Carrot Ginger Soup with Sweet Potatoes
We love this Carrot Ginger Soup. It’s creamy smooth texture and bright flavour is especially welcome when the the weather turns cool. The natural sweetness of the carrots and sweet potatoes goes well with the slight spice of ginger and creamy coconut milk. This soup is naturally gluten free and vegan – just choose your soup stock accordingly.
Also Read: Thai Inspired Butternut Squash Soup, Red Lentil Soup, Indian Inspired Yellow Split Pea Soup
Why Add Sweet Potato to Carrot Soup & Substitutions
I like adding sweet potato to this soup for both the flavour and the little bit of starch it releases. It adds more body and a silky texture to carrot soup without the need for heavy cream.
BUT you can make it without the sweet potato, simply replace with equal amounts of carrots, butternut or kabocha squash. To replace the creamy body that comes from the sweet potatoes, consider adding a little extra coconut milk or a little butter or olive oil just before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Soup
- Versatile: Customize with orange, lemon, or spices to suit your taste. Or add a little Thai Red Curry like I do in the butternut squash soup recipe.
- Healthy: Packed with beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamin C.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh produce.
- Great for Meal Prep: Freezes beautifully and reheats well.
Common Questions About Carrot Ginger Soup
1. Can I make this soup without roasting the vegetables?
Yes you can. I’ve made it several times without roasting the veggies and it’s still super delicious. Roasting adds a rich, caramelized depth to the soup, but to save time and energy, you can simmer the carrots and sweet potato directly in the broth after gently sautéing the aromatics. I like adding a little smoked paprika to make up for the roasted flavour.
2. Can I freeze this soup?
Absolutely! This soup freezes wonderfully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags in convenient portion sizes. For best flavour use within 3 months, although it will be safe for much longer as long as it stays frozen. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop.
3. How do I make it creamier?
The soup is naturally creamy when blended, but you can enhance the texture by adding coconut milk, cream, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt when serving.
4. How can I add more protein?
You can stir in cooked red lentils, top the soup with roasted chickpeas, or serve it with a side of crusty bread spread with hummus or cottage cheese.
5. What can I use instead of orange or lemon?
If you don’t have citrus on hand, use a splash of apple cider vinegar or other vinegar to add a tangy brightness.
6. Can I make this soup spicy?
Absolutely! Add more red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce for some heat. Or, consider using the spice combo from my Thai Inspired Butternut Squash soup.
7. What toppings go well with this soup?
Some delicious toppings include fresh herbs (cilantro or parsley), roasted pumpkin seeds, croutons, chili oil or a swirl of cream or yogurt, or a drizzle of olive oil.
8. Can I make this soup vegan or dairy-free?
This soup is naturally vegan as long as you use vegetable broth and coconut milk instead of dairy cream. Choose your toppings accordingly too.
Recipe for Carrot Ginger Soup with Sweet Potato
Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup with Sweet Potato
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 4 large carrots peeled and chopped (about 3 cups)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil for roasting
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter for cooking
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger minced (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp orange zest optional
- 1 tsp turmeric optional
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup coconut milk or cream
- 1 Tbsp lemon or orange juice adjust to taste
Instructions
- Roast the Vegetables:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss diced sweet potato and chopped carrots with 1 tbsp olive oil, pinch of salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Prepare the Soup:
- In large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, ginger, cumin, orange zest and turmeric cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add raw or roasted carrots and sweet potatoes. Pour in broth, ensuring vegetables are covered.
- Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes for roasted vegetables or 30-40 minutes if raw.
- When veggies are tender, blend until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in coconut milk or cream and lemon or orange juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with your choice of herbs, seeds, or a drizzle of coconut milk or cream.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Immersion Blender or Blender
I like using an immersion blender for soups because it’s easy to use and easy to clean up. It’s also a lot safer. If using a stand up blender, you may get slightly smoother results, quicker – but the heat of the soup can cause the top to blow off and blast you with hot liquid – BE CAREFUL. Follow the safety tips I list in 11 Frequently Asked Soup Questions.

Another tasty soup! The mix of sweet potatoes, carrots and ginger is so flavourful! And I love how easy it is to follow the recipe and it always comes out right.
So glad you enjoyed it! I love this flavour combination.
It’s so delicious and easy to do. Roasting the veggies makes all the flavours come out. The first time I made it I used lemon zest and curry because I didn’t have cumin. The second time I used the orange zest orange juice and cumin and it was divine.
Thanks for the feedback. Swapping the lemon and orange is a nice way to enjoy slightly different flavours – nicely done!