Ina Garten Carrot Soup Recipe

Ina Garten’s Silky Carrot Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Creamy carrot soup whispers comfort through its vibrant orange hue and aromatic warmth, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Seasonal vegetables transform into liquid gold, blending subtle spices with rich undertones of earthiness.

Ginger adds a gentle kick that dances across your palate, awakening taste buds with its subtle heat.

Smooth textures meld together, creating a velvety landscape of flavor that feels both elegant and rustic.

Nutrient-dense ingredients promise wellness in every spoonful, making this soup more than just a meal.

Homemade goodness radiates from each carefully crafted bowl, inviting you to savor the simple pleasure of wholesome cooking.

Why Ina Garten Carrot Soup Is Bright and Cozy

Why Ina Garten Carrot Soup Is Bright and Cozy
  • Roast and Elevate Flavor: Oven-roasting carrots transforms them from ordinary to extraordinary, creating deep caramelized edges that boost the soup's rich, complex taste profile.
  • Spice Symphony Delight: The clever combination of ginger, ground coriander, and cumin adds warm, aromatic layers that dance across your palate, making each spoonful an exciting culinary adventure.
  • Effortless Gourmet Experience: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with surprisingly simple steps, allowing home cooks to create a sophisticated soup without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
  • Versatile Comfort Meal: Perfect for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and adaptable to different dietary preferences, this carrot soup serves as a nourishing lunch, starter, or light dinner option that keeps well for several days.

What You Need for Ina Garten Carrot Soup

Vegetables:
  • Carrots: Sweet root vegetables with a rich, caramelized flavor when roasted; choose fresh, firm carrots with bright orange color.
  • Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the soup base; look for firm onions without soft spots.
  • Ginger: Provides warm, spicy undertones; select fresh ginger with smooth, tight skin.
  • Garlic: Offers aromatic and intense flavor; choose firm, plump garlic cloves.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Ground Coriander, Ground Cumin: Warm spices that enhance the soup's complexity; ensure they are fresh and fragrant.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting the soup's flavors.
Liquids and Fats:
  • Olive Oil: Helps roast carrots and sauté aromatics; use extra virgin for best flavor.
  • Vegetable Broth, Water: Create the soup's liquid base; choose low-sodium broth for better control of salt.
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture; unsalted butter recommended for precise seasoning.
  • Lemon Juice: Provides bright, acidic balance to the soup; fresh lemon juice preferred.

Instructions for Ina Garten Carrot Soup

Instructions for Ina Garten Carrot Soup

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Sheet

Warm the oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Ready The Carrots

Wash and peel carrots. In a mixing bowl, combine carrots with:
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

Spread carrots evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3: Roast Carrots

Bake carrots for 25-40 minutes until tender and caramelized. Stir carrots halfway through cooking.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

Heat remaining olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add:
  • Onion
  • Ginger
  • Salt

Cook until onions become soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Introduce Spices

Stir in:
  • Garlic
  • Ground coriander
  • Ground cumin

Cook briefly until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.

Step 6: Pour Liquid Base

Add vegetable broth and water. Scrape bottom of pot to release browned bits.

Step 7: Combine And Simmer

Place roasted carrots into the pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Create Smooth Texture

Allow soup to cool slightly. Blend in batches until completely smooth. Mix in:
  • Butter
  • Lemon juice
  • Black pepper

Step 9: Final Seasoning And Serving

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot. Can be stored in refrigerator for 4 days or frozen for several months.

Pro Tips for Smooth Carrot Soup

Pro Tips for Smooth Carrot Soup
  • Roast for Richness: Oven-roasting carrots caramelizes their natural sugars, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile that transforms this simple soup into a gourmet experience.
  • Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife to cut carrots into uniform pieces, ensuring even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Boost Immunity Naturally: Fresh ginger not only adds a warming spice but also provides anti-inflammatory benefits and helps support your body's defense system.
  • Season Strategically: Taste and adjust salt levels gradually, as roasted carrots concentrate flavors and can make the soup more intense than expected.
  • Storage Smart: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.

