A glorious, flavour-packed carrot and coriander soup made in a slow cooker for a no-fuss lunch or dinner. Full of flavour but low calorie and low fat, so a healthy option.
I love my slow cooker.
The fact you can throw ingredients in and then leave it to do its magic for a few hours is a wonderful thing.
Today I'm sharing one of our favourite soups.
Carrot and coriander soup, a classic flavour combination and a healthy soup.
Sometimes I make it in a large pan, but sometimes it's good just to let the slow cooker do all the work.
It's just as delicious and super simple to make.
In fact, I usually make it as a starter for Christmas dinner, so making it in the slow cooker leaves room in the fridge and on the cooker for other dishes.
It also does all the hard work.
Everyone loves this soup, heck who doesn't love homemade soup?
The Elements of a Slow Cooker Soup
I frequently throw everything in a soup and all you need are three elements.
Lots of vegetables, beans or lentils and spices or fresh herbs.
Sometimes it's good to have a simple, more pure flavour to let the main ingredient really shine.
This is one of those soups, it's a great recipe.
The BASE is onion, garlic and ginger.
The MAIN EVENT is fresh carrots.
The FLAVOURINGS are simple. Stock, salt, pepper and fresh coriander.
Nothing complicated, just a really tasty soup.
The perfect recipe for a light lunch or dinner at this time of year when it's getting chilly.
Tips for making slow cooker soup
A few things to remember when making slow cooker soup:
- LESS LIQUID - When making slow cooker soup you need less liquid. So less vegetable stock in this case. When converting a recipe that is usually cooked in a pot on the cooker top, the general rule is cut the liquid by a third.
- TIME SAVING - You save prep time as there is no need to saute the onion, garlic and ginger. Just throw it all in uncooked.
- FAT FREE - Because the base ingredients aren't cooked first, there's no need to add oil either which that cuts down on the fat and calories too.
- A SWIRL OF CREAM - Remember if you add a splosh of cream at the end, it will add fat and calories.
- KEEP WARM SETTING - One of the great things about a slow cooker is that it's safe to leave unattended to cook and when the cooking time has ended it will keep your dish warm.
If you're looking for more slow cooker recipes from soups and stews, to pasta and pizza (potatoes) and not forgetting mulled wine, check out my Easy Vegetarian and Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes.
also try - Scottish Fridge Lentil Soup
What you need to make slow cooker carrot and coriander soup
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this glorious orange soup.
- onion - brown or red onion
- garlic
- fresh ginger - you can use ground ginger
- carrots
- vegetable stock (vegetable broth)
- salt and pepper
- fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) - if you don't like coriander, use chives or parsley instead
- cream - I use Elmlea plant cream (you could also add coconut milk to make it creamy, but I like it with cream)
Carrots - The King of Vegetables
The star of the show in this easy soup is the carrots.
Sweet, tasty carrots.
A cheap addition to so many recipes. So versatile.
Carrots can be grated and added to salads, cut into sticks and served with a dip for a tasty snack.
They are added to soups and stews are in the base for pies, bakes and pasta sauces.
They are also tasty in smoothies and juices and added to cakes.
As well as being wonderfully versatile, carrots are rich in antioxidants, vitamin B6, vitamin K dietary fibre, beta carotene and potassium.
More carrot recipes
Here are a few more carrot recipes for you to try next.
- Scottish Baby Carrot & Chive Tart
- Orange, Carrot & Goats Cheese Salad with Pumpkin Seeds
- Carrot, Leek & Mustard Seed Soup
- Hearty Spiced Cauliflower & Carrot Soup
- Lightly Spiced Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
- Carrot & Black Bean Sausages
- Roasted Carrot Hummus
- Fight a Cold Smoothie
- Carrot, Banana & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks
- Vegan Carrot Cake
Fresh Ginger
In a vegetable soup like this, if you don't have fresh ginger you can use dried ground ginger.
Both fresh and ground add a lot of flavour.
In a soup with simple flavours like this one, I like the flavour of fresh ginger, but it's up to you.
It's another healthy ingredient. It contains fibre and protein as well as vitamin B3, B6 & C, iron, potassium, zinc and magnesium.
A wee tip for peeling ginger. Don't use a potato peeler, just use a teaspoon, the skin will come off easily.
Smooth or not?
This easy carrot and coriander soup can be served smooth or as a more robust chunky soup.
When you make it in a slow cooker, it's a good idea to whizz the soup smooth as it helps to thicken the soup.
The slow cooker never really thickens dishes as the liquid doesn't reduce like it does when you could in a pot.
Alternatively, when you make it in a pot, it's quite nice to leave a lot of texture.
I tend to just blend some of the soup, leaving lots of veg, it's the best of both worlds.
How to serve carrot and coriander soup
Chunky or smooth, serve your this delicious soup with a swirl of cream and topped with some fresh coriander.
If you like to dunk, serve it with some soft wholemeal bread or aa crusty bread like bloomers, a tiger bread or sourdough.
My son loves when I buy part-baked petit pain to bake and serve with the soup while they are still warm.
Storing soup
Soup always tastes better on the second day, the same as stews and curries, so make it ahead if you can.
Once cool, soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, then reheated in a pot or in the microwave.
You can also freeze soup once cool in portions for 3-4 months.
To defrost, pop the soup in the fridge overnight.
pin it for later
Remember and say hi. I'm always happy to chat and answer questions.
