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 usually don’t like pumpkin anything, but this recipe is wonderful. I loved it and will make again. My soup came out thick and very savory. It was also very easy. I used half and half because that is what I had on hand.
Great recipe which lends itself to substitutions: peeled pumpkin or different squashes (kabocha, butternut, etc.) peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks; onions instead of leeks. I cut down the syrup from 5 to 3 Tbs as I found that the apple sweetened the soup also. I’ve made this soup several times, each time a little differently and it’s always appreciated.
The spicy pumpkin soup is wonderful! I added a large hot sausage link to give the soup a little “kick”.. it was a hit with my family! I will definitely make this soup throughout the fall/winter season!
I made this soon after I got it in my inbox. It was very good, very flavorful, and easy. Just what we needed on those very cold nights in NY during that pre-Thanksgiving snow storm. Even better the next day and day after. I served it with a dollop of greek yogurt and homemade corn muffins. Very savory!
This is the most heavenly soup. I followed the instructions to the letter and I can not wait to make this again. Every year I roast a huge goose-neck pumpkin and freeze the puree, which I use for bread, pie, and this year I used some to make this soup. I have enough left for another batch of this divine soup. The flavors are outstanding.
It’s my second Once Upon a Chef thanksgiving this year! I’m getting an early start and made this soup. I love the spicy savory flavor. Cranberry orange sauce, check! Next up is the sangria you just posted. Thank you for your wonderful recipes Jenn! Happy Thanksgiving.
You’re welcome, Kerrie! Glad you are enjoying the recipes and happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Can leeks be substituted with onions? I have a surplus of onion from my farm box.
Hi Andrea, it will definitely taste different, but I think you could get away with it. If they happen to be sweet onions, that would be better than standard yellow onions.
A real winner…prepared without the sage and garnished as shown, My gentleman friend could not stop raving. Have several other pumpkin soups which are all delicious, but think that this is my favorite. Served with a walnut muffin made with walnut oil…beautiful pairing. Thanks Jenn
Prepared with 1 pound frozen leek from Trader Joe and the balance with chopped red onion, sautéed in the butter with the cumin and 1/2 teaspoon dried sage for about 30 minutes. Added 1 large Honeycrisp apple, 5 cups homemade chicken broth and 1 cup ginger flavored tea, the maple syrup and fresh thyme. Very good, gentle fall flavor, “sort of “ a pumpkin/butternut squash flavor, plus something more. Soup rates a 4.75*. When serving, adding a little cream (I added a little sour cream) the taste is brightened.
I made this last night and served it with some french bread and a salad. It was absolutely wonderful. It is a perfect balance of sweet with just a tiny kick of spice. YUM!