Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (2024)

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Butternut Squash Bisque is a rich, but healthy vegetarian fall soup that is sweet and creamy with just a touch of heat.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (1)

Butternut Squash Bisque

This butternut squash bisque is the perfect way to start fall. Even better than a PSL. There. I said it.

It's just a touch sweet from the ripe roasted butternut squash and apple. Plus, it has a little spicy kick from the jalapeno. The ingredients are simple, fresh, and healthy, but so flavorful and delicious.

It's smooth, creamy, sweet, and spicy. Hits all of the aspects that makes any dish amazing. It's so rich, that you would never guess it has only 175 for a bowl!

(For vegan and dairy free options, check the recipe notes!)

How to Pick a Good Butternut Squash

A too-ripe butternut squash can be mushy and tasteless, while an under-ripe butternut squash may not have developed its signature sweetness and taste yet. Picking a "just right" squash is important.

The best time of year to buy locally in the U.S. is September and October. It is still available throughout the year as an import.

Look for these four things when picking a butternut squash:

  1. Solid beige color. The color should be solid and matte without any deep cuts or bruises.
  2. Heavy. The squash should feel heavy for its size. Compare it to other squash if you're unsure.
  3. Give it a knock. A ripe butternut squash will sound hollow, like a carving pumpkin.
  4. Full stem. It should have a full, firm stem. When the stem is intact, it will keep for longer.

After you've picked the perfect butternut squash, store it in a cool dark part of the kitchen for up to several weeks. It does not need to be refrigerated.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (2)

How to Roast Butternut Squash

Roasting the butternut squash might be an extra step, but it's totally worth it in my opinion because peeling and chopping it is a real pain.

Plus, while it's roasting you can prep the rest of the veggies.

To roast butternut squash, preheat your oven to 375°F, and line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking mat.

Make sure you have a clean squash. Just rinse with cold water.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (3)

Cut the butternut squash in half length-wise, and scoop out seeds with a spoon.

Place squash on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Bake in 375° oven for about 45 minutes, until tender. Scooping it out should be easy. Test by poking with a fork to check for tenderness.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (4)

Allow squash to cool before removing the flesh from the skin, and setting aside to use in the recipe (you can throw away the skins).

More Fall Vegetarian Recipes You'll Love

  • Spicy Southwest Pumpkin Soup - spicy, healthy, and SUPER easy savory pumpkin recipe.
  • Homemade Vegetable Soup - one of my cold weather favorites!
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes - my grandma's amazing recipe that I can never get enough of!
  • Black Bean Enchiladas - a vegetarian twist on a favorite. Even my carnivore hubby LOVES these!
  • Southwest Bean Chowder - super simple and delicious vegetarian soup that gets its creaminess from pureed beans.

Butternut Squash Bisque Video

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (5)

Butternut Squash Bisque

Butternut Squash Bisque is a rich, but healthy vegetarian fall soup that is sweet and creamy with just a touch of heat.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Butternut Bisque, Butternut Squash Bisque, Butternut Squash Soup

Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 173kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 large carrot chopped
  • 1 celery stalk chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 large sweet apple peeled, cored and cubed
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare butternut squash: Cut rinsed squash in half length-wise. Scoop out seeds, and place on a lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in a 375°F for about 45 min until tender. Allow to cool. Scoop out flesh and set aside for the recipe.

  • In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat.

  • Add onion, celery, carrot, jalapeno, and garlic. Saute, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

  • Add apple, squash, broth, and ground ginger. Stir to combine.

  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes, until apples are tender. Remove from heat.

  • Blend soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Be careful of splatter!

  • Stir in cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook a few more minutes to increase the temperature, if necesary. But do NOT bring to a boil (your cream will curdle!).

Notes

  • Have fun with toppings! Top your soup with pepitas, roasted sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, or croutons for a little crunch.
  • Add cheese! Cheese makes everything just a little better. Try adding smoked Gouda, Parmesan, or sharp cheddar when adding the cream.
  • Butternut Squash Bisque is naturally vegetarian and gluten free. To make dairy free, substitute the heavy cream for coconut cream or a different milk substitute, such as almond or cashew milk.
  • To make vegan: Use vegetable broth, substitute heavy cream for canned coconut cream, and use coconut oil instead of butter.
  • Consider adding ½ to 1 teaspoon turmeric or curry powder for extra flavor or health benefits. Add it in step 4 with the ground ginger.
  • How to Use Fresh Butternut Squash: Remove skin and seeds from squash, and cube. Add squash to the pot when adding the apples. Boil until tender before continuing to the next step.
  • An immersion blender is the easiest way to puree this soup. This is my favorite immersion blender.
  • Do not boil after cream is added. Boiling cream will make it curdle and separate. Not pretty.
  • Use disposable gloves (like these) while preparing jalapenos. Oils from the peppers can burn your skin. Unfortunately, I found this out the hard way and it is NOT pleasant!
  • To freeze: Prepare soup according to instructions, stopping before adding the cream. Place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight (I place in a bowl to do this to prevent leakage). Reheat. Then stir in cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 11667IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in October 2014. It has been republished in September 2019 with new pictures, new video, and more detailed directions and cooking tips.

