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    Home » Recipes » Soups & Stews

    Easy Cream of Asparagus Soup

    Published: Mar 22, 2023 by Sally Cameron · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    208 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Looking for a light and delicious soup to add to your spring or Easter menu? Look no further than this vibrant green cream of asparagus soup! Whether you want a vegan, dairy-free soup option or the richness of heavy cream, this soup is easy to make. Make it ahead of time to save time, in only 30 minutes. Don't forget to check out our list of fun and delicious garnishes to take your soup to the next level.

    Bright green and creamy asparagus soup in a gray pot with garnishes.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Like This Recipe
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Recipe Instructions
    • Blender Tips
    • Serving Suggestions: Great Garnishes
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Creamy Soup Recipes
    • ⭐️Did you Make This Recipe?
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Like This Recipe

    It's that time of year! Asparagus season is the best time to make this delicious recipe and all things asparagus.

    • A simple soup with simple ingredients.
    • Easy instructions, finished in a blender
    • Serve warm or chilled
    • Tastes terrific, beautiful color, customizable with garnish options.
    • Make it a day or two ahead.

    Recipe Ingredients

    What are the ingredients needed to make this creamy asparagus soup?

    Ingredients for asparagus soup on the counter in prep bowls.
    • Asparagus: Choose bright green, fresh asparagus stalks with tight tips or heads, (usually at the market in a little water). A little thicker is better than pencil thin.
    • Cooking fat: Use unsalted dairy butter, a good plant-based butter like this one, or olive oil.
    • Onion: Go with white onion for mild sweet flavor to allow the asparagus to shine. Brown onions or yellow onions still work fine.
    • Garlic: A good place for fresh garlic, zest it with a microplane zester so it melts in.
    • Fresh herbs: Fresh thyme is best but dried works as well. Use about ½ - ⅓ as much as fresh.
    • Broth: Chicken broth (low sodium or homemade) or homemade vegetable broth.
    • Cream: Using canned full-fat coconut milk keeps it non-dairy. If you prefer, use dairy heavy cream
    • Lemon: Fresh squeezed lemon juice lifts or brightens the flavor of asparagus soup.

    See the recipe card for measurements plus salt and white or black pepper.

    Substitutions

    Can I make cream of asparagus soup without cream?

    Yes, you can make it without cream. For an asparagus soup without cream, swap full fat canned coconut milk for heavy cream. And truly, it does not taste like coconut! This swap works for other cream-based soups too.

    Broth options

    While I use chicken broth, if you're vegan or vegetarian, cream of asparagus soup is a great place to use homemade vegetable broth. It's easy to make in short time and the flavor is far superior to canned or boxed stuff.

    Recipe Instructions

    Chopped asparagus in a glass bowl to make soup.
    Step 1
    Cooked asparagus in an ice bath for a quick chill before further cooking.
    Step 2

    Step 1: Trim asparagus spears of woody tough ends (and discard), trim off the tips and chop the spears.

    Step: 2: Briefly cook the asparagus pieces in boiling salted water in a heavy pot like a Dutch oven or large pot, 2 minutes. This is called blanching. Immediately add asparagus to ice water and chill asparagus, then drain. Separate enough tips for garnish and set aside.

    Chef's Tip: The cold water ice bath stops the cooking process and sets the color of the asparagus to keep the soup a bright green.

    Cooking onion and herbs for the base of asparagus soup.
    Step 3
    Adding cooked asparagus to the pot for a brief simmer for asparagus soup.
    Step 4

    Step 3: Melt butter and cook the onion, garlic, and herbs.

    Step 4: Add asparagus pieces and rest of tips to the pot.

    Next step, adding the broth and coconut milk to the pot.
    Step 5
    Cooked asparagus with liquids in the blender for pureeing.
    Step 6

    Step 5: Add broth and milk of choice, then simmer a few minutes.

    Step 6: Lastly, puree in a high-speed blender. The soup is ready.

    Bright green asparagus soup pureed in a blender container, ready to serve.

