Autumn Harvest Bisque
A hearty, flavorful bisque blending sweet autumn apples and squash with aromatic herbs, perfect for cozy gatherings and fall comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 leeks, including 2-inch green, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1 stick and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ⓘ
- 1/2 cup carrot, chopped ⓘ
- 1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, chopped ⓘ
- 1 small turnip, peeled, chopped ⓘ
- 2 large tart apples, peeled, cored, chopped ⓘ
- 4 cups chicken stock ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 1 cup unpasteurized apple cider ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried sage, crumbled ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled ⓘ
- 1/2 cup heavy cream ⓘ
Instructions
- In a kettle, cook onions, leeks, and celery in 3 tablespoons of butter over moderate heat, stirring for 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add carrots, butternut squash, turnip, apples, and chicken stock; bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
- In a small saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over moderate heat.
- Add flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes to make a roux.
- Remove the pan from heat. Add 1 cup of soup liquid in a stream, stirring constantly.
- Stir the roux mixture back into the soup pot.
- Add cider, nutmeg, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and grated Gruyère cheese.
- Ladle the bisque into heated bowls and garnish as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoother bisque, blend the soup with an immersion blender until creamy. If you want a vegetarian version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock. You can also use sweet potatoes instead of butternut squash for a different flavor profile. Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon for a warm spice note that complements the apples.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the bisque hot in warmed bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or a swirl of additional heavy cream. This dish pairs beautifully with a crusty bread or a side salad, such as a Chicken, Red Grape And Apple Salad, for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the bisque on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens, add a splash of chicken stock or water to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Autumn Harvest Bisque contains roughly 775 calories, with 18g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 52g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (55% of the Daily Value), calcium (38% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (37% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 899mg per serving (39% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of squash?
Yes, you can substitute butternut squash with other varieties like acorn or pumpkin. Each will bring a unique flavor to the bisque, but make sure they're peeled, seeded, and chopped similarly to ensure even cooking.
Is it possible to make this bisque dairy-free?
Absolutely! Replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative. Additionally, use olive oil instead of butter for sautéing the vegetables to keep it dairy-free.
Can I freeze the bisque?
Yes, this bisque freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).