This easy Pumpkin Soup is rich, creamy and takes no time at all to make on the stove or in your Instant Pot. A simple soup recipe that’s cozy, comforting and full of fall flavors. Perfect anytime you’re craving a healthy and delicious soup. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
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Updated October 2020
Easy Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Everyone needs to have a simple, healthy homemade soup recipe on hand. This Easy Pumpkin Soup is one of my absolute favorites for fall and a must for soup season! I can’t think of anything better than a warm bowl of comforting soup on a cold day. Other creamy vegetable soups we love include this Cauliflower Soup and Broccoli Soup.
You simply throw everything in the pot, wait, and blend it up when it’s done. It’s full of tasty seasonings and pure pumpkin and carrots. It’s deliciously creamy and comes together quickly on the stove or in your Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Made with a medley of pumpkin, carrots, vegetable broth, onions, aromatic spices and coconut cream. Each spoonful is filled with a hearty down-to-earth flavor. You can also make this soup with fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin puree. I use pumpkin puree year-round and fresh pumpkin all autumn long. Either way, the soup is wonderful.
Why We Love This Fall Soup Recipe
The great thing about this easy recipe is how much flavor you get with so few ingredients. It’s a medley of sweet and savory goodness thanks to the carrots, pumpkin, garlic and curry powder. When it comes to healthy comfort food, this one’s right on the money. Takes just 30 minutes to make on the stove or in your Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Plus, it’s naturally gluten free, vegan, paleo, keto-friendly and Whole30 compliant.
Pumpkin Soup Ingredients
This healthy pumpkin soup is extremely simple to make with just a few pantry ingredients you probably already have. The delicious combination of flavors in this soup could never get old. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked! Here’s what you’ll need to make this Whole30 pumpkin soup.
Small sugar pumpkin (about 3 pound) (can also sub with butternut squash) – You can also use a 15-ounce can of organic pure pumpkin puree – just be sure not to use pumpkin pie filling. Washed, chopped and seeds removed.
Carrots – we use 2-4 medium-sized carrots. Chopped into large rounds. Use one carrot or leave out entirely for low carb or keto.
Medium onion – peeled and roughly chopped
Aromatics: Garlic cloves & Ginger
Spices: Ground curry powder. If you don’t have a ready-made curry powder, you can also make your own with 1/4 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp turmeric, 1/8 tsp and 1/8 tsp chili powder)
Vegetable stock OR vegetable broth
Full-fat coconut milk – one 13.5 ounce organic coconut milk
Salt and pepper
Herbs: Freshly chopped cilantro OR parsley
How to make Pumpkin Soup
- Cook Onion: In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and add onions and cook for a few minutes until translucent.
- Add Seasonings and vegetables: Add garlic, ginger, diced pumpkin, carrots and curry powder and let it cook for about 3-5 minutes. (Alternatively, you can roast the pumpkin and carrots before adding them to the pot. If roasting, chop the pumpkin into large sections instead of dicing them then spread evenly onto a large baking sheet with carrots and bake at 400F for 30-40 minutes, or until soft. This helps to soften the vegetables and bring out even more flavor. Once cooked, add them to the pot)
- Add Vegetable Stock: Pour in the vegetable broth or stock and season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, uncovered, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until pumpkin is fork-tender, while stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. *If you roasted the vegetables ahead of time, you will only need to simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
- Blend: Stir in the coconut milk (reserving some for garnishing, if desired) and remove pot from heat. Season to taste and allow to cool slightly. Use an immersion blender or pour into a high-speed blender (working in batches) and blend until smooth.
- Add Salt & Pepper: Season your soup with salt and pepper. If you want it to be a little thinner, you can add some extra water.
- Garnish & Serve: Top the soup with chopped cilantro, a drizzle of reserved coconut cream and serve.
- Optional toppings: You can also top with some roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or chopped pecans (or roasted chickpeas if not grain-free) for some added crunch.
Can I make this easy pumpkin soup in the slow cooker
- Yes, absolutely. To make slow cooker pumpkin soup, simply add all the ingredients (minus the coconut milk) to a large 5-6-quart slow cooker
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours
- Use your immersion blender and blend until smooth. Stir in coconut milk.
How to make creamy pumpkin soup in the Instant Pot
To make this easy pumpkin soup, follow the recipe for Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup below:
- Press the SAUTE button on your Instant Pot, once it’s hot, add oil and onions and cook until slightly soft, stirring frequently
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 20-30 seconds until fragrant. Add the garlic, ginger, diced pumpkin, carrots and curry powder and let it cook for about 2 minutes. Pour in the vegetable stock and season with salt and black pepper.
