With a quick cooking method and the creamiest texture, this easy Butternut Squash Apple Soup is a family favorite. It is great for babies on up to adults, happens to be dairy-free, and is packed with vegetarian protein. It’s so darn good.
As soon as the temps drop, this creamy and nourishing soup for kids is a go-to. It comes together really easily, and it has mild flavors that appeal to kids and adults alike. The leftovers heat up beautifully, and it’s a great way to use up apples if you went apple picking.
All of the ingredients in this Butternut Squash Soup go into one pot and are simmered until soft. Then you simply need to blend it up to make it creamy. It’s so super easy and no fancy or unusual ingredients are required.
This soup is creamy and dairy-free and is an easy toddler dinner to share. The texture is from a combination of the squash and white beans, which also add fiber and protein without changing the flavor or the texture. Win!
(You may also like Red Lentil Soup, Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Cinnamon Applesauce, and Easy Applesauce Cake.)
Table of Contents
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Ingredients You Need
To make this Butternut Squash Apple Soup recipe, you need the following ingredients:
- Butter or olive oil: Use either one and warm in the pan to sauté the vegetables.
- Butternut squash: You can cut the squash yourself or start with pre-cut butternut squash from the store.
- Onion: You’ll use about 1 medium onion of any color, skin discarded.
- Carrots: This adds subtle flavor to the soup and increases the depth of the pretty orange color.
- Apple: I typically use a baking-type of apple like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Golden Delicious.
- Reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth: You can use whichever type you prefer. (Use vegetable broth if making the soup vegetarian.)
- White canellini beans: Rinsed and drained in a colander.
- Optional flavor boosters including garlic, ginger, turmeric, or cumin.
TIP: To make this vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full amounts and information.
Step 1. Chop the vegetables and the apple.
Step 2. Add to a large pot and sauté until starting to soften.
Step 3. Add the broth and simmer until the ingredients are totally soft.
TIP: You can swirl in some plain yogurt, sour cream, or goat cheese if you’d like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure the squash is fork tender before blending. If you blend too soon, your soup will be grainy, not smooth.
You can use any apple you have and like, though I usually use a firmer cooking type apple like Honeycrisp, Jonathan, MacIntosh, or Granny Smith.
I like to offer small servings so as to not overwhelm (and to reduce the likelihood of a big spill). I also like to offer things that the kids can dip into the soup. We like toast sticks, crackers, and muffins for dipping! Or, serve it alongside grilled cheese or a cheese quesadilla for a simple toddler dinner.
You can also try using a little of this soup as a sauce for rice, couscous, or pasta.
Tips for Kids and Soup
I like to offer small servings so as to not overwhelm (and to reduce the likelihood of a big spill). I also like to offer things that the kids can dip into the soup. We like toast sticks, crackers, and muffins for dipping! Or, serve it alongside grilled cheese or a cheese quesadilla for a simple toddler dinner.
You can also try using a little of this soup as a sauce for rice, couscous, or pasta.
Which Apples are Best in Butternut Squash Soup?
You can use any apple you have and like, though I usually use a firmer cooking type apple like Honeycrisp, Jonathan, MacIntosh, or Granny Smith. You can peel it or leave the peel on. If you have a powerful blender, the peel will blend right in.
You can also use frozen apples if you have them.
How to Store
You can make the soup and let it cool, then store it in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Then simply reheat for the family or in portions as needed. Or, freeze it for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge or on the defrost setting in the microwave.
You can also freeze smaller portions in an ice cube tray, then thaw 1-2 at a time for a baby portion or to use as a sauce for a toddler meal with grains or pasta.
Best Tips for Success
- Puree the soup with an immersion blender right in the pot, or let cool slightly and puree in a regular blender.
- To serve soup to a toddler who’s not so into it, start with a very small serving and offer bread or crackers for dipping.
- You can serve this soup in a reusable pouch or give them permission to drink it right out of a little cup or mug.
- Try using a little of this soup as a sauce for rice, couscous, or pasta.
