21 Easy Pumpkin Soup Recipes to Keep You Warm This Fall (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with pumpkin soup? ›

Yes, pumpkin soup is healthy. Pumpkin is packed with vitamins and minerals, and it's relatively low in calories. It's also high in beta-carotene, with antioxidant and immuno-regulatory properties. If made according to a low-fat, low-sugar recipe, pumpkin soup is considered to be healthy.

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.

If you think the soup is bland, try adding salt to make all the flavors pop. Use All The Spices Listed. I know it might seem like a long list, but they are all delicious and important for giving the soup a warm and spicy quality: Thyme, Cumin, Ginger, Poultry Seasoning and Cinnamon.

Supports heart health

It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese. Pumpkin provides calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which can help keep your heartbeat regular and your blood pressure low.

Fill Up on Fiber, Fiber and More Fiber

Pumpkins pack a healthy dose of fiber, which is proven to support digestive health, regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart disease. Basically, the more fiber, the better. And to that end, pumpkin is an obvious choice.

Pumpkin is considered a nutrient-dense food, which means it's incredibly low in calories but packed with vitamins and minerals. It's also a good source of fiber. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains theses antioxidants and nutrients: Vitamin A: 245% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)

Pumpkin is very healthy and considered safe for most. However, some people may experience allergies after eating pumpkin (32). It's also considered mildly diuretic, which means eating a lot of pumpkin may induce a “water pill”-like reaction, increasing the amount of water and salt your body expels through urine (33).

Pumpkin ranks high on the glycemic index at 75, but low on the glycemic load at 3. People might assume that it is bad for diabetics because of its high GI, but that is not true. Its low GL rank indicates that having a small portion of pumpkin is perfectly safe and will not drastically increase your blood sugar levels.

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

How long does homemade pumpkin soup last? ›

Pumpkin soup will keep in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, or can be frozen for 3 months – just thaw then reheat using your chosen method. If your soup is too thick, just loosen it with a touch of water when reheating.

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. Some pumpkin varieties, such as butternut squash or Kent pumpkins, have a sweeter flavor than others.

Pumpkin will go well with any roast fowl, so turkey, chicken, cornish hens and the like are all good choices. I've had spicy pumpkin puree with lamb and pork, both a good combo. And you can make pumpkin soup as a main course or as an appetizer.

“Pumpkin soup is best made with your good, old-fashioned varieties like butternut or Queensland blue — the harder pumpkins,” she says. “Soft fleshed pumpkins can make the soup a little watery. They are a different beast… from your standard greengrocer pumpkin.”

Pumpkins can improve your sleep

Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan – an amino acid – which increases our sleep hormone melatonin. So if you're finding it hard to drift off, why not try combining them with other foods that contain a lot of tryptophan, such as turkey, chicken, rice and tofu, in your evening meal?

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.