- Hit CANCEL, pour in the vegetable stock, and deglaze bottom of pot to make sure pumpkin isn’t stuck to bottom. Place lid on Instant Pot, turn vent to SEALING position, and hit MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK / HIGH for 5 minutes
- The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure. Allow a 5-minute natural release, then do a gradual quick release to release remaining pressure
- When pin drops, open lid, and stir. Use immersion blender to blend soup until slightly thick and creamy. Stir in the coconut milk and serve with pumpkin seeds / pepitas, parsley and more coconut cream if desired
Tips for a Perfect Bowl of Soup
- Leave Skin on Pumpkin: If you’re using fresh pumpkin, I recommend removing the skin after roasting. The flesh should slide right off with a spoon.
- Season to Taste: You can adjust the amount of seasonings you use in your soup to suit your tastes.
- Add Water for Thinner Soup: It’s easy to thin out this soup if it’s too thick for you. Just add water, little by little, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
- Add Ginger: I love garnishing my pumpkin carrot soup with some freshly grated ginger. It makes the soup even more flavorful, warm and cozy.
- Top with Pumpkin Seeds: Add a satisfying crunch to your soup by topping it with toasted pumpkin seeds!
- Serve with Pork Sliders: Try serving your soup as a side for my Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork Sliders for a super hearty and delicious dinner.
- Top with Grain-Free Croutons: Don’t like pumpkin seeds? Toasted croutons made using our Keto Bread are another great way to add some crunch to this creamy soup.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This vegan pumpkin soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat your soup over low heat, stirring continuously, until hot. Don’t let your soup come to a boil or the ingredients may separate.
Can you Freeze Pumpkin Soup?
Yes! This paleo pumpkin soup freezes wonderfully, so it makes the perfect make-ahead meal! Just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. If you freeze your soup, it should stay good for a month or two.
More easy soup recipes you might like:
Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli Soup
More pumpkin recipes you will love:
This healthy Pumpkin Soup is rich, creamy and so easy to make on the stove or in your Instant Pot in less than an hour. A simple soup recipe that's cozy, comforting that's full of fall flavors and perfect anytime you're craving a healthy and delicious soup. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, paleo, Whole30 compliant and can easily be made low carb.
- 1 *small sugar pumpkin , about 3 pounds, peeled, de-seeded and diced into cubes (can also sub with butternut squash or kabocha squash)
- 2-4 medium carrots , chopped into rounds (use one or leave out entirely for low carb / keto)
- 1 medium onion , coarsely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp curry powder , to taste (or sub with 1/4 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp turmeric, 1/8 tsp and 1/8 tsp chili powder)
- 3.5 cups vegetable stock
- 1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped fresh cilantro , for garnish
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and add onions and cook for a few minutes until translucent.
Add garlic, ginger diced pumpkin, carrots and curry powder and let it cook for about 3-5 minutes.
(Alternatively, you can roast the pumpkin and carrots before adding them to the pot. If roasting, chop the pumpkin into large sections instead of dicing them then spread evenly onto a large baking sheet with carrots and bake at 400F for 30-40 minutes, or until soft. This helps to soften the vegetables and bring out even more flavor. Once cooked, add them to the pot)
Pour in the vegetable stock and season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, uncovered, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until pumpkin is fork-tender, about 30 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
*If you roasted the vegetables ahead of time, you will only need to simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
Stir in the coconut milk (reserving some for garnish) and remove pot from heat. Season to taste and allow to cool slightly. Use an immersion blender or pour into a high-speed blender (working in batches) and blend until smooth.
Serve and top with some chopped cilantro and a drizzle of reserved coconut cream, if desired. You can also top with some roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or chopped pecans (or roasted chickpeas if not grain-free) for some added crunch.
You can also top with some roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or chopped pecans (roasted chickpeas would be great as well if not paleo / Whole30) for some added crunch.
*If you don't have fresh pumpkin or any other squash, you can try subbing with one (15-ounce) can of pure pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling) - you may need to adjust the amount of seasonings, liquid and cook times.
geraldine -
yum! this was so cozy and good and just what we need with all this time at home. many thanks!
Rowanna -
Great recipe! we roasted the vegetables first and man, what a flavor enhancer that was! thanks for the tip!
Mary -
thanks for the recipe! it was so easy and delicious! even my 3 year old loved it! Thanks
sarah -
Came out so creamy and delicious! perfect for my whole30 round. Thanks! will be making again!