Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato Recipe

Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Nothing beats a warm bowl of spicy peanut soup when comfort meets culinary adventure.

Fragrant aromas dance through your kitchen, promising a delightful experience.

Hearty sweet potatoes bring robust earthiness to this vibrant dish.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with rich, nutty undertones that surprise and delight.

Bold spices create a harmonious symphony of flavors that warm you from inside out.

Unexpected ingredients spark curiosity and make this recipe a must-try sensation.

Every spoonful promises an exciting journey through complex, satisfying tastes.

You won’t want to miss creating this remarkable soup that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary magic.

Spicy Peanut Soup with a Sweet Potato Punch

  • Adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of jalapeno and cayenne pepper, making this soup perfect for spice lovers and mild-taste fans alike.
  • Prepare the soup in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to develop and simplifying meal planning for busy households.
  • Combines sweet potatoes, kale, and peanut butter to deliver a robust meal loaded with vitamins, protein, and complex carbohydrates that support overall health and energy.
  • Requires minimal cooking skills, uses a single pot for easy preparation, and delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen cleanup, ideal for weeknight dinners or quick meal solutions.

What’s Inside This Bold Peanut Soup

Base Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a smooth base for sauteing aromatics with a subtle flavor.
  • Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the soup's foundation.
  • Garlic, Ginger, Jalapeno: Classic flavor boosters that create a spicy and aromatic base.
Vegetables and Spices:
  • Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that adds creamy texture and natural sweetness.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Brings bright color and mild, sweet pepper flavor.
  • Cumin, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cayenne: Warm spice blend that creates complex, layered flavor profile.
  • Kale or Spinach: Nutrient-dense greens that add color and freshness to the soup.
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
  • Diced Tomatoes: Provides acidity and rich tomato flavor to the soup.
  • Vegetable Broth: Creates the liquid base and adds additional depth.
  • Peanut Butter: Adds creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: Intensifies tomato flavor and helps thicken the soup.
  • Lime Juice: Brightens the overall flavor with a tangy finish.
Garnish and Optional Sides:
  • Chopped Peanuts: Adds crunch and reinforces the nutty flavor.
  • Cilantro, Green Onions: Fresh herbs that provide brightness and aroma.
  • Rice or Quinoa: Optional side to make the meal more substantial.

Instructions for a Flavorful Peanut Soup Bowl

Step 1: Warm Up the Pan

  • Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat
  • Drop in chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent
  • Toss in minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced jalapeno
  • Stir and cook for one minute to release their aromatic flavors

Step 2: Sprinkle Magical Spices

  • Scatter ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne into the pot
  • Add chopped sweet potatoes and red bell peppers
  • Mix thoroughly to coat vegetables with the spice blend

Step 3: Create the Soup Base

  • Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, peanut butter, and tomato paste
  • Whisk ingredients until peanut butter melts completely into the liquid
  • Ensure smooth and consistent texture

Step 4: Let the Soup Simmer

  • Bring mixture to a rolling boil
  • Reduce heat to low
  • Allow soup to gently simmer
  • Cook until sweet potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork

Step 5: Add Fresh Greens

  • Fold in chopped kale or spinach
  • Cook for additional five minutes until greens wilt
  • Splash fresh lime juice
  • Season with salt and pepper to personal preference

Step 6: Serve with Flair

  • Ladle soup into serving bowls
  • Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions
  • Optional: Serve alongside rice or quinoa

Tips to Balance Heat and Creaminess

  • Customize Heat Levels: Adjust cayenne and jalapeño amounts to match your spice tolerance, creating a milder or more intense soup experience.
  • Boost Protein Power: Add cooked chicken, tofu, or beans to transform this soup into a more substantial meal with extra protein.
  • Perfect Peanut Incorporation: Whisk peanut butter separately with a bit of hot broth before adding to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, even distribution.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance and let flavors meld overnight for deeper, richer taste.
  • Swap Greens Strategically: Replace kale with Swiss chard, spinach, or collard greens based on availability or personal preference without compromising the soup's texture.