How to make Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup
Step 1 - Onions
Add chopped onions, garlic and fresh ginger to your slow cooker pan.
There is no need to add any olive oil (or any oil) or to pre-cook this mixture.
Step 2 - Carrots
Next, add your chopped carrots.
This recipe uses a lot of carrots, so get ready to chop (or get your food processor out!).
Step 3 - Seasoning
This soup is simply seasoned with salt and pepper.
You don't need too much salt as the vegetable stock contains salt and you don't want it too salty.
It can always be added at the table for individual tastes.
Step 4 - Stock
Now add vegetable stock.
The main thing to remember when adding stock to a slow cooker soup is use less than usual.
The liquid with not cook down and evaporate like it does in a pot, so you need less liquid.
Step 5 - Slow cook
Slow cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
If you have a keep warm function, your slow cooker will keep a low heat under the soup until you are ready to serve it.
Step 6 - Blend
Blend the soup with a stick blender (electric hand blender) or in a blender or food processor.
Blending the soup will help to thicken the soup.
However if like me you like some texture in a soup, don't blend until completely smooth.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Step 7 - Fresh herbs
Finally add fresh coriander. Add it after blending.
If you add while it cooks you will lose the lovely fresh flavour of the coriander and if you blend it when you have added the coriander you will end up with a sludgy colour and not the beautiful orange you see above.
Serve the hot soup with a swirl of cream and fresh bread for dunking.
Enjoy!
Try next - Slow Cooker Scottish Stovies
Yield: 4 - 6
Easy Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup Recipe
A glorious, flavour-packed carrot and coriander soup made in a slow cooker for a no-fuss lunch or dinner. Full of flavour but low calorie and low fat, so a healthy option.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 10 M
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed
- 1.6k (12 large) carrots, chopped
- 1.5 litres (6.3 cups) vegetable stock (3 cubes)
- 1 inch (2 1/2 cm) fresh ginger (or 2 teaspoons ground ginger)
- a good grind of salt and black pepper
- 1 generous handful fresh coriander (cilantro)
- 2 tablespoons cream (vegan cream)
- a handful fresh coriander to serve
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except for the coriander and cream to your slow cooker pan.
- Set your slow cooker to high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Blend until smooth or partially smooth with an electric stick blender.
- Add chopped fresh coriander and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with a splash of cream.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't like coriander, try adding chives or parsley instead.
- If you don't have fresh ginger you may use ground ginger. 1-2 tsp will be enough.
- Store in the fridge for 3-4 or freeze for 3-4 months.
- Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat to serve.
- Calories are for 4 servings, if you serve smaller portions there will be fewer calories.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
70.59Fat (grams)
2.82 gSat. Fat (grams)
1.74 gCarbs (grams)
11.08 gFiber (grams)
1.22 gNet carbs
9.87 gSugar (grams)
5.77 gProtein (grams)
0.97 gSodium (milligrams)
1553.96 mgCholesterol (grams)
8.47 mg
Oooh, I JUST got a recipe to try that is a deeply creamy carrot soup with soaked cashews, coriander, and ginger in it -- I wonder if I could just chuck them into a slow cooker soup after they were soaked and stick blend it for added creaminess?? Now I have to experiment!
ReplyDeleteOh yes definitely, just remember less stock. Although I never understand the urge to soak cashews when you can buy perfectly good soya cream. It's not like you need to add a lot to the soup.
DeleteCan I ask why you put the coriander in at the end? Jill
ReplyDeleteYou get the best flavour from fresh herbs if you add them at the end. You get the fragrance from them, which can be a bit lost if added earlier. Whereas dried herbs are better added during cooking.
DeleteOh and if you add the coriander before blending the colour of the soup goes a bit sludgy and you lose that beautiful orange colour.
Looks wonderful, just what I need to warm me up!
ReplyDeleteOh yes it is perfect for this time of year
DeleteI've been hunting for new soup recipes and this one looks delicious! Putting it on my menu for next week :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent, what good timing Julia. I hope you enjoy it.
DeletePerfect soup for the season. So delicious and great combo!
ReplyDeleteThanks and yes it's a great combo!
DeleteGreat recipe! I love making soups in my slow cooker.
ReplyDeleteMe too, it's such a good piece of kit!
DeleteI've been hankering after getting a slow cooker for ages, and recipes like this are definitely helping push me in the direction of buying one! That soup looks just perfect for a cold autumn evening.
ReplyDeleteCould you let me know how much fresh ginger you need - I can’t see a quantity in the recipe. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhoops! Well spotted! I'll have to correct that today I usually peel and finely chop a piece about 1 inch/2 1/2 cm long or a couple of taps of ground ginger.
DeleteThat should read teaspoons not tsps, darn auto-correct.
DeleteThank you - looking forward to trying it out.
Deletetaps, it's done it again. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Looking forward to trying it.
ReplyDeleteThanks I thought I'd sorted it, obviously didn't hit save. I've sorted it now.
ReplyDeleteLovely recipe! Perfect soup and such good flavours. I’ll be making this every week or so now, so easy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed it. It's my son's favourite soup.
DeleteI need to make this as I have so many carrots that need using but I will be freezing it once made and using over the coming weeks. Should I still put the coriander in before I freeze it or add it as and when I defrost a portion?
ReplyDeleteYou cam add the vorinader before you freeze if you like. Enjoy it. It's a firm favourite here.
Delete