Get ready to transform your kitchen into a cozy culinary haven with this irresistible Butternut Squash Soup that's about to become your new autumn obsession! Imagine a velvety, smooth soup that captures the essence of fall in every spoonful - rich, creamy, and bursting with deep, warming flavors. This isn't just another soup recipe; it's a quick, vegetarian masterpiece that will elevate your home cooking and impress even the most discerning food lovers. With its luxurious texture and the surprising twist of apple cider crème fraîche, this soup is about to become your go-to comfort food that's both elegant and incredibly easy to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup crème fraîche
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the butternut squash by peeling it completely, removing seeds, and cutting into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and consistent texture.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Add cubed butternut squash to the pot and stir to combine with onions and garlic. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, ensuring squash is mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until squash becomes very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove pot from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, carefully transfer to a blender in batches to achieve a silky consistency.
- Stir in apple cider to enhance the soup's flavor, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- For the crème fraîche topping, whisk apple cider directly into crème fraîche until smooth and slightly thinned.
- Ladle hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with a swirl of apple cider crème fraîche. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Squash Cutting Hack: Use a sharp chef's knife and stabilize your butternut squash by cutting off the ends first. This makes peeling and cubing much safer and easier.
- Flavor Intensification: Toast your spices like a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon in the pot with the onions to add depth to your soup's flavor profile.
- Texture Matters: For an ultra-smooth soup, strain the pureed mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential fibrous bits.
- Crème Fraîche Pro Tip: If you can't find crème fraîche, you can substitute with a mix of sour cream and heavy cream for a similar luxurious texture.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Pro tip: freeze without the crème fraîche topping and add fresh when reheating.
- Garnish Game: Enhance your presentation with optional toppings like toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of good olive oil, or fresh thyme leaves.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
