Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant, soul-soothing flavors of Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale! This colorful soup is the perfect balance of creamy, nutty richness and zippy spice, all wrapped up with hearty sweet potatoes and a generous helping of nourishing greens. Whether you’re searching for an easy weeknight dinner, a cozy meal prep option, or simply want to spice up your soup rotation, Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale will absolutely hit the spot. You’ll adore how each spoonful is both deeply satisfying and totally crave-worthy.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Every standout dish starts with a handful of well-chosen ingredients, and this Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale is no different. Each item in this list brings its own touch to the rich flavor, creamy texture, and irresistible color of the soup. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing and adding subtle richness to the base of the soup.
- Onion: Chopped onion lends natural sweetness and sets the stage for aromatic depth.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic brightens the soup with bold savoriness.
- Fresh Ginger: Grated ginger adds a gentle warmth and zing that pairs beautifully with peanut and curry.
- Red Curry Paste: This ingredient brings a harmonious blend of spices and a pop of color.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who love to turn up the heat, more or less as you like!
- Sweet Potato: Diced and simmered until tender, sweet potato gives natural creaminess and heartiness.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: These tomatoes add a fresh, tangy lift and a lovely red hue.
- Vegetable Broth: The flavorful backbone of the soup, tying everything together.
- Natural Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is the signature ingredient, delivering depth and unmistakable richness.
- Soy Sauce: Just a dash ups the umami and rounds out the broth.
- Salt: For balancing flavors.
- Kale: Chopped kale makes the soup hearty and infuses it with color and nutrients.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice at the end gives a final hit of brightness and zing.
- Chopped Peanuts & Cilantro (for garnish): The finishing touch—crunch and freshness in every bite.
How to Make Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Begin by heating your olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once warm, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns soft and translucent. This first step sets a flavorful base for your Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale and helps coax out the sweet undertones from the onion.
Step 2: Add Garlic, Ginger, and Spices
Toss in the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger, then add the red curry paste and (if you like it spicy) the crushed red pepper flakes. Cook everything for just about a minute—enough for the spices to “bloom” and release their delicious aromas, but not so long that anything burns. This is the aromatic heart of the soup!
Step 3: Simmer the Vegetables
Now it’s time for the sweet potato, canned diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Pour them all in, give everything a gentle stir, and increase the heat to bring the pot to a boil. Once bubbling, reduce to a simmer and let the soup burble away for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are meltingly tender. They’ll infuse the soup with a gorgeous orange hue and subtle sweetness.
Step 4: Stir in Peanut Butter and Seasonings
The magic happens now! Spoon in the peanut butter, swirl in the soy sauce, and sprinkle in the salt. Stir steadily until the peanut butter is fully melted and the broth looks perfectly smooth and creamy. This step transforms the soup into the velvety, peanutty creation you’ll crave again and again.
Step 5: Wilt the Kale
Add the chopped kale, stirring it into the soup. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes until the greens are gloriously tender but still bright green. Kale adds a gentle earthy bite and boosts the health credentials of Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale.
Step 6: Finish with Lime Juice
Right before serving, squeeze in the juice of a fresh lime. This little splash cuts through the richness and enlivens every bite. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed—then get ready to ladle out pure comfort.
How to Serve Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale

Garnishes
Dress up each bowl with a scatter of chopped peanuts for crunch and a handful of fresh cilantro for a vibrant, herbal pop. These classic garnishes do more than look pretty—they elevate the flavor of every spoonful and make Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale completely irresistible.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty enough to stand alone but pairs wonderfully with warm, crusty bread, a bowl of fluffy rice, or even a scoop of quinoa for extra protein. A crisp side salad with a citrusy dressing makes a fabulous contrast to the soup’s creamy, bold flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale in mugs for a party-ready “soup shooter” or ladle it over cooked chickpeas or rice to make it a stick-to-your-ribs stew. You can even set up a toppings bar with extra chopped peanuts, shredded coconut, and hot sauce for family or guests to customize their bowls.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you don’t finish the whole pot (good luck with that!), allow your Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep brilliantly in the fridge for up to four days, and the flavors deepen even more overnight. It’s the ultimate make-ahead meal!
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully—simply portion cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of headspace for expansion. It’ll hold up for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and you’ll have a welcome, hearty meal tucked away for busy days.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm your Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale gently in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until piping hot. You can also microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring halfway through. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of broth or water to bring it back to the perfect consistency.
FAQs
Can I use other greens instead of kale?
Absolutely! Spinach or Swiss chard are lovely alternatives. Just add at the end of cooking since they wilt faster than kale, giving you the same hearty boost without compromising flavor or texture.
Is there a peanut butter substitute for allergies?
If you have a peanut allergy, cashew or almond butter can step in as great alternatives. Sunflower seed butter is a nut-free option that still delivers that creamy, nutty feel in Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale.
How do I make the soup less spicy?
Simply reduce or omit the red curry paste and red pepper flakes. For a very gentle soup, start with just a tiny amount of curry paste and skip the red pepper entirely, letting the natural sweetness of sweet potato and the richness of peanut shine through.
Can I add extra protein?
Definitely! Stir in cooked chickpeas, tofu cubes, or shredded cooked chicken (if not vegan) at the same time as the kale. You could also serve the soup over brown rice or quinoa for a filling, protein-rich meal.
Does the soup work for meal prep?
It’s fantastic for meal prep! Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale stays flavorful and fresh-tasting for several days in the fridge, and you can even freeze individual portions for grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a nourishing, flavor-packed meal, you simply can’t do better than Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale. This is a bowlful of joy that brings warmth, comfort, and a feast of vibrant flavors to your table. Grab your pot and your favorite spoon—the next cozy night in just found its signature dish!
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Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato + Kale Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
A flavorful and hearty Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato and Kale that combines the creaminess of peanut butter with the sweetness of sweet potatoes, the earthiness of kale, and a kick of spice. This vegan and gluten-free soup is a perfect blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp red curry paste
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed, leaves chopped
- juice of 1 lime
- chopped peanuts and cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic, ginger, curry paste, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant.
- Add sweet potato, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Stir in peanut butter, soy sauce, and salt. Add kale and cook until wilted. Finish with lime juice.
- Serve hot, topped with peanuts and cilantro.
Notes
- Add cooked rice or chickpeas to make it more filling.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting red pepper flakes and curry paste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: African-Inspired, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg