An easy and classic Pumpkin Soup using fresh or frozen pumpkin. This is a clean-tasting and nourishing pumpkin soup, perfect for large gatherings and for simple, wholesome dinners. Recipe with step-by-step photos.
Classic Pumpkin Soup
My favourite season is definitely autumn, followed very closely by winter (especially if it is a snowy winter). Despite having grown up in the tropical climate of Australia, summer in any country is always far too hot, too humid and – well – too sunny for me. Give me trench coat weather any day.
But enough of my complaining, because as soon as the farmers market start overflowing with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, I know that autumn is around the corner. Which means that it will be time to get out my ceramic pumpkins to display around the home (my husband is not a fan), as well as my beloved Staub pumpkin cast-iron pot (my kids also share my appreciation for novelty pots and pans!).
And what to cook in my lovely Staub pumpkin cocotte but my favourite Pumpkin Soup!
Pumpkin Soup Recipe
If you want a simple vegetable soup which highlights pumpkin, this is the pumpkin soup recipe for you.
There are many different ways of making pumpkin soup, and this particular recipe is one of the easiest. You simply simmer chopped up pumpkin in a broth until they are tender, and then purée into a soup.
For a pumpkin soup which is a bit more robust and heady with spice, I recommend my Roast Pumpkin Soup recipe; roasting the pumpkin will intensify its flavour and colour, as well as any spices you add to it.
In general, I find that kids prefer this classic pumpkin soup, but it’s also a good recipe to make for a crowd which everyone will happily tuck into, for example, at a Halloween Party!
Pumpkin Soup Ingredients
For a classic pumpkin soup which highlights the pumpkin flavour, I recommend using:
- Onions – for layering flavour in the soup.
- Garlic – to boost the savouriness of the soup.
- Pumpkin – obviously! For the best tasting pumpkin soup, I always recommend using fresh pumpkins, and ideally when pumpkins are in season locally. This will ensure that the pumpkins will be at their peak for flavour, and buying them in season will always be cheaper. Frozen pumpkin work equally well in this recipe.
- Potatoes – if you like your soup to have a bit of thickness and body, you should add a few potatoes (sweet potatoes work too). If you prefer a thin pumpkin soup (i.e. on the watery side), leave out the potatoes.
- Stock – vegetable or chicken stock, as you prefer.
You can treat this recipe as a blueprint, and add any additional flavours to your liking, such as the following:
- Celery – add a few stalks to enhance the vegetable flavour of the soup.
- Leeks – use with or without onions for layering flavour in the soup.
- Ground cinnamon – add a few sprinkles to the simmering vegetables for extra warmth.
- Freshly grated nutmeg – add this to the finished soup for a lightly spiced soup.
- Coconut milk – for an Asian twist.
- Fresh ginger – add some thick slices to the simmering vegetables, but remove them before blending the soup. The ginger will add some warmth to the soup.
Using Fresh Pumpkin
I highly recommend using fresh pumpkin when making pumpkin soup. I usually buy them at the farmers’ market where I can specify how big a wedge I would like, but I also frequently buy pumpkin in pre-cut wedges from the supermarket.
I like to buy my pumpkins in wedges, as opposed to a whole giant pumpkin, because I am not very skilled when it comes to chopping pumpkins at home with a cleaver. Also, buying the pumpkins in wedges mean that I can already assess the pumpkin flesh for colour and quality.
If you are pushed for time, buying pumpkin that has already been peeled and chopped will mean an even quicker path to dinner on the table.
If you like, you can leave the skin on the pumpkin. However, because the pumpkin skin is generally very tough, it will take a lot longer to cook and soften. The skin will also add a different (somewhat nutty) flavour to your soup, as well as a slightly different colour (especially if you are using pumpkin with green skin). For pumpkins and squashes which have a fairly thin skin, such as butternut squash, I generally leave the skin on.
Using Frozen Pumpkin
You can also use frozen pumpkin when making pumpkin soup. Just add them in their frozen state as per the recipe below.
