Tips for Hosting a Fabulous Soup Buffet Party

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       Have you been to many soup buffet parties?  Perhaps you are hosting one yourself this year.  I've been to quite a few soup buffets with delicious soups all staying warm in a crock pot, only to have the satisfaction level fall flat because all that is served with the soup are some crackers on the side.  But, I'm here to tell you that a soup buffet is an opportunity to go crazy and shine!  I've got you covered with lots of tips of what to serve with your soup to make your buffet go over the top! 

Soups and What to Serve With Them

Choose just 2 or 3 favorite soups. More than that will make everyone unsure of what to choose and you will end up with way too many leftovers!  If you round out the meal with lots of toppings, a few choices of soup will be plenty.  Here are some suggestions of what to serve with various soups: 

• Clam Chowder-(here is my recipe) There are wonderful things to put on or with clam chowder that will turn it into a gourmet meal! Oyster crackers,bacon swapped scallops, bacon bits, chives, thyme, corn on the cob (those little ones would be perfect), cornbread, (with honey butter of course). 
• Butternut Squash Bisque- a fresh salad, bacon strips, bread or fresh rolls, crackers (duh).
• Tomato Soup-Okay, everyone knows that the best thing is a grilled cheese sandwich, but how about making it more interesting? Cut the grilled cheese sandwich into crouton size and sprinkle them on the soup! The cheese gets so melty and delicious!  

I used a Cheddar-Jack cheese. It was so good!

Or, you can cut the grilled cheese into points and balance on the mug.  It aids in the dipping of the sandwich! 

• Taco Soup-(chicken or beef) Corn chips or tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh snipped cilantro.​

     Those are some of my favorites, but here are some other ideas for toppings that you might try for any kind of soup:

• Rice or Mashed Potato Balls.  These can be made before hand and chilled.  Dropping cool rice ball or potato ball can help cool down hot soup!  I formed mine with a cookie scoop.  These are great on any kind of chicken soup or vegetable soup or vegetable beef! 

Rice balls

Potato balls

• Chopped green onions, chopped tomatoes, chopped peppers
• Tiny finger sandwiches
• popcorn
• pickled red onions
  

This Ecuadorian Encebollado would be a wonderful soup to serve! Click the photo to learn more!

How to Serve the Soup

    Of course,crock pots are a great idea to serve from, since they will keep the soup nice and hot.  But, in some cases they may not look fancy enough and a lovely soup tureen may be in order. 

I purchased this pumpkin tureen at Walmart a few years ago. If you click on the photo, it is still available online.

Here are some other ones, click the photo to see them or order them: 

• I like to use mugs quite often to serve soup in.  You can hold onto the mug handle as you dip in a sandwich or dip a cracker or roll.  These from pioneer woman are a favorite! She has a lot of choices.
• Bread bowls are always delicious.  The one shown above is from Panera. You can always bake your own. 
• You can use paper bowls, just be sure that they are sturdy and decorative if possible.
  
• Arrange your toppings and sides on nice plates with tongs or spoons.  Be sure to provide sturdy ladles for the soup.  

     There you have it! Tons of ways to bring your soup buffet to the next level!  It is raining in Phoenix, so soup sounds like a really great idea.  Especially the Tomato with grilled cheese!  What kind of soup does a rainy day bring to your mind?  For more soup recipe,  check out our soup category! Enjoy!