Roasted Red Pepper Soup (Printable)

Silky roasted pepper soup with caramelized garlic and gentle harissa heat

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large red bell peppers
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
05 - 1 celery stalk, chopped

→ Liquids

06 - 3 cups vegetable broth
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Flavorings

08 - 1-2 teaspoons harissa paste
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnishes

12 - 1/4 cup crème fraîche or plain yogurt
13 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
14 - Crusty bread, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place red peppers and unpeeled garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning once, until peppers are charred and soft and garlic is caramelized.
02 - Transfer roasted peppers to a bowl and cover with a plate or plastic wrap. Let steam for 10 minutes, then peel and deseed the peppers. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skins.
03 - In a large pot, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring, until softened.
04 - Add roasted peppers, roasted garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and harissa paste. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
06 - Use an immersion blender or transfer soup in batches to a blender to puree until silky smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with crème fraîche or yogurt and fresh herbs. Add crusty bread on the side if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted garlic becomes sweet and mellow, no sharp bite left behind
  • Harissa adds this gentle warmth that lingers without overwhelming the delicate pepper flavor
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • Do not skip the steaming step after roasting the peppers, the trapped steam loosens the skins so they slip off easily
  • If you use a countertop blender, never fill it more than halfway with hot soup and remove the center cap of the lid, covering the opening with a kitchen towel
  • The soup thickens as it sits, thin with a splash of broth or water when reheating
03 -
  • Use jarred roasted peppers in a pinch, though fresh roasted ones have superior flavor
  • A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving brightens all the flavors
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