

These garnishes impart a little extra flavor and make your soup look restaurant-worthy.
  1. Chopped herbs, such as chives, cilantro, dill or parsley.
  2. Dusting of spice, such as cumin, paprika or white pepper.
  3. Lemon, lime or orange zest.
  4. Shaved, crumbled or grated cheese, such as feta, Parmesan or Pecorino.
Sep 23, 2016

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

Take stock of your stock. When it comes to making clear, brothy soups, the stock that you use is the most important ingredient. Poorly flavoured stock will ruin the entire pot of soup. For clear soups, homemade broth is always the best choice.

What foods break up mucus in lungs? ›

Plant-based foods – Plant-based soups, salads, and smoothies are vital additions for those battling mucus. Some veggies and fruits, including leafy greens, tomatoes, onions, grapes, blueberries, and cherries, contain quercetin. This pigment is a powerful anti-histamine, which reduces phlegm and other allergy symptoms.

What soup loosens mucus? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

What cuts phlegm fast? ›

Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones can help with mucus flow. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.

Does eating soup actually help when sick? ›

Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.

Is it good to eat soup when you feel sick? ›

Fluids are often better tolerated than solid food when you're nauseous. That's why broths and soups may be a good first step toward eating again. They also provide hydration and electrolytes, which are particularly important if you have been vomiting or have a fever.

What is the best soup to break a fever? ›

Chicken Soup

The broth helps with your fluid intake, which can help lower your body temperature and flush out toxins, and the sodium can replenish electrolytes. Plus, chicken soup is full of vitamins, minerals, calories, and protein—as long as it actually contains chicken.

Does soup help when you're ill? ›

The sodium in the recipe helps relieve sore throat pain (the same principle behind gargling warm salt water), the heat helps clear nasal congestion, and can relieve pain and sinus pressure. The vitamins and minerals in nutrient-dense soups can also speed recovery, Bailey adds.

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