Creamy Thai curry sweet potato soup is slightly sweet and spicy, and is so creamy! With red lentils, carrots, and Thai red curry paste.
I'm a total sucker for a thick and creamy soup. Butternut squash soup and roasted cauliflower soup are up there amongst my favorites, but this Thai currysoup takes the top spot!
Sweet potatoes and Thai curry may not immediately seem like the should go together, but oh my goodness. They sure do.
It doesn't matter what season it is, I crave this soup!
Red curry paste, fish sauce and lime juice bring the spicy/salty/sour flavors that are characteristic of Thailand, while sweet potatoes balance everything out with a bit of sweetness, and coconut milk brings a rich, creamy texture to the soup.
Between the red lentils, sweet potatoes and coconut milk, you will be hard pressed to find anything creamier than this Thai curry lentil soup!
Reasons to love this Thai curry sweet potato soup
- it's ready in 30 minutes
- it is dairy-free and vegan-friendly
- it freezes great!
Recipe video
Are you a visual learner? It always helps me to watch a video demo when prepping a recipe for the first time. Watch the video below to see how this soup is made! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Which ingredients will we need?
- Sweet potatoes- around 4 cups, cubed. I leave the skin on!
- Aromatics- dice an onion, mince 2 cloves garlic, and grate some ginger (use the fine end of a box grater)
- Carrots- 2, peeled and sliced.
- Coconut milk- I actually really like the Thai Kitchen brand because it is so thick and creamy, but the Grace brand worked well in this recipe. Definitely go for full fat coconut milk if you can!
- Fish sauce & Thai red curry paste- again I love the Thai Kitchen brand, although I highly recommend the Mae Ploy red curry paste if you can find it!
- Red lentils- other types of lentils probably won't work in this recipe
- Broth- I used my homemade bone broth, but any chicken or vegetable stock will work!
- Lime juice- I prefer fresh, but work with what you've got!
Tips for the creamiest soup
This soup is all about that creamy texture. Here are a few tips to get the best texture:
- cook until sweet potatoes and carrots are fork tender- if they still are still firm, your soup will not be smooth
- use full fat coconut milk- a good quality, full fat coconut milk gives this soup rich body and texture.
- puree for longer than you might think- with my immersion blender I do a full minute, sometimes longer. There are always sneaky veggies hiding in the corner
Best Thai red curry paste?
I have tried so many! We love Thai kitchen brand, but have also enjoyed Mae Ploy and Cock brand. We are not a fan of Blue Dragon red curry paste.
Cook ahead and eat later
Soup works amazingly well for meal prep and this sweet potato soup is no exception. Here is how to store it:
- store in the fridge for up to 4 days
- store in the freezer for 3 months+
I like freezing in 1 quart jars (leave ¼ empty and lids ajar until it freezes), or these reusable plastic freezer jars.
Make it vegan!
Swap the fish sauce for vegan fish sauce or a few teaspoons of soy/tamari. Also- check the label on your curry paste as some contain seafood.
Instant Pot?
Yes. Sautée the onions & curry paste, deglaze the pan well, add all ingredients, and pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release. A double batch of this soup fits well in the 8 quart Instant Pot.
Ingredient swap suggestions
While I haven't tested these, I feel confident that these swaps would work in this recipe
- Swap sweet potatoes for butternut squash or more carrots
- Swap coconut milk for full fat cream
- Swap carrots for extra sweet potatoes
- Red lentils- extra sweet potatoes
More soup for you!
- Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Healthier Beef Barley Soup
- Hearty Lentil Soup
- Crockpot Broccoli Turmeric Soup
- Crockpot Taco Soup
This post was originally published in 2014, but was updated with fresh photos & video in 2019. Same great recipe!
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Thai Curry Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (finely grated)
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 4 cups sweet potato (peeled and diced into ½ inch cubes; roughly 500 g)
- 2 carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 3 cups stock (veggie or chicken; or homemade bone broth)
- ¾ cup dried red lentils
- 1 ½ tablespoons fish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
After simmering:
- 13.5 oz coconut milk (full fat recommended)
- ½ lime (juiced)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and cooked through (roughly 5-7 minutes).
- Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for one minute.
- Add the curry paste and stir until onions/garlic/ginger are coated and you can smell the curry paste, 30 seconds-1 minute.
- Add the sweet potato, carrots, stock, lentils, fish sauce, and salt. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, until lentils and sweet potato are cooked through.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Stir in the coconut milk and lime juice.
Storage
- This soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for 3-6 months.
Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
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Marie says
This looks delicious(!) and I can't wait to make my own version, but please change the description to note that the recipe as written is not vegetarian. It can easily be amended to make it completely vegan, but any well-meaning chef who follows this recipe exactly should understand that their vegetarian loved ones won't be able to eat it. If you omit the fish sauce, carefully check the label of your red curry paste to make sure it's safe (many contain shrimp paste), and only use veggie broth, it will be delicious for all of your veggie friends. Other than that, it looks amazing!
Denise says
Marie, you are totally right, my oversight on that one. I checked my curry paste and it did not contain shrimp, but obviously the fish sauce contains fish. I will change the label, and thank-you for pointing that out.
Millie | Add A Little says
This looks amazing Denise - love the warm flavours!
