Velvety Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Golden autumn afternoons call for a soul-warming butternut squash soup that captures the essence of comfort with its rich, caramelized onion depth.

This velvety smooth soup blends sweet roasted butternut squash with deeply caramelized onions, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Dark, amber-hued caramelized onions infuse the soup with a complex sweetness that elevates every spoonful beyond ordinary expectations.

Fragrant herbs and a hint of warming spices complement the natural richness of the butternut squash, making each bite a luxurious experience.

The soup silky texture and deep, nutty undertones promise to warm you from the inside out on even the chilliest evenings.

Simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary meal that speaks directly to your hunger for something truly special.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 16 minutes

Calories: 100 kcal

Servings: 7

Key Ingredients in Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps sauté vegetables without sticking, choose extra virgin for deeper flavor.
• Onion: Provides sweet caramelized foundation, select firm yellow onions with no soft spots.
• Garlic: Delivers robust aromatic punch, look for plump cloves without green sprouts.

• Butternut Squash, Carrots, Celery: Create depth and nutritional complexity, choose fresh seasonal produce with vibrant colors and firm texture.

• Bone Broth: Adds protein and velvety consistency, opt for low-sodium versions to control salt levels.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum zest.

Tools to Prep Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Instant Pot: Essential for pressure cooking and sautéing ingredients quickly.
• Large Pot (alternative for stovetop): Needed for cooking soup if not using Instant Pot.
• Immersion Blender: Best tool for pureeing soup directly in the pot, creating smooth texture.
• Regular Blender or Food Processor: Backup option for blending soup in batches.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing onions, garlic, carrots, and butternut squash.
• Cutting Board: Provides safe surface for chopping ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and preventing ingredients from sticking.
• Measuring Cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Making Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup the Cozy Way

• Onion Magic

Start by transforming ordinary onions into golden, sweet deliciousness in your Instant Pot. Slowly cook them until they become rich and caramelized, developing deep flavor that will make your soup extraordinary.

• Veggie Symphony

Introduce a beautiful mix of chopped vegetables – fragrant garlic, crisp carrots, and aromatic celery. These ingredients will dance together, creating a flavor foundation for your soup.

• Squash Transformation

Add chunky butternut squash and nourishing bone broth into the pot. This combination will create a creamy, velvety base that feels like comfort in a bowl.

• Pressure Cooking

Seal the Instant Pot and let it work its magic. The high-pressure environment will break down the vegetables, melding their flavors into a harmonious blend.

• Smooth Perfection

Use an immersion blender to transform the chunky mixture into a silky, luxurious soup. Blend until completely smooth, creating a uniform texture that’s both elegant and comforting.

• Final Touch

Let the soup simmer gently, allowing the flavors to deepen and mingle. Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting until the soup sings with balanced flavors. Serve steaming hot and enjoy your culinary creation.

Enhancing Flavor in Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Take time to slowly caramelize onions, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning. Patience transforms ordinary onions into sweet, golden deliciousness.
• Control thickness by adjusting bone broth quantity. For a thicker soup, reduce liquid; for a lighter consistency, add more broth or water. Experiment to find your perfect soup style.
• Enhance the soup with roasted garlic, smoked paprika, or a dash of nutmeg. Stir in fresh thyme or sage for an herbal twist. Consider adding a splash of cream or coconut milk for extra richness.
• Top with crispy pancetta bits, toasted pumpkin seeds, or crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with herb-infused olive oil or a swirl of balsamic reduction for restaurant-worthy presentation.
• Prepare soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freezes beautifully for 3 months. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to restore ideal consistency.

Perfect Pairings for Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Garnish with Herbal Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley on top to add a vibrant green color and aromatic herb flavor that complements the rich, sweet soup.
• Drizzle with Creamy Swirl: Add a dollop of Greek yogurt, sour cream, or crème fraîche in the center, then create a delicate swirl with a knife for a luxurious, tangy contrast.
• Crunch Up the Texture: Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy bacon bits, or homemade croutons over the soup to introduce a delightful crunch that breaks up the smooth consistency.
• Spice It Up: Dust with a light sprinkle of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to add a subtle heat that enhances the soup's natural sweetness.

Storing Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover soup in airtight containers and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Soup can be frozen for 2-3 months, providing a quick and delicious meal option when you're short on time.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of bone broth if the soup seems too thick during reheating.
• Portion and Prep: Divide soup into individual serving sizes before storing. This makes it easy to grab a single serving for lunch or a quick dinner, reducing waste and saving time during busy weeks.

Silky Onion Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy butternut squash soup with caramelized onions delivers rich, comforting flavors perfect for autumn dinners. Home cooks will savor this simple yet elegant soup that combines sweet squash and deeply caramelized onions for a memorable meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2–2.5 lb butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1.5-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (960 ml) unsalted bone broth (chicken or beef)
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• ¼–½ tsp black pepper
• 2.5 tsps Himalayan pink salt

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Instructions

1. Caramelize Foundation: Activate Instant Pot’s sauté function and warm olive oil, gently transforming onions into golden, sweet clusters over 45-60 minutes while stirring intermittently to prevent burning.
2. Aromatic Layer Development: Introduce minced garlic, carrots, and celery into caramelized onions, sautéing briefly to unlock deep, complex flavor profiles and create a robust vegetable base.
3. Liquid Integration: Add cubed butternut squash and bone broth, ensuring thorough ingredient distribution throughout the cooking vessel.
4. Pressure Transformation: Seal Instant Pot lid with steam valve positioned to sealing, then execute high-pressure cooking for 10 minutes to tenderize and meld ingredients into a harmonious mixture.
5. Textural Refinement: Perform manual pressure release, then utilize immersion blender or standard blender to transform soup into luxuriously smooth consistency, ensuring no textural irregularities remain.
6. Flavor Concentration: Return pureed soup to Instant Pot, simmering on low heat for 10-15 minutes to intensify and marry subtle flavor nuances.
7. Final Seasoning: Enhance with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, calibrating taste to personal preference and balancing overall flavor profile.
8. Presentation: Carefully ladle soup into warmed serving bowls, optionally adorning with preferred garnishes to elevate visual and gustatory experience.

Notes

• Patience with Caramelization: Low and slow caramelization of onions takes 45-60 minutes, delivering deep, rich flavor complexity that transforms the entire soup’s taste profile.
• Pressure Cooking Precision: Ensure steam valve is correctly sealed to achieve perfect 10-minute high-pressure cooking, which tenderizes vegetables and locks in nutrients.
• Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot for smoother texture and fewer dishes, avoiding potential hot liquid splashes when transferring to a standard blender.
• Flavor Layering: Sautéing vegetables before pressure cooking develops deeper aromatics, creating a more nuanced and sophisticated soup foundation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg