This easy and creamy pumpkin soup is made with fresh pumpkin and it is the ultimate warming autumn soup. Quick to make and easy to adapt with different flavours, this is the soup that will see you through the colder months. It is definitely one of our favourite pumpkin recipes.

Soup recipes don't get much more simple than this. With just a few simple ingredients, the pumpkin really is the star of the soup. However, you can easily adapt it with different herbs and spices to totally transform it. It really doesn't need it though, as the natural flavour of the pumpkin is deliciously creamy.
If you are new to cooking with pumpkin, why not try our healthy Pumpkin Bread, delicious Goats Cheese and Pumpkin Salad, filling Pumpkin Porridge, or easy Pumpkin Overnight Oats?
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Why you will love it
- A great way to use pumpkin - If you are new to cooking with pumpkin, then this is an easy place to start.
- Delicious creamy soup - Who knew that pumpkin could be so creamy. Once blended up, it's a deliciously creamy soup.
- Easy to adapt - Use this as the base recipe and then you can adapt it with different flavours. We have added suggestions below.
- Low in calories - There are just 146 calories for a big filling bowl of this pumpkin soup.
Ingredients needed
- Fresh pumpkin - Make sure the pumpkin is a deep orange colour. When you knock on it with your knuckles it should sound hollow. Avoid pumpkins with bruises or soft spots.
- Onion - you could use shallots for a little bit of sweetness.
- Garlic cloves - you could use lazy garlic instead
- Vegetable stock - use low salt if you are making it for kids
- Light coconut milk - you could swap it for cream or milk but coconut milk keeps it vegan. You could leave it out completely as it doesn't thicken the soup, but it does add extra flavour.
- Cumin - to add a warming spice to the soup
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Add a little oil to a pan and then add the pumpkin, garlic and onion. Gently cook for 5 minutes, stirring every minute.
Two: Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes until the pumpkin has softened.
Three: Add to a blender and blend until smooth.
What type of pumpkin to use
You can use any type of edible pumpkin for this recipe. Just don't use the type of pumpkin that you would carve for Halloween. Whilst they are edible, they aren't particularly tasty.
You don't have to use pumpkin, you could use another squash like a butternut squash instead as it has that same nutty flavour and makes the soup really creamy.
How to cut a pumpkin
- Firstly, stabilise the pumpkin by slicing a little off the top and the bottom.
- Cut the pumpkin in half, and then in quarters so that it is easier to manage.
- Using a metal tablespoon, scrape down to remove all the seeds (but keep them) and the stringy flesh so you have a nice clean looking pumpkin.
- Carefully slice the skin off with a knife or use a vegetable peeler.
- Cut into 2 cm strips.
- Cut into cubes.
Health benefits of pumpkin
Pumpkins are great for carving, you can turn them into purée to make a delicious pie, but did you know that they have so many wonderful health benefits too? One portion has more than 200% of your RDA of vitamin A which is great for your eye site. They are packed full of fibre which means you will stay fuller for longer.
The seeds can help with heart health, as they can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. So when you make this, don't throw away the seeds - bake them and snack on them.
Pumpkin is also high in vitamin C an a good source of Vitamin E, iron and folate. It's nutrient dense and low in calories, making it perfect for making a healthy and filling soup.
Soup flavours
The flavour of the pumpkin really shines through in this soup, but there are lots of options when it comes to flavouring it. You never have to make it the same way twice. Here are some ideas:
- Mexican - add a tablespoon of chipotle paste to this soup and then sprinkle it with fresh chopped coriander before serving.
- Thai - Add a heaped table spoon of Thai curry paste after you have sautéed the pumpkin, shallots and garlic.
- Curry - this is one of my favourite variations and it's really simple. Stir in some curry powder before you blend it. Start with a tablespoon and add more if needed.
- Chilli or Ginger - if you want to give this soup some heat with very little effort, then add some minced ginger or fresh red chilli when you add the onions.
How to roast pumpkin seeds
Pick off all the flesh bits from the seeds and throw it away. Pat the seeds dry with a tea towel or paper towels and then mix them with a little olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and toss to coat. You can also add other seasonings like chilli powder or even fajita/Cajun seasoning. Curry powder works well too.
Line a baking sheet with baking paper and arrange the pumpkin seeds in a single layer. Roast for 15 minutes, until the seeds are nice and crispy.
