This roasted carrot soup with warming spices, fresh garlic and ginger is a refreshing Mediterranean twist on the classic fall-winter soup.
In this carrot soup recipe, I start by roasting fresh carrots in a hot oven until they are caramelized. It might seem like an extra step, but trust me roasting carrots is a technique that creates an intensely flavorful soup.
It’s the same approach I take with my tomato basil and roasted butternut squash soup: develop the natural sweet and savory flavors in the oven, then blend with super bold and comforting Mediterranean seasonings.
Once the carrots are roasted, I finish the soup by adding warming spices like coriander, allspice, and freshly grated ginger for a nice kick. A touch of whole milk brings creaminess without weighing the soup down.
For those who like to meal prep, this roasted carrot and ginger soup is even better the next day.
Table of Contents
Roasted Carrot Soup Ingredients
This carrot ginger soup uses pantry essentials, most of which you likely have stocked. You’ll need:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use any high quality extra virgin olive oil you have on hand, or check out our favorites over at our shop.
- Carrots: You’ll need three pounds of carrots, which gives the soup its rich flavor.
- Seasonings: Coriander and allspice give this soup a warming, aromatic quality–you can stock up on both at our spice shop. Salt and pepper enhance the flavor.
- Fresh aromatics: Garlic and ginger give this soup a nice kick and bridge the gap between the sweet carrots and savory spices. I wouldn’t recommend substituting either with dried versions.
- Broth: I used low-sodium vegetable broth to keep this carrot ginger soup vegetarian, but you can substitute with chicken broth if you’d like.
- Whole milk: Brings a nice creaminess without competing with the flavor. You can use an unsweetened plant-based milk or vegetable stock if you’d like to make this a vegan roasted carrot soup.
- Mint (optional): A garnish of mint leaves brings a freshness to the soup. You can omit the mint or substitute with other tender herbs like parsley or fresh chives.
How to Make Roasted Carrot Soup
This roasted carrot soup recipe is essentially three steps: roast the vegetables, blend, then simmer and season. Here’s how you make it:
- Get ready. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Brush a sheet pan with olive oil.
- Roast the carrots. Trim off the tops and peel 3 pounds of carrots. Arrange the carrots on the prepared sheet pan and season lightly with salt and pepper. Drizzle generously with olive oil, then roast for 25 minutes. Flip and roast until the carrots are fork tender and nicely browned around the edges, about 20 minutes more. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Blend. When the carrots are cool enough to handle, cut into chunks and place in a large food processor or blender. Add 4 chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger and 3 cups of vegetable broth. Puree until the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer. Transfer to a heavy cooking pot and add the remaining 2 cups of broth. Season with 1 teaspoon of coriander and allspice. Place the pot on medium heat and watch carefully as the soup bubbles. Stir occasionally until reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add the milk. Turn the heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup of whole milk. Once heated through, remove from the stove.
- Serve. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if using. Enjoy!
Vegan Carrot Soup Option
If you would rather make a vegan version of this roasted carrot soup, you can replace the fat free half and half with coconut milk. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious. Or you can simply add just a little more broth (of course, select a vegan broth.)
What to Serve With Carrot Soup
This carrot soup is a great starter to any meal. But I often serve it for a light dinner with crusty bread–if I’m lucky enough to have baked some fresh focaccia, challah or pita chips it’s particularly comforting. I sometimes sprinkle a bit of dukkah on top for an added aromatic and nutty quality.
To start the meal, I usually add a big Fattoush salad–the crunch goes nicely with the creaminess of the roasted carrot soup. If you want a heartier, more filling salad, try Balela Salad or Chickpea Egg Salad.
How to Store Carrot Ginger Soup
This carrot soup recipe keeps exceptionally well, both in the refrigerator and in the freezer. It’s a great way to get ahead for winter colds, busy weeks and more.
- To refrigerate: Wait for the soup to cool, then seal and store in your refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: Allow the soup to cool fully. Seal in a freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, leaving space a top to allow it to expand in your freezer.
- To reheat: If you’re reheating from frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat thawed or refrigerated soup in the microwave or over medium heat on your stove, adding more broth or water as necessary.
More Vegetarian Soup Recipes to Try
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Roasted Carrot Soup
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 pounds carrots, peeled
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup whole milk
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Get ready. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Brush a sheet pan with olive oil.
- Roast the carrots. Arrange the carrots on the prepared sheet pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper and drizzle generously with olive oil. Roast for 25 minutes, then flip and roast until the carrots are fork tender and nicely caramelized, about 20 minutes more. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Blend. When the carrots are cool enough to handle, cut into chunks and place in a large food processor or blender. Add the garlic, ginger and 3 cups of the broth. Puree until the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer. Transfer the carrot puree to a heavy cooking pot. Add the remaining 2 cups of broth, coriander and allspice. Place the pot on medium heat and watch carefully as the soup bubbles. Stir occasionally until reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add the milk. Turn the heat to medium-low and stir in the milk. Once heated through, remove from the stove.
- Serve. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if using. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- To refrigerate: Seal and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: Allow the soup to cool fully. Seal in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To reheat: Reheat thawed or refrigerated soup in the microwave or stovetop over medium heat, adding more broth or water as necessary.
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition
*This post has been updated with new information for readers’ benefit.
Hi Suzy – I love the idea of this recipe, but I am cow-dairy free. I can eat goat cheese.
What can I substitute for the half-and-half or cream in this recipe?
Thanks.
Hi, Annette! I have found that coconut milk works well with this recipe. It changes the flavor just a little bit, but it’s still very good!
Yesiree, this afternoon I made the “Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup with Ginger” recipe for the first time. Added a small roasted sweet onion and everything else was as Suzy prescribed. Delicious, and leftovers in the freezer for two more meals. Just my wife and me, and at 70+ we don’t eat a lot anymore. The “leftovers” will be a nice on a cold Sunday evening with a simple sandwich or salad. This is the 4th recipe I’ve tried from Suzy and all have been very flavorful. Thanks!
That is so wonderful to hear, David! Thank you!
Made this last night – amazing!
Thanks, Lama!
Roasting the carrots first makes ALL the difference!
Yesssss! 🙂
How yummy is this! I love the use of carrots like this!
Thanks, Kevin!
This would be a sure hit at my house!! Such an amazing comfort food!
Hope you enjoy it, Toni!
This roasted carrot soup looks incredibly delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
Enjoy 🙂
mmm…this looks so warm and comforting!! Perfect for fall!
Hope you enjoy it!!
I love how flavorful this creamy soup is!
This roasted carrot soup is seriously making me hungry!
I’m going to give this a try! Thank you!
Oh my goodness! I made this for my girlfriend and we could not stop eating it. And I’m so looking forward to my leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
So glad to hear it, David! Thank you
I made this soup last night and it was an absolute hit! So hearty and the flavors are incredible! Thank you.
Awesome! Thanks so much, Cindy
Delicious. I added a large onion cut into chunks to the roasting pan after the carrots had been cooking for 25 minutes. They carmelized along with the carrots. Otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. Served it with cheese cubes an a sour dough baggett. Everybody in the family loved this soup. It will be a go-to meal for us.
Sounds wonderful, Deneen! Thanks for sharing!
Can greek yogurt replace half and half???
Not in this particular recipe, but you can try whole milk or coconut milk if you like.
Delicious and very easy! I think I will add just a bit more ginger next time. I didn’t have quite enough carrots so I made up the difference with sweet potato.