Name: Spicy Peanut Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger; 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes; 6 ounces tomato paste; 6 cups vegetable broth; 3/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter; 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 5 cups kale, stems removed and chopped; 1/2-1 teaspoon salt, to taste; brown or white rice; chopped cilantro; chopped peanuts; additional red chili flakes or hot sauce

Rich and spicy peanut soup is an ultra comforting and flavorful dish that everyone will love. The pantry staple ingredients make this hearty soup easy to prepare in just 30 minutes.

black bowl filled with orange peanut soup with cilantro and peanuts on top

If you don’t think sweet potatoes, peanut butter, and chickpeas go together, think again! These three and a handful of other pantry staple ingredients make up this creamy and comforting Spicy Peanut Soup. It’s so delicious over rice and can even be frozen for later!

This recipe was inspired by the ever-popular West African peanut soup (A.K.A. maafe) which is traditionally made with meat, palm oil, tomato paste, and ground nuts. My vegan version is not traditional by any means but was inspired by recipes I’ve enjoyed in the past.

The combination of creamy peanut butter, sweet potatoes, kale, chili flakes, chickpeas, and a handful of warming spices make this peanut butter soup the perfect comfort food to slurp on during chilly weather but I also enjoy it year round. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and the leftovers can be enjoyed day after day.

Just like my Lentil Soup, this vegan peanut soup has plenty of texture, vibrancy, and layers of flavor. Try it for weeknight meals or freeze the batch to enjoy later on!

close up of a bowl of orange peanut soup with cilantro and peanuts on top

How to make peanut soup

Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger in a large soup pot until they’re translucent and fragrant. Next, add the sweet potato, cumin, chili flakes, tomato paste, broth, peanut butter, and chickpeas.

Stir everything very well until the peanut butter dissolves into the broth. Bring the soup to a boil before lowering the heat and leaving it to simmer until the potatoes have softened.

Use a large wooden spoon to mash some of the sweet potatoes against the side of the pot to help thicken the soup. Stir in the kale before covering the pot and letting it cook for another few minutes. Spoon the finished soup into bowls with brown rice, toppings, and enjoy!

4 images showing the process of making soup with sweet potatoes and peanut butter

Tips and substitutions

More greens – Substitute collard greens or spinach for the kale or add in all 3 for extra greens.
Natural peanut butter – Use natural peanut butter without any emulsifiers or added sugar for the best flavor.
Add vegan chicken – Cut up some Vegan Chicken and add it in instead of chickpeas if desired.
Peanut allergy? You could try using seed butter instead but the flavor will be different.
Instead of mashing the potatoes in the pot – Replace them with leftover mashed sweet potatoes you already have in the fridge.

What goes with spicy peanut soup

This hearty soup is made even more filling when it’s served with grains. Spoon some over top of brown rice, coconut rice, or quinoa. A piece of vegan naan or flatbread on the side is great for dipping.

To finish each bowl, add a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, peanuts, hot sauce, or more chili flakes on top.

Storing leftovers

Store the leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the batch in a sealable container or ziploc bag for up to 3 months.

Let the frozen soup thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the microwave for a few minutes or until warmed through.

Want more hearty vegan soups?

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