This silky, smooth zucchini soup is a deliciously easy way to use up garden zucchini. Plus it only has 3 ingredients! You read that right...3 ingredients.
Ready in around 30-minutes, this healthy soup is naturally vegan, gluten-free and melt in your mouth good.
This recipe was originally posted October 8, 2020 and updated with images, instructions and serving suggestions on Thursday 15 July, 2021.
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Reader Review. "What a fantastic way to use zucchini, especially when you have heaps of them in the garden which is often the case! Easy, warming and delicious 🙂" (Sarah) ★★★★★
With only a handful of ingredients, you can have the creamiest zucchini soup on the table in 30-minutes.
Fun fact; I spend most of my days chasing my own butt. I am not what you would call an organised person so recipes like this cream of zucchini soup have saved my vegan bacon many times.
Like every adult walking the earth, my life is messy. Blessed, but messy. Beautiful, but messy. Bountiful, but oh-there's-a-hole-in-my-dog's-poop-bag messy.
Soups help me navigate my beautifully messy life. Whether its pumpkin lentil soup with ginger, a comforting bowl of vegan chicken noodle soup or a hearty vegan mushroom soup, soups are simple, quick and soothing.
On the days I've worn my pants inside out and forgotten to pack my kid's lunch, I need easy. This creamy zucchini soup could not be easier.
Why This Recipe Works
Ingredients
To make the simplest zucchini soup, you'll need three ingredients. Yup, just three.
Cashews, vegetable stock and zucchini. That's it.
I also season with salt and pepper to taste (I am not counting them as ingredients because...well, they're salt and pepper) and occasionally add a dollop of vegan butter but the base is - cashews, stock, zucchini.
Cashews. Creamy and delicious cashews bring this soup come together. You are going to need raw cashews and and there is no real substitution. I've tried blanched almonds and it just wasn't creamy or smooth.
Zucchini (courgettes). I developed this recipe because our builder gave me a bag of the biggest zucchini I've ever seen.
As zucchini gets older and bigger it gets more bitter - that's why this recipe calls for you to peel the skin. However, when shopping for the best zucchinis, look for small, firm fruit with blemish-free green skin. You can keep unwashed zucchini in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a container or produce bag.
Stock. I use simply vegetable stock for this soup. Go ahead and use your favourite brand.
How To Make Zucchini Soup with 3 Ingredients
This super creamy zucchini soup is literally the easy soup you'll ever make. In 3 steps you'll have this gorgeous bowl on the table.
You'll find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step 1.
Peel and chop your zucchini.
Step 2.
Throw all the ingredients in to a large pot over medium heat and cook until the cashews are tender, around 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 3.
Remove from the heat, allow the soup to cool slightly before blending it until smooth and silky.
Serving Suggestions
Top with fresh greens and crunchy seeds or simply serve with crusty bread - this creamy vegan zucchini soup works both hot or cold. Whatever floats your boat.
I usually serve it plain with salt and pepper but these toppers take it to the next level.
FAQs
Yes and no. Sorry, it's not a straight forward answer. The larger a zucchini is, the older it is and the more tough and bitter the skin. My rule of thumb is, anything bigger than my hand I peel for this soup.
I created this recipe when our builder gave me a bunch of zucchinis from his garden. They were huge and the skins were tough so I peeled them. If you can get your hands on small, young zucchini you can forgo the peeling.
You can! Because the soup is well blended it can be frozen without separating. Simply allow it to cool completely, transfer it to a freeze-safe sealed container and freeze for up to a month.
Around 3-4 days. Keep it in a sealed container and give it a good stir before heating it up on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Your zucchini soup should be smooth and silky. If you are using older cashews cook the soup for longer, around 30 minutes. When ready, the cashews should easily break apart between your fingers.
A high powered blender makes short work of this soup. If your blender isn't super powerful, blend the soup in batches and really blend it.
Properly stored, zucchini will last up to a week. The best way to keep zucchini is to store it unwashed and whole in the refrigerator.
Zucchini needs good ventilation to keep fresh. Store it in a paper or plastic bag but make sure that one end of the bag is open to allow air. Alternatively, you can poke some holes in the bag.
More Soups for You
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Make This Recipe
3-Ingredient Zucchini Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 3 ½ cups vegetable stock
- 1 kilogram peeled zucchini roughly chopped
- sea salt optional
- pepper optional
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter spread optional
Instructions
- Combine the cashews, stock and peeled zucchini in to a medium soup or saucepan over medium heat and bring up to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the cashews are tender and break between your fingers.
