Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

This slow cooker butternut squash soup is cozy, creamy, and filled with fall flavor. With just a few simple ingredients, you can toss everything in the crock pot and let it simmer away until the squash is tender. Blend with coconut milk, you've got a comforting bowl of soup with almost no effort.

This is one of those recipes that feels like comfort food but doesn't require much prep. I love making it on a chilly weekend when I want something warm and homemade, but it's also great for busy weekdays because the slow cooker does all the work.

Like my sweet potato soup recipe, this crockpot butternut squash soup gets its creaminess from coconut milk. And by the time it's done, you've got a soup that's smooth, creamy and perfect for fall or winter.

Ingredients you'll need

Here's what you'll need to make this easy soup.

• Butternut squash - you can peel and cube it yourself, but it's faster and easier to buy pre-cut squash cubes in the produce section.
• Onion - I like a sweet onion like Vidalia for this, it adds to the sweetness of the squash.
• Garlic cloves - just peeled, no chopping needed.
• Chicken broth or stock - can sub vegetable broth if you prefer.
• Coconut milk - use canned full-fat coconut milk to add a creamy texture. Look for one with just coconut and water for ingredients.
• Salt and pepper - simple seasoning to bring everything together.

Kitchen tools

A few kitchen tools make prepping and blending this soup easier.

• Chef's knife - for peeling and cubing the butternut squash if you're not using pre-cut. A heavy sharp knife makes the job much easier.
• Slow cooker - using slow cooker with a timer and keep warm function the soup will be ready when you are.
• Immersion blender - a hand blender blends the soup right in the crock pot for a smooth texture. You can use a regular blender if that's what you have.

How to make butternut squash soup in a slow cooker

Just a few steps and the slow cooker does the rest.

1. Add the cubed butternut squash, onion, garlic, stock, salt, and pepper to the crock pot.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the squash is tender.
3. Add the coconut milk and blend with an immersion blender right in the pot until smooth. If you don't have a hand blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and puree until silky.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more stock or coconut milk if you'd like a thinner texture.

You can make it as thick and rich as you want, or lighten it up with a little extra broth. Either way, it's a bowl of pure comfort.

Variations

I like to change up the flavors depending on what I'm in the mood for. Sometimes I keep it plain and let the sweetness of the squash shine, and other times I spice it up.

• Add curry powder or spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
• Add an extra touch of sweetness with a little maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
• Stir in smoky chili spices or cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.
• Add an apple to cook with the veggies instead of the garlic-apple adds more fall flavor and sweetness.
• Or add carrots or your favorite root vegetables along with the squash.

Serving suggestions

Add a few garnishes or toppings.

• Drizzle a swirl of coconut milk on top.
• Add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
• Garnish with spices or fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or cilantro.
• Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped for crunch.

The toppings make it fun to serve too-you can set out a few options and let everyone finish their bowl the way they like it.

More Butternut Squash Recipes

If you're looking for more ways to cook butternut squash, here are a few to try.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe - roast the vegetables in the oven and finish it in on the stovetop instead of using the slow cooker.

How to Roast a Whole Squash or Pumpkin - an easy method for roasting whole squash.

Crock Pot Butternut Squash - how to cook a whole squash in the slow cooker.

Butternut Squash in Instant Pot - a faster way to cook whole squash.

And if you have extra butternut squash, here's how to freeze it.