Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Published: Sep 12, 2019 · Updated: Dec 12, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 80 Comments

This soul-warming, velvety Instant Pot butternut squash soup is perfect for the cooler seasons and seriously the best I've ever had. It's super creamy (without the cream), flavorful, and easy to make in your pressure cooker.

A bowl of soup with the Instant Pot in the background.

Editor's note: This recipe was originally published on November 4, 2017. Since then, it’s been freshened up with new pictures, commentary, and made even tastier.

Sweet butternut squash is cooked in the pressure cooker with onions, garlic, coconut milk, spices, and then pureed to smooth perfection.

Since the butternut squash is rich and sweet, adding a granny smith apple adds a hint of freshness to the soup. Coconut milk adds creaminess, without the cream.

You'll love this recipe because it's:

Easy to prepare with the pressure cooker.
It's creamy and without being loaded up with heavy cream.
Warm, cozy, and comforting.
Delicious and flavorful.
Easy to make ahead of time and store for later.

This soup is perfect on its own, but you can add toasted pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) or croutons for a little bit of crunch.

Instant Pot filled with diced butternut squash

How to make butternut squash soup in the Instant Pot

1. Sautee the garlic and onion: Press the "Sautee" button on the Instant Pot. Add oil, onions, and garlic. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions become fragrant and start to appear translucent.

2. Add the remaining ingredients: Add the apple, butternut squash, coconut milk, water, sage, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Stir well.

3. Cook the ingredients: Set the Instant Pot to "Pressure Cooker" for 10 minutes and close the lid. Once the Instant Pot turns off, let the pressure release on its own for about 10 minutes before using the quick-release valve and opening the lid.

4. Blend the soup: Either using an immersion blender or blender, process the soup until smooth and creamy.

Pro tip: While the blender requires more clean-up than an immersion blender, it makes for a smoother, velvety texture.

Step by step instructions for making butternut squash soup in the pressure cooker

Serving suggestions

While this soup is hearty and filling, you may want to serve it with a side to make it a meal. Here are the best sides to serve with this butternut squash soup:

Salad: soup and salad make the perfect duo. Add a little crunch with the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad or Apple Spinach Salad. One of my personal favorites is the Kale Citrus Salad.
Roasted Veggies: pair with seasonal vegetables, such as roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, or a combination of a few.
Steamed Veggies: serve with a side of steamed broccoli, beets, or carrots.
Protein: for a boost in protein, pair the soup with sauteed tofu or a side of beans (I love cooking a batch of pinto beans in my pressure cooker)
Toasted Bread: dip your soup with a slice of toasted bread, such as this No Knead Dutch Oven Bread.

Tips to buy and store butternut

Here are my top tips on how to pick a butternut squash when grocery shopping and how to store it once you're home:

Be sure to pick a squash that's not blemished.
The squash should have a matte exterior, not a shiny one as that would indicate that it was picked before it was ripe.
Store the squash in a cool, dry place that's ventilated. A cool pantry or cabinet would be an ideal location.
If you decide to prep the squash in advance, it will stay fresh for about a week if stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Commonly asked questions

How long does butternut squash soup last in the fridge? Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can butternut squash soup be frozen? Yes, this soup freezes well. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How do you thicken butternut squash soup? Return the soup back into the Instant Pot and press the Saute button. Let the soup simmer to reduce, stirring frequently.

What is a good garnish for butternut squash soup? Coconut milk, toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh herbs, croutons.

What is good with butternut squash soup? A weeknight salad, a sandwich, flatbread, homemade dinner rolls.

Bowl of butternut squash soup next to the Instant Pot.

More easy soup recipes

If you loved this butternut squash soup, here are some more soup recipes you'll enjoy:

Other easy Instant Pot recipes

Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Here are some of my favorite ways to use the pressure cooker:

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About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

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