Autumn and Winter Soup Recommendations | 11 Winter Soup Recipes | Relieves Coughs and Nourishes the Lungs, Strengthens the Spleen and Kidneys, Improves Cold Hands and Feet [A Must-Have for Parents]
Publication date: 30/01/2026
As we enter autumn and winter, temperatures drop significantly, and humidity decreases, leading many parents to notice that their children are prone to coughs, dry throats, nosebleeds, dry skin, and cold hands and feet. At this time, preparing more winter-themed soups can not only nourish the body but also boost immunity and prevent colds.
In fact, "What kind of soup is best to drink in winter?" is a question that many families ask most often. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, winter is a season of "storage" and should focus on nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the spleen, and moisturizing the lungs. Therefore, winter soups should be warm, nourishing, and moisturizing, making them especially suitable for the whole family.
This article compiles the most practical nourishing soups for autumn and winter, based on common combinations used by nutritionists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. It selects 11 winter soup recommendations suitable for the whole family, and also covers popular search topics such as "winter spleen-strengthening soups", "winter dryness soups", and "simple winter soups".
🍵 Why should we drink more winter soups in autumn and winter?
Autumn and winter weather is cold and dry, causing a decline in the body's Yang energy, which can weaken the functions of the lungs and spleen/stomach. Without proper care, this can easily lead to:
- Recurrent colds and coughs
- Dry, sore throat, hoarse voice
- Poor digestion and loss of appetite
- Cold hands and feet, easily fatigued
Drinking suitable winter soups at this time can:
- It soothes the lungs, relieves coughs, and improves tracheal sensitivity.
- Strengthens the spleen and stomach, and improves absorption.
- Nourishes the kidneys and warms the body, improving sensitivity to cold.
- Boost immunity and reduce the chance of getting sick
Therefore, whether it is children, the elderly, or busy parents, winter soup is very suitable for daily conditioning by drinking it every day or every other day.
🌿Key points for winter health: Strengthen the spleen first, then nourish the kidneys
Of all the soups served in winter, the two most important aspects are:
1️⃣ Strengthens the spleen
A healthy spleen and stomach are essential for nutrient absorption, making this food especially suitable for children prone to stomach aches, diarrhea, and picky eaters. Common spleen-strengthening foods include: Chinese yam, lotus seeds, chestnuts, five-finger peach, and codonopsis.
2️⃣ Tonify the kidneys
The kidneys are responsible for warming the body and boosting immunity; tonifying the kidneys can help improve cold hands and feet and poor mental state. Common kidney-tonifying foods include: black beans, cordyceps flowers, black-boned chicken, burdock, and walnuts.
Therefore, truly good winter spleen-strengthening soups usually take into account three aspects: strengthening the spleen, tonifying the kidneys, and moisturizing the lungs.
✅ Codonopsis and Kudzu Root Chicken Feet Soup (Strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi) - Recipe
🥣 Key Efficacy
- Codonopsis pilosula: replenishes qi, strengthens the spleen, and boosts energy.
- Kudzu root: Clears heat, promotes fluid production, relaxes muscles, and quenches thirst.
- Chicken feet: Nourish joints, increase collagen, and strengthen tendons and bones.
- Red dates: Nourish blood, calm the mind, and harmonize the properties of other medicines.
- Dried tangerine peel: regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and removes dampness.
👉 Suitable for: People who are easily fatigued, have a poor appetite, lack concentration, read a lot, or sit for long periods of time.
🛒 Ingredients (serves 4)
Ingredients: 20g Codonopsis pilosula (about 4-5 pieces), 500-600g Pueraria lobata, 8-10 chicken feet, 4-6 red dates, 1 small piece of dried tangerine peel, 2 slices of ginger, about 2 liters of water.
👨🍳 How to make it
- Blanch chicken feet: Trim the nails of chicken feet and blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to remove blood.
- Prepare the kudzu root by peeling and cutting it into large chunks.
- Soak the medicinal herbs, including Codonopsis pilosula, red dates, and dried tangerine peel, in water for 10 minutes, and scrape the pith off the dried tangerine peel.
- Add all ingredients to a pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer over low heat for 1.5–2 hours.
- Add a little salt at the end for seasoning.
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✅ 11 of the most practical winter soup recommendations (suitable for the whole family)
The following 11 winter soup recipes all use readily available ingredients and are easy to make, making them perfect for busy parents to cook in rotation.
1. Codonopsis and Kudzu Root Chicken Feet Soup (Strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi)
Benefits: Strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi, improves cold hands and feet. Especially suitable for: people who are often tired and prone to lower back pain.
