Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe with Bone Broth and Coconut Milk

There’s something about the combination of roasted butternut squash, garlic, and herbs that brings the essence of autumn into your kitchen. This recipe takes the classic butternut squash soup to the next level by using nutrient-dense bone broth as the base, creating a creamy, comforting soup with an added boost of health benefits. The addition of coconut milk gives it a velvety texture, enhancing the richness without the need for dairy.

This recipe is perfect for cozy nights or as a wholesome meal-prep option to keep you fueled throughout the week.

Why Bone Broth or Meat Stock?

Before diving into the recipe, it’s important to highlight the key ingredient that sets this soup apart: bone broth. While many soup recipes call for vegetable or chicken stock, using homemade or high-quality bone broth provides an extra layer of nourishment.

1. Rich in Nutrients
Bone broth is a powerhouse of nutrients, including collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients play a critical role in supporting joint health, gut integrity, skin elasticity, and immune function. Incorporating bone broth into soups is a great way to sneak in these benefits without any extra effort. For anyone with a sensitive gut, bone broth is particularly soothing and promotes healing.

2. Supports Digestive Health
Bone broth is known for its gut-healing properties due to the presence of gelatin. Gelatin helps seal up holes in the intestines, which can contribute to better digestion and reduce issues like leaky gut syndrome. When combined with the fiber and vitamins in butternut squash, this soup becomes a digestive aid packed with soothing properties for the entire system.

3. Boosts Immune Function
As the cooler months roll in, immune support becomes even more critical. Bone broth contains a range of immune-boosting nutrients, including amino acids like arginine and glutamine, which help fight inflammation and improve the body’s natural defense system.

Now, let's get into how to make this wholesome soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 4 cups bone broth or meat stock (or can make some from stock cubes)
• 1 can (400ml) full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roasting the butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness and adds depth to the soup.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: In a large bowl, toss the cubed butternut squash, onion, and garlic with olive oil. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet.
3. Roast the Vegetables: Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and slightly caramelized at the edges. Stir halfway through to ensure even cooking. The roasting process deepens the flavors, making the soup irresistibly flavorful.
4. Blend the Soup: Once the vegetables are roasted, transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add 2 cups of the bone broth and blend until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the mixture a few times instead of blending it fully.
5. Simmer the Soup: Pour the blended squash mixture into a large pot over medium heat. Add the remaining bone broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the coconut milk, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Season and Sweeten: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. If you prefer a touch of sweetness, add a tablespoon of maple syrup to balance the savory flavors.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. For a little crunch, top with roasted pumpkin seeds or a drizzle of olive oil.

Variations and Additional Tips:

1. Add Protein: If you want to make this soup a complete meal, consider adding some shredded chicken or turkey. This is an excellent way to use up leftover roast meats, especially during the fall and winter months.
2. Spice it Up: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a sprinkle of chili flakes can bring some warmth to the soup. This also pairs nicely with the sweetness of the butternut squash and the creaminess of the coconut milk.
3. Make it a Meal: Serve the soup with a side of crusty sourdough bread or a simple green salad to make it a more filling meal. The soup itself is light but satisfying, thanks to the fiber in the squash and the healthy fats from the coconut milk and bone broth.

Why This Soup is a Fall Favorite:

1. Seasonal Ingredients
Butternut squash is at its best during the fall months, making it a seasonal and sustainable choice for your kitchen. Its rich, sweet flavor pairs beautifully with herbs like rosemary and thyme, which are also in abundance during autumn.

2. A Nourishing Comfort Food
With the addition of bone broth, this soup becomes a nourishing comfort food that provides warmth, comfort, and health benefits in every bite. It’s perfect for chilly evenings or as a nourishing lunch to take to work.

3. Dairy-Free Creaminess
The coconut milk not only adds a luxurious texture to the soup but also makes it dairy-free, which is great for those with lactose intolerance or anyone looking to cut down on dairy. Despite being dairy-free, it doesn’t sacrifice any of the creamy comfort we all love in soups.

4. Gut Health in a Bowl
Bone broth supports gut health, as does the fiber in butternut squash. Together, they form a digestive-friendly powerhouse, offering both prebiotic fibers (from the squash) and collagen and gelatin (from the broth) to nourish the gut lining.

5. Easy to Make Ahead
This soup stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer. Make a big batch and enjoy it over the course of several days. It’s a great option for meal-prepping or quick dinners when you’re short on time.

Sustainability and Health

Using bone broth in this soup also aligns with a sustainable approach to cooking. Bone broth is traditionally made by simmering animal bones (such as chicken, beef, or lamb) with vegetables, herbs, and vinegar for long periods. This slow process extracts nutrients that would otherwise go to waste. It’s a way of using the entire animal, minimizing waste and getting the most out of your ingredients. In a world where sustainability is increasingly important, finding ways to use every part of the food we consume is a small but significant step toward reducing our ecological footprint.

Moreover, bone broth is incredibly cost-effective to make at home. It transforms simple kitchen scraps—like bones and vegetable peels—into a nutrient-rich broth that can be used in a wide range of recipes, from soups to sauces. Making your own broth also ensures there are no preservatives or artificial additives, making it a cleaner, healthier choice.

This roasted butternut squash soup with bone broth and coconut milk is not only a delicious, warming meal but also a nutritional powerhouse. Whether you're looking for a gut-friendly option, a sustainable cooking practice, or simply a cozy fall favorite, this soup ticks all the boxes. Try it out this season and enjoy the rich flavors and health benefits that come with every bowl.