Winter-Spiced Apple and Carrot Soup
A warming, velvety soup combining sweet apples and carrots with cozy spices reminiscent of a snowy day in a snowy kingdom. This general-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs butter, yellow onion, diced, carrots, peeled and chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 cups peeled and chopped carrots and 1 large peeled and chopped apple, cooking for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Step 3: Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground ginger, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes until carrots and apples are tender.
- Step 5: Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat through for 3 minutes before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Winter-Spiced Apple and Carrot Soup take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Winter-Spiced Apple and Carrot Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Winter-Spiced Apple and Carrot Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Winter-Spiced Apple and Carrot Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Winter-Spiced Apple and Carrot Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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