    Blender Tips

    If you you don't have a regular blender, use an immersion blender to puree asparagus soup. Place the pot in the sink to reduce splatter. Remember to be extra careful when blending hot liquids.

    Chef's Tip: How to store asparagus. When you get asparagus home, trim a little off the bottom and stand the bundles in a tall container with an inch of water in the bottom to keep the ends moist. Treat asparagus like flowers. Cover loosely with plastic wrap until ready to use. Alternatively, wet a paper towel with water and wrap the ends, then place in a plastic bag. Asparagus will last a couple of days stored this way.

    Asparagus sou shooters for appetizers.

    Serving Suggestions: Great Garnishes

    Here's a list of terrific garnishes, for both dairy and non-dairy diners, and be sure to serve lemon wedges alongside. One more thing, this asparagus soup recipe is delightful served either hot, at room temperature, or chilled. A slice of crusty bread is good alongside.

    • First and foremost, the reserved asparagus tips (the best part).
    • Chopped herbs such fresh dill, chives, parsley, or fennel fronds.
    • Garlicky croutons (can be made GF and DF if needed).
    • Crisp crumbled bacon.
    • Chopped or grated hard boiled egg.
    • Grated Parmesan cheese.
    • A dollop of sour cream (dairy or non-dairy), or creme fraiche.
    • Homemade toasted pumpkin seeds add a nice crunch.
    • A drizzle of good lemon olive oil (or basil).
    • Fresh lemon zest.
    • Sliced green onion.
    • Cold tiny bay shrimp.

    Here's a super fun serving idea for a get together appetizer: asparagus soup shooters! Serve them chilled.

    Beautiful green asparagus soup in a white bowl with tasty garnishes ready to eat.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I freeze cream of asparagus soup?

    While many sites say you can freeze for 3-6 months, soups with cream or milk don't freeze well and tend to separate upon thawing. They can become grainy and lose their taste. I don't recommend freezing asparagus soup. If you want to try freezing, try re-heating gently on the stovetop and briefly blending again.

    How long does cream of asparagus soup last in the fridge?

    Cream of asparagus lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For more information check out this food chart from the FDA.

    Is cream of asparagus soup healthy?

    Asparagus packs a dose of vitamins C, E and K, folate and minerals like zinc, manganese, and selenium. Plus, asparagus is anti-inflammatory and a source of glutathione, the master antioxidant.

    Eating asparagus also gives you inulin, a fiber that acts as a prebiotic, providing a feast for the good bacteria in our gut that help with digestion. But of course, there is all of the fat in cream or coconut milk to weigh in the balance. Read more at this link.

    What can I serve with cream of asparagus soup?

    Cream of asparagus soup goes with just about anything. Try it as a starter before a ham, pork roast, roast chicken, or beef dinner. Serve it alone as a soup shooter for an appetizer. It makes a nice light meal with a grilled cheese sandwich.

    Bright green asparagus soup in a white bowl on a bloue plate on the dinner table.

    More Creamy Soup Recipes

    For another creamy soup recipe, try creamy cauliflower soup, roasted red pepper, or creamy broccoli.

    • Roasted cauliflower soup
      Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Roasted Garlic (dairy free)
    • roasted red pepper soup
      Sheet Pan Roasted Red Pepper Soup
    • cream of broccoli soup with sausage
      Cream of Broccoli Soup (dairy free vegan option)
    • creamy cauliflower soup
      Smooth and Creamy Cauliflower Soup

    ⭐️Did you Make This Recipe?

    If you make this recipe, please add your comment. I appreciate your feedback and enjoy hearing from you. If you loved it, please give it a 5-star rating! They really help other readers.

