Soup for Toddlers? We’re doing it! This not-so-brothy toddler soup recipe is great for new spoon users! Introduce soup to your child after reading “SPOON,” a delightful book by Amy Kraus Rosenthal.

I remember years ago, eating lunch with a girlfriend and our children, aged 1. She had brought a jar of baby food soup for her child. Soup. And, you know what I thought? That lady is cray-cray. Who gives their little person soup? Has disaster written all over it.

Well, as it turns out, her kid did just fine. And my children? I was afraid to let them eat with spoons; I mean, you never know where that food will end up. So now my kids, all three of them, think soup is the most awful idea ever.

What kids hate Chicken Noodle Soup? Now I’m the crazy lady. #facepalm

As if just to spite me, James’ favorite book is “Spoon.” I gotta admit, it’s a cute book. And he certainly loves it. Even more surprising? Our soup experience was just as enjoyable as the book!

James – the kid who doesn’t eat anything, ate it – and I have the picture to prove it!

Give it a go and let me know what your little ones think. Disclaimer – it’s so good the hubs and I polished off what the kids didn’t eat. I’m craving it again already….

Toddler Soup Recipe

Over medium heat in a large soup pot, melt one tablespoon of butter. Toss in the finely minced celery and carrots. I don’t know about you, but a chunk of green anything will send my toddler running for the hills, so make sure you’ve really chopped that celery up!

Sauté the veggies until softened, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds, then pour in the chicken stock (or water and bouillon).

Bring the stock to a boil, and add one cup of small pasta. Return to a simmer and cook until pasta is cooked through. If you have some, feel free to add in one cup of cooked chicken. I used leftovers that I had from this recipe. Continue cooking until chicken is warmed through, then remove thyme sprigs (if using) and serve.

Be sure it’s not too hot before letting your little ones dig in!

Not-So-Brothy Toddler Soup Recipe

Yield:

Soup for Toddlers? We're doing it! This not-so-brothy toddler soup recipe is great for new spoon users! Introduce soup to your child after reading "SPOON," a delightful book by Amy Kraus Rosenthal.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
3 stalks of celery, minced
3 carrots, peeled and minced
1 clove of garlic, mincced
4 sprigs of thyme (or 1 tsp. ground thyme)
3 cups of chicken stock (or 3 cups of water + 3 tsp. chicken bouillon)
1 cup small pasta shape (I used farfallini)
1 cup of cooked chicken, cubed (optional)

Instructions

Over medium heat in a large soup pot, melt one tablespoon of butter. Toss in the finely minced celery and carrots. I don't know about you, but a chunk of green anything will send my toddler running for the hills, so make sure you've really chopped that celery up!
Sauté the veggies until softened, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds, then pour in the chicken stock (or water and bouillon).
Bring the stock to a boil, and add one cup of small pasta. Return to a simmer and cook until pasta is cooked through.
If you have some, feel free to add in one cup of cooked chicken. I used leftovers that I had from this recipe.
Continue cooking until chicken is warmed through, then remove thyme sprigs (if using) and serve.
Be sure it's not before letting your little ones dig in!

Notes

*If you like a brothier soup, or as your little one adjusts to using a spoon, feel free to add more chicken stock!