Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (2024)

Now is the time of year when pumpkin is king. I’m excited to share with you an awesome Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup recipe.

You’ll enjoy this soup recipe – not just for how delicious and easy it is, but because of the story behind this soup.

I love sharing my favorite recipes. Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup is a perfectly wonderful soup for the fall and winter months. It’s flavorful, easy-to-make, and tummy-warming.

The flavor of pumpkin is not just for sweets. This creamy pumpkin soup has a rich texture that is a warming choice for a cool fall or winter meal.

What years ago was an ingredient reserved for pie at Thanksgiving is now found in bread, casseroles, various desserts, cakes, and appetizers. And soup.

Some of you may not know that when I started this blog, I intended for it to be a food blog. As a cooking instructor for 15 years, I wrote, tested and taught recipes to last for the next decade.

this Idea.

Although I do not teach cooking classes anymore, my love of cooking is still strong.

I cook four or five nights every week. I’ve always been a fan of cooking seasonally, so this pumpkin soup is perfect this time of year.

The Story of Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup

A few years ago, I wrote a recipe column as part of my (unpaid) “job” writing for a local neighborhood magazine.

My job was to interview neighbors who shared a favorite family recipe. I loved meeting these neighbors and hearing their recipe stories.

One lovely lady I met was very active in a master gardener organization. This 400-member group is a non-profit, educational, and volunteer service organization.

It benefits Dallas County through educational programs and supports over 30 community and school gardening projects. You may have similar organizations in your community.

My new friend Linda was certainly one of the most active and busy: she was chairman of the group’s multi-year effort to write, produce and market a brand-new cookbook.

Finally, after months of gathering, testing, editing, and photographing hundreds of recipes, this beautiful cookbook was published.Of course, I dropped by Linda’s home to pick up my copy.

I was immediately impressed with the beautiful cover. Flipping through the pages, I could see how the gorgeous photography enhanced the recipes. A Year on the Plate is acoffee table-sized book organized by seasons and very food and garden-focused.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s available any longer.

At the time, Linda knew I was a cooking instructor. In fact, she had attended one of my cooking classes.

She also knew that I wrote a blog that featured both recipes and lifestyle topics.

She asked me to look through the cookbook, pick a few recipes, prepare them and share them with my readers – you, which I was happy to do. The timing was perfect.

For a scheduled cooking class at the time, my theme was fall-focused recipes. I knew I wanted a seasonal soup. I found the Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup, which sounded delicious.

I made it for Sweet Shark (He’s often been my recipe taster over the years.) and we both thought it was wonderful, so into the cooking class menu it went.

Here’s the picture of the soup in the cookbook.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (3)

As a cooking instructor, I was always tweaking recipes. I made a couple of changes to the recipe, not in the ingredients or basic directions, but just a few improvements (I thought) to clarify the directions.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Ingredients

Always gather all your ingredients, measuring as many things as possible before you begin cooking or baking.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (4)

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup is ready, start to finish in about 1 hour. It can be made ahead, chilled and then reheated.

TIP #1:Soups thicken when chilled; you may need to add more broth to dilute it to a pourable consistency.

TIP #2:Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup calls for jalapeño, which can vary in heat. If you want more heat, switch to a serrano or, if you are really brave, a scotch bonnet or habanero.

This soup uses several spices which add depth and richness to the taste.

I used roasted and salted pumpkin seeds – also called pepitas – as my garnish. I thought the crunchy texture would be nice with the creaminess of the soup.

These bowls were perfect to serve the soup in – a perfect 1-cup amount.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (5)

The soup says it yields 10 cups, but mine made about 12 cups.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (6)

Enjoy the soup and let me know what you think about it.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (7)

Print Pin

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup

Yummy, hearty fall soup to enjoy as a main dish or a first course.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword fall soup, pumpkin soup, southwestern soup

Servings 10 cups

Author Linda Alexander

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion medium diced
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 large baking potato peeled and medium dice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • sour cream, cilantro leaves, pumpkin seeds for garnish

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium~heat. Add the onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Saute for 15 minutes until soft.

  • Add the chicken broth and next 4 ingredients; cook, stirring often, for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

  • Process the potato/pumpkin mixture with the cilantro in batches in a blender until smooth, scraping down sides of blender jar.

  • Return the soup to the Dutch oven. Stir in the milk and simmer for 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in the lime juice.

  • Garnish with sour cream, cilantro leaves or pumpkin seeds.

