Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Cozy Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe for Autumn Warmth

Apple butternut squash soup blends sweet and savory flavors in a comforting culinary embrace.

Seasonal harvests bring incredible depth to this hearty recipe, revamping humble ingredients into a luxurious meal.

Creamy textures mingle with subtle spices, creating a warming experience that soothes both body and soul.

Robust autumn produce shines through each carefully crafted spoonful, promising rich nutritional benefits.

Home cooks can easily elevate simple ingredients into an elegant dish that feels simultaneously rustic and refined.

Smooth, velvety consistency allows complex flavor profiles to dance across your palate with delightful complexity.

The combination invites warmth and comfort during crisp seasonal moments.

What Makes Apple Butternut Squash Soup So Comforting

  • Cozy Comfort in a Bowl: This apple butternut squash soup wraps you in warmth with its velvety smooth texture and rich, comforting flavors perfect for chilly evenings.
  • Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Prepare this delightful soup in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy home cooks seeking a nutritious and delicious meal.
  • Flavor Explosion of Seasonal Goodness: Combining sweet apples, hearty butternut squash, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg creates a harmonious blend that celebrates autumn's best ingredients.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse Disguised as Comfort Food: Packed with vitamins from squash and apples, this soup delivers a healthy meal that doesn't compromise on taste or satisfaction.

What You’ll Need for Apple Butternut Squash Soup

Vegetables and Fruits:
  • Butternut Squash: Sweet and creamy winter squash that provides a hearty base for the soup.
  • Onion: Aromatic vegetable that adds depth and sweetness to the soup's flavor profile.
  • Garlic: Pungent ingredient that enhances overall savory notes and provides depth.
  • Apple: Adds natural sweetness and slight tartness to balance the soup's richness.
Liquid and Dairy:
  • Chicken Stock: Provides the primary liquid base and adds rich, savory flavor to the soup.
  • Half and Half: Creates a creamy, smooth texture and adds richness to the final dish.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Ginger: Warm spices that complement the squash and apple, creating a cozy flavor profile.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's overall taste.
Cooking Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and creating a base for the soup.

How to Cook Apple Butternut Squash Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat

Add diced onion and cook until softened

Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant

Step 2: Prepare Hearty Ingredients

Add cubed butternut squash

Chop fresh apples

Cook ingredients together, stirring occasionally

Step 3: Create Liquid Foundation

Pour chicken stock into the pot

Bring mixture to a gentle boil

Reduce heat and simmer until butternut squash becomes tender

Step 4: Transform Soup Texture

Carefully transfer cooked mixture to blender

Cover lid with towel to prevent splashing

Puree until silky smooth

Return blended soup to pot

Bring back to simmer

Step 5: Enhance Flavor Profile

Add warm spices:
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Ground ginger

Sprinkle kosher salt

Grind fresh black pepper

Simmer to blend flavors

Step 6: Finish with Creamy Touch

Stir in half and half

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Ladle soup into warm bowls

Optional elegant toppings:
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • Diced apple cubes
  • Dollop of sour cream

Apple Butternut Squash Soup Tips for Success

  • Dice with Precision: Cut onions, garlic, butternut squash, and apples into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast spices like cinnamon and nutmeg briefly in the pot before adding other ingredients to release their essential oils and maximize aromatic qualities.
  • Control Blending Technique: Blend soup in batches if needed, filling blender only halfway to prevent hot liquid splashing and potential burns.
  • Select Perfect Squash: Choose a butternut squash that feels heavy for its size with smooth, matte skin to guarantee maximum sweetness and optimal texture.
  • Customize Creaminess: Adjust cream quantity based on desired thickness, using more half and half for a richer soup or less for a lighter consistency.

Storage Guide for This Soup

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freezing: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating: Warm soup gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock or water to restore original consistency if needed. Avoid boiling to prevent separation of cream.

Pairing Suggestions for Apple Butternut Squash Soup

  • Pair with Crusty Bread: Select a rustic sourdough or hearty whole grain bread to complement the soup's creamy texture and add a delightful crunch.
  • Match with Crisp White Wine: Choose a Riesling or Pinot Grigio to balance the soup's sweetness and enhance its complex autumn flavors.
  • Serve Alongside Roasted Pecans: Sprinkle toasted pecans on top for a nutty contrast that adds depth and provides a satisfying textural element to the smooth soup.
  • Complete with Goat Cheese Crostini: Top small toasted bread slices with tangy goat cheese to create a rich, creamy accompaniment that cuts through the soup's sweetness.

Different Ways to Spice Up Apple Butternut Squash Soup

  • Roasted Veggie Version: Roast butternut squash, apples, and onions before blending for deeper caramelized flavors. Enhance with smoked paprika and thyme for an earthy profile.
  • Spicy Coconut Rendition: Replace half and half with coconut milk. Add red curry paste and ginger for a Thai-inspired warmth. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and cilantro.
  • Autumn Harvest Remix: Incorporate roasted pumpkin alongside butternut squash. Mix in maple syrup and brown butter for rich, woodsy undertones. Top with crispy sage leaves and toasted pecans.
  • Vegan Wellness Adaptation: Substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth. Use cashew cream instead of half and half. Sprinkle nutritional yeast for cheesy notes and protein boost.
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Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Silky Apple Butternut Squash Soup delivers autumn’s warmth with sweet and savory notes from caramelized squash and crisp apples. Rich, creamy comfort waits in each spoonful, inviting you to savor seasonal ingredients blended into pure culinary comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 cups (960 ml) cubed butternut squash
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken stock

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) diced sweet onion
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Other Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) half and half

Instructions

  1. In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium flame. Introduce diced onions and transform them into a soft, translucent state, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and allow its aromatic essence to permeate the kitchen for about 60 seconds.
  3. Incorporate cubed butternut squash and chopped apples, gently stirring to ensure even heat distribution and initial flavor integration.
  4. Pour chicken stock into the pot, elevating the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
  5. Let the liquid bubble quietly for 15-20 minutes, allowing butternut squash to surrender its firmness and become delightfully tender.
  6. Transfer the liquid treasure to a blender, securing the lid with a protective towel to prevent potential heat-induced mishaps.
  7. Transform the mixture into a velvety smooth puree, then return it to the original cooking vessel.
  8. Introduce a harmonious blend of spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper. Allow these flavors to dance and meld for an additional 5 minutes.
  9. Gently fold in half and half, creating a luxurious, creamy texture. Taste and refine seasonings as your palate suggests.
  10. Elegantly ladle the soup into waiting bowls, optionally garnishing with freshly grated nutmeg, diced apple fragments, or a graceful dollop of sour cream.

Notes

  • Enhance flavor by sautéing onions and garlic slowly, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a rich aromatic base for the soup.
  • Select ripe, firm butternut squash and crisp apples to ensure a balanced, complex taste profile with natural sweetness and depth.
  • Use an immersion blender or regular blender carefully to achieve a smooth, creamy texture without splattering hot liquid.
  • Customize spice levels by adjusting cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to match personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
  • Elevate presentation with elegant garnishes like toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy sage leaves, or a swirl of cream for visual appeal.
  • Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify in the refrigerator.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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