- Remove from the heat and carefully transfer the soup to a blender. Season with salt and pepper and add the vegan butter (if using). Blend until the soup is completely smooth to serve. You may have to blend in batches depending on the size for your blender.
Notes
A high powered blender makes short work of this soup. If your blender isn't super powerful, blend the soup in batches and really blend it.
Gordana says
Great recipe, the three ingredients were really enough for me trying it for the first time.
Ann says
My neighbor gave me a 1 kg zucchini. Luckily I found this recipe since I didn’t know what to do with it!
The result is delicious, although I think only 3 cups of broth would be enough. I also I didn’t bay leaf while it simmered, and a bunch of basil when I blended it.
I really recommend it. It’s yummy!
Jennifer says
This is such a delicious soup! Absolutely love its simplicity and the flavour is spot on. Fabulous way to use those large zucchini that hid themselves from you during harvest time! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful soup!
Erin says
This soup was so delicious and easy to make! I can’t believe it! I used my Dutch oven and my immersion blender. I fancied it up with extra salt, garlic, and nutritional yeast. Very good. My 14 year old liked it too!
JacquelinJe WolstencJ says
This soup is a firm family favourite, by all members including my mum in law. I sometime blend some nutritional yeast in at the end, with or without 'nooch' its deliciously tasty!
Amanda says
Fantastic, Jacquelin. I am so pleased you guys like this soup - it is one of my favourites too. So simple and clean. Thanks for taking the time to comment - I appreciate it. Have a great day x ps - I love the nooch addition, I might have to try that myself 😉
grannie says
This was great, I did a shortcut. I used one zucchini, one cup of water, one cup of raw cashews and a tsp of better than bouillon and threw it all in the vitamix until creamy. Then put it in the crockpot. So creamy and delicious! Thank you!
Amanda says
What a clever work around- I love it! I am so glad you liked it, it's one of my favourites too. x
Michelle says
I cannot believe such plain ingredients make such a beautiful soup. Thank you!
Amanda says
I know, right!? It's so lovely that something so simple and clean can make such a delicate but tasty bowl. Thanks so much for taking the time to write, Michelle 🙂
Annette says
I made this tonight and both my picky eater, meat eating hubby and I loved it! I did as on commenter said, added some steamed broccoli tops and it was delicious. I will be making this again. Additions:
Sauteed 1/2 yellow onion then put all ingredients in the pot and proceeded.
When blending I added 1 teaspoon salt and about 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
On returning to pot I added 1 healthy sized crown of steam broccoli.
Amanda says
Oh, fantastic Annette. I am so glad it's a winner for your family and I love that everyone is adding stuff and making it their own. That's wonderful. Have a great holiday season. xx
Michelle says
I loved this soup. My husband made it last night for dinner. He did add a handful of spinach while blending for more iron. It was hard to just eat one cup. Thank you for your creativity. This was delicious.
Amanda says
Oh, that's fantastic Michelle. I am so glad you both liked it and I love the addition of spinach. Such a good idea. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Happy Holidays to you and your family. x
Julie says
This soup is sooo easy and delicious. People want to lick the bowl clean. I have made it three times already in the last month and have one more big zucchini to use. Thank you so much for posting and sharing.
Julie
Amanda says
Oh, that's fantastic to hear, Julie. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know - this makes me so happy. This is one of the recipes I am most proud. So easy and clean. Thanks again and have a great day. x
Grant says
I had to improvise a little making this for the first time. Only had about half a cup of raw cashews. So I added some pine nuts and a small amount of roasted cashews to make up the difference. Still worked well. Incredibly easy and tasty soup. We'll be having it again!
Amanda says
Oh, I love that roasted cashew worked too! That's great. I've never tried it. Pine nuts make total sense because they are so lovely and buttery. I am so happy you enjoyed the soup and that you were able to improvise. Thanks for leaving a comment, I appreciate your time.
Sue B. says
Made this soup today. Really delicious. Added a handful of fresh basil when blending. It added a fresh taste. Really good. I'll make it again.
Amanda says
Oh, thanks Sue. I am so glad you liked it - adding basil is a great addition, so fresh. Thanks for taking the time to let me know, I appreciate the feedback. Have a great day. Amanda 🙂
Laura says
Delicious! I added a few handfuls of chickweed towards the end. The flavours were compatible
Amanda says
Ohhhhh Laura, that sounds good! I would never have thought of it. Nice. 🙂
Cliff says
Have you tried this eating this soup cold?
Amanda says
I have. I drizzled a little basil oil on it and it was delicious.
GAil says
Made this tonight and it was a hit at our house, including my 81 year old Mom who also loved it. Thank you!
Amanda says
Oh, that fantastic Gail. It's such a simple soup, isn't it? I am so glad your Mum liked it too! x Thanks so much for letting me know.
Penny says
This is so good !
Amanda says
Awesome Penny! I am so glad you liked it. I love this soup too - it's a bit of a winner. Have a great day, x.
Dave says
Made this soup in the summer and loved it. Made it again last night with frozen zucchini and still delicious. Thanks.
Amanda says
That's so good to know that it works with frozen zucchini - super handy. Thanks for letting me know, Dave. 🙂
Jaimie says
Perfect soup weather and I love how healthy and refreshing this looks. Thank you for sharing!
Amanda says
Thanks so much Jaimie. Is it as cold where you are as it is here? Perfect soup weather.
Sarah says
What a fantastic way to use zucchini, especially when you have heaps of them in the garden which is often the case! Easy, warming and delicious 🙂
Amanda says
Oh, thanks Sarah. I love this soup - it's such a great one for the whole family.
Sylvie says
You had me at three ingredients... and even more now that I see that cashews are one of them! Such a delicious, comforting and easy dish, I cant wait to try it!
Amanda says
Cashews are a revelation! They are so versatile. I hope you do try it, Sylvie.
Andrea says
What a lovely soup! I love that it’s vegan and a great way to give my kids some extra veggies.
Amanda says
Thanks so much Andrea! Zucchini is such a great veggie for small tummies - nothing too radical for them. 🙂
Alan says
Really love this recipe and use it all the time especially now when the allotment courgettes are in full swing! I add some frozen peas with about 5 mins to go and that tastes good too! Thanks again!
Amanda says
Thanks Alan! I am so pleased you like this recipe - I love it too. The peas sound like a lovely addition, I'll have to try it next time I make the soup. 🙂
Amber says
I made this for the family and we gobbled it up during a booming summer thunderstorm with torrential rain, alongside some home made sourdough. So easy, warming and delicious and the kids licked the bowl. Total win. I was a bit light on zucchini so added an onion. Will definitely make again. And again. Happy new year to you all xx
Amanda says
You have to teach me sourdough! Ha! I am so glad you and family enjoyed the soup, Amber - it is still one of my favourites and I bet there is nothing like enjoying it during a Summer storm. Love and New Year wishes to you xx
David o says
This is perfect for those lazy cold days. And still taste amazing. We all have those days where we do not feel like making a mess in the kitchen and then have to spend all day washing dishes lol
Kat Varcoe-Cocks says
I just got home from a really long day of work - I had a couple of zucchini in the fridge so I whipped up a quarter of a batch. DELICIOUS. I would normally grab something much less healthy after a day like today. Thank you, thank you. I actually think my boys would like this. Definitely going to cook it again soon, so easy.
Amanda says
Awesome, Kat. I love how easy this soup is too and I am so happy it made a long day a little easier for you, x.
kelly says
I made this last night for house dinner and they could not believe it was so few ingredients (and didn't have potato) and so good! It was really yummy and creamy, and though I couldn't pull out the taste of zucchini from the mix, it was warm and wonderful. The soup was a little grainy (perhaps the cashews needed more time) but overall the texture was smooth and a little reminiscent of polenta.
I'd recommend and make again!
Amanda says
Hey Kelly, I am so happy you like the soup. I will say though, the texture is usually smooth and silky, not grainy at all. Polenta? Let's see if we can fix that. What sort of blender do you have?A high-powered blender makes short work of this but any blender will work fine. Maybe blending it in batches will help. Also, make sure the cashews are cooked through on the stove. You should be able to literally break them apart easily with your fingers. Perhaps a slightly longer cook time is needed? I want you to have the FULL experience of this soup. It's so creamy and delicious. xx
Lorraine says
Just finished making. I can hardly contain myself from eating the entire pot! This zucchini soup is scrumptiously delicious. I highly recommend. I did however, modify, slightly. I put onions and garlic in mostly everything; I also added a stalk of celery. This is my first time on your website. Thanks Amanda
Amanda says
Welcome Lorraine! I am so glad you liked the soup and that you modified it. I love my recipes being a starting point for others to put their stamp on them. The garlic and celery sounds delicious. 🙂
susan says
This was fabulous! I got lazy though and never used the vitamin . Using my immersion blender was perfect and not lumpy at all. thanks
Amanda says
Perfect! Anything that makes things easier is always good. I am so glad you like this soup, Susan. I love it too. I love how clean and simple the recipe is. Thanks so much for taking the time to write. Have a great day, Amanda x.