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Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make butternut squash soup less bland? ›

I use ground sage and nutmeg which both enhance the flavors of butternut squash and bring out its natural sweetness. Stir in full-fat coconut milk to make this soup extra-creamy, and don't forget the salt and pepper!

What is the difference between soup and bisque? ›

Key Differences

Ingredients: Bisque is often made with seafood and enriched with heavy cream, whereas soup can be made with a wide range of ingredients, offering more versatility. Consistency: Bisque is consistently smooth and velvety, while soup can have a diverse range of consistencies, depending on the recipe.

How to make store-bought butternut squash soup taste better? ›

Sizzle a pinch of Madras curry powder, garam masala, equal parts ground cumin and smoked paprika, or a sprig of rosemary in your saucepan, then add butternut squash soup. Thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, and bay leaves work well with mushroom soup.

Do you need to peel butternut squash for soup? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

Why is my butternut squash tasteless? ›

If you pick too early, the flesh will not be fully developed and the squash will lack flavor and not be that wonderfully vegetal sweet that is the wonder of butternut, honeynut, delicata, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha, among dozens of other winter squash.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

What is the main liquid ingredient of a bisque? ›

Liquid — Bisque recipes aren't shy about liquids: cream or milk, broth, clam juice white wine, and often a bit of brandy are used to create a complex, fascinating flavor.

What is the thickener in bisque? ›

A bisque is a smooth, creamy French style of soup, traditionally made from crustaceans like lobster, crab or crayfish. It should include a stock made from the shells, a large amount of cream, and a thickening agent made from either finely-ground shells or rice.

What are the finishing ingredients for most bisques? ›

Cream and sherry are the finishing ingredients for most bisque's.

Why does my butternut squash soup taste sour? ›

What happened? It's no coincidence that the butternut squash soup had fermented, alcoholic notes. Indeed, fermented rice turns out to be the culprit here. Rice is high in starch, which is relatively easy to ferment.

What to pair with butternut squash soup? ›

What to Serve with Butternut Squash Soup. Enjoy this soup as a starter, side, or main dish. When I'm making it the center of a meal, I serve it with good crusty bread, homemade focaccia, avocado toast, or corn muffins and a simple veggie side or fall salad.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

How do you pick butternut squash for soup? ›

The One Way To Tell Butternut Squash Is Ripe

Light to dark green spots on the skin tells you it's definitely not ready to be eaten. If the skin is very pale—more creamy white than tan—it's not ripe. Look for a rich tan, darker amber, or orange color. It should also be matte, not glossy.

Can dogs have butternut squash? ›

Generally, butternut squash is safe to feed to most pooches, unless your vet has advised otherwise. As a guide, we would recommend feeding small dogs no more than 1 or 2 teaspoons of butternut squash, whilst bigger dogs can eat up to 3 or 4 tablespoons of butternut squash.

Is butternut squash good for diabetics? ›

Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means that its carbs are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.

What flavors go well with butternut squash? ›

Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash

Cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper bring warmth and spice to this simple, tender roasted squash dish.

Why does my squash taste bland? ›

No doubt, squash's flavor issues stem from the fact that it's mostly water. Being as much as 95 percent H2O, it's no surprise that it tastes a lot like water, which is to say, bland.

How do you tone down carrot flavor in soup? ›

If your soup is too sweet, you could try adding an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice or vinegar to balance out the sweetness of the carrots. You can also add some savory ingredients such as garlic, onion, and herbs to add more depth and flavor to the soup.

How to fix squash soup that is too sweet? ›

If your dish is a little too sweet, try rounding out the sweetness by adding flavors or ingredients that are sour, bitter, or spicy. It may be obvious not to add more sweet ingredients, but you should also stay away from salty ones since they actually bring out the sweetness in food.

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