- If you have more butternut squash, try my Butternut Squash Pasta Bake.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe so please comment below!
Easy Butternut Squash Apple Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or unsalted butter)
- 6 cups chopped butternut squash (about 1 medium, peeled and seeds discarded)
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1 cup diced apple (about 1 medium Honeycrisp, Jonathan, MacIntosh, or Granny Smith)
- ½ cup diced onion (about 1 medium, skin discarded)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 quart reduced-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 14.5 -ounce can white cannellini beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon dried ginger), and/or 1 teaspoon dried turmeric (optional)
- plain whole milk yogurt or sour cream to top (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
- Add the squash, carrot, apple, onion, and salt and stir to combine. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, or until just starting to soften, stirring occasionally.
- Add the broth and bring to a simmer, raising the heat to high. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are very soft.
Equipment
Notes
- Let cool completely and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in a zip-top freezer bag, flattened, in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Puree the soup with an immersion blender right in the pot, or let cool slightly and puree in a regular blender.
- You can use any apple you have and like, though I usually use a firmer cooking-type apple like Honeycrisp, Jonathan, MacIntosh, or Granny Smith. You can peel it or leave it on. If you have a powerful blender, the peel will blend right in.
- To serve soup to a toddler who’s not so into it, start with a very small serving and offer bread or crackers for dipping.
- You can serve this soup in a reusable pouch or give them permission to drink it right out of a little cup or mug.
- Try using a little of this soup as a sauce for rice, couscous, or pasta.
- Add the optional spices or leave it plainer. Season to taste with salt as you like.
Nutrition
This post was first published October 2018.
I dont have white beans, what can i use instead? are the beans added for flavor or for texture?
I add them to help thicken the soup and make the mixture creamier. I suppose you can just omit them though.
Could you use water instead of stock? Thank you for this recipe!
Sure, it will just be a little less flavorful
Could you use Chickpeas instead of cannellini beans? I am sensitive to kidney beans and can’t have cannellini beans.
Sure
This looks so good! Could you use it as a sauce mixed with quinoa? (I saw it could be mixed with couscous, pasta, etc.) Thanks!
Sure! It would be great as a sauce.
Oh. My. Goodness. This is the best soup ever. I’ve made it every week for about 4 weeks and I’m doubling it this week. One for a dinner night as a family & one for just me during the day – for breakfast & lunch. I’m breastfeeding and have a two year old and this soup has sustained me lol. I truly am so thankful for this recipe! Have shared it with about every friend I have too. Thank you Amy!
I’m so glad to hear that!!
This was delicious, we had it tonight!
I usually don’t leave a comment but this recipe is so good!! A must try. I feel like a professional chef after making this. 😉 Thank you for creating this page. This makes my life easier with my 14 month old with every meal ideas! I feel good making healthy food for her. <3
Thank you for leaving a comment and I’m happy to hear that!
At what point is the ginger/cumin added? Thanks!
Stir it in with the coconut milk at the end.
Is there supposed to be coconut milk?
Also wondering if there should be coconut milk? I don’t see it in the recipe anywhere…
Hi- there’s not, where are you seeing it mentioned?
I don’t see coconut milk in the ingredients list.
There isn’t any coconut milk in this recipe. I am not sure where it’s mentioned but it’s not in the recipe, just broth.
You mentioned coconut milk here in this comment but it’s not in the recipe.
The recipe has been updated and there is no coconut milk in it.
We have made this several times and the adults enjoy it just as much as the kids. One hack to make this even easier: I just dump in a 14oz can of butternut squash along with the beans. I’ve also used canned pumpkin and that works well too. Tasty, easy, healthy recipe—the elusive trifecta!
Can you use chicken bone broth for extra protein if you don’t need it to be vegan?
Sure
Can I use frozen butternut squash? If so, do I thaw it first?
You can and you don’t have to thaw it first, just add it in frozen.
I made it for my 2yo kid for dinner. It’s delicious and comforting meal. Thank you!
I’m so glad, thanks for letting me know!