(Note: this post was originally published on March 7, 2021. The date above reflects migration to the new platform.)
It's time for a big, cozy bowl of the most nourishing soup around! This Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup is like a super-comforting winter hug that's good for the body too. It's healthy comfort food at its best.
I've been making this carrot soup recipe for many years. It's a favorite in our house; I make it at least every few weeks during the winter. In addition to being delicious, it also makes my body feel good. It's loaded with veggies, very hydrating, and packs a big gingery punch. Ginger is known to have many health benefits, so I like to really load this soup up with warming, nourishing ginger.
Although I love classic carrot ginger soup, I often find it to be a little bit harsh. The ginger is just so powerful. Some recipes counteract this by adding sweetener. But here's my magical solution, and what makes this soup so unique: use a 50/50 mix of carrots and butternut squash! It's like a carrot soup recipe and a squash soup recipe in one.
Butternut squash is naturally sweet, so it will help balance the assertiveness of the ginger. It also has the same color as carrots, so the final product will still have the appearance you expect of a carrot ginger soup. When it comes to veggies my philosophy is definitely the more the merrier, so adding in the squash is great nutritionally too. I've also done this very successfully with kabocha squash and sweet potatoes; basically anything orange and sweet will work great. Enlisting the help of squash is the perfect way to give this healthy comfort food recipe a kiss of natural, plant-powered sweetness.
Looking to make this carrot ginger soup into a meal? No problem! I like to crisp up a bunch of chick peas under the broiler and serve them on top as protein-rich "croutons". It's also delightful with your favorite crusty bread, which is perfect for scooping up all that velvety gingery goodness. I've even on occasion pureed some white beans right into the soup itself to add protein and heartiness; it works great, you don't even know they're there.
You'll see in the recipe list and instructions that you have some options for customizing this carrot soup recipe. You can choose how much coconut milk to add, which will control the richness of the soup. You can also add some lime juice at the end if you want to take the flavors in more of a Thai-inspired direction (and because the combination of ginger, coconut milk, and lime juice is truly magical).
And then of course you can and should go all-out with the garnishes! They add wonderful texture to the soup (creamy! crunchy!) and are just so much fun. A few creative toppings certainly make this healthy comfort food dish feel even more special.
Yes! Most soups freeze beautifully, and this is definitely one. First, cool any leftovers to room temperature, then transfer the soup into one or several containers and pop them into the freezer. If you think you'll just want to thaw one portion at a time, I suggest using a few smaller containers rather than one large one. It can stay in the freezer for up to a few months and is great for when you have a busy day! When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw the soup in the refrigerator for a day in advance and then reheat it how you like. Or, just take it right from the freezer into the microwave, making sure to stir it frequently for even re-heating.
Here's what you'll need for this recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
This carrot soup recipe really has everything. It's velvety, a tad sweet, a tad spicy, and very cozy. You can make it as creamy as you like. It's nourishing for the body, but also soothing for the soul. This soup has definitely become a healthy comfort food go-to in our house, especially on very chilly January and February evenings.
My hint? Make a big pot of this on a Sunday evening and have leftovers all week! It keeps great in the fridge or freezer and makes for such an easy meal on a busy winter night. I've even been known to spoon this soup over tofu and veggies and call it a broth bowl, AND to use a few spoonfuls (cold) as a salad dressing. This is a very versatile soup!
I hope you'll give this carrot ginger soup a try! Incorporating the butternut squash is a simple and yet transformative upgrade to the classic.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
My favorite riff on carrot ginger soup brings sweet, velvety butternut squash into the mix. This nourishing, one-pot soup makes for the perfect healthy comfort food!
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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