Rustic Comfort: Ina Garten’s Silky Carrot Soup Recipe

Comfort arrives in a bowl with this silky carrot soup recipe by Ina Garten that whispers warmth on chilly afternoons.

The vibrant orange hue promises rich, smooth flavors waiting to embrace your palate.

Seasonal carrots dance with aromatic spices, creating a luxurious blend that feels like a culinary hug.

Simple ingredients merge into a velvety masterpiece that elevates everyday cooking.

Fresh herbs and a touch of cream add depth and complexity to this elegant soup.

Each spoonful tells a story of rustic simplicity and nuanced taste.

Grab your stockpot and let’s turn ordinary carrots into an extraordinary meal that’ll make your kitchen smell absolutely divine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients to Make Ina Garten Carrot Soup

• Carrots: Vibrant orange beauties that caramelize into sweet, rich flavor when roasted, selecting firm and bright carrots without blemishes.
• Olive Oil: Helps carrots achieve golden-brown perfection and adds silky smoothness, choose extra virgin for best taste.
• Salt: Enhances natural carrot sweetness and helps caramelization process.

• Onion: Provides deep foundational flavor, select fresh and firm without soft spots.
• Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertone that complements carrots' sweetness, use fresh root for most intense flavor.
• Garlic: Brings pungent depth and complexity to the soup, choose plump cloves without sprouting.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates liquid base with gentle vegetable essence, opt for low-sodium versions.
• Water: Helps adjust soup's consistency and balance flavors.
• Ground Coriander: Introduces subtle citrusy notes, ensure spice is fresh and fragrant.
• Ground Cumin: Adds earthy warmth and depth, select whole seeds and grind for maximum flavor.
• Butter: Provides luxurious creaminess and rounds out soup's flavor, use high-quality unsalted.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens entire dish with tangy freshness, choose ripe, juicy lemons.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides best flavor.

Gear You’ll Need for Ina Garten Carrot Soup

• Large baking sheet: Essential for roasting carrots evenly and creating caramelization.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
• Large pot: Perfect for simmering soup and building flavors.
• Sharp chef's knife: Helps slice carrots and chop onions with precision.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for vegetable preparation.
• Vegetable peeler: Quickly removes carrot skin for smooth texture.
• Blender: Transforms roasted carrots and broth into silky, creamy soup.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and scraping pot bottom while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and spice amounts.

Instructions for Cooking Ina Garten Carrot Soup

Carrot Comfort Soup

• Oven Preparation Warm and Ready

Crank up your oven to a toasty 400°F and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Carrot Magic

Slice your carrots into lovely pieces and give them a generous olive oil massage with a sprinkle of salt. Spread them out on the baking sheet like sunbathers.

• Roasting Adventure

Pop the carrots into the oven and let them transform into caramelized golden delights. Give them a gentle toss midway through their 25-40 minute journey.

• Flavor Foundation

In a large pot, sauté onions, ginger, and a whisper of salt until they become soft and dreamy. The kitchen will start to smell incredible.

• Spice Awakening

Introduce garlic, coriander, and cumin to the pot. Let them dance and release their aromatic magic for about a minute.

• Liquid Love

Pour in vegetable broth and water, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the pot’s bottom.

• Soup Symphony

Combine the roasted carrots with the broth and let everything simmer and mingle for 15 minutes.

• Smooth Transformation

Carefully blend the soup until silky smooth. Stir in butter, lemon juice, and a dash of black pepper to elevate the flavors.

• Final Touch

Taste and adjust seasonings. Your soup is ready to comfort and delight!

Variations for Ina Garten Carrot Soup Flavor

• Caramelize the carrots by roasting them at a high temperature to develop deeper, sweeter notes that transform this simple soup into a gourmet experience.
• Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, turmeric, or a pinch of cayenne to create your own unique flavor profile that matches your taste preferences.
• Adjust the soup's consistency by adding more broth for a lighter soup or stirring in coconut milk or heavy cream for an extra luxurious, velvety texture.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley, add a swirl of Greek yogurt, sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds, or drizzle with chili oil to create restaurant-worthy presentation and extra layers of flavor.
• Double the recipe and freeze portions in individual containers for quick, nutritious meals during busy weeks – the soup reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

Ways to Serve Ina Garten Carrot Soup

• Garnish with Herb Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill on top to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the soup's flavor profile.
• Pair with Crusty Companions: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough bread, garlic crostini, or buttered whole grain rolls to complement the soup's creamy texture.
• Create Creamy Swirl Accent: Drizzle a small amount of heavy cream or yogurt in a decorative spiral on top of the soup, creating a beautiful visual contrast and adding a luxurious richness.
• Crunch Up the Experience: Scatter toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or crispy fried shallots over the soup to introduce a delightful textural element that makes each spoonful more interesting.

Keeping Ina Garten Carrot Soup Fresh for Later

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover carrot soup in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Always use clean, sealed containers to maintain quality and prevent contamination.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and label with the date. Frozen soup stays delicious for up to 3 months.
• Thaw Safely: Move frozen soup to the refrigerator overnight for gradual, even thawing. Avoid leaving at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth. Stir well after thawing to restore original texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of vegetable broth if the soup seems too thick. Avoid boiling to preserve the smooth, creamy consistency.

Velvety Ina Garten Carrot Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty butternut carrot soup showcases Ina Garten’s signature comfort cooking style. Silky smooth ingredients blend perfectly, offering home cooks a delightful winter meal you’ll savor with warmth and satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (946 ml) vegetable broth
• 2 cups (473 ml) water
• 2 pounds (907 g) carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, to taste
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, divided, plus more to taste
• 1½ teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Roast Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Carrot Transformation: Peel and slice carrots, toss with olive oil and salt, then spread evenly on prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25-40 minutes, rotating midway to achieve caramelized edges and tender texture.
3. Aromatic Foundation: In a large pot, sauté onion, ginger, and salt over medium heat until onions become translucent and soft, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4. Spice Awakening: Introduce garlic, ground coriander, and cumin, stirring briefly to release their intense aromatics.
5. Liquid Integration: Pour vegetable broth and water into the pot, scraping any caramelized bits from the bottom, then add roasted carrots. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Texture Refinement: Thoroughly blend the soup in batches until ultra-smooth, incorporating butter, lemon juice, and black pepper to elevate the flavor complexity.
7. Final Seasoning: Adjust taste with additional salt, pepper, butter, or lemon juice. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, with freezing option available for long-term preservation.

Notes

• Roast for Flavor Depth: Caramelizing carrots intensifies their natural sweetness and develops a rich, complex taste that transforms the soup’s overall character.
• Spice Timing Matters: Add ground spices briefly to prevent burning and maximize their aromatic potential, releasing maximum flavor without becoming bitter.
• Blending Technique: Blend soup in small batches to ensure a consistently smooth texture, preventing potential splattering and achieving a velvety finish.
• Storage and Freshness: Refrigerate soup for up to 4 days or freeze for longer preservation, maintaining optimal taste and texture when reheating gently.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg