Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

If a warm, creamy, rich soup is your idea of comfort food, this Butternut Squash Soup recipe is perfect for you.

two bowls of creamy butternut squash soup on a serving board with toasts


 

Butternut Squash

What is butternut squash? Butternut squash is a winter squash that grows low on a vine. It is yellow with a signature bell shape. It tastes similar to a pie pumpkin with its sweet and slightly nutty golden flesh.

While squash is typically thought of as a fall and winter vegetable, you can find it in the grocery store all year long. I will fully admit though, that I am typically buying it in abundance in the fall.

cut butternut squash

It is naturally flavorful on its own, but I like to throw in some warm spices for depth. They really play well with the natural sugars in the squash itself.

Butternut squash is also freezer friendly, so if you happen to grow it in your garden or find a clearance of the favorite veggie, buy it, chop it into cubes and freeze in airtight plastic bags for up to 6 months. Just enough time to get you through to the next squash season.

Fun fact: Butternut squash is actually a fruit! We tend to treat it as a vegetable however because it has a lot of those characteristics and is great whether it is roasted, sauteed, or used in baked goods. It is also an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.

angle of easy butternut squash soup garnished with microgreens

How to Peel Butternut Squash

Butternut squash can be a bit of a chore to peel and chop. You’ll need a Y peeler and a large knife to conquer the job.

  1. Cut off both stem ends.
  2. If the skin is thin enough, use a Y-peeler to remove the remaining skin. If the skin is too thick, sit the squash sitting with the skinniest side upright and using your knife, carefully slice the skin off in a downward motion, rotating all the way around.
  3. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Some are very dense, you might need to cut all the way around and work your knife to get it apart.
  4. Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds. If you have a grapefruit spoon, these work wonders for seeding!
  5. Cut into quarters, width wise. From here, cut into half rings or chop into 1 inch cubes.
butternut squash chopped into cubes

Butternut squash is also typically sold pre chopped in the produce section of the grocery store.

Creamy Soup (Without Cream)

Butternut squash is an absolutely delicious vegetable to use in soups as it is hearty and full of starch which will give your soup that wonderfully rich texture you love without using a thickener or creamy.

overhead of bowl of butternut squash soup

But it isn’t just the squash flesh, this is also a butternut squash soup with apple. The flavors of apple not only complement squash perfectly, but apple butter adds to the texture and apple juice replaces an otherwise unami broth or plain water.

And lastly, yogurt. Yep, yogurt is the dairy that helps to pull this soup together. I strongly suggest using Greek yogurt, it has been drained longer and therefore is much thicker.

butternut squash soup in a blue dutch oven

For a Vegan Butternut Squash soup, feel free to use an almond or oat milk based yogurt or coconut milk.

How to Make Butternut Squash Soup

First, gather your ingredients. The list seems a little lengthy, but I promise, it is all fairly standard with the exception of the star ingredients: squash, apple butter and apple juice. The preparation is super easy.

angle of butternut squash soup in a black bowl
  • Stars: Butternut squash, apple butter, apple juice
  • Produce: white onion and garlic sauteed with olive oil
  • Low Sodium Vegetable Broth– low sodium allows you to control the salt, use more or less depending on the thickness you desire, chicken broth is also an option
  • Plain Greek Yogurt: yogurt alternative or coconut milk
  • Seasonings: cinnamon, marjoram, thyme, nutmeg, coarse salt, black pepper

The trick to this recipe to bring out natural flavors is to roast the butternut squash first. Do not skip this step. Browning caramelizes the fruit using the maillard reaction.

  1. Season butternut squash and then arrange in a single layer until form tender and browned.
  2. Meanwhile, saute chopped onion and garlic cloves in olive oil.
  3. Blend remaining ingredients with cooked squash and onion mixture using a large food processor or immersion blender.
  4. Transfer to a large Dutch oven (if not already in one).
  5. Bring to a low simmer until fully heated. Do not boil, otherwise the yogurt can separate from the rest of the soup.
  6. Garnish soup with sauteed mushrooms, microgreens (pictured), jumbo lump crab meat or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
how to make butternut squash soup tutorial pictures

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

This soup can be made in either the slow cooker or instant pot, but will still require roasting the squash and blending using an immersion blender or food processor.

  • Slow Cooker: place all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and set to low for 2 hours. The benefit is being able to serve it at parties and also that the heat will not have the chance to get high enough to seperate.
  • Instant Pot: Combine everything except Greek yogurt, set to low manual pressure for 4 minutes. Use quick release and whisk in Greek yogurt before serving.
close up of squash soup with apple

Storage & Freezing

You can make this easy butternut squash soup ahead of time and warm it up, although make sure you taste test and correct seasoning, especially salt, before serving.

Or, freeze it and save it for a rainy night. Place in an airtight container and store for up to 3 months. Frozen soups can lose a little flavor, so make sure you adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

butternut squash soup for pinterest

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Gluten and dairy free soup made from pre-cooked items, only takes 10 minutes. Sub tofu for vegan version.
serving two bowls of garnished butternut squash soup
close up butternut squash soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

4.72 from 7 votes
Easy, homemade butternut squash made with apple and Greek yogurt. Make ahead and freezer friendly- perfect for a cozy winter night.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Season the butternut squash lightly with salt and pepper, then arrange the butternut squash in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, roast for 30-35 minutes or until squash is fork tender.
    cubed and roasted butternut squash
  • In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauteing until soft and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
  • Add the cooked squash, apple butter, apple juice, vegetable broth, yogurt, cinnamon, marjoram, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper to the onion mixture. Blend well using an immersion blender.*
    ingredients for easy butternut squash soup
  • Bring to a low simmer over low heat. Do not heat too high or the yogurt can separate from the soup.
    heating squash soup
  • To serve, ladle into soup bowls and top with desired garnishes.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!

Notes

*If you do not have an immersion blender, transfer to a food processor. You may have to work in batches. 

Nutrition

Calories: 323 kcal, Carbohydrates: 67 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 8 mg, Sodium: 1219 mg, Potassium: 1036 mg, Fiber: 6 g, Sugar: 37 g, Vitamin A: 24505 IU, Vitamin C: 51 mg, Calcium: 210 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 323
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: butternut squash soup, creamy butternut squash soup, roasted butternut squash soup
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
overhead close up of garnished squash soup
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. I’m pretty sure you must’ve made this one just for me, because these are some of my favorite things all in one bowl! This looks super yummy! Pinned, stumbled, and yummlyed

  2. Oh I’ve never had butternut squash soup before, I’m so curious how it tastes! Sounds and looks yummy!

  3. I’m actually not a fan of seafood or crab but this looks delicious! I love mushrooms so I would definitely try it!

  4. This looks delicious. I’ve never tried a butternut squash soup before, but it looks amazing.

  5. Wow that soup looks absolutely delicious! I am allergic to shellfish EXCEPT for crab, so I am always looking for ways to include it into our recipes!

  6. That sounds delicious. I have never had a soup like that, but it’s perfect for the fall, so I will have to give it a go!

  7. Delicious soup! You can never go wrong with butternut squash soup, even in confusing September as you say haha!