Easy Butternut Squash with Leek Soup - storage tips

Best Butternut squash soup with leeks

Butternut squash soup is my favorite soup in the whole world. I've had lots of butternut squash soups. But none as flavorful as this one.  The bonus is this recipe is both easy and healthy!  No cream added so this soup is dairy-free and low-calorie. It's filling too!

 

Why is this the Best Butternut squash soup?

It's the leeks. They add so much flavor. I am (surprisingly) not a big onion lover. But the leeks are an amazing addition to this soup. Squash is often a bland-tasting food. The sauteed leeks add richness to the flavor.

This recipe also has a great texture. The big bonus is this soup is healthy too, without the need for a high-calorie cream addition. That's why it's dairy free!  For presentation purposes, I do sometimes add some sour cream but it totally isn't necessary for the flavor.

Ingredients

3½ pound large butternut squash (Size can vary by about ½ lb.)
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium leeks or 2 large (finely sliced, white part only (rinsed).

4 cups chicken broth (32 oz)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 dashes chipotle group red pepper (optional)
Sour cream as a garnish. (optional)

Directions

Cut squash in half lengthwise.

Put into a pan with ½ inch water

Cover with tinfoil so water doesn't evaporate

Bake at 375 Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.
Stab with a fork to see if soft. If not, bake a few more minutes until soft.
When done, remove from oven. Set aside for a few minutes to cool a bit.
While squash is cooling, sauté leeks in oil.

Add chicken broth to sautéed leeks.

Scoop out seeds and throw them out.
Scoop out butternut squash, avoiding getting the skin.

Add to broth and leak mixture.

Add thyme, salt, pepper and chipotle.
Simmer for 20 minutes.
Puree with an emersion blender (or carefully in a blender).

Add a little sour cream on top as a garnish (optional).
Serve and enjoy!

How I store and freeze big batches of soup

I am loving homemade soups lately. I've been freezing them in individual portions so that I can have them for lunch or even for/with dinner.

A 12 oz mason jar is a perfect size! And, I love these mason jar white reusable lids.

If you do decide to freeze soups and other liquids in mason jars, make sure you get a Wide-Mouth Funnel. It makes filling the jars so much easier and way less messy.

Now, here's a hint for freezing this and other liquids. Make sure you leave at least ½ inch, if not a bit more room space in the jar. Remember from science class, liquids expand? You want to give it enough room to do that.

The best and safest way to thaw soup in a mason jar is to let it thaw in the refrigerator.  I usually take foods out of the freezer and put it in my fridge on Sunday night - It really helps with meal planning!

I've also started freezing soups in these containers. They close nicely, are a good-sized portion, and stack well in the freezer.  This is what the container looks like when you buy it.  Honestly though, go buy it from your local grocery or department store.  It's much cheaper.

Don't forget to garnish your soup if you are serving it to others. A little sour cream and some parsley leaves (or chives) make your butternut squash soup and look pretty.

 

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I've been making and freezing soups a lot these last couple of weeks. What is your favorite soup to freeze?

Love soups? Here are a few I've posted. Take a look!

Easy Baby Kale and Chickpea Soup with Tomatos

Easy Pasta Fagioli Soup.

Healthy Cabbage and Vegetable Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Italian Wedding Soup.

Matzo Ball Soup.