Name: Peanut Butter Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 cup split peas; 4 cups vegetable broth; 2 large tomatoes (chopped); 1 cup sweet potato (chopped); 1 medium onion (chopped); 3 cloves garlic (chopped); 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated); 1 cup tomato sauce; 1/2 cup peanut butter; 1/2 cup kale leaves (chopped); 1 vegan bouillon cube (or sea salt to taste)

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Peanut butter soup is a rich, creamy and savory dish known for its unique texture and blends of flavors. This protein-rich dish is a perfect choice to warm yourself up and get cozy in winters.

Peanut butter seems like a very unconventional ingredient in any savory dish, especially in a soup. However, everyone loves peanut butter! It has such warm, comforting, creamy, and melts in your mouth texture. So, why not explore the endless possibilities of this amazing ingredient?

You might love p and jelly the best, but you need to try this amazing soup! Honestly, I was a little bit skeptical, but once I tried and tested it, it turned out to be so good! It was so comforting that I kept coming for more! If you love soups then you will love, Vegan Potato Leek Carrot Soup, Vegan Spinach Soup, and Vegan Cabbage Soup.

Try this amazing soup dish on a winter evening, and I bet its creaminess and richness will win you over in no time!

Where did peanut butter soup come from?

Peanut butter soup actually is a popular soup dish of African regions, or West Africa to be more precise. Although the main recipe varies from region to region because of the use of other ingredients, it is still a very popular dish and widely enjoyed in Ghana and Gambia. This soup made its appearance to the rest of the world in a cookbook that was published in the 1990s. Till then, several people have tried this West African vegan recipe and loved it to bits.

Ingredient breakdown

Peanut butter soup has some amazing ingredients in it. These ingredients are easily available at any grocery store. Moreover, they also fall on a budget making this soup very convenient. Here is what you will need to make this creamy soup.

Green split peas: Most people consider peans and split peas the same. Well, it is true to some extent. Split peas actually come from green peas. However, these fall in the category of lentils. That’s because split peas come from drying green peans so that the outer cover sheds off and they are split naturally.
Onion: Onions bring in a savory and slightly sweet flavor. You can use either white onion or red onion. Make sure you chop it before adding.
Tomatoes: Freshly chopped tomatoes add a tanginess and richness to the soup. Tomatoes have a distinct flavor that really stands out.
Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutrients. It is an amazing ingredient, and it has a sweet flavor which is perfect for this recipe.
Garlic: Garlic is known for its savory flavor, and it brings depth to the soup and gives it a new dimension. With the sweetness of sweet potatoes and peanut butter, the garlicky flavor balances it out and cuts through the sweetness. It acts as a balancing agent.
Ginger: Ginger has a slightly peppery note to it.
Vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a rich stock that is loaded with flavor. You can choose homemade vegetable broth or a store-bought one for this recipe. It adds more flavor to the soup.
Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce is responsible for the umami flavor of this soup. It has a unique acidic and umami flavor that shines through the soup.
Peanut butter: The main hero of this soup dish is peanut butter. You can easily buy it from any grocery store. Peanut butter comes in a creamy and chunky flavor. Although I have used creamy peanut butter for this recipe, you can go for chunky peanut butter as well. It is, of course, if you like the crunch of roughly chopped peanuts in the soup. Peanut butter is loaded with nutrients and is rich in plant-based protein. You can also add homemade peanut butter to this recipe.
Kale leaves: Kale leaves are known for their intense earthy flavor and crunchy texture. They are also loaded with nutrients and vitamins. You can easily get them from any grocery store. If you don’t have kale leaves, you can use collard greens as well. Whatever you plan on using, make sure you chop them finely before adding them to the soup.
Sea salt: To balance out the sweetness and tanginess, you need salt. Sea salt seems like the best option for this recipe as its salty flavor is up a notch. However, you can use table salt as well. Adjust the quantity of salt according to your taste.

How to make peanut butter soup?

Making peanut butter is very easy. This soup is a one-pot dish. So, it is very convenient. On a busy day, you can happily opt for this soup as it will keep on cooking on its self without you worrying about anything. Here is how you can make this tasteful and creamy soup:

Step 1: Start by sorting the split peas. Wash them thoroughly twice or until the water is clear and there is no dirt or dust in it.

Step 2: Add the washed split peas to a large pot. Pour vegetable stock over it and place it on medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Let it cook for about 40 minutes or until the split peas are tender.

Step 3: Next, add chopped onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Mix well and continue to cook the ingredients for 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Now, carefully take about a cup of liquid from the cooking pot and add peanut butter to it. Mix well until you get a creamy sauce.

Step 5: Pour it back into the pot. Add tomato sauce and kale leaves. Season it with salt and cook for five more minutes while stirring frequently.

Step 6: Once the soup reaches the consistency you desire, turn of the heat and serve.

Can you make peanut butter at home?

Absolutely! Although peanut butter is a very common ingredient that you can get from any grocery store, you can make peanut butter at home as well. All you need is peanuts! You can buy dry roasted peanuts from the grocery store or roast them at home. When buying store-bought ones, make sure they are unsalted. Add them to the food processor and process them for about 8 to 10 minutes. Make sure you scrape the sides in between the processing. Process until you get a creamy texture. Sprinkle salt, and homemade peanut butter is ready!

How to store peanut butter soup?

Yes, you can! Once it cools down, place it in an air-tight container and refrigerate. It will last for u to 3 days.

Furthermore, you can divide it into portions and freeze it. It will last for up to 5 months. For this reason, it is a great choice that you can make in advance and enjoy later.

How to serve peanut butter soup?

This creamy peanut butter soup goes so well with a number of sides. However, I really love to pair it with two things. These are:

Bread: Keep the consistency of the soup a bit thin and serve it with freshly baked homemade bread. As you dip the bread into the soup and it soaks up the flavor, you get a wholesome and very filling meal. You can use any vegan bread for this purpose. Gluten-free bread works well as well. I really like to serve it with garlic bread.
Rice: Keep the consistency of the soup a bit thick and serve it with boiled white or brown rice. You might get an Asian feel with this pair, but the combination is just perfect. It is a wholesome plate of food that is just right to satisfy your hunger.

Other Vegan Soups You Will Love

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