Denise says
Thanks, Millie! I need some warming flavors here right now...so cold!
Heather says
Looks fantastic! Quick question...you mention carrots and show them in the pics but I don't see them in the recipe.
Denise says
Heather, thank-you for catching that! There are two medium carrots in the soup...I will amend the recipe ASAP. Sorry about that!
Caroline says
I love these Thai flavors combined with sweet potato! Such a great idea! Your images are so beautiful too! Pinning right now!
Denise says
Thanks so much, Caroline! It is an unexpected but really delicious combo 🙂
Isadora @ She Likes Food says
Congrats on your first day back! That must be so hard, but awesome you go to spend some time off work with Kai!! I am also loving soups these days and this one looks right up my alley! It has all the flavors I love and it also look so pretty! It has been kinda cold and rainy this week so this soup is totally calling my name 🙂
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I was thinking of you and wondering when you'd be going back to work. I'm glad it went well! I am intrigued by this soup, but would have to sub something for the curry paste, since I don't care for curry. Do you think cumin and paprika would work?
Denise says
Aw, thanks Andrea! You definitely won't get the Thai flavors using cumin and paprika, but I have made this soup a few times and it is a delicious alternative! http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2011/02/02/curried-sweet-potato-carrot-red-lentil-soup-ginger/
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
Thanks for the suggestion!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
This soup is calling my name! It's got all my favorite flavors and the magic word "curry." I want to make this all fall long!
Denise says
Thanks, Leah! I agree, that word curry is magic, at least it gets me excited to eat 😉
katie says
Yay for soup season! This looks amazing Denise, love all the different flavors. I'm glad I'm not the only one who eats leftovers all week 🙂
Congrats on being back to work! 5 days in grown-up world after being on maternity leave is hard.
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
There's nothing better than a bowl of homemade soup! I've never used sweet potatoes before and I bet there's a lot of soup combos you could make with them -- thanks for the inspiration!
Denise says
I agree, April, nothing better than homemade soup, and the next best thing to actually eating it is smelling it 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Glad you made it back through your first full work week Denise! This soup sounds like the perfect comforting lunch to ease back in. I love Thai flavors and could also eat soup throughout the year. I am totally craving a big bowl of this gorgeous soup now too!
Denise says
Thank-you, Jessica!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
Congrats on being back to work, but I must admit I probably would have cried for the first half of it. Denise this soup has some of my favorite flavors. I love that you turned it into soup.
Denise says
Aw, thanks, Kathy! I somehow managed to suppress the tears, which is weird considering I can cry during an episode of Castle...LOL.
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
Soup is my best friend, especially now that it's getting cold outside. I have always loved soups with lentils - my grandparents used them all the time and I've been obsessed with them ever since I was a little girl. I just know I'd devour this soup in no time. Looks so scrumptious!
Denise says
I am a new lentil convert, and they are so delicious and filling, just love them! Thanks, Kathi!
Annie @Maebells says
I do not thin I have ever had anything Thai, it is just not something you see a lot around Nashville. (on the other hand, we have lots of gravy and biscuits ha!) And I have never really had the desire to try anything thai until I saw this soup. The color!! It is beautiful!
Denise says
Oh, you have to try Thai, Annie, it is so good! I am such an addict, especially the curries. But I can also see the appeal of gravy and biscuits, too, especially this time of year 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh yum, this sounds AMAZING! I love all the thai flavors. And I love sneaking lentils into things because they are so darn good for you!
Denise says
I am obsessed with lentils! Especially pureed lentils, I am so weird that way 😉 Thanks, Jess!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Glad you got thru your first week back at work! I bet that was quite the transition. Hugs to you momma. Hopefully you'll get in the swing of your new routine soon.
Ok, this soup sounds delicious! I love thai curry. Like, LOVE it! This soup sounds amazing. I do the same thing as you, I love making a huge pot of soup, then eating it for lunch for the week. The best!
Denise says
Aww, thanks, Natalie! It is definitely a transition, but it is good for both of us to be at work/daycare. And yes to making a big old pot of soup and eating it all week...I think this is my new reality 🙂
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Soup totally happens around here all year round too. 😉 Couldn't live without it! Right now I'm at that point where soup has been happening practically every day so I'm definitely craving a big bowlful of this! LOVE how smooth and creamy it looks!
Denise says
Yes, I'm with you on the soup! I love that it's also normally pretty healthy. Thanks, Sarah!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
Hehe, I am just like you - I happily enjoy soup all year round - even on those hot summer days! And this soup looks right up my alley! It honestly could not look any creamier or comforting! Hope you rested up well this weekend after your week back at work!! Pinned onto my soup board!
Denise says
Thanks, Ceara! This week-end was the opposite of relaxing, but next week-end is a long one...yay!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This soup looks right up my alley! Love the Thai influence and flavourings! So good, bookmarking the recipe!
Denise says
Thanks Jess! Isn't Thai food great?
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Congrats on making it back through your first full work week! This soup sounds like the perfect lunch to help you get back into the swing of things. I also eat soup throughout the year, it's just so good! I've never made a sweet potato soup before, so I'm loving this flavorful version. Looks delicious!
Denise says
Thanks, Gayle! I can't get enough of sweet potato! You should totally try it in a soup 🙂