Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (2024)

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This delicious butternut squash soup recipe is incredibly easy to make, versatile, and can be dressed up with an optional Gruyère crouton that ties the whole meal together. Perfect for making ahead, or for an easy mid-week meal.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (1)

I have made this soup a thousand times and a thousand times I have loved it. I like to make it because not only does it taste rich and look beautiful, it seems fancy. And guess what? It really isn’t. But I am not going to tell people that. I want them to think that I slaved away making it, when really, the hardest part of this soup is peeling the butternut squash. That sometimes can be a chore, but the end result is so worth it.

The thing that makes this rustic soup seem fancy is the Gruyère crouton that you can serve alongside to dip or float on the top of your soap. I am partial to serving it on the side because I do not like a soggy crouton. Personal preference of course.

I like to serve it with a nice hearty salad. My spinach salad with curried pecans, blue cheese and apples would be just perfect.

Butternut Squash Soup Ingredients

The Soup:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 large cartons of chicken broth
  • 2 medium butternut squash
  • 1 1/4 tsp fresh thyme, minced
  • 1 1/4 tsp fresh sage, minced
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

The Croutons:

  • 2 tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 baguette
  • 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp fresh sage
  • salt and pepper to taste
Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (2)

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Peel your butternut squash. I like to use a vegetable peeler for the job.

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Step 2: Slice the squash in half and remove the seeds. I use a melon baller to get the seeds out.

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Step 3: Dice them into chunks.

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Step 4: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.

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Step 5: Add the squash, herbs, and broth.

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Step 6: Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook until the squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree the soup in a blender in batches, or using an immersion blender. Add the cream and sugar. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper to taste.

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Step 7: Slice the baguette diagonally and butter each side. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Flip the bread over and top with the cheese, herbs, salt, and pepper. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (9)

Variations

You can alter this butternut squash soup recipe any way you see fit. To make it dairy free, omit the cream and make the croutons without Gruyère, or with your favorite dairy free alternative. This is also a perfect recipe to add to your Meat Free Monday menu. Just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Feel free to add a little bit of spice, too, with chili flakes or cayenne pepper, or garnish the soup with hot sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This soup makes a perfect lunch or dinner and is hearty enough that it can be served as a side or main dish. I like to serve this butternut squash soup with a fresh salad, but you can also serve it with other sides like my BLT pasta salad, or Jenny’s cornbread.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (10)

FAQs

Can I make this butternut squash soup recipe ahead of time?

I like to serve this soup when I am having people over because you can make it a day ahead of time. Just warm it over medium heat until it is hot. The croutons are best when made fresh, but you can make them the day before and reheat them in the oven right before serving.

I can’t find Gruyère at my grocery store. Can I substitute it?

Yes, you can swap it out with any cheese. I chose Gruyère for this butternut squash soup recipe because it has a creamy and nutty flavor, but cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or any other melty cheese would work well, too.

Why does my soup taste bitter?

When selecting your butternut squash, make sure it’s ripe (and even better when it’s in season). If you detect a bitterness, there’s a possibility that your squash was harvested too soon, or that it wasn’t grown in the best conditions. You can combat this bitterness by incorporating a little bit of olive oil into your soup. Make sure you taste it as you cook it to see if it needs any additional seasoning.

How to Store Butternut Squash Soup

You can keep this butternut squash soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and reheat it over a medium heat in a pan until it’s hot. Alternatively, keep it in the freezer in a Tupperware container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to dig back in, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it on the stove over a medium heat.

The croutons can be kept in a Ziploc bag on the counter for up to 5 days, then reheated in a toaster oven for a few minutes, but you might not get the gooey cheesy texture they once had. They’re best made on the day for

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (11)

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (12)

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

bakedbree

This delicious butternut squash soup recipe is incredibly easy to make, versatile, and can be dressed up with an optional Gruyère crouton that ties the whole meal together. Perfect for making ahead, or for an easy mid-week meal.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

Soup:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 large cartons of chicken broth
  • 2 medium butternut squash
  • 1 1/4 tsp fresh thyme minced
  • 1 1/4 tsp fresh sage minced
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Croutons:

  • 2 Tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 baguette
  • 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp fresh sage
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Peel your butternut squash. I like to use a vegetable peeler for the job.