👉 This is a classic example of a winter soup for strengthening the spleen.
2. Sea coconut and chestnut soup (moistens the lungs and relieves cough)
Benefits: Moisturizes the lungs, reduces phlegm, and relieves dry cough. Especially suitable for children with sensitive airways.
👉 A very typical soup for dry winter weather.
3. Cordyceps flower, abalone mushroom, and snow fungus soup (to boost immunity)
Benefits: Nourishes the lungs and boosts immunity. Suitable for: Families who are frequently ill or prone to colds.
👉 This is a highly nutritious winter soup.
4. Conch, abalone, mushroom, and chestnut soup (strengthens the spleen and stomach)
Benefits: Improves digestion and increases appetite. Suitable for: picky eaters and children with poor appetite.
5. Fritillaria cirrhosa and sea coconut lung-nourishing soup (first choice for relieving cough)
Efficacy: Clears heat and moistens the lungs, relieves dry cough 👉 One of the most effective soups to drink in winter.
6. Watercress and Dried Tofu Soup (for clearing heat and reducing internal fire)
Efficacy: Clears lung heat and relieves dryness and internal heat. Suitable for: after hot pot, sore throat.
7. Lotus root, snow pear, and chicken feet soup (for skin nourishment and beauty)
Benefits: Moisturizes skin and relieves dryness and itchiness 👉 A very popular winter soup among mothers.
8. Apple and Lily Bulb Vegetarian Soup (Rice Cooker Version)
Benefits: Strengthens the spleen and nourishes the liver, relieves cough 👉 A super simple version of a winter soup.
9. Papaya, apple, and grass carp tail soup (aids digestion)
Benefits: Strengthens the spleen and moistens the intestines, improves constipation. Suitable for: Families with weak digestive systems.
10. Cordyceps flower, Chinese yam, and goji berry chicken soup (the king of kidney tonics)
Function: nourish the kidneys, warm the body, stop cough 👉 Very typical "family suitable to drink" winter soup.
11. Cordyceps flower, pumpkin, and lean pork soup (easiest to make)
Efficacy: Moisturizes the lungs and relieves cough, enhances immunity
👉 The simplest version of the most popular winter soup.
🥣 Sea Coconut and Chestnut Soup (Nourishes the lungs and relieves cough) - Recipe
Key Efficacy
- Sea coconut: moisturizes the lungs, relieves cough, clears dryness and promotes the production of body fluids
- Chestnuts: Nourish the kidneys and spleen, strengthen the stomach and increase physical strength
- Figs: Soothe the throat, relieve phlegm, and stop coughing.
- North and South Apricots: Relieves cough and asthma, moistens the lungs and resolves phlegm
- Lean pork/chicken: Nourishes qi and blood, adds sweetness to the soup
👉 Suitable for: seasonal coughs, dry coughs without phlegm, sensitive airways, frequent use of air conditioning, and children's nighttime coughs.
🛒 Ingredients (serves 4)
Ingredients: 20-30g dried sea coconut, 8-10 shelled chestnuts, 2-3 figs, 10g southern apricot kernels, 5g northern apricot kernels, about 300g lean pork or half a chicken, 1 jujube (optional), 2 slices of ginger, about 2 liters of water.
👨🍳 How to make it
- Blanch the lean meat: Cut the lean meat into large pieces and blanch for 2-3 minutes to remove blood.
- Soak the following herbs in water for 10 minutes: sea coconut, fig, and apricot kernels.
- Add all ingredients to a pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer over low heat for 1.5–2 hours.
- Add a little salt at the end for seasoning.
🌟 Frequently Asked Questions by Parents: Winter Soup FAQ
Q1: What kind of soup is best to drink in winter?
It is recommended to choose winter soups that nourish the lungs, strengthen the spleen, and tonify the kidneys, such as:
- Fritillaria and Sea Coconut Soup
- Cordyceps flower and yam chicken soup
- Sea coconut and chestnut soup
These are the most practical soup recommendations for winter.
Q2: Is it suitable for children to drink soup in winter?
Very suitable, but avoid those that are too drying or too nourishing. Recommended choices:
- Apple and lily soup
- Lotus root and snow pear soup
- Snow fungus and cordyceps flower soup
This is a mild winter soup.
Q3: What is the simplest soup for winter?
If time is limited, we recommend:
- Apple and lily bulb vegetarian soup (rice cooker)
- Cordyceps flower, pumpkin, and lean pork soup
Both of these are popular and easy choices for winter soups.
