Easy slow cooker butternut squash soup is comfort food at its best. I have been making this soup for probably about two decades every Fall. It's by far the best butternut squash soup. The only thing that makes it better is knowing it is keto, low-carb, and healthy with real ingredients.
A bowl of this will warm you up and satisfy you with its amazing complex flavor. A bit of cayenne and a dash of nutmeg bring in some background heat to balance the sweet butternut squash and the rich cream cheese.
This butternut squash soup is the best creamy low-carb & keto recipe to make in the Crock-Pot. And like my Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler, it is a fall favorite.
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Ingredients
Using broth instead of water in this recipe ensures a deep flavor. With this butternut soup recipe, you can use either chicken or vegetable broth. That way it can be enjoyed by vegetarians too. Here are the ingredient you will need for this creamy keto butternut squash soup.
- Butternut squash - peel & cut into cubes (or buy it precut at Trader Joes for my favorite shortcut!)
- Onion - any sweet variety will do.
- Chicken Broth (or bouillon cubes) - can use vegetable broth too for a vegetarian option.
- Nutmeg - the spice really steps it up a notch, do not skip it.
- Black & Cayenne Pepper - the heat this adds balances with the sweetness of the squash.
- Full Fat Cream Cheese - to thicken the soup without having to use a roux or slurry (keeps it gluten-free)
- Pepitas / Hulled Pumpkin Seeds (optional topping) - toasted make the best crunchy topping.
See the recipe card for amounts & full instructions.
How to Make Butternut Squash Soup
To make this low-carb butternut squash soup in the Crock-Pot, get all the ingredients ready. Add all ingredients, through nutmeg to slow cooker, stir to combine. Do not add the cream cheese or pumpkin seeds.
You can use either water and the bouillon cubes or equal parts of homemade chicken bone broth. Here is my recipe for making it in an electric pressure cooker - HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT BONE BROTH.
Dump & Go
This soup is one of those set it and forget it soup. There is no need to stir it or watch for anything for hours to coe. Set the slow cooker to high for 4 hours. If you are going to be gone all day, you can also cook this on low for 8 hours.
It will look like this when it is ready and the cooking time is complete. The butternut squash will be so soft, it will fall apart if you try and stir it.
Blend Soup in a Crock-Pot
Once complete, use an immersion blender to make it smooth. I do this twice. The first time just to smooth out the original soup ingredients.
Then I add the cream cheese that is diced into small pieces and stir it in a bit. The cream cheese will melt a bit but stay a bit chunky. I then run the immersion blender through it again and it is silky creamy smooth!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND buying an immersion blender. They are NOT much money and do not take up much space in your kitchen.
** no immersion blender, no problem. You will need to transfer this to a blender but do not blend when it is piping hot - it will explode all over! Let it cool enough and blend in batches. It will make more dishes than you really need.
Toast up the pepitas in a dry saute pan if you wish to add these on top of your soup.
Storing & Reheating
This soup can be stored for up to 5 days in an air-tight container in your refrigerator. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until hot.
This recipe is also great to make ahead of time and freezing the butternut squash soup for later enjoyment. It is best to make the butternut squash soup and freeze it before adding the cream cheese to it.
Simply freeze in large ziplock bags and when you want to enjoy the soup, all you need to do is defrost, reheat, and then add the cream cheese once warm and stir it in evenly. It will be just as velvety and delicious.
Variations
VEGAN - instead of chicken broth, use vegetable broth or my homemade recipe for Vegan Mushroom Broth.
WHOLE30 or PALEO - replace the cream cheese with an equal amount of coconut milk instead.
Topping Ideas for Butternut Squash Soup
If you are not a fan of pumpkin seeds, here are some other ideas to put on butternut squash soup. These are not all keto or gluten-free so pick the ones that work for you.
- Croutons
- Sour Cream
- Bacon Bits
- Chives & parsley
- Parmesan Cheese
- Small diced apples
You will want to try Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup if you love CrockPot cooking.
Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- ½ C onion chopped
- 4 C butternut squash peeled and cubed
- 3 C chicken broth Vegetable broth can be substituted
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ½ C toasted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Add all ingredients, through nutmeg to slow cooker. Stir to combine and put the lid on. Set slow cooker to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
- Once complete, use an immersion blender inside the slow cooker crock to make smooth.
- Dice cream cheese into small pieces and add to the soup. Use immersion blender again to blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste test and add more salt, if needed.
- Toast pepitas in a dry saute pan until desired brown color. Let cool.
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with a sprinkling of pepitas.
Caroline Parrott says
YUM! And oh for sure ALL HAIL THE BLENDER-ON-A-STICK!
Angela says
I know = seriously love that thing!!!
Kendra says
Our butternut squash soup recipes are nearly identical! I love it. I use sour cream instead of cream cheese. 🙂
Angela says
Great cooks think (and cook) alike!
Roseann Hampton says
This looks delicious! Pinning to try. Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger's Pit Stop!
Angela says
Great, glad you pinned this. Thanks for stopping by and glad I found your site as well.
