Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Today we are going to prove to you that comfort food can be healthier with this pumpkin soup recipe.

Pumpkin soup is a popular Thanksgiving recipe across the US and a beloved comfort food. The luscious, velvety consistency pairs wonderfully with a buttery aroma from heavy cream and butter to entice the senses.

Some recipes even call for bacon, using the bacon fat to cook the onions and the pieces to garnish the soup with crispy bacon bits, adding a savory taste and contrast in texture. Adding ingredients such as this may make up delicious comfort food, but they aren’t exactly healthy and may not be suitable for most dieters.

Not to worry, we’re going to give you our healthy take on the classic pumpkin soup recipe. No bacon and just a bit of cream, but still rich and tasty!

Is Pumpkin a Fruit?

Pumpkins, squash, and gourds all belong to the Cucurbitaceae family. This family has many members from pumpkin, to cucumber and watermelons.

So pumpkins are squash, but are they fruit or vegetable? Rather than consider the taste – sweet or savory – botanists divide plants based on anatomy.

Vegetables are the edible parts of plants such as roots (carrots), stem (asparagus), flowers (artichokes), tubers (potatoes), bulbs (onions), and leaves (spinach).

Fruits, on the other hand, are the edible reproductive body of a seed plant. From the botanic definition, pumpkin is categorized as a fruit.

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Is Pumpkin Soup Healthy?

On top of being one of our delicious, easy fall recipes, this pumpkin soup recipe is healthy as it is low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates.

Pumpkin, the base of the soup, is what makes the soup healthy. This winter squash is very rich in vitamin A due to the high level of beta-carotene— a type of carotenoid that gives pumpkins and carrots their signature orange color.

It is also packed with vitamins C and E, and minerals to help boost your immune system. So, to answer the question: yes, this pumpkin soup recipe is healthy.

Cooking Tips

This pumpkin soup recipe is one of the simplest ones to make. The whole process is cooking pumpkin in liquid and blending until smooth.

A simple soup doesn’t equal boring soup. It can be simple and delicious all at once by adding a few ingredients to give the soup more depth of flavor. Here are some tips on how to do so:

– Using roasted pumpkin

Instead of cooking pumpkin in liquids like water, you can roast it until tender and blend with liquids later. Roasting the pumpkin draws out its natural sweetness and gives the soup a greater depth of flavor.

– Adding garlic, onion, and leek

These ingredients can be pungent when they’re raw, but once cooked, they will become sweet and aromatic.

The addition of these gives the dish a new flavor profile. Simply sweat the onion, garlic, or leek (or all 3) in oil or butter before cooking them with the pumpkin.

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– Adding more vegetables

Adding in carrots or potatoes in the soup would be a nice way to sneak more veggies into your diet.

You can dice carrots and sweat them with the onion, or cut potatoes into chunks and cook them with the pumpkin. Make sure the vegetables you cook together are cut to about the same size so they cook at a similar rate.

– Using broth or stock instead of water

You should use vegetable or meat broth or stock as they help to give the soup an aspect of umami flavor. It would be better to use unsalted or low-sodium broth if you’re keeping track of your sodium intake.

How Long Does It Last?

If you want to let the soup come to room temperature, don’t wait for it to cool down for longer than 2 hours.

This is a food safety issue as leaving food out to cool for too long can increase the growth of bacteria, making it spoil more easily. If the temperature is around 90°F or above, put the food in the fridge within 1 hour.

Can You Freeze?

Yes, you can.

If you want your soup to last even longer, put it in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer. It can usually last up to 2 months.

When you defrost and reheat the soup, check the smell, color, and texture to see if it’s still good to eat.

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What to Serve with

Pumpkin soup is often served with butter garlic bread or crusty toasted bread as an appetizer. This classic combination can never fail. If you want to make pumpkin soup as a complete meal, try to add some protein like chicken or bean.

In case you are in the mood for another healthy soup, our split pea soup is a great option.

Pumpkin Soup Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Prepare yourself for fall with this healthy pumpkin soup recipe. A wonderful, comforting soup to warm you as the days get chillier. It is so simple and will only take about 45 minutes to make. Plus it would be perfect for Thanksgiving this year!

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• cook TIME 45 mins
• prep TIME 15 mins
• total TIME 1 hr

• COURSE Dinner, Lunch, Soup
• CUISINE American
• SERVINGS
  4

  servings
• CALORIES 238 kcal

INGREDIENTS

1x2x3x

• 1 lb pumpkin (16 oz)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (divided)
• 4 oz onion (chopped)
• 2 cups unsalted chicken broth
• 1 tsp fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tsp garlic (chopped, divided)
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 8 oz sprouted wheat bread

INSTRUCTIONS

Image instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

2

Cut the pumpkin into 1-inch cubes. In a small bowl, rub 1/2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp chopped garlic over the flesh of 1 lb pumpkin (16 oz).

3

Place pumpkin on the baking sheet. Roast for around 20 minutes or longer, until the flesh is easily pierced through with a fork.

4

In a deep skillet or pot, heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 oz onion and pumpkin. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

5

Add 2 cup chicken broth and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes.

6

Heat 1/2 tbsp butter in a small pan over medium heat. Then add 1 tsp garlic and 1 tsp parsley to the pan and sear until the garlic is cooked through.

7

Spread each side of the bread with the butter mixture.

8

Place bread on a baking sheet and toast at 425°F for about 10 minutes or until bread is crisp.

9

Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth (or use an immersion blender). Stir in 1/4 cup cream and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

10

Ladle into a bowl or deep dish. Garnish with parsley and serve with garlic bread.

Note:

• Be extra careful when handling hot soup or you'll risk getting burnt. If you have an immersion blender, use it as it can be safer when blending the hot soup. If you don't, here are some safety tips when blending hot food in a blender:
• Do not close the lid tightly, but leave a small gap for the steam to escape.
• Only fill the jug of the blender half-way full or less because when you blend, the steam from the hot soup will push the lid open, which may cause the soup to splash out.
• Face the spout away from you: in case the soup splashes out, it won't hit you.
• Place a kitchen cloth over the lid to help hold the lid still while blending.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts

Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 238Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g

17%

Saturated Fat 5g

31%

Cholesterol 24mg

8%

Sodium 294mg

13%

Potassium 473mg

14%

Carbohydrate 23g

8%

Fiber 6g

25%

Sugar 4g

4%

Protein 9g

18%

Vitamin A 9916IU

198%

Vitamin C 13mg

16%

Calcium 45mg

5%

Iron 1mg

6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keywords: Healthy Pumpkin Soup, Healthy Pumpkin Soup Recipe, Pumpkin Recipe, Pumpkin Soup Recipe