The Dreamiest Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Caramelized onion butternut squash soup crafts humble ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience that warms souls and delights palates.

This velvety blend marries sweet, earthy notes with rich, complex undertones that dance across your taste buds.

Slow-cooked onions develop a deep, golden sweetness that perfectly complements the nutty, smooth butternut squash.

Rich and comforting, the soup embodies autumn’s essence with its hearty, warming character.

Each spoonful tells a story of careful preparation and thoughtful ingredient selection, promising a deeply satisfying meal.

Seasonal vegetables meld together, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that feels both rustic and elegant.

Nutritious and indulgent, this soup transcends ordinary meal expectations with its sophisticated yet approachable profile.

Pairings That Highlight Caramelized Onion Butternut Soup

• Craft Creamy Cheese Pairing: Crumble tangy goat cheese or sharp blue cheese on top to add a rich, creamy contrast that complements the soup's smooth butternut texture and sweet caramelized onion notes.
• Select Crusty Bread Companion: Serve with a rustic sourdough or hearty whole grain bread to provide a crunchy texture that perfectly scoops up the velvety soup and absorbs its deep, warming flavors.
• Enhance with Crisp White Wine: Pour a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay to cut through the soup's richness, its bright acidity balancing the caramelized sweetness and providing a refreshing counterpoint.
• Sprinkle Herbal Garnish: Garnish with fresh thyme or sage leaves to introduce an aromatic herbal dimension that elevates the soup's earthy undertones and adds a delicate, fresh finish.

Butternut Squash Soup Variations with Onion Goodness

• Spicy Harvest Soup: Enhance the soup's warmth by adding diced jalapeños during sautéing and sprinkle red pepper flakes before serving for a kick of heat.
• Coconut Cream Fusion: Stir in full-fat coconut milk after blending to create a rich, creamy texture with a subtle tropical undertone.
• Herb-Infused Version: Mix in fresh thyme, sage, or rosemary during the cooking process to bring an aromatic herbal dimension to the soup's flavor profile.
• Roasted Vegetable Upgrade: Roast the butternut squash, onions, carrots, and celery in the oven before adding to the soup for deeper, caramelized notes and intensified vegetable flavors.

Why Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup Is Fall in a Bowl

• Craft Slow-Cooked Caramelization: The recipe transforms humble onions into a rich, deeply golden delicacy through patient, gradual cooking that develops intense sweetness and complex flavor layers.
• Embrace Velvety Comfort: Blending butternut squash and vegetables creates an ultra-smooth, silky soup texture that wraps you in warmly satisfying comfort, perfect for chilly evenings or when craving nourishing warmth.
• Master Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether using an Instant Pot or traditional stovetop, this recipe offers flexible preparation techniques that accommodate different kitchen tools and cooking preferences, making it accessible for all skill levels.

What You’ll Need for Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Butternut Squash: Sweet winter squash with creamy texture that provides the soup's primary flavor and thickness.
• Onion: Rich, sweet foundation that becomes deeply caramelized for complex flavor development.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and helps create depth in the soup's overall taste profile.
• Celery: Contributes subtle herbal undertones and provides aromatic base for the soup.

• Garlic: Robust flavor enhancer that adds depth and traditional savory notes to the soup.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and highlighting the soup's natural flavors.

• Bone Broth: Nutrient-rich liquid that provides foundation, moisture, and additional depth to the soup.
• Olive Oil: High-quality cooking fat for sautéing vegetables and creating smooth, rich base.

How to Make Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup Smooth

Step 1: Prepare Instant Pot

Activate the sauté function on normal heat setting with the lid removed.