Robin Frields says
I've never had butternut squash. It sounds delicious and now I will have to try it!
Heather says
This is my favorite soup! I love it. I have tried different recipes and have loved them all. I am going to give this one a try next. I wish I had some now!
Tricia Snow says
YUM! This is the perfect fall dish! I can not wait to try it!
Malia says
Tis the season! I agree, using the pre-cubed butternut squash is the way to go. My kids love this soup recipe! I really need to get an immersion blender. Pouring the hot liquid into our blender is just too messy.
Angela says
Get the immersion blender, please. It is so easy to use and the kids will want to help because it is really fun even for me!
Jelane says
Thanks for the recipe! I love butternut squash soup but canned versions and those in restaurants usually have added sugar. Since I can't have sugar, I usually avoid butternut squash soup. This recipe is so easy, looks delicious, and no sugar! Perfect for an Autumn meal!
Angela says
Omg, added sugar. This soup already seems so sweet and rich as it is. I cannot imagine adding sugar. I hope you enjoy this.
Holly Bird says
Thank you for another great recipe! I will be making this soon! I love butternut squash and I have a ton from my garden! hank you!
Lisa says
This looks so delicious. Pinned it and wrote down the ingredients to head the store now to pick up ingredients. I love butternut squash and this looks sooo yummy!
jen says
How perfect is this being out on the first day of fall!!!!! I am so so SO making this!!!
Karen says
This looks pretty easy. I love anything I can put in the crockpot and don't have to worry about.
Ramae Hamrin says
This looks wonderful! I'm going to try to make a dairy-free version with Kite Hill cream cheese. I love butternut squash soups. I completely agree about the immersion blender. Took me until I was almost 50 to buy one, and I'm so glad I finally did!
Candy says
The perfect recipe for fall time. It looks absolutely delicious. I could almost smell it through my phone, lol!
Jen says
I will definitely be trying this! Thank you!
Melissa Jones says
What a fun fall idea!!
Eva says
I love soup, including this kind, but since I live in Georgia where it’s summer six months out of the year, and only cold for about two months, I don’t eat it nearly as often as I like. This recipe sounds delicious and I’m going to try it this winter.
Angela says
I hear you, in California the soup season is short. Maybe crank up the A/C, make a big salad, and sip a little soup! 🙂
Suzan says
Any soup or food you can make it a slow cooker is my kind of food 🙂 Looks delish!
Cameron says
This looks like the PERFECT fall soup. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
Jenny says
Dump and go recipes are such a good thing to have up your sleeve and this one looks delicious.
Lisa Manderino says
I like butternut squash I will have to try and see if my kids will like it. I love the garnish so cute!
jody says
Looks awesome but I really dont like to cook. My daughter does a lot of cooking she would love this.
Stacey Billingsley says
I've never tried this kind of soup, but your pictures make me want to give it a try. It looks delicious! And maybe even I can make it in a crockpot.
Angela says
Yes it is a slow cooker (crockpot) recipe.
Lisa says
Yummy! Great post.
Jenna says
Butternut squash soup is so good! I'm saving this recipe for when the weather cools down around us and soup actually sounds good!
Karla Petersen says
I can't be sure, but I think I save EVERY SINGLE recipe you give us. Thanks!!!!
Angela says
What a great compliment Karla - thank you so much!
Cindy says
This looks so good! I’m vegan. Would you recommend something to replace the cream cheese? Or just leave it out? I can sub veggie broth for chicken.
Angela says
You can leave it out. Or if you like the taste of coconut milk you can use that and have it nice and creamy as well.
Lina Thao says
I love butternut squash soup but have never made it in a slow cooker. I will have to try this.
Alexandra says
i looooove butternut squash soup. and I do have a slow cooker - so now i absolutely have to try out your recipe! Pinned it too! thank you
Angela says
Great, enjoy!
Paula @ Mummy Vs Work says
I have never used my slow cooker to make soup but I should! Thank you for linking up to Foodie Friday, this looks delicious 🙂
Angela says
You are welcome, I think you will love this simply easy and delicious soup!
T.M. says
Last year, I tried butternut squash soup for the first time and I fell in love. Now, I tried two different versions of the soup and preferred one over the other, but I'm more than willing to give this rendition a try! Yum!
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Sounds tasty! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 12 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes, open February 28 to March 10. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed.
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 28 for Soup Recipes.
Emma Walton says
I have three butternut squashes that I've grown for the first time and didn't know what to do with. I know now!
Angela says
Great, I love to hear that you can cook "farm to table" at your own home. Happy Fall produce time and enjoy the homemade butternut soup recipe!
AJ says
This was so good. I figured it would be good but even better than I had hoped. Even my picky husband that doesn't like most vegetables said this was good. We will be having this again and again.
Kelsey says
How many butternut squashes do you need? And can I double the recipe ?
Angela says
Yes you can double the recipe just make sure you have a big enough CrockPot to hold it all. The regular recipe calls for 4 cups of cubed squash which is one very large one.