Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Crispy Bacon: The Ultimate Comfort in a Bowl (2024)

Published November 17, 2024By AnnaCategorized as Journal

These days I am reaching for recipes that wrap me in warmth like a cozy blanket. This Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Crispy Bacon is exactly that – comfort in a bowl, elevated with a savory twist that makes it absolutely irresistible.

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Let me tell you a secret: this recipe came about during one of those happy kitchen accidents. I was making my usual pumpkin soup when I noticed some leftover bacon. One bite of that crispy bacon paired with the creamy soup, and I knew I’d stumbled onto something special. Now, it’s become one of my most requested recipes.

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Soup
• Ingredients
  • For the Soup
  • For Garnish
• How to Make This Soup
• How I Serve This Soup
• Storing Your Soup
• Comfort Food in a Bowl

Why You’ll Love This Soup

The addition of bacon takes it from “nice” to “can’t stop eating this.” It’s rich, creamy, and has just the right amount of warming spices. Plus, the crispy bacon adds that perfect textural contrast that keeps you coming back for more.

At just 5g net carbs per bowl, it’s a keto-friendly comfort food that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

What I particularly love about this soup is it is meal-prep friendly. It freezes beautifully (without the bacon topping), making it perfect for busy weeknights. Just thaw, reheat, and top with fresh crispy bacon when ready to serve.

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 2 pounds fresh pumpkin, peeled and cubed (or 2 cans pure pumpkin puree)
• 8 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For Garnish

• Reserved crispy bacon bits
• Fresh chives, finely chopped
• A swirl of cream
• Pumpkin seeds (optional)

How to Make This Soup

1. Prepare the Bacon Start with a cold, large pot over medium heat. Lay your bacon strips in a single layer and slowly render the fat until golden and crispy. This slow cooking method ensures maximum flavor development in the fat, which will become the foundation of our soup. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the golden fat in the pot.
2. Build the Flavor Base In that luxurious bacon fat, sauté your diced onions until they’re translucent and just starting to caramelize at the edges (about 5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic and fresh herbs, cooking until fragrant – this should take about 30 seconds. The aroma at this point will be absolutely intoxicating.
3. Create the Soup Add your pumpkin chunks (or puree) to the pot, stirring to coat everything in those flavored oils. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
4. Blend to Perfection Using an immersion blender (or transferring carefully to a standard blender in batches), puree the soup until silky smooth. Return to the pot if using a standard blender.
5. Finish with Cream Stir in the heavy cream and nutmeg, letting the soup warm through gently. Season generously with salt and pepper, tasting as you go. Remember, proper seasoning is what makes a good soup great.

How I Serve This Soup

Ladle the hot soup into warmed bowls. Crumble the reserved crispy bacon over top, add a scatter of fresh chives, and if you’re feeling fancy, a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.

The contrast between the smooth, creamy soup and the crunchy bacon is so good, it’s beyond words.

Storing Your Soup

This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for 3 months. Store the bacon separately to maintain its crispiness.

When reheating, warm gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally, and add a splash of cream if needed to reach desired consistency.

Comfort Food in a Bowl

The key to making this soup exceptional lies in the details: slowly rendering the bacon, taking time to properly sauté the aromatics, and seasoning thoughtfully at each step. The result is a bowl of comfort that’s more sophisticated than you might think.

Enjoy this soul-warming soup on a chilly autumn evening, preferably with a thick slice of crusty bread for dipping. Once you try this version, you’ll never look at pumpkin soup the same way again!

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