The BEST way to eat carrots!! The humble carrot makes an amazing creamy carrot soup – but when you sneak bacon in, it makes it over-the-top delicious!
This is a terrific carrot recipe to serve as a meal. Thick and creamy, savoury and sweet, Carrot Soup is quick to make, healthy, freezes brilliantly, and the only thing it needs is hot crusty bread for dunking. And I love the colour!
Creamy Carrot Soup is the BEST way to eat carrots!
When the end of the week rolls round and the cupboards are pretty bare, I can still bank on having carrots, onion and garlic.
And there are a handful of terrific meals that I can think of making with these 3 things – Carrot Pilaf, sautéed carrot in garlic butter tossed through pasta, a golden fluffy omelette stuffed with buttery julienned carrots, and this creamy carrot soup.
Clocking in at just 351 calories for a big bowl, Carrot Soup is creamy deliciousness that’s full of nutrition!
Bacon is the secret ingredient!
Though this creamy carrot soup does have a wee bit more in it than just carrots, onion and garlic, they are mostly pantry essentials with the “other” things being optional.
Like – bacon. 🙂 Crisp up some bacon in the pot before adding all the carrot soup stuff, and it makes the most amazing flavour base ever. It really takes the humble carrot soup to another level.
So I’m really hoping you have some bacon stashed away in the freezer (and if not – why not?!😉)
Health benefits of carrot
As rabbits well know, carrots are GOOD for you!! Here’s why:
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High in antioxidants which are important for good health
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High in vitamin A – for general well being and specifically, vision and immunity
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Rich in other vitamins, minerals and fibre
Carrot Soup looks pretty much like Pumpkin Soup. In fact, you could interchange the two photos and I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference (errr, well except for the fact that I took those photos so I know which is which 😂)
There are also similarities in the flavour. Naturally sweet with undertones of savoury, and the same thick, creamy texture – even if you don’t use cream. I do use a bit of cream in this recipe – but it’s optional. It adds an extra touch of richness that can be substituted with a dollop of butter – or left out.
When I’m trying to be “healthy”, I leave the cream out of the soup then drizzle just 1 teaspoon on the surface. It tricks my simple mind into thinking there’s more cream in it than there actually is!
Also – don’t forget Soup Dunkers. Always an essential part of a soup eating experience! Here are a few of my favourites.
Soup Dunkers
– Nagi x
Creamy Carrot Soup
Watch how to make it
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Creamy Carrot Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 4 slices streaky bacon (~120g/4oz)
- 1 onion , chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 5 large carrots , cut into 1.5 cm / 3/5" chunks
- 1 litre / 1 quart vegetable or chicken broth (4 cups)
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml cream
- 3/4 cup / 185ml milk (any fat %)
- Salt and pepper
Serving:
- Fresh thyme or chopped parsley
- Cream , for swirling
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until golden. Remove from pot, cool then chop.
- Add onion and garlic into the bacon drippings. Cook for 2 minutes until onion is translucent but not browned.
- Add carrots and stir well to coat the carrot in the oil.
- Add broth, then stir. Cover with lid, adjust heat so it is simmering energetically (about medium). Cook for 20 - 25 minutes until carrot is very soft.
- Remove lid, turn heat off. Use a stick blender to puree the carrot (or cool slightly and do in blender).
- Add cream, milk, salt and pepper to taste. Stir. Adjust thickness with milk (or water), if desired.
- Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with swirls of cream, bacon and parsley or thyme if desired. Serve with crusty bread.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More healthy creamy soups
-
Ultra low cal Creamy Vegetable Soup – a creamy soup broth without butter!
-
Browse all Soup recipes
Life of Dozer
Enjoying the warm sun….
Katrina says
Oh my this is amazing, and so simple! I wanted to freeze portions so I blended the chopped bacon in with the rest of the soup and it is ridiculously good. Thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love it Katrina, who knew the humble carrot could be so good?!
Bailey says
Going back to make this a SECOND time. My boyfriend who isn’t much for vegetables even likes this because of the bacon. Easy, cheap, quick, healthy. All around a great recipe.
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love it Bailey!
Trina Woodring says
Never in my wildest did I think I would like this, But dug up garden carrots, and made with homemade chicken stock, no cream but had cream cheese about I/3 cup and one can evaporated milk and yummy yummy will make again very soon. So surprised.
Moira says
Excellent recipe and so easy to make!
miranda coutts says
Fabulous easy to follow recipe. What a great soup! Can not wait to make this again. Thank you Nagi. xx
Nagi says
Thanks for the feedback Miranda! Glad you enjoyed this 🙂 N x
kev says
as ever,all your recipes brilliant
Nagi says
Ego – GROWING!!!😂
Gerry says
I’d suggest adding a bit of fresh grated ginger; it seems to have an affinity for carrots.
