Butternut Squash Soup Vegan, with Apple & Coconut

This Vegan Butternut Squash Soup is also gluten and lactose free! Step by step directions for stovetop, in your instant pot and in a crockpot.

The other wonderful features of this recipe are that it is incredibly easy to make and freezes beautifully! Make a big batch this fall and enjoy it all winter long.

This is an absolutely yummy lactose and gluten free take on traditional butternut soup! Nothing better on the cold winter days of upstate New York!

This soup can easily be done in 30 minutes! If you would like to, you can roast the squash in the oven whole, to get that roasted flavor. It’s less hands on time, as the oven will do the work. If you roast it, it will take about 50 minutes.

Why this soup works

• creamy and delicious
• It only takes 30 minutes to make on stovetop
• can also be made in the slow cooker
• vegan and gluten free
• high in fiber and vitamins A & C, calcium, magnesium and potassium
• kids love it

What you need

• butternut squash
• apple
• celery
• onion
• coconut milk
• vegetable stock
• fresh or dried sage
• salt and pepper

How to make it

How to make it on the stovetop

1. Peel and cut butternut in half. Scoop out seeds. Chop into medium chunks.
2. Rough chop apple, celery and onion.
3. I brown the butternut, over high heat, just until they get a bit of color, but you could skip this step.
4. Then add onion, celery, apple, pepper, salt and sage and saute a few minutes.
5. When the onion and apple start to soften, add the coconut milk and stock. Simmer for 20, or so until squash and vegetables are done.
6. Here is the squash softened.
7. Use immersion blender to puree the soup or transfer batches to blender. Be careful not to overfill blender. The hot soup can cause severe burns.

How to make soup in slow cooker

1. Peel and cut butternut in half. Scoop out seeds. Chop into medium chunks.
2. Rough chop apple, celery and onion.
3. Then add squash, onion, celery, apple, pepper, salt and sage to slow cooker.
4. When the onion and apple start to soften, add the coconut milk and stock. Cook on low for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high, or so until squash and vegetables are soft.
5. Use immersion blender to puree the soup or transfer batches to blender. Be careful not to overfill blender. The hot soup can cause severe burns.

How to make it your Instant Pot

Peel and cut butternut in half. Scoop out seeds. Chop into medium chunks. Rough chop apple, celery and onion.

1. Then add squash, onion, celery, apple, pepper, salt and sage to your instant pot.
2. Almost cover vegetables with vegetable stock or water.
3. Stir well.
4. Close lid securely. Turn vent to seal. Select manual and high pressure. Then adjust time to 8 minutes. Use a slow release for about 10 minutes. Then carefully turn the sealing vent to release the rest of the pressure.
5. Remove lid. Add coconut milk. Puree with immersion blender until very smooth.
6. Can be pureed in blender in batches. Be careful not to overfill as hot soup can burn you.

Some favorite variations

• substitute cream if you are not worried about the soup being vegan
• mix in ricotta cheese instead of coconut milk.
• add Italian flavorings, such as; basil, oregano, parsley, parmesan, romano or asiago cheese.
• add Thai spices like; hot pepper, garlic, coriander, lemongrass, paprika or basil
• add Mexican spices like: garlic, cumin, coriander, chili powder or adobo seasoning
• add fun toppings like; pumpkin kernels, toasted nuts, homemade croutons, cheese, bacon bits or fried crispy onions.

Did you know that growing your own butternut is incredibly easy? If you love growing your own produce, these posts are packed full of information about how to get that big harvest by the end of the season! Don’t miss our How to Start a Garden Series!

Other delicious soups

• Yellow Squash Soup
• Venison Soup
• Mexican Turkey Soup
• Asparagus Soup
• Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
• Easy Clam Chowder

What to serve it with?

• grilled cheese sandwiches
• turkey sandwiches
• use as a first course for Thanksgiving or Christmas
• serve with bread for dipping
• a nice green salad
• Top with toasty homemade croutons for a nice crunch

If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!
Also, don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

This is so smooth and creamy! We like it with grilled cheese. Yum! I hope you like the recipe today for Vegan Butternut Squash Soup! Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list. The form is below recipe! As always,

Tools I use to make it

Contains affiliate links, for full disclosure, see FTC Disclosure, here.

• Pot
• immersion blender
• cutting board
• chef’s knife

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you click the link and purchase something, at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure, here.

Originally Published 1/24/2015 Updated 9/15/20