Ina Garten Cream of Asparagus Soup Recipe

Easy Ina Garten Cream of Asparagus Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Asparagus soup transforms humble green stalks into a velvety culinary experience that whispers springtime comfort.

Seasonal vegetables rarely shine as brightly as this elegant, silky preparation does in kitchens worldwide.

Rich, smooth textures meld with delicate herbal undertones, creating a luxurious first course that feels simultaneously light and indulgent.

Green stalks surrender their natural sweetness through careful cooking techniques that maximize flavor and nutritional value.

Professional chefs understand how blending can elevate simple ingredients into something remarkably sophisticated and memorable.

Home cooks appreciate such recipes that look impressive yet require minimal technical skill and relatively quick preparation.

This particular soup promises a sophisticated dining moment that feels both familiar and extraordinary: gather your ingredients and let culinary magic unfold.

Why Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup is the Perfect Spring Soup

Why Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup is the Perfect Spring Soup
  • Savor Spring's Freshness: This cream of asparagus soup captures the essence of seasonal produce, bringing bright green vegetables directly from farm to bowl with incredible simplicity.
  • Silky Smooth Texture Magic: The blending technique transforms humble asparagus into an ultra-creamy, luxurious soup with a velvety consistency that glides effortlessly across your palate.
  • Quick Weeknight Culinary Win: With just 55 minutes from start to finish, this recipe delivers gourmet restaurant-quality results that feel sophisticated yet wonderfully achievable for home cooks of any skill level.
  • Nutrition Packed Comfort: Low in calories but high in flavor, the soup provides a nutritious meal option that doesn't compromise on taste, offering a perfect balance of health and indulgence with every spoonful.

What You Need for Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup

Main Ingredients:

Fresh Produce:
  • Asparagus: Sweet, tender vegetable with bright green color that forms the heart of the soup.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and gentle pungent flavor to the base.
  • Chives, Dill: Fresh herbs that provide bright, crisp garnish and enhance overall flavor profile.
Dairy and Fat:
  • Butter: Rich base for sautéing that adds smooth, golden flavor to the soup.
  • Heavy Cream: Luxurious ingredient that creates silky, rich texture and adds elegant creaminess.
Liquid and Seasoning:
  • Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid base that helps cook and blend the asparagus smoothly.
  • Kosher Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances the soup's natural flavors.
  • Black Pepper: Freshly ground spice that adds mild heat and complexity to the soup.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup

How to Make Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup

Step 1: Melt the Butter and Sauté Garlic

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add of butter and let it melt completely. Toss in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. The garlic should become fragrant but not turn brown.

Step 2: Prepare the Asparagus

Add the prepared asparagus to the pot. Season with:
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Stir to coat the asparagus in buttery goodness. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus looks lightly golden and starts to soften.

Step 3: Simmer with Broth

Pour in of low-sodium chicken broth, ensuring the asparagus is mostly covered. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes. The asparagus should be tender but still maintain a vibrant green color.

Step 4: Blend to Smooth Perfection

Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender. If using a standard blender, slightly vent the lid to release steam and prevent pressure buildup. Blend until the soup becomes completely smooth and silky.

Step 5: Enrich with Cream

Return the blended soup to the pot over low heat. Gently stir in of heavy cream. Warm for 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Step 6: Serve with Elegant Garnish

Ladle the warm soup into serving bowls. Add a decorative swirl of cream on top. Sprinkle with:
  • Fresh chopped chives
  • Delicate dill fronds

Serve immediately while the soup is warm and inviting.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup

  • Zest Up Brightness: Sprinkle fresh lemon zest at the soup's final moments to transform its entire flavor profile, cutting through rich creaminess with vibrant citrus notes.
  • Blend Smoothly: Grab an immersion blender for quick, mess-free soup processing right in the cooking pot, avoiding potential kitchen chaos from transferring hot liquid.
  • Boost Texture Secretly: Dice a potato into the mixture to naturally thicken the soup's consistency without revealing your clever ingredient trick, creating a heartier result.
  • Herb Your Depth: Drop a single thyme sprig during simmering to infuse subtle earthiness, remembering to remove before blending for balanced flavor complexity.
  • Temperature Trick: Let soup cool slightly before final blending to prevent potential splattering and ensure smoother, more controlled texture transformation.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup

  • Rapid Cool Method: Let soup temperature drop naturally to room level before sealing. Transfer soup into glass containers with tight-fitting lids to preserve optimal flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freezing Technique: Remove cream before freezing asparagus soup completely. Use heavy-duty freezer bags or rigid containers, pressing out excess air to minimize freezer burn. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
  • Cream Restoration Strategy: When ready to enjoy frozen soup, thaw slowly in refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on stovetop, whisking fresh cream into soup just before serving to restore luxurious texture and prevent separation.

Creative Variations on Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup

  • Green Goddess Asparagus Soup: Blend in fresh basil, parsley, and tarragon during the blending process for an herb-packed version with vibrant green color and elevated freshness.
  • Roasted Garlic Asparagus Soup: Roast whole garlic bulbs before adding them to the soup, creating a deeper, caramelized garlic flavor that complements the asparagus beautifully.
  • Spicy Lemon Asparagus Soup: Add red pepper flakes during cooking and finish with fresh lemon zest and juice for a bright, zesty kick that awakens the palate.
  • Parmesan Asparagus Soup: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking, creating a rich, salty undertone that enhances the soup's creamy texture.

Ina Garten’s Cream of Asparagus Soup: A Fresh, Seasonal Treat

Culinary elegance meets simplicity in Ina Garten’s asparagus soup, a delightful journey through seasonal flavors.

Smooth, velvety textures embrace each spoonful with garden-fresh nuances that dance across palates.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious experience.

Classic techniques merge with fresh herbs, creating a symphony of taste that celebrates spring’s bounty.

Garten’s signature style shines through each carefully crafted step, inviting home cooks to explore gourmet possibilities.

Passionate epicureans will find pure delight in this smooth, creamy masterpiece – share this recipe with fellow kitchen enthusiasts, comment below your favorite soup memories, and spread deliciousness across your culinary community.

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Ina Garten Cream of Asparagus Soup Recipe

Ina Garten Cream of Asparagus Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s cream of asparagus soup delivers silky elegance with French culinary precision. Fresh asparagus and rich cream blend into a luxurious starter that brings spring’s delicate flavors directly to your table with remarkable simplicity.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Vegetables:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) fresh asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream, plus more for garnish
  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly chopped chives, for garnish
  • Freshly chopped dill, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare a large pot and heat it over medium temperature. Melt unsalted butter completely, allowing it to become smooth and golden. Add finely chopped garlic and sauté gently for approximately 60 seconds until aromatic, being careful not to brown the garlic.
  2. Introduce fresh asparagus spears into the melted butter mixture. Season thoroughly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the vegetables carefully to ensure even coating with the seasoned butter. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring intermittently until asparagus develops a light golden hue and begins softening.
  3. Pour low-sodium chicken broth into the pot, ensuring the asparagus is predominantly submerged. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then cover with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the mixture to cook for 12 to 14 minutes, maintaining a soft bubbling until asparagus becomes perfectly tender while preserving its vibrant green color.
  4. Transfer the cooked mixture carefully to a high-powered blender or utilize an immersion blender. If using a standard blender, remember to slightly open the lid to release steam and prevent pressure buildup. Puree the mixture until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with no visible vegetable fragments.
  5. Return the smooth soup to the pot, placing it over low heat. Gently incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a luxurious texture. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
  6. Elegantly ladle the warm soup into serving bowls. Enhance presentation by drizzling a small amount of cream on top and generously garnishing with freshly chopped chives and delicate dill fronds. Serve immediately while the soup maintains its optimal temperature and creamy consistency.

Notes

  • Discover a culinary secret that transforms ordinary asparagus into an extraordinary creamy soup.
  • Seasonal ingredients make this recipe shine, capturing spring’s most delicate vegetable flavors.
  • Prepping ingredients quickly ensures maximum freshness and vibrant green color retention.
  • Freezing leftovers extends the life of this elegant soup for up to one month without losing quality.
  • Kitchen tools like immersion blenders create smooth textures with minimal cleanup effort.
  • Pairing with a crisp white wine elevates this simple soup into a gourmet dining experience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 173 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 47 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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