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Creamy Almond Sweet Potato Soup Recipe – A thick and hearty soup, full of flavor, yet ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight meal.
This soup was inspired by all the African Peanut Stews I have seen online over the years. I always think they look so hearty and delicious. I have never actually made one of those, so I can’t say for certain if this sweet potato soup recipe resembles them or not, but, what I can tell you, is that this soup is thick, rich, and delicious!
It’s full of deep earthy flavors, yet has a brightness from the tomato and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. It’s also quick and easy, like any good weeknight meal should be. I could eat this Creamy Almond Sweet Potato Soup all day long!
Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
YES! Sweet potatoes are very nutritious.
Sweet potatoes are carbohydrates. Carbs tend to get a bad rap, but the fact is that our bodies need carbs for fuel.
These orange starchy root vegetables are high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. They also happen to be low on the glycemic index, so they won’t cause a spike in insulin and cause a “sugar rush.” The fiber in sweet potatoes will help fill you up and keep you satiated longer.
It has been shown that including some healthy fat in a meal, like the almond butter in this Sweet Potato Soup Recipe, increases the absorption of beta-carotene (vitamin A), which is why this soup is the pretty much the perfect dish.
Is it OK to Eat the Skin of a Sweet Potato?
It’s definitely ok to eat the skins of sweet potatoes. There is a lot of fiber in the skins, so they’re very healthy.
However, we want this sweet potato soup recipe to be smooth, so I like to peel them first to ensure the perfect creamy texture.
Love sweet potatoes? Don’t miss these other delicious vegan sweet potato recipes:
- Falafel Spiced Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl with Cashew Curry Sauce
- Sweet Potato Cauliflower Vegan Soup
- Coconut Curry Soup with Sweet Potato Noodles
How Do You Make Soup Thick and Creamy?
There are many ways to make a soup creamy.
Cornstarch slurry, flour, cream, and coconut milk are all common ways to thicken a soup.
The almond butter in this vegan soup recipe definitely adds some body, but it’s the process of puréeing the soup that makes is silk smooth and creamy. You can carefully transfer the hot soup to a blender to purée, but I find it much easier to use an Immersion Blender.
What Can I Use Instead of Almond Butter?
African Peanut Stews, which inspired this recipe, are made with peanut butter. I haven’t personally tried it in this recipe, but I imagine it would be just as yummy. Garnish with chopped peanuts instead of almond.
If you can’t have nuts, you could try using sunflower seed butter and garnish with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
What Can I Use Instead of Sweet Potatoes?
Don’t sub the sweet potatoes. Just don’t.
This is a sweet potato soup recipe. If you don’t like sweet potatoes, try one of these other cozy vegan soup recipes:
- Vegan Butternut Squash Soup w/ Corn
- Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Creamy Dairy Free Potato Soup
- Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup
- Easy Vegetarian Minestrone with Pasta
- Easy Black Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Vegan Split Pea Soup
Creamy Almond Sweet Potato Soup Recipe
I hope you guys love this Creamy Sweet Potato Soup Recipe as much as I do. If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and star rating.
You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it.
Enjoy!
Sweet Potato Almond Soup
A thick and hearty soup, full of flavor, yet ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or 1/4 cup vegetable broth or water for an oil-free option)
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed (about 2.5 to 3 cups)
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth, plus more to thin if desired
- 1/3 cup raw creamy almond butter
- Squeeze of lime juice
- Slivered almonds, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 5 to 6 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic, ginger, thyme, cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, and sauté 1 more minute.
- Add the sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Increase heat to bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork tender.
- Remove from heat, add the almond butter and stir to combine. Using an immersion blender* purée the soup to your desired consistency. (I like it super smooth, but if you like it chunkier, go for it.
- If you like a thinner soup, add a bit more veggie stock or water and stir to combine.
- Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and slivered almonds.
- Serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
*Alternately, you can carefully transfer the soup to a blender to purée and then carefully transfer it back to the pot. You may need to do this in batches if your blender is on the small side.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
4 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 308Total Fat: 14gSodium: 355mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 7gSugar: 13gProtein: 8g
lydia says
Can i use almond milk instead of the butter?
Jenn S. says
Hi, Lydia. You use a splash of almond milk, but the flavor and texture just won’t be the same. The almond butter makes it really creamy and gives some depth of flavor. The almond milk would make it more of just a sweet potato soup – which would be delicious I’m sure, just not the same thing as I was going for here. Let me know if you try it.
Kinsey says
Hey do you think the tomatoes are essential? I wanted to make this soup for someone who is allergic to tomatoes. TIA!
Jenn S. says
Hi, Kinsey! Glad we connected last night over messenger. I’m going to answer here, too, in case anyone else is wondering. I do love the flavor the tomatoes add to this soup, but I don’t think they are absolutely necessary. You’ll need a little more liquid to loosen things up, like veggie broth or plant milk, and I would add a few dashes of balsamic vinegar maybe for extra depth of flavor. I’d love to hear what you end up doing and how it turns out!
stephinthyme says
Oh my gosh I have to try this! Two flavor combinations I’ve never thought of but sounds AMAZING!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Steph! I hope you enjoy it. I would love to know how it turned out when you try it.
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
I’ve made African Wat (stew) several times and I would say that Yes, you nailed it! 😉 Can’t wait to try your version!
Jenn S. says
Wow, thanks, Gwen!! You must come back let me know how mine compares to the originals!!
Kimberly says
Oh my goodness …I would never have thought about using almond butter in such an application! Totally intrigued by this recipe!
Jenn S. says
It’s a winner! Thanks, Kimberly!
shadi says
I love sweet potato so much and I’m trying to make more things with it! Now this soup is on my list!
