Spicy Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Cozy Spicy Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Warming up a chilly butternut squash evening calls for comfort in a bowl that surprises and delights.

Seasonal vegetables become magic when blended with unexpected spices and depth.

Creamy textures mingle with subtle heat, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust ingredients transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

Cold nights demand something special, and this soup delivers pure comfort with a kick.

Crushed red pepper and cumin add complexity that makes each spoonful memorable.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this nourishing, soul-warming creation.

Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup Highlights

  • Packed with nutrient-rich butternut squash and sweet potatoes, the recipe offers a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals in every spoonful.
  • The spice blend allows easy personalization – adjust chili powder and paprika to match your heat preference, making it versatile for different taste buds.
  • This soup freezes beautifully, letting you prepare large batches for quick future meals or unexpected guest surprises.

Ingredients for Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

Main Vegetables:
  • Butternut Squash: A sweet and nutty squash that provides a creamy base and rich flavor to the soup.
  • Sweet Potatoes: Adds natural sweetness and extra depth to the soup's overall taste profile.
  • Onions: Provides a foundational aromatic flavor that enhances the soup's complexity.
  • Garlic: Offers a pungent and robust flavor that complements the sweet vegetables.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Cumin, Chili Powder, Paprika: Creates a warm and spicy flavor profile that elevates the soup's taste.
  • Salt, Pepper: Helps to balance and enhance the natural flavors of the vegetables.
Liquid and Optional Topping:
  • Vegetable Broth: Provides the liquid base that helps cook and blend the vegetables smoothly.
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding a subtle richness to the soup.
  • Creme Fraiche: An optional creamy topping that adds a luxurious and tangy finish to the soup.

How to Make Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften until they become translucent and fragrant, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Introduce Colorful Vegetables

Add the following ingredients to the pot:
  • Cubed butternut squash
  • Diced sweet potatoes

Stir and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to start releasing their rich, earthy flavors.

Step 3: Spice It Up and Simmer

Sprinkle in these warming spices:
  • Ground cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Pour vegetable broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat and let the soup simmer gently for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables become tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 4: Transform into Silky Smoothness

Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a standard blender.

Puree until the soup becomes incredibly smooth and creamy, with no vegetable chunks remaining.

Step 5: Serve with Flair

Ladle the vibrant, spicy soup into serving bowls.

Optional: Add a luxurious dollop of creme fraiche on top for extra richness and a beautiful contrast.

Tips for Fiery Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

  • Customize heat levels by adding more or less chili powder, catering to personal spice tolerance.
  • Use an immersion blender directly in the pot for easier cleanup and smoother texture.
  • Swap sweet potatoes with carrots or parsnips for a different flavor profile and nutritional boost.
  • Top with roasted pumpkin seeds, crispy sage leaves, or a swirl of coconut cream for added texture and visual appeal.
  • Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 5 days, or freeze for a quick future meal.

Storing and Reheating Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

  • Store soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
  • Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until steaming hot.
  • Pour soup into a saucepan, warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of vegetable broth if soup seems too thick, and heat until thoroughly warmed through.

Pairing Ideas for Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the soup's richness, balancing its spicy warmth with bright, zesty notes.
  • Complement with Crusty Artisan Bread: Serve a rustic sourdough or whole grain baguette to soak up the soup's creamy texture and add delightful crunch.
  • Match with Tangy Goat Cheese Garnish: Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese on top to introduce a creamy, tangy contrast that enhances the soup's earthy sweet potato and squash flavors.
  • Refresh with Herb-Infused Water: Create a light cucumber-mint water to cleanse the palate between spoonfuls and provide a cool counterpoint to the soup's spicy warmth.

Flavor Twists on Spicy Butternut Sweet Potato Soup

  • Vegan Coconut Cream Soup: Replace creme fraiche with coconut cream and swap vegetable broth for coconut milk to create a rich, dairy-free version with tropical undertones.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute sweet potatoes and butternut squash with cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a creamy texture.
  • Protein-Packed Quinoa Boost: Add cooked quinoa directly into the soup for extra protein and a nutritional upgrade, perfect for athletes or active individuals.
  • Roasted Vegetable Variation: Roast butternut squash, sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic before blending to enhance natural caramelized flavors and add deeper complexity to the soup.

FAQs

  • Can I use different spices in this soup?

Yes, you can swap cumin, chili powder, and paprika with similar warm spices like garam masala, curry powder, or smoked paprika to create different flavor profiles.

  • Is this soup healthy?

Absolutely! Butternut squash and sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. The soup is low in calories and nutrient-dense, making it a nutritious meal option.

  • Can I make this soup vegan?

Definitely! Simply skip the creme fraiche topping or replace it with coconut cream, vegan yogurt, or a plant-based alternative to keep the recipe completely vegan-friendly.

  • How can I add more protein to this soup?

Try stirring in cooked quinoa, adding canned white beans, or topping with roasted pumpkin seeds to boost the protein content and make the soup more filling.

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Spicy Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Spicy Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty spicy butternut squash & sweet potato soup warms winter kitchens with robust Mexican-inspired flavors. Creamy, spiced goodness delivers comfort and zest you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Vegetables:

  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquid:

  • 4 cups (32 fluid ounces/960 milliliters) vegetable broth

Optional Topping:

  • Creme fraiche

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature, introducing diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until aromatics become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Incorporate cubed butternut squash and sweet potatoes into the pot. Allow vegetables to soften and develop subtle caramelization, stirring periodically for 5 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper across the vegetable mixture. Carefully pour vegetable broth, raising heat to generate a rolling boil.
  4. Reduce flame to low, creating a gentle simmer. Cover pot and allow ingredients to meld together, transforming vegetables into tender morsels, roughly 20 minutes.
  5. Remove pot from heat. Utilize an immersion blender or transfer contents to a standard blender, processing until soup achieves a velvety, uniform consistency.
  6. Transfer soup into serving bowls. Optional: Crown each portion with a delicate dollop of creme fraiche for enhanced richness and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Swap out creme fraiche for dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt or cashew cream to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
  • Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder and adding red pepper flakes for extra heat control.
  • Roast vegetables before adding to the pot for deeper, caramelized flavor that enhances the soup’s complexity.
  • Enhance nutritional value by adding protein-rich ingredients like cooked quinoa or white beans directly into the blended soup.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
Jack Sullivan

Jack Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Storyteller

Expertise

Single-recipe development with a narrative approach, Culinary storytelling and food history, Seasonal and regional ingredient utilization, Home cooking techniques adapted for modern kitchens​

Education

New England Culinary Institute (Montpelier, VT)
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and modern plating techniques.​

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southern Appalachian cuisine and local ingredient sourcing.​


Jack grew up surrounded by smoky skillets and handwritten recipes in the mountains of North Carolina. His roots in Appalachian cooking shaped the way he sees food – as something that connects people, tells a story, and holds meaning.
With hands-on training and a background in sustainable, regional cooking, Jack started Boil And Broil to make meaningful meals more accessible. He’s all about one-dish recipes that are simple to follow but rich with flavor and history.

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