Storing and Reheating Sweet Potato Peanut Soup

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing with garnishes like cilantro or peanuts.
  • Transfer frozen or refrigerated soup to a pot. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of vegetable broth if soup seems too thick.
  • Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through. Add fresh herbs or peanuts after reheating for extra crunch.

What to Eat with Spicy Peanut Soup

  • Complement the soup's spicy and nutty profile with a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer, cutting through the richness while enhancing the complex flavors.
  • Serve alongside a warm, slightly sweet cornbread to balance the soup's heat and provide a satisfying textural contrast with its crumbly, golden crust.
  • Create a refreshing side dish with thinly sliced cucumbers, fresh herbs, and a light vinaigrette to cool down the soup's spiciness and add brightness.
  • Offer grilled or toasted naan or pita bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with herbs, perfect for dipping and soaking up the soup's rich, creamy broth.

Switch-Ups for Your Peanut Soup Routine

  • Coconut Curry Version: Replace vegetable broth with coconut milk for a creamy, Southeast Asian-inspired soup. Add yellow curry powder instead of original spices for deeper flavor complexity.
  • Vegan Protein Boost: Swap peanut butter with almond butter and add cooked chickpeas or lentils for extra protein. Use nutritional yeast to enhance umami depth.
  • Gluten-Free Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute sweet potatoes with cauliflower or zucchini. Use almond flour or coconut flour as a potential thickener if needed.
  • Protein-Packed Option: Include shredded rotisserie chicken or diced tofu during the simmering stage. Add extra cayenne or red pepper flakes for increased heat and protein content.

Spicy Peanut Soup: All Your FAQs

  • Is this soup healthy?

Yes, this soup is packed with nutrients. Sweet potatoes provide vitamins, kale offers iron and calcium, and peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats.

  • Can I make this soup less spicy?

Absolutely! Reduce or omit the jalapeno and cayenne pepper. You can also use mild bell peppers to keep flavor without intense heat.

  • Do I need fresh ingredients or can I use frozen?

Fresh ingredients are best, but frozen vegetables work too. Use frozen sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and chopped kale as convenient alternatives.

  • What if I have a peanut allergy?

Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or almond butter. These alternatives provide similar creamy texture and nutritional benefits.

Print
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Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato Recipe

Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty “spicy peanut soup with sweet potato” brings robust comfort from West African kitchens to your table. Rich flavors blend tender sweet potatoes, creamy peanut butter, and complex spices, promising warmth and satisfaction with each delightful spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 medium)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups chopped kale or spinach

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (optional, for heat)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime

Optional Toppings:

  • Roasted peanuts, chopped
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sliced green onions
  • Cooked rice or quinoa (to serve)

Instructions

  1. Warm olive oil in a spacious soup pot over medium flame, gently sautéing diced onions until they become translucent and softened.
  2. Introduce minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and finely chopped jalapeño, allowing the aromatic mixture to release its vibrant flavors for about a minute.
  3. Sprinkle in ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne, creating a fragrant spice blend that coats the vegetables.
  4. Tumble in cubed sweet potatoes and diced red bell peppers, stirring thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly seasoned.
  5. Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, creamy peanut butter, and tomato paste, whisking until the peanut butter completely melts into the liquid.
  6. Elevate the heat to trigger a boiling point, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the sweet potatoes to tenderize for approximately 20 minutes.
  7. Fold in fresh chopped kale or spinach, letting the greens wilt and integrate into the soup’s rich texture.
  8. Brighten the flavors with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, then calibrate the seasoning with salt and pepper to personal preference.
  9. Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and thinly sliced green onions.
  10. Optional: Accompany the soup with a side of fluffy rice or quinoa for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Swap spice levels easily by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity or using milder peppers like poblano for those sensitive to heat.
  • Boost protein content by adding cooked chicken, tofu, or white beans directly into the soup during the final simmering stage.
  • Create a creamy, velvety texture by blending a portion of the soup before adding greens, which helps thicken the consistency without extra ingredients.
  • Make the recipe gluten-free and allergen-friendly by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and confirming all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: African

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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