Classic Pumpkin Soup

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As a cozy chill fills the air (meaning it’s under 100 degrees here in Arizona – haha), there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of classic pumpkin soup to welcome fall, am I right?

Today, I wanted to share one my favorite fall recipes. This classic pumpkin soup is hearty and features a delightful pop of thyme. It’s so warm and comforting, you’re going to love it.

A pot of pumpkin soup sitting with a wooden spoon in it and a green striped napkin next to it.

Why Pumpkin Soup?

Well because pumpkin soup is the epitome of autumn in a bowl. It’s creamy, rich, and radiates warmth with every spoonful. But what makes this recipe truly special is the addition of thyme, which lends a fragrant complexity to this beloved classic soup.

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Two bowls of pumpkin soup sitting with two spoons and a green striped napkin.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather our ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
  • 1 can of pumpkin
  • 3 cups of chicken stock or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of thyme
Pumpkin soup in a saucepan with a wooden spoon in it.

Step-by-step Cooking Instructions

  1. Butter and Aromatics: Begin by melting the butter in a large pot over medium heat. As it sizzles and foams, add the diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté them until the onions turn soft and translucent, releasing their tantalizing aroma.
  2. Pumpkin Perfection: It’s time to introduce the star of our show – the canned pumpkin. Add it to the pot and stir it into the onion-garlic mixture. The kitchen will really start to fill with the smells of fall now.
  3. Seasonal Spices: Sprinkle in the sea salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir them well, coating the pumpkin evenly.
  4. Liquid Love: Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock, making sure to scrape up any flavorful bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot. The combination of stock and spices will infuse the pumpkin with deep, savory notes.
  5. Simmer: Bring your soup to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. This time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Two bowls of pumpkin soup with croutons on top and spoons in the soup.
  1. Creamy Elegance: Time to add a touch of creaminess. Pour in the milk and stir gently. Avoid bringing the soup to a rolling boil, as the milk can curdle. Continue to simmer soup down to desired thickness.
  2. Blend: Then, using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend the soup until it achieves that silky-smooth consistency.
  3. Taste and Tweak: Give your pumpkin soup a taste test. If it needs a bit more seasoning, don’t hesitate to adjust with a pinch more salt, pepper, or a dash of thyme.
  4. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle your thick and creamy pumpkin soup into bowls. A sprinkle of thyme leaves and a pinch of parsley on top will not only enhance the flavor but also make your dish look as beautiful as it tastes. Pair it with some crusty bread or croutons for that perfect finishing touch.

Tip

This is a pretty hearty soup, but if it’s too watery for your liking, just let it simmer uncovered for an additional 15-30 minutes. This will help some of the liquid cook off and thicken the soup.

A bowl of pumpkin soup with croutons on top sitting with a spoon in it.

Serving Suggestions

Classic pumpkin soup is delicious on its own, but you can really take it to the next level with some creative toppings. Here are a few of my favorite ideas to get you started:

  • Toasted Pumpkin Seeds: Roast some pumpkin seeds with a sprinkle of salt and use them as a crunchy garnish.
  • Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme can add a burst of color and freshness.
  • Croutons: Top your soup with homemade or store-bought croutons for some extra crunch.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Grate some fresh parmesan over each bowl because, well, parmesan is just yummy!
  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Garnish the top of each bowl with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamier texture and added tang.
A bowl of pumpkin soup with croutons on top and a spoon in it.

Questions About This Recipe

Yes! You can use any milk you’d like. You could also use half and half or heavy cream. I use milk because it’s something we always have in the kitchen and I don’t have to run to the store to make this soup.

Absolutely! For directions on how to make pumpkin puree, read this post. You’ll need 1 sugar or pie pumpkin (or about 2 to 2 1/2 cups) of pumpkin puree for this soup.

Yes. It freezes or cans well. Make sure it’s fully cooled before placing in your freezer containers. It’ll keep in the freezer for about 3 months. When you’re ready to eat the soup, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat as desired.

There you have it, my friends, my favorite classic pumpkin soup, made even more memorable with the addition of thyme. This autumn-inspired masterpiece will warm your soul with its comforting blend of flavors.

Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer for a Thanksgiving feast or as a simple weeknight dinner (me), this classic pumpkin soup will elevate your meal and remind you why fall is truly a season to savor.

So, go ahead, whip up a pot, and let the smells of autumn fill your home and your heart. Happy cooking, and happy fall!

A bowl of pumpkin soup with croutons on top and a spoon in it.

Classic Pumpkin Soup

By: Kristine Underwood
Warm up your fall evenings with this classic pumpkin soup. It's made with simple ingredients like pumpkin puree, onions, and a touch of garlic. This thick and creamy soup is a comforting bowl of goodness that will fill your belly with all the flavors of fall.
4.82 from 11 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Soup, Stew, & Chili
Cuisine American
Servings 3 bowls
Calories 229 kcal

ingredients
 
 

  • 1 TBS butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 tsp minced garlic (or 2 cloves of garlic, chopped)
  • 1 can pumpkin (15 ounces)
  • 3 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a large saucepan on the stove, sautée onion in 1 TBS butter until tender.
    1/2 yellow onion, 1 TBS butter
  • Add minced garlic cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
    2 tsp minced garlic
  • Stir in pumpkin puree, chicken or vegetable stock, and spices and cook over medium heat until boiling, then reduce heat, add milk and simmer for 20 minutes*.
    1 can pumpkin, 3 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp thyme, 1 cup milk
  • Run an immersion blender through soup until smooth (or put soup in a regular blender and process until smooth).
  • Garnish with Greek yogurt or sour cream, chopped parsley, and serve with a crunchy slice of bread or croutons.
  • Store soup in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Soup also cans well.

Notes

*If soup is too watery, simmer for an additional 15-30 minutes to let some of the moisture cook out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowlCalories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 11gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 1188mgPotassium: 711mgFiber: 5gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 22350IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 3mg
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22 Comments

  1. Could I substitute coconut milk for milk? I have a dairy intolerance. If I could would you use coconut milk or cream?

    1. Hi Connie! Absolutely – you could sub the milk out for any diary-free milk or cream. I bet coconut cream would make it velvety smooth, but either should work well.