Quite often when I buy fresh pumpkin, I will buy extra to peel and chop and store in freezer bags, ready to use for roasting, steaming or for recipes like this pumpkin soup.
How to Make Pumpkin Soup
Step 1
Place the butter, olive oil, onions and garlic, together with a large pinch of sea salt, into a large pot. Sauté until the onions and garlic have softened.
Step 2
Add the chopped pumpkin and potatoes.
Step 3
Pour over just enough vegetable stock or chicken stock so that it just covers the vegetables. Simmer over medium-high heat for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked and tender.
Step 4
Take the pot off the heat. Blend the soup until smooth (I like to use a stick blender). Return the soup to the pot, and simmer gently on the stove. If the soup is too thick, thin it with some boiling water. Taste the soup for seasoning.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Soup
A good loaf of crusty bread is sometimes all that you need with a bowl of soup. For other ideas, I frequently serve one of the following when serving vegetable soup:
I think a good quality double cream or crème fraîche is also essential – my favourite is Crème Fraîche d’Isigny which is made in Normandy, France.
More Pumpkin Recipes
If you are excited as I am about pumpkins, you might also like the following pumpkin recipes:
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Classic Pumpkin Soup
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 3-4
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Australia
An easy and classic Pumpkin Soup using fresh or frozen pumpkin. This is a clean-tasting and nourishing pumpkin soup, perfect for large gatherings and for simple, wholesome dinners. Recipe with step-by-step photos.
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RateIngredients
For the Pumpkin Soup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large brown onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- sea salt
- 1 kg (2 lb) fresh pumpkin, peeled and chopped
- 1–2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock or chicken stock, plus more to taste
- freshly cracked white pepper
- freshly grated nutmeg
For garnish
- fresh parsley, finely chopped
- double cream or crème fraîche
Instructions
- Place the butter and olive oil into a large pot which will fit all of the ingredients later.
- Add the onions and garlic, together with a large pinch of salt.
- Sauté the onions and garlic over medium-high heat until they have softened slightly.
- Add the pumpkin and potatoes.
- Pour over just enough stock so that it only just covers the vegetables.
- Simmer the vegetables over medium-high heat for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked and tender.
- Take the pot off the heat.
- Blend the soup until you have a smooth mixture. I like to use a stick blender when making soups, but you can also use a jug blender, taking care when handling the hot liquid.
- Return the pot to the stove (and return the soup to the pot if you are using a jug blender).
- Continue simmering on medium heat.
- If the soup looks too thick, thin it with some boiling water.
- Taste the soup for seasoning.
- Add some freshly cracked pepper and/or nutmeg to taste.
- Ladle the soup into some bowls for serving.
- Provide some double cream or crème fraîche for everyone to help themselves.
Kitchen Notes
USING FROZEN PUMPKIN
You can use frozen pumpkin in this recipe. Simply add the frozen pumpkin as per the recipe.
FREEZING SOUP
This pumpkin soup freezes really well. Once the soup has cooled down completely, ladle the soup into some labelled zip-lock freezer bags (I like to freeze soups in 1-2 portions).
CONVERSIONS
To convert from cups to grams, and vice-versa, please see this handy Conversion Chart for Basic Ingredients.
Delicious lovely flavors! My family really enjoyed this pumpkin soup.
This pumpkin soup was easy to make and so comforting. Yum!
Nice, easy recipe and very tasty.
Easy and delicious recipe! Can’t beat pumpkin soup.
I agree that pumpkin soup needs potatoes to help thicken it. This recipe is delicious.
Very yummy and delicious! My kids love this pumpkin soup.
This is also how I make my pumpkin soup. Sometimes I add leeks and celery, but onions work just fine too.
I made this soup last night and now I wish I had made a triple batch for leftovers! Very delicious.
Great easy pumpkin soup recipe. Thank you!
Very delicious recipe
We loved it! Lovely simple pumpkin soup recipe, delicious with crusty bread.
This pumpkin soup recipe looks mouthwatering! Will definitely give it a try!