Jenn S. says
Great, Shadi! I hope you love it! Please let me know what you think when you try it!
Linda @ Veganosity says
If this doesn’t win over the sweet potato lovers, nothing will! This looks absolutely amazing, Jenn! And I’m intrigued with the peanut butter idea.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Linda! It’s seriously delicious and I just keep buying more sweet potatoes so I can keep making it!
Levan Wee says
I could do with this almond soup right about now!! Looks so appetizing and comforting. Like a puppy on a warm day! and I love puppies, as much as I love this soup!
Jenn S. says
Awwww, who doesn’t love puppies! You should eat this soup while watching puppies frolic. Perfect!
Lisa says
Jenn, this soup looks delicious! I’ve only added peanut butter to a soup before, but I bet the almond butter adds a lovely flavor, too!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Lisa! I have never had either kind of nut butter in soup before this one. It turned out so well!
The-FoodTrotter says
I love sweet potato I’m sure your recipe is delicate, tasty and rich! I need to try eat 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Howie Fox says
WOWWW!! Sweet potato almond soup? I have never heard of it and most definitely would never have thought about it!! Love the idea 😀
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Hauke! It turned out so delicious! Glad I thought of it! 🙂
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
I love sweet potatoes! This soup looks so delicious and comforting, Jenn! Perfect for rainy and grey fall days like today. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sina! I LOVE soup in the cooler months…it’s all I want to eat!
Candy Company says
This sound as an amazing recipe and I can’t wait to try it! Your photos are stunning, they made me hungry (and I just had a huge family dinner) 🙂
Jenn S. says
Aw, thank you so much. You are so sweet! I hope you enjoy it!
Candy Company says
I’ll be back and let you know the results 🙂
Jenn S. says
Can’t wait! Thanks!
Gin says
This is my kind of recipe! Great flavors that come together easily. And I love nutty soups! Thanks for a great recipe Jenn, I’ll be trying this for sure.
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much, Gin!! Please come back and let me know how it turned out!
Christine | Vermilion Roots says
Nut butter in soups is such a brilliant idea. I’m definitely going to try this!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Christine! Please come back and let me know how it turns out!
Fuss Free Helen says
I love a West African peanut based stew and love your riff on it for this soup. Pinned to make when it gets really cold!
Jenn S. says
Thanks for the pin, Helen! I hope you try it and love it!
somethewiser says
I love Sweet Potato Soup, but I’ve never had it with almond butter. Sounds intriguingly good – must try!
Jenn S. says
It’s a great combo! I hope you try it!
nadia {sweet pillar} says
Looks great! can’t wait to try it!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Nadia!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
This soup looks delicious! I love using an immersion blender for soup – so easy! These flavors are perfect for fall and I love the addition of the almond butter!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Sherri! The immersion blender is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says
The almond butter is brilliant! Love this veggie packed recipe!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Jenn! The almond butter gives it such a great flavor in addition to making is super creamy!
The Vegan 8 says
This looks so amazing Jenn! I LOVE sweet potato soup and make it quite often and can’t believe people don’t like them, lol! My hubby is the same way and will not eat sweet potato soup, however he will devour my sweet potato burgers…weirdo! The almond butter is such an amazing idea! I definitely need to try that next time I make some!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Brandi! I think men believe sweet potatoes aren’t manly enough or something. LOL! The almond butter works so well in this soup! I can’t stop eating it!!
athleticavocado says
i love how you added in almond butter to this tasty soup! I’m pinning the for later 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much! The almond butter adds extra creaminess and tons of flavor! I hope you enjoy it!
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
Who can hate a sweet potato?! I love them and am so excited to dig into them this season. This recipe looks great!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Kelly! I know! I actually know so many that turn their noses up at sweet potatoes. More for me!
pragatibidkar says
Hello! Looks so vibrant! The tomatoes are an interesting touch..never added them in a potato soup but I am going to try!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Pragati! Now that you say that, I don’t think I have ever added tomatoes to a potato soup before either, but it works here! Not to much, just a cup. It doesn’t taste like a tomato soup…the flavors just all come together perfectly to create deliciousness! 🙂
Natalie says
I’m a humongous fan of sweet potato soup…sweet potato anything really…but I never would of though to pair with almonds!!! I’ve never had African peanut soup either, it sounds very exotic, so I think I would rather gradually enter the nutty soup world with this your recipe. This I know I will love <3 Oh and my whole family are sweet potato haters…crazy people!
Jenn S. says
Silly sweet potato haters! More for us!! I hope you love it….let me know if you try it!
veggiesdontbite says
I’ve never tried the African Peanut Soup! My hubby used to snuff at sweet potatoes but now he actually is okay with them in the ways I use them. I have to admit, I can only handle so much sweet potato though so I don’t overdo it in my stuff…but I love the flavor combo in here and I bet it’s amazing!! My kids just love soup so I’ll have to try this for them!
Jenn S. says
Well, that’s promising, Sophia! My husband’s tastes have considerably changed over the years, but potatoes are still on his do not eat list. 🙁 Perhaps there is hope one day. My kids love soup too! I have one daughter who doesn’t like to mix foods usually….like stir-frys and casseroles…she’s not a fan…but for some reason in soup, she’s ok with it!
spabettie says
I consider myself an African Peanut Soup expert (snort, haa, kidding), so I can make this one and let you know how it compares. It sure sounds great, and I love sweet potatoes already. you have sweet potato haters in your life too? my husband won’t eat them…. more for me!
Jenn S. says
My hubby won’t eat any kind of potatoes….unless they are in french fry form and deep fried in oil! Like you said, more for me!! My kids like them simply roasted and plain…gotta love that!