How to Cook the Best Sweet Potato Soup with Just 5 Ingredients

This is one of those wonderfully simple recipes that always tastes like you put in more effort than you did. With only five ingredients, it takes a bit of chopping, a gentle simmer on the stove, and that’s it. Perfect for busy evenings, chilly days, or when you want something hearty without fuss.

What I love most is how flexible it is. If the quantities look vague, that’s because they are—and it truly doesn’t matter. Adjust the spice, the thickness, the coconut flavour… whatever suits your taste and what you have on hand.

Types of Sweet Potatoes & How to Grow Them

Sweet potatoes come in several varieties, but the gold (orange-fleshed) sweet potato is the one I grow. It’s sweet, creamy, widely available and budget-friendly—which is exactly why it works beautifully in this spiced sweet potato soup. It also seems to crisp up better when roasted or tossed in a pan when it is half-cooked. Other varieties like purple sweet potatoes offer an earthy, almost floral depth, while white sweet potatoes are milder and slightly drier if you prefer a less sweet flavour profile.

If you’ve ever thought about growing your own, sweet potatoes are surprisingly easy and rewarding. Buy a sweet potato from the green grocer or beg one from a neighbour and grow some slips. This is the method that I use.

Then plant your slips in a sunny spot with loose, well-drained soil, and give them room to sprawl. They thrive in warm climates, only need regular watering at the start, and are forgiving even if the garden gets a little neglected. After a few months, the vines may yellow—your cue that it’s harvest time. In tropical south-east Queensland, the vines are evergreen so we dig the sweet potatoes up as we need them. Our vines produce good size sweet potatoes for about three years. Home-grown sweet potatoes store well and taste incredibly fresh, making them a fantastic base for quick, wholesome meals.

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is fun so check out another post of mine: I Love Growing Vegetables at Home.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Not only are sweet potatoes delicious, but they’re also packed with nutrients. Their vibrant orange flesh is rich in beta-carotene, converted by the body into vitamin A for healthy eyes, skin and immune function. They also provide dietary fibre, which helps you feel full longer and supports healthy digestion—especially useful in a thick, blended soup.

Sweet potatoes also contribute vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants that help protect cells from inflammation. Combined with red curry paste and coconut milk, this soup strikes a perfect balance between comfort food and natural nourishment.

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1.5 tablespoons Thai red curry paste – adjust for more or less heat
• 2 medium gold sweet potatoes (approx. 1.3kg) – I use gold for their flavour and availability
• 1 onion – brown or white
• ½ cup coconut milk – gives a subtle coconut flavour; cream or yoghurt also works
• 1 cup water – add more for a thinner soup, less for a thick, spoon-standing texture
• Pepper and herbs to garnish – I used cracked black pepper and continental parsley

Method

1. Heat the red curry paste in a large saucepan over medium heat until aromatic.
2. Add the chopped onion and fry for a couple of minutes.
3. Add the chopped sweet potato.
4. Pour in the water and simmer until the sweet potato is tender.
5. Turn the stove off.
6. Stir in the coconut milk.
7. Blend until smooth using a stick mixer or blender.
8. Add extra water if you prefer it thinner.
9. Ladle into bowls, garnish with pepper and herbs.
10. Serve with buttered toast (highly recommended!).

Tips & Variations

• Add a squeeze of lime for brightness.
• Stir in spinach or kale at the blending stage for extra greens.
• Swap curry paste for yellow or massaman paste for a different flavour.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika if you love depth and warmth.
• Top with a dollop of sour cream or greek yoghurt for extra creaminess.

Useful Products for Making Sweet Potato Soup

Here are some tools available on Amazon that will make your soup prep easier and more enjoyable:

1. Nutribullet Lite Immersion Blender
   -A powerful stick blender that’s great for pureeing your soup directly in the pot.
   -Includes a whisk and a 900ml cup.
   -Makes it super easy to get a silky, smooth texture.
2. MIUI 6-1n-1 Immersion Hand Blender (1200w)
   -High-powered motor.
   -Comes with a whisk, beaker, masher, milk frother, and a small food processor
   -Great multifunction tool if you’re making more than just soup (sauces, smoothies, etc)
   -Available via Amazon Australia
3. Upgraded 1100w 12-speed 5-in-1 Hand Blender (Stainless Steel)
   -Includes chopper, whisk, milk frother, and beaker.
   -2 speed settings + turbo – gives you more control over blending thickness
   -Durable stainless steel shaft
   -Available via Amazon Australia
4. MIUI 4-in-1 Immersion Blender (1000w)
   -Slightly simpler than the 6-in-1, but still very versatile
   -Includes whisk, beaker and food processor attachments
   -BPA-free design
5. Cordless Stick Blender (USB rechargeable)
   -Cordless convenience
   -Variable angle operation
   -21-speed adjustable settings.
6. AntoKueh 26oz Ceramic Bowls Set of 6: Large ceramic bowls (about 750ml) suitable for generous servings of your soup; listed in AU. Also available via Amazon US.
7. Sureasy French Onion Soup bowls: 19oz (about 550ml) with an ergonomic handle that provides a comfortable grip, making it safer and easy to carry full of hot soup; listed on Amazon.com
8. Le Tauci Soup Bowls with Handles and Silicone Lids: Heat resistant and safe for both microwave and oven use, these 26oz (750ml) bowls are perfect for taking ramen, canned goods, leftovers and soup to work for a hearty hot lunch; listed on Amazon.com
9. Yun Tao Soup Bowls with Handles Set of 4: Classic double-handled ceramic bowls have a spacious 32 ounce (about 950ml) capacity; listed in AU.
10. Japanese Ramen Bowls: Featuring a classic blue & White pattern design, these bowls have maximum capacity of 38 ounces (about 1.1 litres) and are suitable for hearty soups, ramen and spaghetti; listed in AU.

Purchasing Tips

• If you don’t already have a stick/immersion blender, the NutriBullet or the MIUI 6-in-1 are excellent choices.
• Shipping / import costs: Especially if ordering from overseas listings — check shipping and duty.
• Voltage / plug compatibility: If importing a US appliance, check that the voltage and plug type work in Australia (230 V vs 120 V).
• Materials & size: For soup bowls, check the capacity (e.g., 26 oz / ~750 ml is generous). For the blender, check power (wattage) and speed settings.
• Accessories & attachments: Some immersion blenders come with whisk/chopper attachments which might be handy.
• Dishwasher / microwave safe: For bowls, ensure they’re microwave & dishwasher safe if you use them often.