FAQs
This soup will keep in an air tight container for 3-4 days. It's nice to make a big batch in the winter and it will be good for lunch for a couple of days.
You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When it's time to reheat the soup, it might be a little thick so you will need to add some water to thin it out. Just put it in a saucepan and heat through. You could also microwave it for a couple of minutes.
Yes, you can roast the pumpkin first and it will intensify the flavour. However, it still has plenty of flavour without roasting it and it does add to the cooking time considerably.
A slice of buttered sourdough is the perfect addition to this Creamy Pumpkin Soup. However, you can serve it with a slice of your favourite loaf. Change things up a bit and dip some garlic bread into it.
Yes, if you use a gluten free stock and make sure there is no cross contamination, then this is a delicious gluten free soup.
Extra tips
• Don't skip on the shallots and garlic, as it helped to make the pumpkin more savoury as it is quite sweet otherwise.
• You can flavour this soup with Mexican, Thai or Indian flavours.
• Use a hand blender to blend this soup. If you are going to put it in a jug blender, make sure it has cooled first, as it could lead to it exploding.
• Don't waste the pumpkin seeds, as they can be roasted for a delicious snack.
• You could use pumpkin puree instead of fresh, but it won't taste as nice.
More soup recipes
If you’ve tried this Creamy Pumpkin Soup, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 400 g (3.5 cups) Pumpkin - cubed
- 1 Onion - diced
- 3 Garlic clove - crushed
- 600 ml (2.5 cups) Vegetable stock
- 100 ml (0.5 cups) Light coconut milk
- 1 Pinch Cumin
- 1 Red chilli - (to taste)
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Add 1 tablespoon Olive oil to a pan and then add 400 g Pumpkin, 3 Garlic clove and 1 Onion. Gently cook for 5 minutes, stirring every minute.
- Add 600 ml Vegetable stock, 100 ml Light coconut milk, 1 Pinch Cumin, 1 Red chilli and 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until the pumpkin has softened.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.
Recipe tips
- Don't skip on the shallots and garlic, as it helped to make the pumpkin more savoury as it is quite sweet otherwise.
- You can flavour this soup with Mexican, Thai or Indian flavours.
- Use a hand blender to blend this soup. If you are going to put it in a jug blender, make sure it has cooled first, as it could lead to it exploding.
- Don't waste the pumpkin seeds, as they can be roasted for a delicious snack.
- You could use pumpkin puree instead of fresh, but it won't taste as nice.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Kelley @ Chef Savvy
I love pumpkin soup! Love the addition of coconut milk to this!
Christina S
This soup looks so, so good. I'm a little obsessed with orange food - I love carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, oranges. I swear I'll turn orange one day!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
I've been pumpkin obsessed too and still have more coming! This soup is so pretty and I can't believe it's vegan! Sorry about the bread detox, but the pumpkin seeds seem like a great idea! That old photo is hilarious! I love that it's on a tray on Dave's lap! Your photography skills have definitely improved because these new soup pics are stunning!!!
Anna @AnnaTheApple
Some of my food photos (OK, ALL of my food photos) are dreadful...but then I'm not a super fancy recipe-creating guru like yourself ;-) Your recipe sounds right up my street. I actually made pumpkin soup the other night but sadly had no coconut milk so just added cream cheese instead. It worked! Nice and creamy with a slight cheesiness. Didn't look as nice as yours though!
Chloe
It's so cold and horrible here today, I think I might give this a go. Could I use butternut squash instead?
I just took that heart test out of interest and I am very low risk. Nice to know I am doing something right :)
Grace
What a change in your photos! I am fairly new to your blog, but I don't think that origianal photo would have attracted me to it haha. Sorry!
I like the idea of adding coconut milk to this.
Amy (Savory Moments)
Pumpkin soup is so wonderful this time of year - healthy, delicious, and full of good for you vitamins!
Harriet Emily
I love making pumpkin soup, especially at this time of year. This looks delicious Dannii! Such a great idea to add coconut milk too. Yum!
Lauren
I have some old soup picture too and they are awful! I took them with my iPhone of all things :) I love serving pumpkin soup with rosemary bread. SO delicious!
Manali @ CookWithManali
absolutely love pumpkin soup!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries
Pumpkin Soup! I'm in love. Can't wait to try it!! Pinned :).
Sara
I love the colour of this. We eat a ton of soup through the winter, as its one of the only ways I can get my little one to eat vegetables.