Butternut squash soup with coconut milk

45 min
Butternut squash soup with coconut milk

Autumn is a comforting and soothing time of the year. The season is an open invitation to enjoy heart-warming moments and belly-warming meals. All you need is a few recipes that can make these magical moments happen. Enter our creamy butternut squash soup with coconut milk. Sweet, rich, a little spicy, and irresistibly creamy, this is autumnal deliciousness at its peak. Try it with crispy croutons, roasted chickpeas, and pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients

1 Small butternut squash, diced (approximately 700 g)
2 Onions
3 Garlic cloves
2 tbsp Olive oil
3 cm Fresh ginger, grated
8 Leaves Fresh sage
1 tsp Dried thyme
1 tsp Cumin
½ tsp Chilli flakes
½ tsp Cayenne pepper
2 Carrots
3 Celery stalks
½ Lemon, juiced
500 - 700 ml Stock, for example, beef or vegetable
400 ml Coconut milk
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

Bread croutons

3 Bread slices
Olive oil
Flaked salt

Roasted chickpeas

1 can Chickpeas
Olive oil
1 tsp Ground cumin
Paprika
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

To serve

Fresh thyme
Creme fraiche
Pumpkin seeds

Instructions

Soup

  • Chop the onions and crush the garlic. Sauté in a large pot with a bit of olive oil.
  • Add freshly grated ginger, finely chopped sage, thyme, cumin, chilli flakes, and cayenne pepper. Let it cook for a minute until the spices become fragrant.
  • Halve the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into cubes. Dice the carrots and celery.
  • Add all the vegetables to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add more olive oil if necessary to prevent the vegetables from burning.
  • Pour approximately 500 ml of stock over the vegetables, saving the rest for later. Let the vegetables simmer under a lid for about 15 minutes, or until tender.
  • Blend the soup with coconut milk and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Add more stock if you want a thinner soup.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and extra lemon juice if desired.

Bread croutons and roasted chickpeas

  • Cut the bread into cubes and place them in a hot pan with olive oil. Sprinkle with flaked salt and let them crisp up.
  • Rinse the chickpeas and pat them dry with kitchen roll or a clean tea towel.
  • Place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
  • Bake in the oven at 175 ℃ for about 25 minutes, or until crispy.

To serve

  • Pour the soup into bowls and top with a spoonful of crème fraiche, bread croutons, roasted chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and a bit of fresh thyme.
Enjoy!

Adjust the amount of stock to control the thickness of the soup. Start with about 500 ml of stock for a thicker, creamier soup. For a thinner consistency, gradually add more stock after blending. Check the consistency as you go and blend well between additions to keep the soup smooth. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning, as adding more stock can dilute the flavours.

Blend hot butternut squash soup with coconut milk safely by using an immersion blender directly in the pot. Make sure the blender blade is fully submerged to avoid splashes. Start with pulsing to break down the larger chunks, then blend continuously. Move the blender slowly to keep control. If you use a countertop blender instead, let the soup cool first. Blend in small batches, fill the jar only halfway, and let steam escape by covering the lid’s opening with a towel. Secure the lid and start on a low speed.

FAQ: Questions about butternut squash soup with coconut milk

Do you have questions about making butternut squash soup with coconut milk? Our FAQ section provides answers to the most common questions to help you make a creamy and tasty soup. Find information about storage and preparation right here.

How do I store and reheat butternut squash soup with coconut milk?

Let the butternut squash soup with coconut milk cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to 4 days. For longer storage, pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat the soup, pour the desired amount into a pot and warm it gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, microwave it on high for one to two minutes, stirring halfway through. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of stock or coconut milk to reach your preferred consistency.

Do I need to peel butternut squash before cooking?

Yes, you should peel the butternut squash before cooking it for this soup recipe. The thick, tough skin can affect the texture and consistency of the soup. Peeling ensures that only the tender orange flesh is used, which blends smoothly with the coconut milk and other ingredients for a creamy and velvety soup.

How do you store leftover croutons and chickpeas?

Store leftover croutons at room temperature in an airtight container to keep out moisture. Do not refrigerate or seal them while warm; trapped steam will make them soft. They are best if eaten within a few days. For roasted chickpeas, let them cool thoroughly on a baking sheet to evaporate any excess moisture. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigeration as it makes chickpeas chewy. If they lose their crunch, re-toast the croutons and re-bake the chickpeas at 175 °C for a few minutes until crisp.

Nutritional values

Nutritional value, per

1927 Kcal

Fibre 53.1 gram fibers
Protein 52 gram
Fat 110.5 gram
Carbohydrates 181.8 gram

Recommended information

Serving suggestion

Comforting butternut squash soup with coconut milk

The cool, crisp air calls for a comforting meal. Our butternut squash soup with coconut milk makes the world slow down for a moment, so you can take in the cosy atmosphere and warm flavours. Sweet, golden butternut squash and carrots melt into the silky coconut milk, creating a luscious and soothing base. The chunky vegetables are briefly sautéed to extract their earthy sweetness and then met by the rich stock. Every spoonful takes on a smooth, velvety, and fragrant character for that perfect autumnal feel. 

We have more soups where this came from. Try a simple butternut squash soup without coconut milk, or explore other options like red kuri soup and butternut squash soup. Each recipe is bound to put you in a relaxed mood. 

An unforgettable blend of warm spices and aromatic herbs

A few carefully selected spices and herbs add unforgettable warm and earthy flavours. Thyme, sage, and ginger bring a trifecta of fresh, woodsy, and slightly spicy notes that mirror the scents you can find on a walk in the wild. Joined by cumin and chilli flakes, the soup gets a more pronounced heat that always remains balanced and never overpowering.

What is great about these ingredients is that they never compete for attention; they are chosen for how well they work together, giving you the warm soup experience you are after.

Crunchy bread croutons and roasted chickpeas on top

A creamy bowl of butternut squash deserves a handful of crispy bread croutons and crunchy roasted chickpeas. Crispy croutons are a classic soup topping and crisp up easily, giving way to a buttery softness inside with hints of oil and salt. Now add roasted chickpeas and enjoy the bronzed, crisp outside alongside their lingering smoky edge. This is comfort food with character. 

Serve as a tasty starter or a full meal

Light enough to open a feast, hearty enough to stand alone, our butternut squash soup with coconut milk does it all. Ladle it into small bowls as an elegant prelude to dinner, garnished with a swirl of crème fraiche, pumpkin seeds, and smaller amounts of the crunchy toppings. The soup packs abundant flavour, so sometimes, even a smaller serving may satisfy comfort food cravings.

Of course, you can pour it generously into big bowls, pile on the toppings, and call it the main event. Add warm, crusty bread on the side, and you have a fully delicious meal. From weekday suppers to festive spreads, it truly does belong everywhere.

Add your own twists to the recipe

Put on your apron and experiment with different ingredients; it is well worth it. Adjust the spices as you like; try smoked paprika for smokiness or basil instead of sage for an herbal flavour. These are smaller adjustments and will not change the original recipe too much.

Want to lean deeper into autumn’s earthiness? Stir in some sautéed mushrooms or roasted peppers for richness, or add a pinch of smoked paprika for that warming, earthy kick.

A squeeze of lemon or lime can freshen things up, while a swirl of yoghurt or a crumble of white cheese will make it even creamier. Whether you go spicy, tangy, or nutty, every addition takes this comforting bowl and helps shape it more toward what you want from your soup.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/butternut-squash-soup-with-coconut-milk/