Stay warm with this flavorful vegan Thai-spiced butternut squash soup. You’ll find spicy and tangy notes in this soup.
A big thanks to The Soyfoods Council for sponsoring this Thai Spiced Butternut Squash Soup post! I was asked to participate in the #soyinspired campaign as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network.
For the past few days, I’ve been huddled underneath my crocheted blanket, surrounded by a sea of crumpled tissues and empty mugs. You would think that it’s the middle of winter here. Alas, it still feels like summer in Sacramento with climes in the mid-80s. It’s just that time of the year again when my immune system breaks down and I start becoming susceptible to all kinds of germs and bugs. Ick.
Being sidelined over the weekend, I had plenty of time to map out all the blog/life things I need to accomplish over the next few months. Holy tamales, it dawned on me that the year is almost over, and I’m going to have to start planning for the holidays before I know it. I need to start testing recipes for those big gatherings!
That’s where this soup comes in. The spicy and sour Thai flavors may be unexpected in a butternut squash soup, but they work so well here. I added plain soy milk here to give the soup more creaminess and protein. Whenever I make vegan soups like this one, I love using soy milk to add creaminess to the dish. The flavor of soy milk is very neutral, so it is great for a variety of soups.
This soup was the perfect comfort food for me this weekend, and I can imagine my friends lapping it up when I make it for our gatherings. If you’re serving the soup for a group, you can also set up a toppings bar (similar to the one below) so that your guests can mix in whatever add-ins they want.
For this soup, I recommend buying a squash that’s about 3 pounds in weight. You’ll end up with a bit of extra butternut squash flesh, and that’s exactly what we want for a cookie recipe that I’ll be sharing later this week!
MASTERING MY MISTAKES / COOKING NOTES
- Cutting butternut squash: Hacking into a butternut squash can be tricky, especially if you are trying to seesaw your way through the squash with a dull knife. I’ve done that so many times in the past, and I was always afraid of losing a finger along the way. Using a good sharp knife makes a huge difference. Just chop off a bit of the top, stand the squash upright, and cut the squash down the middle.
- Alternative cooking method: You can also make this soup with raw butternut squash. You’ll want to use a squash about 2 1/2 pounds. Peel the squash and remove the seeds. Then, chop it into 1/2-inch chunks. The cooking method is almost the same as the one outline below. The only difference is that you add the butternut squash the same time you add the broth. Once the broth boils, reduce the heat a little and let the squash simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the squash is tender.
- Think you can handle the heat? Use 3 Thai chilis instead of 2 and puree it with the rest of the soup.
KITCHEN TIP: HOW TO PEEL & CUT BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Thai-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
This spicy and sour Thai-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup is a great easy vegan appetizer!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion (about 130g), diced
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 Thai chiles, sliced (leave out if you don’t want a spicy soup)
- 3 stalks lemongrass
- 3 cups (660g) cooked butternut squash flesh*
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup plain soy milk
- juice of one lime (about 2 tablespoons)
Optional Toppings
- coconut milk
- toasted coconut
- toasted pumpkin seeds
- chopped cilantro
- chopped scallions
Instructions
- Peel the outer leaves of the lemongrass stalk until you get to the tender center. Slice the lemongrass thinly. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and garlic and let them cook for about 4 minutes, until the onions turn translucent. Make sure that the heat isn’t too high so that the onions and garlic don’t burn. Add the ginger, chiles (if using) lemongrass and cook for another minute.
- Add the salt and vegetable broth, and bring the heat up to a medium-high. Once the stock to boils, add butternut squash and bring soup to boil again. Turn off the heat and pour in the soy milk and lime juice.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can scoop everything into a blender and blitz until smooth.
- Serve soup with coconut milk, toasted coconut, pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and scallions, if you like.
Notes
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Yields 4 servings. Amount per serving: Calories: 237, Total Fat 8.4g, Saturated Fat: 1.2g, Sodium: 7662mg, Cholesterol: 0mg, Total Carbohydrate: 40.5g, Dietary Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 10.2g, Protein 5.5g
Roasting Butternut Squash: For this soup, you’re going to want pick a squash that is about 3 pounds. Cut the squash in half, dig out the seeds, and rub 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil onto each half. Bake at 350ºF (175ºC) for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the squash is easily pierced with a fork. Scoop out the butternut squash flesh for the soup. You’ll end up with a bit more squash than you need for the soup. Save the remainder for butternut squash cookies!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
We love butternut squash soup here and we always like trying new variations! This one definitely needs to go on our MUST TRY list…I’ve never made a thai version before. I have a feeling it will be a big hit!
