Butternut Squash Soup with Sage & Brown Butter
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🌿 Introduction
When the first cool breeze of autumn rolls in, I know it’s time to pull out the butternut squash. It’s my youngest daughter’s favorite soup and she is a fall baby. Every time I make it, it’s like a big “I love you” to her! This soup carries a little twist—fresh sage crisped in brown butter—that turns a humble pot of blended squash into a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl.
This is the kind of recipe I make when the garden slows and my heart longs for slower rhythms and rich hugs. Simple ingredients, quietly transformed, into something nourishing and beautiful.
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🥣 Velvety smooth and deeply comforting
- 🌱 Infused with earthy sage and nutty brown butter
- 🍠 Uses simple, seasonal ingredients
- 🥄 Freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep
📋 Quick Reference Snapshot
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Skill: Easy
- Equipment: Large pot, blender/immersion blender, skillet
- Dietary: Gluten-free, vegetarian
Key Ingredients at a Glance: Butternut squash, onion, garlic, sage, broth, butter (or olive oil)
🌿 Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash (about 3 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tbsp butter (or olive oil for vegan option)
- 6 fresh sage leaves 🌿
- 4 cups Golden Garden Vegetable Broth
- 1 cup milk or cream (sub coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 1 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional garnish: toasted pumpkin seeds, drizzle of cream, or fried sage leaves
🔄 Seasonal Swaps
- 🥔 Swap half the squash for sweet potatoes for a slightly richer flavor
- 🧄 Use shallots instead of onion for a milder, sweeter base
- 🥥 Try coconut milk for a dairy-free twist with extra creaminess
- 🌿 Swap sage for thyme or rosemary for different herbal notes
🌱 From My Garden
This soup often starts in my basket with the last of the season’s butternut squash and a few sprigs of sage that hang on long into the fall. I love how these sturdy garden gifts meet in one pot, each bringing their own fragrance and sweetness. A drizzle of brown butter feels like grace—simple abundance gathered into a golden bowl.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Base
- In a large pot, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in cubed butternut squash. Cook for 3–4 minutes.
Add Broth & Simmer
3. Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
4. Cover and cook 20–25 minutes, until squash is tender.
Blend the Soup
5. Use an immersion blender (or transfer in batches to a blender) to puree until smooth.
6. Stir in milk or cream. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Brown the Butter & Sage
7. In a small skillet, melt remaining 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat until golden and nutty.
8. Add sage leaves and fry until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel.
Finish & Serve
9. Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle with brown butter, top with sage leaves, and enjoy.
🍽️ Serving & Pairing Suggestions
- Pair with Herb-Infused Flatbread with Rosemary & Sea Salt for dipping
- Serve with a crisp Autumn Harvest Salad with Roasted Pears & Pecans
- Add roasted chickpeas or croutons for crunch
🥡 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerate up to 4 days in airtight containers
- Freezes beautifully up to 3 months (reheat gently on stove)
- Make ahead: cook soup up to the blending stage, then reheat and finish with cream and sage before serving
🤝 Community & Connection
- Instagram — Share your golden trays and tag me @southersoils 🌿📸
- Subscribe — Weekly recipes, seasonal tips, and free printable guides ✉️🍂
- Facebook Group — A warm community to swap ideas and share what’s growing 🌱🫶
🛒 Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours
- Immersion blender for safe, easy pureeing 🥄
- Heavy-bottom Dutch oven for even cooking 🥘
- Small skillet for browning butter & crisping sage 🍳
- Ladle for serving generous portions 🍲
🌻 Related on Southern Soil Sunshine
- Golden Garden Vegetable Broth
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Olive Oil & Chives
- Chamomile Tea with Honey & Evening Blessing
💭 Final Thoughts
This soup has become one of my autumn anchors—the kind of dish that slows me down, fills me up, and reminds me that simple things can be deeply sacred. May your bowl be full, and your table warm. 💛
