If you’re looking for a cozy, flavorful soup that warms you from the inside out, you’ve got to try this Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe. I absolutely love how the sweetness of roasted butternut squash pairs with the spicy kick of red curry paste—and then those buttery, curry-spiked croutons on top? Total game-changer. Stick with me, and I’ll share everything you need to make this bowl of comfort in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The earthy butternut squash and vibrant red curry paste complement each other beautifully.
- Comfort Food with a Twist: The curry butter croutons add a surprising, delicious crunch that’s anything but boring.
- Flexible and Easy to Customize: You can adjust the spice level, thickness, and garnishes to match your mood or pantry.
- Great for Meal Prep and Leftovers: It tastes just as amazing reheated, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients in this Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe come together to create a symphony of flavor and texture. I always suggest looking for fresh, vibrant squash and a good-quality red curry paste—it makes a noticeable difference.
- Butternut squash: Choose small to medium-sized ones; they’re sweeter and easier to roast evenly.
- Salt & pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out the flavors in the squash and soup.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps with roasting the squash to a lovely caramelized edge.
- Chicken or vegetable stock: Use hot stock to blend smoothly and adjust soup thickness.
- Red curry paste: The star spice for this dish—grab a good Thai brand for authentic flavor.
- Coconut milk: Brings creaminess and balances the spice with its subtle sweetness.
- Lime: Adds freshness and a touch of acidity; don’t skip it!
- Chopped cilantro: For garnish and bright, herbal notes.
- Red chilies (optional): Perfect if you want to up the heat and add color.
- Crusty bread (like sourdough): For the croutons—thick slices toast best and hold up well.
- Butter: Softened for easy mixing with the curry paste.
- Honey: Sweetens the red curry butter for those croutons, balancing heat and spice.
Variations
I’m a big fan of tweaking recipes to suit what you have in your kitchen or your flavor preferences—this Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe is no exception. Here are some ideas to make it your own!
- Add Protein: I’ve tossed in cooked chickpeas or shredded chicken to bulk it up for a fuller meal.
- Make it Vegan: Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock and use a vegan butter substitute for the croutons.
- Spice Level: If you prefer it milder, just reduce the red curry paste, or if you like it fiery, add extra fresh chilies or a splash of hot sauce.
- Other Squashes: I sometimes use kabocha or delicata squash instead of butternut—each adds its own lovely twist.
How to Make Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Squash to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lay your peeled, de-seeded, and chopped butternut squash chunks on a baking sheet lined with parchment—this keeps cleanup easy! Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for about 50 minutes, turning once or twice so the edges get nicely caramelized but not burnt. When you poke the squash with a fork, it should be tender and slightly crisped around the edges—that’s your green light to move on!
Step 2: Blend Your Soup Base
Time to bring it all together! In your blender, add the roasted squash chunks, about half of your hot stock (chicken or vegetable), the red curry paste, coconut milk, and salt. Blend until silky smooth. You might need to stop and tap the blender container gently to get rid of any pesky air bubbles so it blends evenly. Keep adding the remaining broth gradually until you hit your preferred soup consistency—thicker for a bowl to sip slowly, thinner if you want to ladle generously.
Step 3: Warm It Up and Adjust
Pour your blended soup into a pot and warm it gently on the stove. This is the moment to taste and adjust the salt or curry paste level if needed. Don’t rush it—letting it heat slowly helps all those flavors get cozy together.
Step 4: Make the Red Curry Butter Croutons
Here’s the fun part! Spread your softened butter, red curry paste, and honey in a bowl and mix until smooth and luscious. Slice your crusty bread (sourdough is my fave here) into thick slices, then spread your curry butter mixture evenly over each piece. Toast these in a 425°F oven or toaster oven until light golden brown, flipping once halfway through to even out the crispness. Once toasted, chop into bite-sized croutons—perfect for topping your soup with that irresistible crunch and flavor.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Ladle your hot soup into bowls, then pile on those shiny red curry butter croutons. Finish off with chopped cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime, and red chilies if you want a little extra heat and color. I promise this soup not only tastes amazing but looks stunning enough to impress your guests or family at any meal.
Pro Tips for Making Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe
- Roast in a Single Layer: I learned that overcrowding the squash pan steams rather than roasts the squash, so spread those chunks out!
- Adjust Broth Gradually: Blending with hot stock bit by bit makes it easier to get the perfect texture without a watery soup.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: It blends much smoother with the curry paste and honey, making spreading effortless and even.
- Avoid Sogginess in Croutons: Toast your croutons just before serving, or keep them separate and add them last to maintain crispness.
