Description

A comforting and creamy gluten and dairy free sweet potato soup made with tender sweet potatoes, aromatic vegetables, smoky paprika, and coconut milk. Perfect for chilly evenings, this nutritious soup blends simple, wholesome ingredients into a smooth, flavorful dish everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

For the soup base:

2.5 tbsp olive oil (I prefer Bertolli Extra Virgin for a smoother finish)
1 large onion (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
1 large carrot (roughly chopped)
1 large celery stalk (roughly chopped)
1 large bell pepper (any color, roughly chopped)
4 garlic cloves (freshly minced for best flavor)
1 bay leaf
2 lb sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
32 oz vegetable broth (I always use Pacific Foods organic broth)
2.5 tsp smoked paprika
0.75 tsp ground coriander
0.75 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
1.25 cup full-fat coconut milk (I use Thai Kitchen for creaminess)

For the garnish:

1 dash smoked paprika
1 tsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Prepare Mise en Place: Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks and set aside in a bowl. Dice the onion into 1/2-inch pieces. Roughly chop the carrot, celery stalk, and bell pepper into similar sizes. Freshly mince the garlic cloves for brightness and measure all spices so they are ready to add.
Build the Aromatic Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add diced onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper, stirring occasionally until softened and onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and bay leaf, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
Simmer the Soup Until Tender: Add sweet potato chunks, vegetable broth, and all measured spices to the pot. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes until sweet potatoes are fully soft and easily pierced. Stir halfway through to ensure even cooking and develop deeper flavors.
Blend the Soup to Silky Smoothness: Remove pot from heat and discard the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend soup directly in the pot until completely smooth, blending from bottom up in circular motions to avoid splashing. Alternatively, carefully blend in batches in a standard blender and return to the pot. For a chunkier texture, blend half and fold it back in.
Finish with Coconut Milk and Season: Stir full-fat coconut milk into the blended soup until fully incorporated and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. The coconut milk adds rich, dairy-free creaminess that complements the sweet potatoes.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with a light dash of smoked paprika and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. This adds visual appeal, subtle smoky notes, and a fresh bright element to the rich soup.

Notes

Use firm sweet potatoes without soft spots or sprouts for best texture.
For dairy-free cream alternatives, cashew cream or oat milk can be substituted, keeping in mind oat milk is less rich.
Chicken broth can replace vegetable broth if not strictly vegetarian, but will change flavor slightly.
If smoked paprika is unavailable, use regular paprika with a pinch of cumin as a substitute.
Cut sweet potatoes into even 1-inch chunks to ensure uniform cooking.
When blending hot soup, work in batches with lid slightly vented to avoid steam buildup and splashing.
Add coconut milk after blending and cooling slightly to prevent curdling.
Remove the bay leaf before blending to avoid bitter bites and potential blender damage.
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding broth or coconut milk if soup thickens after storage.
Serve with gluten-free bread, crackers, or a side salad for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: sweet potato soup, gluten free soup, dairy free soup, coconut milk soup, smoky soup, healthy soup, easy soup recipe, comforting soup