Step 2: Caramelize Onions

• Add olive oil
• Add diced onions
• Stir occasionally
• Cook for 45-60 minutes until onions turn golden brown and sweet
• Adjust heat levels to prevent burning

Step 3: Add Aromatic Vegetables

• Include garlic
• Add carrots
• Toss in celery
• Sauté for 3-5 minutes while stirring periodically

Step 4: Combine Soup Base

• Add butternut squash
• Pour in bone broth
• Secure lid
• Set steam release valve to sealing position

Step 5: Pressure Cook

• Select high-pressure cooking mode
• Cook for 10 minutes
• Manually release pressure
• Remove lid

Step 6: Blend Soup

• Use immersion blender to puree until smooth
• For standard blender: carefully transfer soup, blend, then return to pot

Step 7: Final Seasoning

• Simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Serve hot

Stovetop Method:

Step 1: Caramelize Onions

• Heat olive oil in large pot
• Add diced onions
• Cook on low to medium heat
• Stir occasionally
• Caramelize for 45-60 minutes

Step 2: Add Aromatic Vegetables

• Include garlic
• Add carrots
• Toss in celery
• Cook for 3-5 minutes while stirring

Step 3: Create Soup Base

• Add butternut squash
• Pour in bone broth
• Cover pot
• Bring to boil
• Reduce to medium-low heat
• Simmer 15-20 minutes until squash softens

Step 4: Blend Soup

• Use immersion blender to puree until smooth
• For standard blender: blend in batches
• Return to pot

Step 5: Final Cooking and Seasoning

• Simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes
• Season with salt and pepper
• Serve hot

Tips for Sweet and Savory Butternut Squash Soup

• Master Caramelization: Stir onions frequently and adjust heat to prevent burning, ensuring rich golden-brown color and deep, sweet flavor without scorching.
• Choose Fresh Squash: Select butternut squash with smooth, matte skin and heavy weight, signaling maximum moisture and sweetness for a creamy soup texture.
• Optimize Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot for smoother consistency and easier cleanup, reducing potential splatter and kitchen mess.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or smoked paprika during final seasoning to elevate the soup's complexity and warmth.
• Control Soup Consistency: Add extra bone broth or water if soup becomes too thick during simmering, maintaining desired smooth and silky texture.

Storing Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup the Right Way

• Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the soup will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and creamy texture.
• Freezing: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about an inch of space for expansion. Frozen soup can last up to 3 months. Ensure you label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of bone broth or water if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming hot, about 5-7 minutes, ensuring it reaches 165°F for food safety.

Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Caramelized onion butternut squash soup delivers rich, silky comfort with French-inspired elegance. Rustic Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a warm, luxurious experience you’ll crave on cool autumn evenings.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 2 to 2 ½-pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 ½-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid:

• 4 cups unsalted bone broth (chicken or beef)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Seasonings:

• ¼–½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 ½ teaspoons Himalayan pink salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Instant Pot by activating the sauté function at normal heat level, allowing the pot to warm up thoroughly.
2. Drizzle olive oil (or 30 milliliters) into the pot and introduce diced onions, gradually caramelizing them over 45-60 minutes while stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
3. Incorporate minced garlic, chopped carrots, and diced celery into the caramelized onions, sautéing for 3-5 minutes to develop aromatic flavors.
4. Add cubed butternut squash and bone broth to the vegetable mixture, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed.
5. Secure the Instant Pot lid, positioning the steam release valve to sealing configuration.
6. Select high-pressure cooking mode and process for 10 minutes, allowing ingredients to tenderize and meld together.
7. After cooking completes, carefully perform manual pressure release, removing the lid once pressure dissipates.
8. Use an immersion blender to transform the soup into a silky, uniform consistency, alternatively transferring contents to a standard blender in batches.
9. Return pureed soup to the Instant Pot, simmering on low heat setting for 10-15 minutes to further concentrate flavors.
10. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
11. Ladle the creamy soup into warm serving bowls, garnishing as desired before presenting at the table.

Notes

• Caramelizing onions takes patience, transforming them from sharp and crisp to sweet and golden brown through slow, gentle cooking.
• Bone broth adds rich, deep flavor and provides extra nutrients, making this soup both delicious and nourishing.
• Using an immersion blender directly in the pot simplifies the blending process and reduces cleanup time.
• Adjust heat levels carefully to prevent burning onions, which can turn bitter and ruin the soup’s delicate flavor profile.
• This versatile soup can be prepared in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop, offering flexibility for different kitchen setups.
• Simmering after blending allows flavors to meld together, creating a more complex and satisfying taste experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg