Slow Cooker Recipe - My Savory Carrot Pear Soup - Marie Bostwick (2024)

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Slow Cooker Recipe - My Savory Carrot Pear Soup - Marie Bostwick (1)

With a velvety texture and a beautiful balance between savory and sweet, a bowl of Carrot Pear Soup is a perfect lunch for cold winter days. And since you make it in the slow cooker, my Carrot Pear Soup is easy to make and ready when you are!

The Carrot Conundrum

It’s winter and my monthly share from my local organic farmer is all about root vegetables right now, especially carrots. So. Many. Carrots.

Fortunately, I happen to love carrots. But still. We’re talking a LOT of carrots here. And there’s only so many crudites a person can eat, right?

Carrot Soup is the Answer

Unlike crudites, soup is something I never get tired of eating. There are just so many great options to try when you’re making soup, endless recipes and variations on the classics. And especially in winter, a bowl of hot soup is my go-to lunch choice.

But one of the things I love most about soup is how easy it is to make. Like everybody else, I’m busy. Being able to enjoy quick and healthy lunch of soup that simmered in the slow cooker soup overnight or all morning makes life better, easier, and less stressful.

And soup is such a great way to use up leftovers of those somewhat too plentiful vegetables – including carrots.

Carrot Pear Soup – A Delicious Variation on a Theme

I’ve made a lot of carrot soup in my day. I’ve made carrot and tomato soup. I’ve made a lot of carrot and apple soup too. It’s a really good combination.

But when getting ready to use up some of my farmer’s bounty of carrots in soup recently, I noticed several ripe pears in the fruit bowl and thought, why not? If apples can work with carrots, maybe pears could too?

Slow Cooker Recipe - My Savory Carrot Pear Soup - Marie Bostwick (2)

Yes, indeed they can! Very deliciously, as it turns out.

Pears add a touch of sweetness to carrot soup that’s a little more subtle than apples, letting this healthy, loaded with vegetable velouté lean a little more toward the savory than the sweet. I really love this flavor profile.

I added pears to this pottage simply because I had them on hand, but the result was delicious and worth repeating. Next time, I’ll be adding pears to my carrots soup on purpose.

Another little addition that helped add some complexity to my carrot pear soup was pouring a can of coconut milk in with the broth. It brings a lovely creaminess to the soup and a hint of Asian flavor.

If you’re watching your weight, use lite coconut milk instead of regular. It won’t be quite as creamy but the flavor will be wonderful.

Slow Cooker Recipe - My Savory Carrot Pear Soup - Marie Bostwick (3)

Spice Options for Carrot Pear Soup

Because I enjoy a little spicy heat, I added some cayenne to my carrot pear soup in addition to the usual salt, pepper, and bay leaf. However, if you’re not a fan of hot and spicy foods, you can leave it out or substitute another spice.

Here are some possibilities…

  • 1-2 teaspoons of curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Or try experimenting with your own combinations! There are lots of possibilities.

Slow Cooker Love

Carrot Pear Soup is so easy to make. The only real hands-on cooking required involves sauteing the onions in some coconut oil or butter before dumping the onions and other ingredients in the slow cooker.

I think cooking the onions beforehand is definitely worth the trouble. That lovely taste of caramelized onion adds a lot. But if you’re just slammed for time, you can just toss the raw onion in the slow cooker with everything else. It’ll still taste good – just not quite as good.

I really do prefer the taste (and aroma!) of a soup that’s simmered slowly for hours and hours in the slow cooker. But if you’re in a rush, you can make my carrot pear soup on the stovetop. Just simmer the ingredients for about half an hour, then use an immersion blender to make the puree.

Slow Cooker Recipe - My Savory Carrot Pear Soup - Marie Bostwick (4)

A Bright Spot in the Cold of Winter

Whether you follow my instructions to the letter or change it up and make it your own, a hot bowl of rich, velvety carrot pear soup is the perfect lunch and a great way to brighten up a winter day. Try it this week!

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Carrot Pear Soup

  • Author: Marie Bostwick
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 large yellow or white onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 T oil (coconut, olive, or butter)
  • 2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 1 lb ripe pears, peeled and diced
  • 1 can coconut milk (regular or lite)
  • 4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (may substitute other spice, see post for suggestions)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook onions in oil on stovetop over medium high heat until they’re soft, translucent, and just beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes
  2. Place cooked onions and all other ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low heat setting for 8 hours, or high for 4.
  3. Use an immersion blender to puree soup. (Alternatively, puree in batches in a countertop blender, taking care not to burn yourself with hot soup).
  4. Taste soup and adjust spices as desired.
Slow Cooker Recipe - My Savory Carrot Pear Soup - Marie Bostwick (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay make carrot soup? ›

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onions, carrots and garlic, sauté for 4 mins, until they are beginning to soften but not colour. Stir in the ground coriander and plenty of seasoning and cook for 1 min. Add the stock and bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 mins or until the carrots are really tender.

How long does it take for carrots to soften in broth? ›

The cooking time for carrots in soup depends on the size and how tender you want them to be. Generally, carrots need around 10-15 minutes of simmering to become tender but still retain some bite. Test their doneness by piercing them with a fork.

Should I saute carrots before adding to soup? ›

While certain vegetables can work just fine added directly to simmering soups and stews (say, carrots and celery), other vegetables (onions, garlic, and the like) will almost always need at least a brief sweat in a fat-based liquid before adding the remaining ingredients.

Why is my carrot soup bland? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Start with the basics. Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper.

Why do you soak carrots in water? ›

Whole carrots stay nice and crunchy in their cold water bath, and this is also a great way to store packaged baby carrots. If the water starts to look cloudy, just swap it out with fresh water as needed. Stored this way, carrots have lasted weeks in my refrigerator with no ill effects, so give it a try!

Do you need to peel carrots for broth? ›

“If you are making a rustic dish, then leaving the peel on could potentially enhance the look and experience of the dish. If you are using the carrots for a stock, broth, or sauce that will require straining in the end, this is another instance in which it may be better to leave the peel on.”

Why is my carrot soup bitter? ›

Carrot soup can be bitter due to the carrot being overcooked for too long. You can also add more carrot to it, a little bit of sweetener such as maple syrup, use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock and add some coconut milk (if vegan).

How to make Gordon Ramsay carrots? ›

Cooking instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan, then add the carrots and parsnips and toss to coat in the oil. Add the thyme, cinnamon, star anise and some seasoning. Cook over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning the vegetables frequently, until golden brown and almost cooked through.

What does carrot soup do to your body? ›

Carrots are loaded with nutrition, including fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium. And while it's true that carrots are good for eye health, their antioxidants also help protect your heart, skin, brain and immune system while reducing inflammation.

How to make carrot soup with jamie oliver? ›

🥘 How To Make Jamie Oliver Carrot And Ginger Soup
  1. In a big pot, heat the oil over medium-low heat. ...
  2. Add the smashed garlic cloves and carrots to the pot. ...
  3. Add the grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and vegetable broth. ...
  4. Let the soup cool slightly, then carefully transfer it to a blender.

What does carrot soup contain? ›

Combine carrots, chicken broth, and onion in a large pot. Pour enough water into the pot to assure the ingredients are covered; add garlic, thyme, and tarragon. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, place a cover on the pot, and simmer the mixture until the carrots are very tender, 40 to 50 minutes.

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