  • Slice the squash in half and remove the seeds. I use a melon baller to get the seeds out.

  • Dice them into chunks.

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.

  • Add the squash, herbs, and broth.

  • Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook until the squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree the soup in the blender in batches, or using an immersion blender. Add the cream and sugar. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Slice the baguette diagonally and butter each side. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Flip the bread over and top with the cheese, herbs and salt and pepper. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (13)
Butternut Squash Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make butternut squash soup less bland? ›

How do you make butternut squash soup less bland? The key is to season it correctly. I use ground sage and nutmeg which both enhance the flavors of butternut squash and bring out its natural sweetness. Stir in full-fat coconut milk to make this soup extra-creamy, and don't forget the salt and pepper!

How can I make my butternut squash soup less sweet? ›

You could mix with another type of pumpkin, they seem a little less sweet than the butternut squash.

How can I thicken my butternut soup? ›

How do I thicken butternut squash soup? If you find the soup is too thin, try adding pureed white beans to the soup. You can also use a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder mixed with water (called a slurry) to thicken it up. Use a 1-to-2 ratio (for example, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to 2 teaspoons of water).

Do you need to peel butternut squash for soup? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

How do you make squash soup taste better? ›

Yellow onion and garlic – These veggies add delicious depth of flavor. Fresh sage and rosemary – I don't reach for rosemary as often as some other fresh herbs, but I absolutely love it here. Along with the sage, it makes this soup cozy and complex.

Why is my butternut squash tasteless? ›

If it's underripe, the squash won't have developed its signature taste. If it's overripe, it may be dry, mushy or flavorless. Follow these tips the next time you're at the grocery store or farmers market to find the perfect recipe-ready butternut squash.

Why does my butternut soup taste sour? ›

What happened? It's no coincidence that the butternut squash soup had fermented, alcoholic notes. Indeed, fermented rice turns out to be the culprit here. Rice is high in starch, which is relatively easy to ferment.

What can I add to soup to make it sweeter? ›

Sugar: A pinch of sugar softens the edges of anything that tastes too sour or harsh (looking at you, tomato-based soups).

How do you make soup less bland? ›

"Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices. "Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says.

What is the healthiest soup thickener? ›

Consider using methods like making a roux, blending beans or legumes, using bread, adding egg yolk, pureeing vegetables, incorporating heavy cream or coconut milk, adding potato flakes or starch, or making a slurry with cornstarch or arrowroot to thicken soups without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Why is my butternut squash soup so bitter? ›

Why does my butternut squash soup taste bitter? The growing conditions of the gourd can impact the taste of the flesh. This may cause an elevated production of cucurbitacin in the squash, resulting in a slightly bitter taste. You can balance it with a little bit of salt and sweetener like honey or pure maple syrup.

Is butternut squash good for diabetics? ›

Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means that its carbs are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.

Can dogs have butternut squash? ›

Just like other squashes such as courgettes or pumpkins, dogs can eat butternut squash. In fact, butternut squash is one of the most nutritious and delicious fruits for dogs and it's perfectly safe for them to eat regularly.

Why do you eat butternut squash soup? ›

Not only is butternut squash delicious and comforting, it's also packed with nutrition. It has an impressive amount of beta-carotene and other antioxidants that can help prevent chronic diseases and support other facets of health.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Add acidic ingredients.

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

How do you rescue bland soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

How do you salvage bland soup? ›

Not enough depth: A well-rounded soup has multiple layers of flavour, including acidity, umami, and sweetness. If your soup is missing any of these, it may taste bland. Adding ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice for acidity, parmesan cheese for umami, or even a touch of sweetness can make a world of difference.

How do you keep soup from being bland? ›

Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex. Experiment with different cooking methods: Roasting or caramelizing vegetables before adding them to the soup can bring out thei.

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