    📖 Recipe

    Asparagus soup | AFoodCentricLife.com

    Cream of Asparagus Soup

    Sally Cameron
    Vivid green, this creamy asparagus soup is rich and easy to make. Use coconut milk (it doesn't taste like coconut) for no-dairy, or dairy heavy cream. Serve with lemon wedges if desired. See recipe notes for garnish ideas. Soup keeps 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 12 mins
    Cook Time 18 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 12-ounce servings
    Calories 268 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large pot or Dutch Oven
    • blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 bunches fresh asparagus 2 pounds
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter unsalted dairy butter or unsalted plant butter
    • ½ medium onion ¾ cup, chopped
    • 2 large garlic cloves finely chopped or zested
    • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves (or tarragon) or ¾ teaspoon dried
    • 1 ½ cups low sodium broth Chicken or vegetable
    • 1 cup canned coconut milk or dairy cream
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper I use white pepper

    Optional Garnishes (non-dairy and dairy)

    • 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
    • 4 tablespoons sour cream or creme fraiche
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, parsley, or chives
    • 4 pieces crisply crumbled bacon
    • 2-4 hardboiled eggs chopped or grated
    • 4 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
    • 4 teaspoons lemon olive oil
    • 1 cup garlicky croutons DF or GF

    Instructions
     

    Set up

    • Fill a large pot (5 quarts) three-quarters full with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. Fill a medium bowl half full of ice, then fill with cold water. This creates an ice bath. While water is coming to a boil, prep the asparagus.

    Blanch and chill

    • Chop the tough ends off of the bottom of the asparagus spears. Trim off the tips, then chop the rest of the spears into 1" pieces. Drop all of the asparagus into boiling salted water and cook for 2 minutes (this is called blanching). Strain asparagus through a sieve into the sink and add the asparagus immediately to the ice batch to stop the cooking process. Chill until cold then drain again. Separate out enough asparagus tips for garnish (12-20 pieces).
    • Make the soup
    • In the same pan, cook onion in olive oil or butter over medium to medium heat until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and cook 1 minute longer. Add asparagus, broth and coconut milk. Simmer for 7-10 minutes for flavors to blend. Puree in a blender until smooth. Depending on the capacity of your blender container, you may need to do it in two batches. Adjust seasoning to taste with more salt and pepper if needed.
      Serve asparagus soup hot, warm, or chilled with cooked asparagus tips and other preferred garnishes.

    Notes

    • For broth, homemade really shines in soup, especially vegetable broth. Make this easy homemade vegetable broth recipe ahead of time and freeze. The Instant Pot chicken broth recipe is also easy to make ahead and freeze. 
    • Garnish ideas: Chopped fresh herbs like dill, parsley, chives, or chervil, crisp crumbled bacon, grated or chopped hard boiled eggs, a drizzle of lemon olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, garlicky croutons, a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche, even cold bay shrimp. 
    • Optional garnishes are not figured into the nutrition calculation. 
    Dietary note: People with histamine intolerance should be fine enjoying this soup, as long as they're ok with the coconut milk. Skip the Parmesan cheese though, aged cheese is high histamine.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 332mgPotassium: 722mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1750IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rach's Recipes says

      April 12, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      Wow this looks really refreshing! I love upgrading my soups by adding lots of different herbs though, what else do you think would go well with this aside from thyme? Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        April 12, 2016 at 7:57 pm

        Hi Rach, It is good and so easy. You could try tarragon, parsley, chervil, not sure how cilantro would be but you could try it. Please report back what you choose. I'd love to know. Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Anne Foster says

      March 26, 2016 at 6:15 pm

      Sally's nephew (my son, Luke) does NOT like asparagus, but he loves this soup!

      Reply
    3. Anne Foster says

      March 26, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Sally's nephew Luke is not an asparagus fan - but he loved this soup!!

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        August 16, 2017 at 2:15 pm

        Yeah...love to hear that Anne. Makes me smile 😉

        Reply
    4. Denise says

      March 25, 2016 at 7:01 pm

      It is so green. Wonder if any of the kids will ever eat this. I will give it a try because it looks so delicious and healthy. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        March 26, 2016 at 9:26 am

        Get them to help make it Denise. When kids get involved, they are more likely to try it.

        Reply

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    chef sally cameron | afoodcentriclifecom.bigscoots-staging.com

    Welcome! I'm Sally, a classically trained chef (but you don't have to be!). My passion is cooking fresh healthy food and sharing it with others.

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