Storage Suggestions for Ina Garten Carrot Soup

  • Refrigeration Method: Transfer soup to an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid, minimizing air exposure to preserve flavor and prevent bacterial growth. Push plastic wrap directly onto soup surface before sealing to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness.
  • Freezing Method: Pour cooled soup into heavy-duty freezer bags or rigid containers, leaving one-inch headspace for expansion. Label with date and contents, laying freezer bags flat to save space and ensure uniform freezing. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and maintain soup's original texture.
  • Thawing Method: Move frozen soup from freezer to refrigerator 24 hours before reheating, allowing gradual temperature transition. When ready to serve, gently warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching.

Variations on Ina Garten Carrot Soup

  • Spicy Kickback Soup: Add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes during the cooking of aromatics for a fiery heat that elevates the carrot soup's flavor profile.
  • Coconut Cream Version: Replace water with coconut milk and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical and creamy Mediterranean-inspired experience.
  • Herbal Garden Blend: Stir in fresh chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill after blending to introduce bright, garden-fresh notes and enhance the soup's color and aroma.
  • Protein Power Bowl: Top the soup with roasted chickpeas, shredded chicken, or crumbled feta cheese to transform it into a more substantial meal with added protein and texture.

Ending Spoonful of Ina Garten Carrot Soup

Ina Garten’s carrot soup emerges as culinary poetry, blending roasted sweetness with aromatic spices.

Ginger and coriander dance through each spoonful, creating Mediterranean-inspired comfort.

Caramelized carrots whisper complex layers of warmth and depth.

Home kitchens become gourmet spaces with this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Subtle nuances transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Passionate cooks will savor each moment – so grab your pot, share this recipe, drop a comment below, and let culinary magic begin!

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Ina Garten Carrot Soup Recipe

Ina Garten Carrot Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s elegant carrot soup blends French countryside charm with silky smooth vegetable elegance. Warm spices and rich cream create a luxurious starter that transports you to a Parisian kitchen with each comforting spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 4 cups (946 milliliters) vegetable broth
  • 2 cups (473 milliliters) water

Aromatic Ingredients:

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, divided, plus more to taste
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, to taste
  • 1½ teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange a parchment-lined baking sheet for the roasting process.
  2. Transform carrots by peeling and slicing them, then generously coat with of olive oil and ½ teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl. Distribute evenly across the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Roast the carrots for 25-40 minutes, ensuring they become tender and develop a rich caramelized exterior by gently turning them midway through the cooking duration.
  4. Initiate the aromatic base in a spacious pot by heating the remaining of olive oil over medium temperature. Incorporate onion, ginger, and ¼ teaspoon of salt, sautéing until the onion softens and becomes translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  5. Introduce fragrant spices by stirring in minced garlic, ground coriander, and ground cumin, allowing them to release their essence for 30-60 seconds.
  6. Deglaze the pot by pouring in vegetable broth and water, carefully scraping any caramelized remnants from the bottom of the cookware.
  7. Merge the roasted carrots into the liquid, bringing the mixture to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes.
  8. Create a silky consistency by carefully blending the soup in batches until perfectly smooth, incorporating butter, lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
  9. Fine-tune the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, butter, or lemon juice as desired. The soup can be enjoyed immediately or preserved in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, with the option to freeze for extended storage.

Notes

  • Roasted carrots transform this soup from ordinary to extraordinary, releasing natural sugars and deepening the overall flavor profile.
  • Ginger works magic by adding warmth and a subtle spicy undertone that complements the sweet roasted carrots perfectly.
  • Choose carrots that feel firm and have bright, vibrant colors for maximum nutritional value and sweetness.
  • Consistent carrot slicing ensures even roasting and helps create a uniform soup texture without any tough or undercooked pieces.
  • Washing and peeling carrots before chopping prevents dirt and potential bacteria from mixing into your delicious soup.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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