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
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:
- Solid beige color. The color should be solid and matte without any deep cuts or bruises.
- Heavy. The squash should feel heavy for its size. Compare it to other squash if you're unsure.
- Give it a knock. A ripe butternut squash will sound hollow, like a carving pumpkin.
- 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.
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.
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.
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
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
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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Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hello! You're so lucky to have a garden full of butternut squash! I love butternut squash and this recipe looks scrumptious. Pinning it! Thanks for sharing it. 😀
Kimmie says
It was outstanding!! Highly recommend…
katz says
Lovely, subtle flavor. I added nutmeg and cinnamon. Thank you! 🙂
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Butternut squash soup is one of our favorites this time of year! Pinning and sharing!
Dave says
Looks like a great recipe and one that I'll be making this fall. Please, next time, use the term "rib" instead of stalk for celery. A stalk it the whole thing. :-))
Pam says
Perfect for fall and I love the bit of spice. I've been loving aged gouda, and I bet it would be great in this soup.
Andrea Metlika says
So many wonderful flavors in this fabulous looking soup. I've never made butternut squash so I really appreciate the roasting instructions.
Sara Welch says
This is everything a gourmet soup should be, and then some! Looking forward to enjoying this delicious dish again later this week!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Can't wait to try this recipe, I know my family will love it!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This bisque is perfect for Fall - super comforting and packed full of flavour!
Karen M. says
Made this flavorful bisque for me and my adult foodie son specifically to test out my new immersion blender. I looked at several squash bisque recipes and picked this one. The apple and the jalapeño addition were key for me, and the flavor combination did not disappoint! The soup was delicious and I will definitely make again!
Jordin says
Sooo comforting and delicious! This is perfect for Fall, and the cooler nights.
Anjali @ The Picky Eater says
I love this twist on a traditional butternut squash soup. The jalapeños and apples give it a complexity that take this dish to the next level!
Cynthia says
This soup tasted AMAZING! thanks for sharing
Michelle says
So glad you loved it! So perfect for this cool Fall weather we're having!
Beth Sachs says
Butternut squash soup is my all-time favourite. I love the addition of apple in this one!
Maria says
I love soup! My comfort food <3 thank you for this recipe. I already pinned it 🙂
Beth says
I made this the other night and my husband loved it! I will definitely be making this recipe again! So delicious and tasty!
Emmeline says
This soup is so beautiful!! Curious, what did you use for the white swirl - it looks delicious!
Nathan says
This looks so delicious and just perfect for fall! Can't wait to give it a try!
Angela says
Delicious! So silky and smooth.
Jess says
Roasting the squash first is such a great tip! Love this soup!
Luci says
Butternut squash bisque is one of my all time favorite fall soups! It is so creamy and delicious! I love the added spice from the jalapeño, it adds even more yummy flavor!
Pavani says
That is such a creamy and delicious looking squash bisque. Perfect for the fall weather. Also thank you for the tips on how to pick a good squash - this is going to be very helpful while buying.
Jere Cassidy says
We have baked butternut squash all the time but I have never made soup. Your recipe is super easy and looks deliciously rich and creamy. Gotta try this.
Faith Thompson says
I had been wanting to make this soup for awhile. I was do excited when I finally did. It was soooooo good while cooking. Then I went and put more salt in, way more salt than intended. It was do bad I couldn't eat more than a couple bites. I was si disappointed. 🙁 I will try it it again.
I processor helps make it way easier.
Dana Sandonato says
I just love how silky smooth this soup is!
Gina Abernathy says
I love this soup during the winter months. So smooth and creamy!
Nathan says
This recipe has me so excited for fall, butternut squash is such a comforting autumn flavor! Can't wait to try this for myself. Thanks for the recipe!
Kerri says
This looks so yummy! I love that you have options to make it dairy free and vegan in the notes! I'll have to make it for my vegan friends this fall!
Randy says
Thanks for sharing this recipe, it tastes just like a friends made for me after a long hospital stay. This was east to make, it’s taste is delicious and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals! Can’t wait to have it as leftovers!
Ruchi says
This was delicious!! I’ve tried 3-4 different butternut squash soup recipes and this was the best by far! Even my picky husband loved it. I made a cheddar/Manchego grilled cheese w/carmelized onions sandwich to go with it and it was a great, filling meal!
Michelle says
So glad you loved it! I love serving this soup with grilled cheese too. Yours with the manchego and onions sounds divine!
Dan says
This recipe was fantastic; I followed it exactly and it turned out perfectly!! Love the balance of sweetness and heat!