Every autumn, as soon as the temperatures start to drop below 65˚F in the evenings, I find myself yearning for hearty, warm soups. In my household, soup season is a big deal, and you’ll typically discover at least three different types of soup stored between our refrigerator and freezer.
A staple in our rotation is the butternut squash soup. It’s not only simple to whip up but also versatile in terms of flavoring, and embodies the warm, comforting essence of fall that I seek in a perfect bowl of soup.
I tend to cook without strictly following a recipe. My method involves lightly sautéing some type of alliums in a bit of fat, tossing in the squash, adding just enough broth and some fragrant herbs, and letting it all simmer before blending it into smooth perfection. It sounds straightforward, doesn’t it?
However, the challenge arises when a friend texts asking for “the best butternut squash soup recipe.” As much as I’d like to just transmit the culinary improvisations from my brain (admittedly not the most efficient filing system), they’re looking for a tangible, followable recipe.
I take the task of recommending recipes quite seriously, so I went online to find a butternut squash soup recipe that matched my own approach. I found myself comparing recipes from Ina Garten and Ree Drummond, both known for their reliable and comforting dishes. After preparing and tasting both, I definitely found a favorite which I now recommend to anyone seeking the ultimate butternut squash soup.
Ina Garten’s Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
While I don’t generally oppose the use of apples or apple products in cooking, I was initially concerned they would overly sweeten Ina’s soup. The recipe begins by sautéing onions in a mix of butter and olive oil, seasoned generously with curry powder, filling your kitchen with enticing aromas.
As the onions soften—careful to keep them from browning—you add cubed squash and chopped apples, with just enough water to bring the mixture to a simmer. This mixture cooks down for about 40 minutes until the squash is perfectly tender. Surprisingly, the apples release plenty of moisture, and once blended, the soup achieves a rich thickness. You can then adjust the consistency with apple juice or cider to your liking.
Ina’s version turns out to be robust, with a subtle apple undertone that’s beautifully balanced by the savory spices. I felt it could use a bit of creaminess, so I added some sour cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for crunch, which rounded it out nicely.
Ree Drummond’s Butternut Squash Soup
When I first tried Ree’s recipe, I was drawn to the classic flavor profile of thyme, sage, and chicken broth, expecting these to make the soup especially delicious. However, the soup ended up being too thin for my taste.
The original recipe uses one medium-sized squash and six cups of chicken broth, which is quite a lot of liquid. Although some of this reduces during cooking, it resulted in a soup that was more watery than I prefer.
Despite this, the flavors of fresh sage and thyme were delightful, and the addition of cream gave it a luxurious taste. If I were to make it again, I would either double the squash or reduce the broth by half to achieve a thicker consistency.
The Winner: Ina Garten’s Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
After adjusting Ree’s recipe by adding another squash, it was a closer competition, but as originally written, Ina’s recipe stands out as superior. If I had to make an unplanned trip to the store for an extra squash to fix Ree’s soup, it would be quite frustrating.
Although I was skeptical about a sweeter soup, I thoroughly enjoyed the depth the apples added to Ina’s recipe. The slight tartness complemented the earthy squash beautifully. With the flexibility to adjust the sweetness and thickness using apple juice, Ina’s soup not only wins this culinary contest but also promises delight for anyone who tries it.
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Riley Morgan simplifies health and wellness topics, providing readers with practical advice and insights. Dedicated to empowering others, Riley covers everything from mental health to medical breakthroughs.
