Kabocha Squash Soup

An easy, creamy and delicious, vegan kabocha squash soup that’s ready in 30 minutes.

This rich and creamy soup is everything you want on a cold day. It’s healthy, perfectly seasoned, slightly sweet and packed with nutritious ingredients like garlic, ginger, onion and carrot.

Kabocha squash has a rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked which makes it perfect for soups like this one. Though the squash takes a bit of effort to prepare, once it’s chopped up the rest of the recipe is quick and easy.

This soup can be made on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker. The recipe is written for the stovetop but the instructions for other methods are included below.

Recipe Features

• Dietary Needs: Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free (contains coconut), can be made oil-free.
• Nutritional Features: Low in fat and calories, high in fibre.
• Perfectly seasoned, rich and creamy.
• Great for meal prep and freezes well.

Ingredient & Substitution Notes

A complete list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions is located in the printable recipe card below. This section covers ingredient and substitution considerations.

• Squash: You’ll need 1 medium-sized kabocha squash or it can be substituted with butternut squash or pumpkin.
• Vegetable Broth: Any homemade or store-bought vegetable broth or bouillon powder/cubes works.
• Coconut Milk: Light or full-fat coconut milk both work. Use full-fat for a richer, creamier soup or light to reduce the fat and calories in the recipe.
• Miso Paste: This is optional but adds a lovely umami flavour to the soup. You can use white or yellow miso paste.
• Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free soup, be sure to swap this for gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.

Step-by-Step Photos

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the complete written recipe. This section features step-by-step photos for a visual reference.

Step 1: Prepare the squash.

Cut the squash in half from top to bottom and remove the seeds. Cut each half into two pieces, then slice each piece into wedges and cut the skin off each piece. Kabocha squash skin is edible so it’s ok if you don’t get every little bit off.

Prepare the carrot, garlic, ginger and onion as well so you’re all ready to go.

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Step 2: Add the carrot, onion, garlic and ginger to a soup pot with a cooking liquid, either water or oil. I used 2 tsp olive oil but you can use water or broth to keep the recipe oil-free.

Saute the veggies for 4-5 minutes over medium heat until softened.

Step 3: Stir in the cumin, curry powder, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper and cook for a few more minutes.

Step 4: Add the broth and squash and bring the mixture to a low boil. Reduce the heat and simmer lightly, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the squash is tender.

Step 5: Carefully transfer the soup to a blender and process until smooth and creamy. You can use an immersion blender right in the pot, if you prefer.

Quick Note: If you’re using a blender, be sure to let the steam escape while you blend.

Step 6: Pour the blended soup back into the pot and add the coconut milk, lime, soy sauce, miso paste and sugar, if using. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

• To make this a Thai red curry squash soup, omit the cumin, curry powder, coriander and cayenne pepper and use 3 tbsp red curry paste instead.
• To make a roasted kabocha squash soup, roast the squash in halves or wedges then peel off the skin and add the cooked squash to the pot with the broth after sautéing the aromatics. Simmer for a few minutes, then blend and proceed with the rest of the recipe.
• For an oil-free recipe, use water or broth to saute instead of oil.
• For a gluten-free recipe, use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
• For a soy-free recipe, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and do not add the miso paste.

Slow Cooker Instructions

1. Option to saute the onion, ginger, garlic and carrot according to the recipe below, before adding them to the crockpot.
2. Otherwise, add everthing up to the broth to your slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
3. Transfer to a blender and process until creamy or use an immersion blender right in the pot.
4. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Use the saute function to saute the onion, garlic, ginger and carrot for 3-4 minutes (for an even easier recipe, you can skip this and just add everything up to the broth and seal).
2. Add the squash and and broth. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
3. Carefully move the valve to Venting to quick release the pressure.
4. Once the valve drops, remove the lid and proceed with the blending (either transfer to blender or use immersion blender).
5. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!

Storing

• Let cool before storing.
• Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.

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Originally published December 6, 2016.