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Creamy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

creamy slow cooker butternut squash and apple soup - featured image
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A comforting, velvety soup made with butternut squash and apples in a slow cooker. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it recipe uses pantry staples and coconut milk for a creamy texture without heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
  • 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel the butternut squash, remove seeds, and cube into 1-inch pieces. Peel and chop apples into similar-sized cubes.
  2. Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent (3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Transfer sautéed aromatics to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add cubed squash, chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Pour in vegetable broth.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until squash is fork-tender. (Alternatively, cook on high for 3-4 hours).
  5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot, or carefully blend in batches using a standard blender until smooth.
  6. Stir in coconut milk and maple syrup (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or spices as needed. Serve hot.

Notes

Sautéing the onions and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker is crucial for building flavor depth. When blending hot soup, vent the blender lid to prevent steam burns. The soup thickens upon storage; add a splash of broth when reheating. For a heartier meal, add lentils or chickpeas during the last hour of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: butternut squash soup, apple soup, slow cooker recipes, vegan soup, gluten-free soup, comfort food, fall recipes, creamy soup

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/creamy-slow-cooker-butternut-squash-and-apple-soup/