Best Soup Bar Ideas for a Party (2024)

I love turning simple classic ideas, like a soup and sandwich luncheon, into something stylish and updated for home entertaining.

When I created my chili bar I never dreamed it would get such a tremendous response. It’s been the gift that keeps on giving, as readers flock to it year after year. I certainly hope you’ll find just as much inspiration in the soup bar I’ve designed.

Soup Bar Party Ideas

A soup bar is the perfect party theme for fall with a variety of soups to choose from and delicious accompaniments.It’s also a great food bar for a ladies luncheon, or winter theme dinner party idea.

For starters, this soup buffet idea would be fantastic for agame day party, a casual baby or bridal shower luncheon, movie or game night, or any casual get-together with friends or family. Remember, you don’t always need a “reason” to throw a party!

This food bar pairs smooth flavorful soups with a delicious variety of open-face grilled cheese tartines. The tartines are an updated take on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, and I highly recommend them.

How to Set Up a Soup Bar

Follow these tips for setting up a stylish soup party. And if you want to host a sit down dinner, check out these gorgeous soup dinner party ideas.

• Use small crates or boxes as risers, and add some empty frames for interest. I placed my “get cozy” banner inside one of the frames, and I think it provides the perfect sentiment for this “cozy” winter party bar.
• Use a large cutting board to serve tasty grilled tartines, hot , or other finger foods.
• Add a sign to show what soups are on the menu. The agate slabs from my fall tabletop design turned out to be a unique and interesting base to write the menu on. Just use a glass marker to write with and then wipe it away later with soap and water. Prop them up using mini picture easels.
• Add some table decoration with empty frames, signs, and seasonal flowers.
• Add small bowls and dishes filled with small nibbles and soup garnishes.

PARTY TIP: Use vintage soup tureens, and pitchers to serve soup from. You can find inexpensive ones at thrift stores.

Use a large wood cutting board to serve the grilled cheese tartines.

Smooth Soup Recipes

I suggest serving at least three different soups for the buffet.

Smooth soups go well with the robust flavors of the tartines. Plus, they give you the opportunity to provide tasty garnishes and toppings like croutons, pine nuts, crumbled bacon, and fresh basil.

• Butternut squash soup recipeis a delicious fall and winter recipe.
• This would also be an excellent addition.
• Smooth cheese broccoli & cheddar soup is a classic choice.
• Traditional easy tomato soupis a must for a soup buffet.

Heartier Soup Recipes

You can serve chunkier hearty soups, stews and chilis instead of the smooth ones, or do a combination of both. Here are some recipes to add.

• Ground turkey vegetable soup
• Slow cooker lentil soup
• Slow cooker vegetable beef soup
• Slow cooker brunswick stew
• White chicken chili

How to Serve Soup at a Buffet

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• Use vintage soup tureens, and pitchers to serve soup from. A pitcher is an easy drip-free way to pour smooth soup into a mug or bowl.
• Serve the soups in a variety of demitasse, espresso, or tea cups. These are great because they have handles so guests can pick it up and sip it, or use a spoon and scoop it.
• If your party is too big to use real dishes and your guests will be standing a lot, use disposable coffee cups that have the corrugated sleeve to hold on to. I like this style or these.
• If you’ll be seated with a crowd you can use disposable bowls. I like these biodegradable ones that also look nice.

What to Serve With Soup

While soup and salads, or soup and sandwiches are classic combinations, you can also find some great pairings in my appetizers list.

• For extra accompaniments I put out some cheese-stuffed peppers, cornichons, and savory pecans.
• Add a on the side.
• Serve some fresh crudités in these individual vegetable cups.

Soup and Sandwich Menu

• Serve open-facegrilled cheese tartines. Theycan be cut into halves or thirds so guests have more variety without getting too full. They are great dipped in the soup too!
• I also love these little open face Cubano appetizer sandwiches for pairing. They’re delicious and easy to make.
• These slow cooker bbq beef sandwiches are warm filling comfort food.
• These baked mini party sandwiches with brown sugar glaze are addictive!
• You can include hot on your buffet table. Everyone loves them!
• These mini club sandwiches are great because they don’t have to be cooked.
• Mini beef and blue cheese party sandwiches have lots of complimentary flavor.
• Turkey melts and roast beef party sandwiches are a delicious side for the soup.