How to Make Purple Sweet Potato Soup

Discover the vibrant and nutritious vegan purple sweet potato soup made with simple ingredients. This colorful soup is packed with antioxidants and rich flavors and is perfect for a chill fall day and any occasion. 

Vegan Purple Potato Soup

My approach to cooking is to embrace seasonality because you will get the most nutrients from your food. I also like to incorporate a lot of colorful veggies because of the variety of nutrients you get. Soups and stews are perfect for mixing them together. This recipe is one of my healthy soup recipe collections that I love and make it often. 

Purple sweet potatoes are one of those veggies that have gotten more love over the years. Surprisingly, this variety has only been around since 2006. If you’re not familiar with them, they have the same flavor and texture as traditional sweet potatoes, but purple potatoes are more on the sweeter side.

What Are Purple Sweet Potatoes

Purple sweet potatoes are a vibrant and nutritious variety of sweet potatoes distinguished by their deep purple flesh. Here’s a closer look at these unique tubers:

Characteristics

1. Color: The most striking feature of purple sweet potatoes is their rich, violet to deep purple flesh, which comes from natural pigments called anthocyanins. These are the same antioxidants found in blueberries and other purple or red fruits and vegetables.
2. Taste: They have a slightly sweeter and more complex flavor than regular sweet potatoes. Some describe the taste as mildly floral with hints of vanilla and nuttiness.
3. Texture: Purple sweet potatoes are denser and drier than orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, making them ideal for roasting and baking. They hold their shape well and can add a unique texture to soups and stews.

Varieties

There are several varieties of purple sweet potatoes, including:

• Okinawan: Also known as Hawaiian sweet potatoes, they have a beige skin and deep purple flesh. They are popular in Hawaiian cuisine.
• Stokes: Grown in the United States, Stokes purple sweet potatoes have a vibrant purple skin and flesh. They are slightly sweeter and moister than other varieties.
• Murasaki: Originating from Japan, Murasaki sweet potatoes have reddish-purple skin and white to pale purple flesh. They have a mildly sweet flavor and a dry, starchy texture.

Nutritional Benefits

Purple sweet potatoes are not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients:

• Antioxidants: Purple sweet potatoes are high in antioxidant content. The anthocyanins in them have powerful antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases.
• Vitamins and Minerals: They are a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber, contributing to overall health and well-being.
• Low Glycemic Index: Purple sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index compared to regular potatoes, making them a better option for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Culinary Uses

Purple sweet potatoes can be used in various dishes:

• Roasting and Baking: Their dense texture makes them perfect for roasting or baking as a side dish.
• Mashed or Pureed: They can be mashed or pureed into soups, adding a unique color and flavor.
• Desserts: Their natural sweetness makes them excellent ingredients for desserts like pies, cakes, and ice cream.
• Chips and Fries: Thinly sliced and baked or fried, they make colorful and nutritious chips and fries.

When boiled, purple sweet potatoes lose color, and I’m not a big fan of this. However, you can always add a little acid, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, to bring a bit of that color back up. Also, when roasted, they maintain that gorgeous hue and create the perfect shade of purple!

​Are Purple Sweet Potatoes and Purple Yams the Same?

Purple sweet potatoes and purple yams are often confused due to their similar color but different root vegetables. Purple sweet potatoes, from the morning glory family (Ipomoea batatas), have a smooth skin and vibrant purple flesh, with a mildly sweet and nutty flavor. They are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C. Purple yams, from the yam family (Dioscorea alata), have rough, bark-like skin and lavender to deep purple flesh, with a more earthy taste and drier texture. They are common in African, Caribbean, and Asian cuisines and are often used in traditional dishes and desserts like Filipino ube halaya. While both are nutritious and versatile, purple sweet potatoes are more widely available in North America.

Why This Recipe Rocks

Easy

Bright

Bold

Great for entertaining

Great for any season!

Nutrient-dense!

Affordable.

Sweet and Savory

Ingredients For Vegan Purple Sweet Potato Soup

• Purple sweet potatoes: The stars of our show. These beauties are packed with antioxidants and will give our soup its signature color.
• Red Onion: Because every good soup needs a sidekick.
• Garlic: Our flavor ninjas.
• Vegetable broth or chicken broth: The magical potion that brings everything together.
• Coconut milk: For that creamy, dreamy texture.
• Parsnip: For additional flavor.
• Salt and black pepper to taste: The classic duo.
• Optional toppings: Fresh cilantro, a dollop of yogurt, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts. Get creative!

Step-by-Step Instructions For Purple Potato Soup:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the peeled, chopped potatoes and coat with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast it for 25 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the chopped onion, parsnips, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, basil, dill, and onion powder. Sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is fragrant and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the medium pot and add broth and diced parsnips. Cook for 20 minutes.
• Add sweet potatoes, and gentle simmer for another 20 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, add some lime juice, and adjust seasonings to taste.
• You can also blend the soup in teh blender or use an immersion blender. Blending will give you a smooth texture and a beautiful purple color.
• Serve the soup in bowls, topped with fresh thyme, green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and an optional drizzle of olive oil. Serve hot/warm. Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that purple sweet potatoes are packed with anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries? So not only is this soup a feast for the eyes and taste buds, but it’s also a powerhouse of health benefits. High five to you for making such a nutritious choice.

Storage

•  Let the soup cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

What’s fab about this purple sweet potato soup? Everything! This purple majesty is quick, easy, affordable, incorporates minimal ingredients, packs flavor, has a hint of sweetness, pairs well with just about any main dish, is perfect for any season, can easily be made in bulk, and will brighten up any table. It is just a gorgeous soup with vivid color when you blend it!!

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