This super easy vegan creamy coconut carrot soup is definitely worth sharing here. I’ve just returned from a lovely little trip to Sweden on a job as a retreat chef. A joy as usual! After all the busy-ness, I returned to stay in some ‘gorgeous foresty Swedish place’ with friends for a couple of days to chill out.
To cut a long story short, I had plenty of surplus veggies leftover (as you do when making food for 40 people for a few days). Keen to make the most of what was available, I decided to make some delicious goodies to leave behind for my friends, who had kindly welcomed me into their space.
Anyhow, one of the things I had was carrots – lots of them.
Creamy vegan carrot soup for my friends…
I was thinking about something simple that my friends could freeze once I’d gone. So a nice big pan brimming with carrot soup happened.
I had plenty of coconut milk, passata (sieved tomatoes), onions, and some ginger. Perfect! So basically, today’s recipe involves pretty simple, easy to get hold of ingredients that transform into a de-e-e-elicious soup.
Let’s give carrots a bit of love
It’s easy to take them for granted, but did you know that they are absolutely jam-packed with health-affirming goodness?
They are full of antioxidants that can prevent cell damage from oxidative stress on the body. Carrots contain very helpful levels of these antioxidants, each with its own unique protective function (beta-carotene making an especially abundant appearance in orange carrots).
One medium-sized carrot (about 75g) is said to give you a whopping 210% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for immune function, vision, reproduction, skin health, and cellular communication. In the plant kingdom, carrots come second only to sweet potatoes for their incredible vitamin A content. Carrots are an excellent source of provitamin A, containing the precursor to vitamin A in the form of carotenoids.
Read all about the health benefits of carrots in my article here: The Health Benefits Of Carrots
Creamy vegan carrot soup with a hint of paprika
I am also using smoked paprika in this recipe. Please note that this is optional. The recipe works delightfully well with or without it.
I used smoked paprika to give it a lovely smoked flavour. Most people love smoked paprika, but if you don’t, just leave it out.
You can adjust the levels of ginger also to your preferred taste.
The ingredients in this pot just dance to perfection. There is something quite magical about the blend of tomato and coconut and the alchemy of carrot and ginger. Add a bit of salt and pepper to season and these simple ingredients are turned into something quite special.
I’ve purposefully not added any beans or pulses to this one. My body seems to prefer less of those, somehow. However, if you feel the need for a higher dose of that kind of thing, you can easily pop in some lentils or beans either before or after blending.
Best way to blend? In this case, the easiest way is to use a hand blender. I would recommend you get a good, high-powered one. The good thing about a hand blender is that you can blend in the pan (which saves on having to wash up a blending jug).
You can pulse your hand blender in the soup a few times and leave it nice and rustic… or do what I did and blend until creamy smooth.
You can also use a jug blender to cream it up if that’s all you have, but do be careful when transferring hot soup from the pan.
OK, let’s make this delicious Creamy Vegan Carrot Soup…
Easy Carrot Coconut Soup with Ginger and Paprika (vegan)
A delicious vegan carrot and coconut soup. Simple, made with fresh ginger, smoked paprika, passata, coconut milk, and potato.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- Dash of olive oil (to saute onion)
- 7 carrots (medium to large size)
- 1 potato (medium sized)
- 800ml water (3½ cups)
- 400ml passata (sieved or crushed tomatoes) (1⅔ cups)
- 2 inches cubed fresh ginger (to be finely grated)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Big twist black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but nice)
- 400ml coconut milk (canned) (1⅔ cups)
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and saute in a big soup pan for a couple of minutes.
- Chop the carrot and potato into small cubes and then add to the pan along with the water and passata. Turn on the heat, bring the contents to boiling point and then turn down to simmer.
- Peel and then finely grate the ginger and add to the pan.
- Add the sea salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Cook for about 20 minutes with the lid on, stirring occasionally.
- Add the coconut milk near the end of the cooking period.
- When ready blend with a hand blender and serve.
- This keeps for a few days in the fridge and also freezes really well.
- Enjoy!
Pin for later…
this sounds lush!
could you do more recipes without nightshades included for maximum inflammation control?
many thanka!
Yes, I will look at that for sure.
Creamy soups are my favorite, and this one looks fantastic! So perfect for autumn!
Trin! So lovely to have your newsletter in my mailbox first thing today. I had some carrots from our local farmer’s market that were looking for a recipe. The pot is cooking now… 🙂
Thank you for ALL the amazing work and play that you do with food. It continually re-inspires me to dig in and keep cooking conscious food for friends and family, no matter what is going on with the drama of Life.
Big hugs. xo
Delighted to know you are here Jan.
Makes me happy to hear how what I do keeps inspiring you.
with love xx
Looks like the perfect fall lunch or dinner. I love that you added smoked paprika – my fave! I want to curl up with a blanket and a cozy bowl of this soup!
Sounds like a good plan Jenn 🙂
thank you, Trinity, A nice change from pumpkin soup.I too am inspired by your blog, it reminds me that life( can be ) beautiful, kind regards Janet.
Ahhhhhw my pleasure Janet.
Yes, yes, yes always important to remind ourselves that despite any challenges there are always beautiful things going on in the world.
This soup is calling my name! I love adding smoked paprika to carrot soup, too. The sweet and smokey go so well together.