Pumpkin Soup
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Flavored with leeks, maple syrup and spices, this pumpkin soup is the ultimate fall comfort food.
Photo by Johnny Miller, Clarkson Potter 2021
When we think of pumpkin recipes, we usually think of autumn sweets, like pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, but pumpkin’s earthy flavor is wonderful in savory dishes, too. This velvety pumpkin soup recipe is flavored with leeks, apples, and maple syrup, so it has those sweet undertones that work so well in squash soups, but smoky cumin and spicy cayenne pepper balance out the flavor. If it sounds like an unusual combination, have faith—one reader wrote to me that it was one of the best soup recipes she’s tried in 53 years of marriage! I know canned pumpkin feels like cheating, but it’s a great shortcut; if you don’t mind turning on the oven, you can roast and purée fresh pumpkin (you’ll need 1¾ cups).
“One of our all-time favourites! The hint of spice with the sweetness of the maple syrup and comfort of the chicken broth and pumpkin make it a full 5 stars.”
What You’ll Need To Make Pumpkin Soup
- Butter: Adds a rich flavor base and helps soften the leeks and garlic.
- Leeks And Garlic: Provide a savory depth, balancing the sweetness of the pumpkin and apple.
- Pumpkin Purée: Creates a smooth and sweet base that defines the soup’s comforting flavor. I use canned pumpkin, but if you’d prefer to use fresh pumpkin, opt for smaller varieties like sugar, cooking, or pie pumpkins. For guidance on making pumpkin purée, check out this detailed piece from King Arthur Flour.
- Apple: Adds a slight tartness that complements the pumpkin and spices.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the soup’s liquid base, balancing flavors and providing a rich, savory undertone. Opt for low-sodium broth here.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the spices and pumpkin.
- Cumin And Cayenne Pepper: Season the soup, adding warmth and a hint of heat.
- Fresh Thyme And Sage: Infuse earthy, aromatic flavors that highlight the soup’s autumnal essence.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and a creamy texture.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Before starting, it’s important to wash the leeks well — they are notoriously dirty. To clean them, cut off the dark green portions and slice the leeks in half lengthwise. Run under water, pulling the layers apart to wash off any dirt, sand, and grit stuck between the layers.
Thinly slice the leeks.
Melt the butter in a soup pot, then add the leeks.
Cook, until the leeks are softened, about 10 minutes. Stir them periodically so they cook evenly.
Add the pumpkin purée, apples, herbs, salt, and spices.
As well as the chicken broth, then bring to a boil.
Simmer for about 20 minutes.
Add the cream and, using a stick blender (or regular blender), blend until smooth.
Ladle the pumpkin soup into bowls and top with a swirl of cream and more thyme.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions
The soup can be frozen, without the cream, for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the fridge for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. Once heated through, add the cream and bring to a simmer before serving.
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Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2½ pounds leeks, white and light green parts only, washed well and thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 15-oz can pumpkin purée
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 5 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
- 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh sage
- ¼ cup heavy cream, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium soup pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the pumpkin, apple, broth, maple syrup, salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, thyme and sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes more.
- Add the heavy cream. Use a stick blender to purée the soup until completely smooth. (Alternatively, cool the soup slightly and use a blender to purée in batches. Be sure to remove the center knob on the blender and cover with a dishtowel to avoid splatters.) Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a swirl of cream (see note below) and fresh thyme leaves, if desired.
- Note: To add a swirl of cream that floats on top of the soup, whip a few tablespoons of cream with a whisk until ever so slightly thickened. Then use a teaspoon to drizzle and swirl the cream over the soup.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can be frozen, without the cream, for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. Once heated through, add the cream and bring to a simmer before serving.
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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I had planned to only make 1/2 the recipe. Halfing the recipe would mean 1.25 lbs of leeks as the full recipe called for 2.5 lbs of leeks. I purchased 3 packets (six ounce each) of trimmed leeks from Trader Joe’s which includes only the white and light green parts. After slicing two packets (12 oz.) I had 6 cups of sliced leeks which is double the amount for half the recipe. So I am bit confused on how many leeks are needed. Do I use all 6 cups for 1/2 the recipe even though the weight is way off? Thanks.
Hi Danielle, I’d go with the weight for half of the recipe.
This soup is delicious and I will make it again. The only change I made, was I cut a 3lb pie pumpkin (since they are in season) into cubes and make the soup with that. I simmered everything for 20 minutes, blended the soup and it was the right thickness. I found the flavours subtle and the sage and thyme, for me, did not overtake the flavour of the soup. I will be making this soup again this year.
Yumm! next time I might cut back on the sage as it was a tad prominent. Sure it would be even more delicious but eliminated syrup and cream due to current diet and still delicious comfort food!! Will be making this again 😎
Question – Can you freeze this soup?
Definitely (without the cream added). See the bottom of the recipe for freezer-friendly instructions. 🙂
Another winning recipe from Once Upon a Chef. The hardest part (tedious, not really hard) was cleaning the leeks, but I knew how to do it thanks to Jenn’s recipe note. I like pumpkin soup but had not made it in a very long time and never with leeks.The flavor of this soup recipe is outstanding. I can’t wait to share the soup and the recipe with others.
Wow🤩 🤤
What a wonderful symphony of flavours dancing around in my mouth. Deeeelicious.
Thank you!
What kind of apple would be good to use?
Hi Tina, really any apple will work here but some of my favorites are Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious. Hope you enjoy the soup!
This soup is so good and easy. I think this is the fourth batch I’ve made. I always put one container in the freezer for lazy days. I don’t add the maple syrup.
I’m going to work on adapting this for the InstaPot. Any tips would be appreciated!
Hi Chris, I don’t have enough experience with an instant pot to tell you confidently how to adapt this, so you may want to take a peek at these tips. It looks like they could be useful. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
Hi,
Can the chicken broth be substituted for vegetable broth?
Thanks!!
Definitely — enjoy!
Can I substitute heavy cream with yogurt? I don’t have cream at home.
Thanks.
Yes that will work. Enjoy!
Wow! I love all things pumpkin, but this soup is the tops! I will be making this again and again and again! Wonderful recipe! Thank you for posting!