Julia says
This soup is absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I will definitely be making it again!
Amanda says
Fantastic Julia! Thank you for letting me know. I love how simple this recipe is. Makes dinner that little bit easier, yes? A,x.
Helen Page says
This soup is a staple for our house. So delicious.I previously asked if the courgette had to be peeled, I've tried it both ways and it's definitely worth the effort of peeling. Occasionally I add a handful of spinach or two before blending and it's so good. I've also served with basil oil (as per another comment) and it's incredible.
Amanda says
That's so great Helen. Thanks for taking the time to write - it means so much. This recipe is such a handy one to have when you're busy or just need something simple. I love the splash of basil too - so good! Have a great day.
Amelia says
I found this when I searched for "cauliflower kale zucchini basil soup" and it looks delightful, however I am dealing with gastroesaphageal reflux disease (GER) and even though it lacks onions and garlic (do you have ANY idea how hard it is to find vegan soups that do not have those 2 things, or tomatoes, or spicy spices? Oof), I need to limit and eliminate fatty/fried foods so no cashews for me, certainly not in this quantity. Do you think cauliflower would work as as substitute for the cashews?
Amanda says
Hi Amelia,
Oh, that must be so frustrating! You could try cauliflower or a potato - 2 largish, peeled and cubed - and a dash of dairy-free milk - you could even try coconut milk (maybe a 1/4 cup). I would put the potato or cauliflower in the stock first and cook it for around 7 minutes and then add the zucchini. When everything is cooked through, add the milk. Stir it through and remove it from the heat and when it's cool enough to blend, blend away. I don't think it will be quite as creamy as with the cashews (they are super creamy) but it should do the trick. Let me know how you go!
A,x.
Amelia says
That sounds wonderful--thank you!!!
Amanda says
You're so welcome. I hope it all works out. 🙂
Amelia says
I made this with 12 ounces of cauliflower, prepared how you suggested in your response above and though I completely forgot to add any milk, I liked how it turned out. It's light and tasty. I am finding that I like to add non-blended things to it, like chopped, slightly steamed (wilted) kale (might try it with spinach, bet it would be good that way, too). If you feel inspired to try it yourself and write it up as another recipe, it might help a lot of folks like me (this is not the sort of thing I do). Thank you for the suggestions!
Amanda says
Yay! I am so glad it worked out. That's awesome. And you're right I should add a nut-free version to the recipe. Thanks Amelia!
Kim says
What is the green drizzle on top of the soup?
Amanda says
Hi Kim,
I originally posted this recipe years ago and there was a green basil oil I used to drizzle over it but this version doesn't have a that - just some micro greens and pumpkin seeds to texture. You could add a swirl of olive oil. 🙂
Ana says
Has anyone tried adding nutritonal yeast to add a cheesy flavor?
Amanda says
Hi Ana,
I haven't but I think it's a great idea! Maybe start with a little and build up the flavour as you go. It sounds wonderful. A.
Helen Page says
Does the courgette have to be peeled?
Amanda says
Hi Helen,
I began peeling the courgette because I had a stack of big ones where the skin was slightly bitter - peeling also gives a super creamy, light finish. Having said that my best friend doesn't peel hers for this recipe but always uses small young courgettes. The older the vegetable, the more you can taste the skin in the soup. I hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by!
Joshua Howard says
The easiest soup I've ever made! Healthy, yummy and vegan what can be better? Thank you!
Amanda says
That's awesome Joshua. Thanks so much - I am so glad you liked it.
HimalayanSalt says
This looks so good. thanks for sharing the recipe.
Lynn says
I tried this tonight. I wasn't sure if it was going to be good or not. It was delicious. Even my kids loved it. Definitely a keeper. Thank you. Glad I found this website.
Amanda says
Oh, I am so glad you liked it and your family did too! Thanks for letting me know!
Kim says
Love this soup. My non-vegan friends loved it too! Thanks for the easy recipes. Next I’ll try it with a different veggie.
Amanda says
That's, fantastic Kim - I am so pleased you like it. You are awesome for letting me know. Thank you.
cv edit from resumeperk says
I've never tried such a recipe, but I am sure that this soup is tasty and delicious! Thanks for submitting the post!