Butternut Squash Soup with Cumin is another awesome soup for fall.

Pumpkin Paloussa

Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

  • Chocolate-Pumpkin Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting
  • Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter
  • Pumpkin Risotto Bites – Little Fall Appetizers
  • Pumpkin Bacon Bars with Caramel Frosting
  • 15 Best Fall Soups to Warm Your Tummy
Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (8)

I hope that you will save this delicious Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup for your fall enjoyment. PIN it for now or Later. Check out my Pinterest Soup Board for more yummy soup recipes.

Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (9)
Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (10)
Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (11)
Creamy Southwestern Pumpkin Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to thicken cream of pumpkin soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Why is my pumpkin soup tasteless? ›

Try these hacks for tasteless pumpkin soup: Add a few tablespoons of garlic or chilli-infused oil to the soup and stir until well combined before serving. Add toasted nuts to serve; pepitas, pine nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans or sunflower seeds will all add extra flavour and texture.

How to make pumpkin soup less sweet? ›

Add a few drops of good sherry vinegar on top of the soup to contrast against the sweetness of the pumpkin and the peppers.

How to thicken pumpkin soup without cream? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Does evaporated milk help thicken soup? ›

Keep in mind that this evaporated milk will make your dish taste richer, but it won't actually thicken the soup. You can always use a bit of flour or cornstarch if you're missing that added texture. Otherwise, you'll find evaporated milk the best dairy addition for your classic slow cooker favorites.

Why does my pumpkin soup taste watery? ›

There are several ways to thicken pumpkin soup. The easiest method is to reduce the soup by cooking off some of the liquid. Alternatively, use a slurry of all-purpose flour or cornstarch and water, add a teaspoon or two of either thickener to a small bowl and stir in 2 to 3 teaspoons of the soup to create a slurry.

Is too much pumpkin soup bad for you? ›

Pumpkin is generally safe to eat daily in moderation. It is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet. However, too much of any food can lead to digestive issues, so it's important to consume pumpkin in reasonable amounts.

How do I increase the depth of flavor in soup? ›

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

What to do when your soup has no flavor? ›

6. Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples. Got a soup that tastes a little bland and unexciting? Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus.

What kind of pumpkin is best for soup? ›

The Sugar Pie Pumpkin is often considered the crème de la crème of cooking pumpkins. Its deep orange flesh is sweet, smooth, and creamy, making it perfect for pies, soups, and purees. This culinary gem pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating irresistible autumnal flavors.

What pairs well with pumpkin soup? ›

I love to pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich or a hearty autumn salad like one of these:
  • Kale Salad.
  • Farro Salad.
  • Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts.
  • Butternut Squash Salad.
  • Sweet Potato Salad.

Why does my pumpkin soup taste sour? ›

If the fresh pumpkin is overripe, it can start to ferment and develop a sour taste. Another factor to consider is the type of fresh pumpkin you're using.

What cream to add to soup? ›

I love cream or half-and-half, but you can use dairy-free coconut milk or this homemade cashew cream.

What can I use instead of pumpkin purée in soup? ›

Butternut, buttercup, honeynut and acorn squashes are all suitable substitutes. Each of these types of squash has a similar texture to pumpkin and some natural sweetness. To substitute these squashes for pumpkin, prepare them as you would pumpkin for fresh pumpkin puree: clean, roast, puree in a food processor.

How do you fix watery pumpkin soup? ›

An easy way to thicken pumpkin soup without changing the recipe is to simmer it in a pot with the lid off for about thirty minutes. This will let some of the liquid evaporate and will help the soup thicken.

How do you thicken runny pumpkin mash? ›

If a batch of pumpkin puree appears thin or watery, let it drain in a fine-meshed strainer for 1 hour to remove excess liquid. Most roasted or steamed pumpkin just needs a quick mash to turn soft and creamy-smooth. If lumps remain, place the puree in a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.

How do you thicken watery pumpkin purée? ›

The process is simple. By slowly cooking pumpkin purée on the stovetop (10 to 15 minutes, depending on the recipe), the water is forced to evaporate off, resulting in an ingredient that's thicker and more concentrated.

How do you thicken cream soup without flour or cornstarch? ›

A handful of uncooked rice. That's all folks, just a handful of white rice. Any kind will do: jasmine, basmati, short grain, long grain. When added to a brothy (or watery, even) soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that it's cooking in.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

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