Velvety Pumpkin Soup with Spices (Printable Version)

Velvety smooth pumpkin infused with cumin, nutmeg, and cinnamon, finished with cream for a comforting autumn bowl.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2.2 pounds pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and diced
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

→ Liquids

05 - 4 cups vegetable broth
06 - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream or coconut milk

→ Spices & Seasonings

07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnishes

12 - Cream or coconut milk for drizzling
13 - Toasted pumpkin seeds
14 - Fresh parsley or chives, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Heat a splash of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for approximately 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and diced carrot, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced pumpkin, ground cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and chili flakes if using. Cook while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until the pumpkin and carrots are very tender.
05 - Remove the pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer to a countertop blender in batches.
06 - Stir in the cream or coconut milk and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reheat gently over low heat if necessary.
07 - Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of cream, toasted pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can have something genuinely warming on the table before the sun sets.
  • The spice blend is gentle enough to feel like a hug but interesting enough that you'll keep coming back for another spoonful.
  • One pot, minimal fuss, and somehow it tastes like you've been cooking all day.
02 -
  • Don't skip the immersion blender step—a truly silky soup is worth the extra minute, and it transforms the texture from chunky to luxurious.
  • Season at the very end, after the cream is added, because cream mellows spices and salt behaves differently once it's in the mix.
03 -
  • Use an immersion blender for the silkiest texture without the hassle of transferring hot liquid to a blender.
  • A tiny pinch of nutmeg goes a long way—it's easy to add more but impossible to take out, so start conservative.
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