Creamy, warming, mouth watering, butternut squash soup is just what the body needs as the temperatures start to chill. This delicious soup is simple to prepare and you can make it in your hands off Instant Pot, or stove top.
It’s dairy free, and naturally gluten free. Plus it’s oil free to keep the fat and calorie content low, and can easily be made nut free if needed.
What’s not to love? Let’s go!
How do you make butternut squash soup?
Whether you’re making this soup in your Instant Pot or on stove top, begin by adding your holy trinity of veggies into the pot. Onions, carrots, and celery are a such a great way to start any soup. They deliver so much flavour to the finished product. Sauté these three ingredients with a tablespoon or two of water, until softened, about 5 minutes. I’m using water to limit the calories here, but if you prefer, you may also use a neutral oil to sauté.
Next, you will add all remaining ingredients to your pot, except for the milk. If using your Instant Pot, close the lid, set the valve to sealing position, and set to high pressure for 6 minutes. Keep in mind, it will take about 15 minutes to reach pressure. If you’re cooking on your stove top, bring your pot to a boil, and then reduce heat to a simmer for about 20-25 minutes until fork tender.
While the soup is cooking, this is a good time to prepare your sour cream, if using. Then refrigerate until needed.
When your soup is cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the ingredients. If you do not have an immersion blender, you may carefully transfer the soup in batches to a stand blender.
Once smooth, stir in your Cashew Milk or plant milk of choice. Use soy or coconut milk if avoiding nuts. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if desired.
Then serve in bowls, garnished with Dairy Free Sour Cream (Cashew Cream) if using.
How to customize this butternut squash soup recipe?
If you’d like to make some variations, feel free to use your imagination, or try one of these substitutions.
- You may wish to roast your butternut squash to add even more depth of flavour. To do so, roast the squash while the soup is cooking with the remaining ingredients. Then once cooked, add the squash to the pot and blend.
- Have fun with different garnishes! Try pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, fresh grated nutmeg, smoked paprika, vegan Parmesan cheese, fresh chives or sage, or vegan walnut cheese sauce.
- Want to make it sweeter? Use honeycrisp or golden delicious apples instead of granny smith, and use sweet potatoes instead of yellow. You may also add some maple syrup or unrefined coconut sugar to really amp up the sweetness.
- Want to add some kick? Add a dash of cayenne pepper, or a chili or jalapeno pepper to the mix.
- If you’d like to up the protein content, skip the milk and blend in some silken tofu instead. (If you hate tofu, I promise you won’t know it’s in there!)
This recipe is so customizable, so feel free to make it your very own! Let me know in the comments below how you make your butternut squash soup. Enjoy! 🙂
Want more favourite soup recipes?
- Thai Peanut Chickpea Soup Instant Pot
- Creamy Autumn Soup w/ Squash & Pumpkin
- Vegetable Barley Soup
- Carrot Cauliflower Soup with Dill & Sage [V+GF]
- Easy “Cream” of Broccoli Soup
- Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with Quinoa
- Dairy Free Jalapeno Popper Soup
- Hearty Roasted Mushroom Bisque
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 large carrot peeled and chopped
- 1 large celery stalk chopped
- 2 lb butternut squash peeled and cut into 1" cubes (approx 5 cups cubed)
- 1 lb yellow potatoes peeled and cut into 1" cubes (approx 2 cups cubed)
- 1 granny smith apple cut into chunks, core and seeds removed
- 5 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup unsweetened cashew milk or soy milk for nut free
- salt and pepper to taste
- dairy free sour cream (cashew cream) optional garnish
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions
- Select the sauté function on your Instant pot and add the onion, carrot, and celery with a tablespoon or two of water. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add all remaining ingredients, except the milk and give it a stir. Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Now set to pressure cook for 6 minutes (it will take about 15 minutes to reach pressure and then quick release once the timer is complete.
- When it is safe to do so, open the lid and puree your soup using an immersion blender. (Or carefully transfer to a blender in batches and puree until creamy.) Stir in the plant milk and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with cashew cream if desired.
Stove Top Directions
- Add the onion, carrot, and celery with a tablespoon or two of water to a large pot and sauté until softened, approx 5 minutes.
- Add all remaining ingredients, except the milk and mix well. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until squash is fork tender, approx 20-25 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, and puree your soup using an immersion blender. (Or carefully transfer to a blender in batches and puree until creamy.) Stir in the plant milk and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with cashew cream if desired.
I should’ve use the stove top method. The IP is incredibly slow and you can only do one batch at a time.