Set up a soup bar with grilled cheese tartines for a casual luncheon or a shower celebration. Get some great ideas, tips, and recipes here.
A soup bar is the perfect winter party idea with a variety of soups to choose from and delicious accompaniments.
You may be longing for Spring, but there are plenty of chilly days ahead that this soup bar would be a perfect plan for. 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 several years ago 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 below.
For starters, this soup bar idea would be fantastic for a game day party, a casual baby/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 entertain at home!
This food bar pairs smooth flavorful soups with a delicious variety of 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 with Grilled Cheese Tartines
- I prepared three different soups for this bar, and they are all smooth varieties as opposed to chunky style. The reason for this is that the soup and grilled cheese tartines should balance each other. You don’t want to get too full on a hearty soup when you have such robust flavors in the tartines.
- The soups here are cheesy broccoli, my butternut squash soup recipe, and classic tomato. You can buy prepared, make it from a mix, make it homemade, or any combination of these. The idea is to provide a melange of flavors. My curried pumpkin soup & stuffing balls would also be an excellent addition.
- The smooth soups also give you the opportunity to provide tasty garnishes like croutons, pine nuts, crumbled bacon, and fresh basil.
- The grilled cheese tartines can be cut into halves or thirds so guests have more variety without getting too full. They are great dipped in the soup too!
HOSTESS TIP: Use vintage soup tureens, and pitchers to serve soup from, and a large cutting board to serve tasty grilled tartines.
- For extra accompaniments I put out some cheese-stuffed peppers, cornichons, and pecans.
- The soups can be served in a variety of demitasse cups and tea cups. These are great because they have handles in case guests want to pick it up, sip it, or use a spoon.
- For decor I used small crates as risers, and 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” bar.
- I used the agate slabs from my fall tabletop design and wrote the menu items with a gold glass marker. They’re propped up using mini picture easels and can be cleaned with soap and water for another use.
I hope you’re inspired to set up your own soup bar for casual entertaining. I think your guests would love the variety, as well as the novelty of it.
Let me know what you think. Cheers!