How to Serve Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this soup with fresh chopped cilantro because it adds a bright pop of color and herbal freshness that balances the richness. Lime wedges are a must—squeezing fresh lime juice just before eating wakes up all the flavors. And for those who love some heat, a few thinly sliced red chilies not only look gorgeous but elevate the spice in the best way.
Side Dishes
I like to serve this soup with a simple green salad dressed lightly with a citrus vinaigrette to contrast the creaminess. Sometimes I whip up some steamed jasmine rice on the side—it soaks up the soup beautifully and makes for an even heartier meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this soup in hollowed-out mini pumpkins or small butternut squash shells—it looks so festive and makes a memorable presentation. Adding a dollop of coconut cream or a swirl of chili oil on top adds an elegant touch that always impresses.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I transfer leftovers to airtight containers and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the croutons crunchy, store them separately at room temperature and only add them when serving.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully! I portion it out into freezer-safe containers and keep it for up to 3 months. Just skip the croutons ahead of time — they don’t freeze well, but they’re so easy to make fresh.
Reheating
I reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, and add a splash of broth if it’s too thick. Then I toast fresh red curry butter croutons while the soup warms up. It’s like enjoying it fresh all over again.
FAQs
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Can I make the Curried Squash Soup without coconut milk?
Yes! While coconut milk adds creaminess and a subtly sweet flavor, you can substitute it with heavy cream or plain yogurt for a different yet still delicious texture. If avoiding dairy, try using cashew cream or simply omit it and add a bit more stock for consistency.
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How spicy is the red curry paste in this recipe?
Red curry paste has a moderate heat level that balances well with the sweetness of the squash and coconut milk. If you prefer milder flavors, you can reduce the amount or opt for a yellow curry paste, which tends to be gentler. For spice lovers, adding fresh chilies or extra curry paste amps up the heat.
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Can I use other types of bread for the croutons?
Absolutely! While crusty sourdough works best because of its sturdy texture, you can use baguette, ciabatta, or even hearty sandwich bread. Just avoid very soft breads that will become soggy quickly.
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Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
With a few easy swaps—use vegetable stock instead of chicken, and replace butter with a vegan alternative—you can make this recipe completely vegan and just as delicious.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely can’t recommend this Curried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe enough. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a cold day—flavorful, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re cooking for family, impressing friends, or just treating yourself, this soup delivers every time. I’d love for you to give it a try and see how it becomes a favorite in your kitchen, just like it did in mine!
PrintCurried Squash Soup with Red Curry Butter Croutons Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Baking and Blending
- Cuisine: Thai Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and flavorful curried butternut squash soup featuring the rich taste of Thai red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and tender roasted squash. Served with spicy red curry butter croutons, this soup is perfect for chilly days and those who enjoy a fusion of warm spices and creamy textures.
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 2 small to medium butternut squash (peeled, de-seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for roasting
- 3-5 cups hot chicken or vegetable stock (depending on desired soup thickness)
- 3 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Serving and Garnish
- 1 lime (cut into wedges for serving)
- Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- Red chilies (for garnish, optional)
For the Red Curry Butter Croutons
- 1 loaf crusty bread (such as sourdough)
- 4 tablespoons butter (at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Roast the Butternut Squash: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Spread out the cut butternut squash on a parchment-lined sheet pan, then season with salt, pepper, and drizzle generously with olive oil. Roast for 50 minutes until the squash is tender and edges are lightly crisped.
- Prepare the Soup Base: Transfer the roasted squash to a blender. Add half of the hot chicken or vegetable stock, red curry paste, coconut milk, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding more stock as needed to reach your desired consistency. Tap the blender to release air bubbles.
- Finish the Soup: Pour the blended soup into a pot or soup crock. Stir in the remaining stock if you want to thin it out further. Warm the soup over low heat if necessary before serving.
- Make the Red Curry Butter Croutons: Slice the crusty bread into thick slices. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with red curry paste and honey until combined. Spread this mixture evenly on the bread slices.
- Toast the Croutons: Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the buttered bread slices until light golden brown, flipping halfway through for even toasting. Once toasted, cut the bread into crouton-sized pieces.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the red curry butter croutons, and garnish with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and optional red chilies for extra heat.
Notes
- This curried squash soup is made with spicy, fragrant Thai red curry paste, offering a fusion of warmth and creaminess.
- The red curry butter croutons add a spicy, crunchy contrast to the smooth soup.
- Adjust the amount of broth based on your preferred soup thickness.
- Use vegetable stock to keep the recipe vegetarian or chicken stock for richer flavor.
- Red chilies as garnish are optional but add an extra kick for spice lovers.
- To save time, prepare the croutons while the squash is roasting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 299 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 956 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg