Fall vegetables are simmered in a lemon-flavored broth for the ultimate healthy comfort food. I use chicken stock, but you can easily use vegetable stock to make this vegan!
Whenever the weather is cold and gloomy (which it has been for the last 4 days) soup is my go-to meal. Soups are so easy – just throw some ingredients in a pot and add liquid. Boom. You’ve got soup.
Well maybe it isn’t that simple, but you get my drift. You can easily grab a bunch of different vegetables, sauté them for added flavor, add in some aromatics and then your broth. A little simmer and you’re good to go! It’s a great way to clean out your fridge at the end of the week, which is exactly what I did with today’s recipe!
I really wanted to make a healthy soup that didn’t skimp on flavor, but let’s be real here – sometimes vegetable soups can be bland and boring. I definitely didn’t want that to be the case with this soup!
The two most important ingredients that take this soup from ordinary to extraordinary are red pepper flakes and lemon juice. If you’re not into spicy don’t worry – the red pepper flakes are just enough to add a little warmth and tons of flavor. The lemon juice really adds amazing flavor and brightens everything up. Whatever you do, don’t skip these ingredients!
You can easily toss in whatever veggies you like – don’t have acorn squash? Use butternut. Not into kale? Use spinach. Extra broccoli in the fridge? Throw it in!
It’s really simple to change around this soup to use what you have or what you like – just don’t leave out the red pepper and lemon juice! I like to use chicken stock for a rich flavored broth, but you also you use vegetable stock to make this soup vegetarian/vegan. If you’re a meat eater, rotisserie chicken or sausage would be fantastic in here as well!
I really love the combination of acorn squash and kale. You get a nice sweet flavor from the acorn squash, which contrasts nicely with the hearty kale.
If you love soup like I do and are looking for something really healthy, but also full of flavor, you have to try this!
Love kale as much as me? Check out this article from Thrive Cuisine to learn everything you need to know about kale! You can also find more great vegan kale recipes here.
- 2 Tablespoons Extra-Light Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 Carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 Garlic Cloves, finely minced
- 1 Acorn Squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- ¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, or to taste
- 1 Bunch Kale, leaves removed from stems and finely chopped
- 1 Lemon, halved
- 8 Cups Chicken Stock, or vegetable broth for vegetarian/vegan
- 4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
- Fresh Parsley, chopped for garnish
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over high heat. Add in the onion, carrots, and garlic and sauté until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add in the acorn squash and season the mixture with salt, pepper, and the red pepper flakes. Cook the vegetables for another 5 minutes and then stir in the kale until wilted.
- Squeeze the lemon over the soup and then toss in the lemon halves – this really flavors the broth! (Be sure to discard any seeds before adding the lemon in). Pour in the chicken stock and add in the thyme. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the squash and kale are tender.
- Remove the thyme sprigs and lemon halves and discard. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh parsley. Serve!
Love the idea of kale and acorn squash together in a soup. Yum! Keep the delicious recipes coming.
Thanks Megan! 🙂
Oh I can almost taste this soup, Keri! It sounds fantastic! What a perfect combination for the fall. It’s cold and dreary here today, so I could definitely use a cup of this to warm me up!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mini Caramel Apple Yogurt Pies
Thanks Gayle! Soup is just perfect for days like that!
It has been cold and rainy here for the past two weeks straight, and all I have been craving is big ole bowls of soup! This looks fabulous, Keri! I am loving this exactly as it is, with the acorn squash and kale! And I can imagine how the crushed red pepper flakes and lemon juice really make this soup shine! This is totally calling my name and has my belly rumbling! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!
There is just something about soup & a rainy day that makes me happy! Thanks Cheyanne!
I haven’t seen the sun for 2 weeks, so it’s definitely soup season here too! I love the lemon-squash-kale combo here!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Salted Caramel Apples
Thanks Rachelle! I certainly hope the sun comes out soon!
I am so happy that fall is here. Mostly because it means…soups! I love a big warm bowl of comforting soup. This soup sounds so healthy!
Me too! Thanks Natalie!
I’m totally in soup mode right now and I’ve been scouring the internet for new recipes. This sounds yummy! I’ve never used acorn squash before so I’m excited to experiment with it!
Ali recently posted…Put a tie on it
Me too! I love this time of year for soup. Have fun with acorn squash – it’s great in this soup, but you can also stuff it, which is on my list of things to try! Thanks Ali!
Chopping things up for this soup and the recipe has disappeared
Hi Melissa, the site was having trouble today and it took a few hours to get things fixed. It’s back up now! I apologize for the inconvenience.