Spicy Sweet Potato Soup (easy, gluten free, vegan)
Would you believe this creamy sweet potato soup recipe is vegan? Make it in the instant pot or on the stovetop.
This creamy soup has simple ingredients and is absolutely packed with vegetables, making it a healthy soup for cozy days at home.
Or, you can make a big batch for meal prep!
And, it’s has a kick of heat! We’ve added a bit of red bell pepper and cayenne powder to balance out the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Whether you’re on a vegan diet or not, I think you’ll enjoy this soup! The coconut milk gives this soup a luxurious texture and just a hint of sweetness to balance out the spicy ingredients.
Have more sweet potatoes to use? I recommend my Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallow Topping, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
Healthy Sweet Potato Soup Modifications:
- Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup: Add one cup of canned pumpkin and reduce the sweet potatoes to 3 cups.
- Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Soup: Use two cups of cubed butternut squash and two cups of cubed sweet potatoes.
What should I top this Easy Sweet Potato Soup with?
My favorite toppings are a drizzle of coconut cream, sunflower seeds and a sprinkle or pumpkin spice seasoning!
Additionally, here are a few other ideas for toppings:
- Drizzle of coconut cream (or heavy cream)
- Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Nutritional yeast (cheesy flavor) or Parmesan cheese
- Croutons
- Red pepper flakes, a sprinkle or fresh ginger or curry powder
- Fresh herbs
Equipment Needed
I’ve included instructions for both the Instant Pot and the stovetop below. If you’re cooking on the stovetop, you’ll need a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
Also, it’s helpful to have a stick blender so that you don’t have to dirty up your normal blender.
What should I serve with this delicious Sweet Potato Soup Recipe?
The creamy texture of this soup shines when it’s paired with crusty garlic bread or crusty bread and a side salad. For a heartier side dish, consider this vegan broccoli rice casserole recipe.
If you’d like to work sweet potatoes into your dessert too, I recommend these Sweet Potato Brownies.
How do I store leftover sweet potato soup?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Spicy Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 4 cups sweet potatoes peeled, diced (about 2 pounds)
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable stock or broth
- 1 cup coconut milk or milk
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
On the stovetop:
- In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, add oil and heat over medium heat.
- Then, add onion, celery and red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Finally, add sweet potatoes, seasonings and vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
- Next, reduce heat to low, cover and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.
- When the sweet potatoes are cooked, remove from heat, and blend using an immersion blender, or transfer to a blender. Blend until all ingredients are smooth.
- To finish, add coconut milk and stir. Serve warm.
In the Instant Pot:
- Combine all ingredients except the coconut milk in a 6 or 8-quart pressure cooker.
- Place lid onto pressure cooker and be sure the vent is set to seal.
- Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow a natural vent for 5-10 minutes.
- Uncover and use an Immersion blender to blend soup until smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender to blend your soup.
- Add coconut milk and serve warm.