Nagi says
Ooh yes! 🙂
DAWN GOURLIE says
Love carrot soup! A local restaurant topped theirs with toasted walnuts and a drizzle of honey. Delicious!D
Nagi says
I love the honey idea!!
Angela Dash says
Definitely enjoyed the carrot soup, showed a friend the recipe and we both want to know what cheese is on the bread, looks like the final delicious step.
Sacharissa says
Delicious!
I didn’t add the cream as I started my diet today (booooo!) but it still hit the spot. Tasty and filling.
Carrot soup isn’t really something I’d normally choose (not when pie and curry and stews exist!) but I’m glad I made it, and will definitely again.
Nagi says
AND Carrot Soup is something lower cal than pies and curries and stews!!! 😂 N xx
Bev says
Hi Nagi,
Dozer dozing – what a great pic. Must be tired after all the Jenga!
We eat carrot soup chilled in the summer. Never tried it with bacon. I bet it smells really good cooking in the bacon base. Must try.
Nagi says
He was feeling so left out, it was so funny! Kept nudging everyone but no one would give him attention while we were playing!!
Bev says
Poor baby! Maybe you can get Dozer one of those Jumbo Jengas. We made one to play with at picnics and tailgates. Lots of fun – and Dozer-sized!
Nagi says
Jumbo Jenga! Sounds like something more up MY alley – I have the worst fumble fingers!!
Bev says
Yes, Jumbo Jenga is a lot of fun. Unless you play with my son – he’s ALWAYS pulling the very bottom boards. Maybe Dozer would like to be in Kevin’s team. Heehee.
I saw that you are planning to post the recipe for Dozer’s birthday cake. I’m looking forward to seeing that one.
Nagi says
Ba ha ha! Sounds like they’d be a match!
Dahn says
Yes!! Carrot soup IS amazing and bacon makes it super amazing 🙂 It is right up there with butternut squash soup and creamy tomato soup. All amazing, soul-warming soups.
Nagi says
yes yes YES!!
Malcolm E Reding says
I have subscribed to your site and asked for the free cookbooks 4 times, including today and I have no response.
I check my spam folder several times every day,
Malcolm Reding
Nagi says
Hi Malcolm! Responded to your earlier comment below, links are in every email I send out as well! 🙂
Malcolm E Reding says
Nagio; I get your recipes every day, but I have requested the free cookbooks at least 6 times with no response.
Lisa says
Love the recipe…but the picture of Dozer’s birthday – my idea of heaven; then you put another pic up of him dozing in the sun. Gorgeous way to start the day.
Nagi says
And this message just made MY day! 🙂 N x
Lisa says
You make every day special x
Gillian DidierSerre says
Hi Nagi we are supposed to be having summer in Toronto Canada 😈 has not shown up yet..Any way I will make your carrot soup but serve it chilled instead..
Hey Dozer..what sort of birthday cake did your mom bake for you. .would you care to share the recipe xo from Luca and Gillian
Nagi says
I would be delighted to share the recipe! I’ll post it soon or send it to you by email 🙂 N x
Sherry B says
you’ve made my mouth water again! I usually make carrot soup in the winter (it was 96 degrees here on Monday), and I put 3 or 4 thyme sprigs in while the veggies are cooking and remove the sprigs before whizzing. Great flavor additive! Otherwise, it’s just like your recipe!
Nagi says
Don’t rub it in, it’s sooo cold over here! I finally pulled my heater out!
Shaki says
Nagii is ther anything to substitute for bacon?coz we don’t eat pork.
Nagi says
Hi Shaki! Can you do turkey bacon? Otherwise I would sprinkle the finished soup with fried shallots or fried garlic, the crispy salty garnishes sold in the Asian section of supermarkets. Or CROUTONS! N x
Trevor Booth says
Scrummy recepies, love to try them.
Nagi says
Thank you Trevor! Hope you do get a chance to try them! 🙂 N xx
Jonathan S says
Soup looks yummy, and easy to prepare.
Cute pictures of Dozer’s party, and his recovering from to excitement.
Nagi says
Ba ha ha! That’s exactly it – post party exhaustion! N xx
Malcolm E Reding says
I have requested your cookbooks at least 3 times with no response!!
Nagi says
Hi Malcolm – the links to download them are in every new recipe email I send out. Just scroll down. 🙂
Bailey Smith says
All you have to do is sign up for the emails. It is sent right to the email you sign up with. Check your spam.
Nagi says
Thank you Bailey 🙂 N xx