Lisa says
Thanks, Michelle! The first sip I had of this, I fell in love! Hope you enjoy this Thai version, too!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
I love butternut squash and this soup looks just delightful! I can’t wait to see those cookies as well!
Lisa says
Yay! They’re coming up!
Catherine says
Dear Lisa, I could go for a bowl of this soup right now..it’s looks creamy and beautiful. I can’t wait for those cookies later this week either! xo, Catherine
Lisa says
Bring a bowl, Catherine! I’ll dish some up for you!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Love this spicy kick to this sweet soup! I’m all about trying butternut squash new ways! And yes, you have to have a sharp knife to cut through butternut squash or it could be quite the scary task!
Lisa says
Right? I am not kidding when I say that I’m scared to lose a finger when I cut through the squash with a duller knife!
Julia says
Ooof it looks sooooo creamy and delicious! I love how healthy, yet comforting, this soup is! Butternut squash soup is one of my all-time favorites, and I’m always looking for ways to change up my homemade version. I must be trying this soon!
Lisa says
Thanks, Julia!!
Sydney | Modern Granola says
This looks so insanely delicious! I’m so on board with everything about this recipe from the Thai flavored butternut squash soup to the stunning pictures you’ve taken. This looks like such a treat to eat!
xx Sydney
Lisa says
Thank you, Sydney! Surprisingly, it took me several tries before I got these soup photos right, so I’m glad you like them!
Melissa Falk says
Thanks for this one, Lisa. It looks delish and I can handle the heat 🙂
Lisa says
Hehe, YES!
Leslie @ flora foodie says
Sorry you’re sick! I’m a fellow Sacramentan and everyone I know is getting sick 🙁 it’s in the air… I’m drinking Airborne like it’s going out of style. But this soup looks fantastic! Love love looooove Thai flavors, I will definitely try this soon!!!
Lisa says
Oh man, what is going on with Sac?? I probably should have been drinking a ton of Airborne, too!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Hope you’re feeling better – wish I had this soup when I had that bug a week ago 🙂 It looks amazing and comforting! Love the kick of spiciness to it! Beautiful photos as always!
Lisa says
Thanks, Patricia! Thankfully, I think the bug is finally going away! And thanks for your kind words about my photos!
traci | vanilla and bean says
Oh no! Dang colds! Hoping for cooler air comin your way girlll…. it’s finally nice and cool here… high of 55 today! Hooray! So this soup is so dreamy, Lisa! Warming Fall and Thai flavors. OMGeeee! Love it! Feel better my dear <3 !!
Lisa says
Thank you, Traci! I’m feeling better already!
David @ Spiced says
Holy woah…this soup is gorgeous! My wife just got over the worst cold…what is it about the change in seasons that always makes you deathly ill? Rude! But soup makes everything better…especially this one with Thai flavors. Good use of soy milk, too! 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, David! And seriously, what is up with seasonal changes and colds? I always get the sniffles whenever the seasons change to fall or spring!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh no, feel better soon. Hopefully lots of soup just like this one helps. I have a roasted butternut squash every day for dinner and this soup needs to happen next. It looks and sounds amazing! Love the lemongrass and turmeric.
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelly! I’m feeling better already!
Izzy @ she likes food says
Oh no! Being sick is the worst, I hope you feel better soon! I’ve been thinking about this soup since I saw it on Instagram! It is so beautiful and sounds delicious! I’ve been using so much butternut squash lately and I just love it so much!
Lisa says
Thanks, Izzy! I’m feeling much better this week!!
Maggie says
What a beautiful and comforting dish! Believe me or not, I never cooked with butternut squash before. This will be the recipe for my first butternut squash dish! Hope you’ll feeling better soon, and have a great weekend 🙂
★★★★★
Lisa says
Thanks, Maggie! Now that you live here, you can play with all the squash you want! Hope you had a great weekend!