Summary: Truly practical principles for making soups in winter
For good winter soups, remember three principles:
1️⃣ Moisturizes the lungs and relieves cough (combats dryness) 2️⃣ Strengthens the spleen and stomach (improves absorption) 3️⃣ Nourishes the kidneys and warms the body (boosts immunity)
By mastering these three points, no matter which winter soup you choose, you can truly achieve the following: 👉 Improve your constitution, get sick less often, feel more energetic, and keep your hands and feet warm.
For busy parents, instead of buying a bunch of health supplements, it's better to cook 2-3 different kinds of winter soups every week. The effects are often more practical, safer, and more suitable for the whole family to drink long-term.
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✅ Cordyceps Flower, Abalone Mushroom, and Snow Fungus Soup - Recipe
Key Efficacy
- Cordyceps flower: Nourishes the lungs and kidneys, and enhances immunity.
- Abalone mushroom: High in protein, boosts energy, and protects the cardiovascular system.
- Snow fungus: Nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, beautifies and moisturizes the skin.
- Red dates: Nourish blood, calm the mind, and harmonize the properties of other medicines.
- Lean pork/chicken: Nourishes qi and blood, adds sweetness to the soup
👉 Suitable for: People with sensitive trachea, prone to colds, dry skin, children with night coughs, and those who live in air-conditioned environments for extended periods.
🛒 Ingredients (serves 4)
Ingredients: 20g dried cordyceps flowers, 2 abalone mushrooms, 1 snow fungus, 4-6 red dates, 10-15 goji berries, about 300g lean pork or half a chicken, 2 slices of ginger, about 2 liters of water.
👨🍳 How to make it
- To prepare snow fungus, soak it in water for 30 minutes, cut off the hard stem, and tear it into small pieces.
- Blanch the lean meat: Cut the lean meat into pieces and blanch for 2-3 minutes to remove blood.
- To clean cordyceps flowers, simply rinse them quickly; there's no need to soak them for too long.
- Add all ingredients to a pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer over low heat for 1.5 hours.
- Add a little salt at the end for seasoning.
✅ Conch, Abalone, Mushroom, and Chestnut Soup - Recipe
🌿 Key Efficacy
- Sliced Conch: Nourishes the kidneys and yin, moisturizes yin without causing dryness, and enhances the flavor of soup.
- Abalone mushroom: High in protein, strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi, boosts physical strength.
- Chestnuts: Nourish the kidneys and spleen, strengthen the stomach and aid digestion
- Red dates: Nourish blood, calm the mind, and harmonize the properties of other medicines.
- Dried tangerine peel: regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and resolves dampness.
- Lean pork/chicken: Nourishes qi and blood, adds sweetness to the soup
👉 Suitable for: People with poor appetite, who eat little but feel full easily, have weak absorption, poor energy, and children who are underweight.
🛒 Ingredients (serves 4)
Ingredients: 2-3 slices of dried conch, 2 abalone mushrooms, 8-10 shelled chestnuts, 4-6 red dates, 1 small piece of dried tangerine peel, about 300g of lean pork or half a chicken, 2 slices of ginger, about 2 liters of water.
👨🍳 How to make it
- For the spiral blade treatment, soak the spiral blade in water for 1 hour, cut it into small pieces, and keep it soaked for later use.
- Blanch the lean meat: Cut the lean meat into pieces and blanch for 2-3 minutes to remove blood.
- Other ingredients preparation: Rinse chestnuts briefly; soak dried tangerine peel until soft and scrape off the pith; cut abalone mushrooms into pieces.
- Add all ingredients, including the sliced conch, to the pot after soaking in water, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer over low heat for 1.5–2 hours.
- Add a little salt at the end for seasoning.
✅ Chrysanthemum and Pear Tea - Recipe
🌿 Ingredients (serves 3–4)
- Chrysanthemums (Hangzhou chrysanthemum or bud chrysanthemum) – 8–10 flowers
- Pears – 1–2 (peeled, cored, and sliced)
- Rock sugar – as needed (adjust to taste)
- Goji berries – a small handful (optional, to add sweetness and nutrition)
🥣 How to make
- Prepare the ingredients: Wash the pears, peel and core them, and cut them into small pieces or thin slices; rinse the chrysanthemums and goji berries briefly.
- Boil water: Add water to a pot, add the pears, and bring to a boil.
- Add chrysanthemum: After the water boils, turn to low heat, add chrysanthemum and goji berries, and cook for about 5–8 minutes.
- Seasoning: Finally, add rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Finished: It can be enjoyed hot or chilled and refrigerated to make iced herbal tea.
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