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Butternut Squash Bisque

Silky smooth, naturally sweet butternut squash soup enriched with cream and warming spices—a comforting bowl of pure comfort.

Time45 minutes
Serves6
EffortEasy
A bowl of smooth orange butternut squash bisque, swirled with cream and scattered with herbs.
Texture level

3 · Liquidised

Pours smoothly like a thick drinkable soup. No lumps, no bits, and no chewing at all. Can be taken from a cup or spoon, and should not hold its shape on the plate.

Suitable for anyone who finds food hard to chew or swallow. Graded IDDSI Level 3 (Liquidised) — smooth & drinkable — the texture standard used in dysphagia care and soft diets.

See all texture levels

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Butternut squash, peeled and cubed Pre-cut squash works well to save time
  • 1 medium Onion, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 4 cups Low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream Or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free
  • 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp White pepper
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Maple syrup Optional, for extra sweetness

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the cubed butternut squash and stir to coat with the butter.

  3. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes until the squash is very tender and easily pierced with a fork.

  4. Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth and silky. Alternatively, blend in batches in a regular blender, being careful with the hot liquid.

  5. Return the pureed soup to the pot over low heat. Stir in the cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, white pepper, and maple syrup if using.

  6. Heat gently, stirring frequently, until the soup is heated through. Do not let it boil after adding cream.

  7. Taste and adjust seasoning. The soup should be perfectly smooth with no lumps. If needed, blend again to ensure absolute smoothness.

  8. Serve in warm bowls with a drizzle of cream swirled on top. The smooth texture makes this an easy one if swallowing is difficult.

Serving Tips

Important Guidance

  • This bisque is naturally smooth but can be strained through a fine-mesh sieve for extra smoothness if needed.
  • The soup thickens as it cools. Add more broth when reheating to reach desired consistency.
  • Serve at a lukewarm temperature—too hot can cause burns and swallowing difficulties.
  • Freeze in portion-sized containers for easy reheating later.

Nutrition Facts

Calories~200 kcal
Protein~3 g
Fat~12 g
Carbohydrates~23 g
Sodium~180 mg
Cholesterol~35 mg

Estimated from the listed ingredients across 6 servings, including the optional maple syrup. This is an estimate, not a lab-tested nutrition label.

Dietary Notes

Gluten-free and naturally dairy-free option available. Low in sodium when using homemade broth. Perfectly smooth texture for dysphagia-friendly diets.