3 Tips for Making Vegan Asparagus Soup

Vegan asparagus soup is a rich soup made with fresh asparagus and vegetable stock, and without any animal-based ingredients, such as dairy products. While traditional asparagus soup uses butter and heavy cream, you can easily substitute them with olive oil and coconut cream instead. A creamy asparagus soup recipe pairs the earthy, slightly bitter flavor of asparagus with bright, flavorful ingredients like garlic, lemon, and chives. In contrast to heartier, winter-friendly veggie soups—like pumpkin soup, potato soup, and carrot soup—this vegetable soup is perfect for the warmer months when asparagus season is in full swing.

You can make an asparagus soup that is vegan (dairy-free) and even gluten-free by using plant-based ingredients like coconut milk, vegetable broth, and plenty of veggies. Here are additional tips for making a vegan asparagus soup you can serve as a delicious and filling appetizer, side dish, or light entree:

1. 1. Replace butter with olive oil. To make a vegan asparagus soup, you should omit any dairy products, including butter. Try substituting olive oil for the butter in a traditional asparagus soup recipe.
2. 2. Substitute coconut milk for cream. A typical ingredient in asparagus soup is full-fat heavy cream, but you can use coconut milk or another non-dairy milk (such as oat milk) instead. Just remember to add the liquid gradually to achieve your desired consistency. The amount of starch in your recipe and the thickness of the particular liquid you choose will determine how much you have to add.
3. 3. Try an assortment of fresh veggies. Asparagus is a good source of nutrients such as vitamin A and vitamin C, but you don’t have to restrict yourself to asparagus as the only vegetable. Bright green, leafy veggies like arugula (for a slightly peppery flavor) and spinach can add unique flavor and boost a recipe’s potassium and calcium quotients.

You can customize vegan or vegetarian asparagus soup recipes based on your flavor preferences and exact dietary needs. Here are four variations on a standard vegan asparagus soup:

1. 1. Grilled asparagus vegan soup: Use roasted or grilled asparagus spears—rather than, say, boiled asparagus—for a deeper, more complex and even smoky flavor. Add the cooked asparagus into the stockpot just before you blend all the ingredients.
2. 2. Leek and asparagus vegan soup: Use leeks in place of or in addition to onions to increase the savory flavor of your soup. If you love leek soup, try adding a cup of washed and chopped leeks at the same time you add the potatoes or other vegetables to the pot.
3. 3. Chickpea and asparagus vegan soup: Many recipes call for the inclusion of potatoes to add starch and carbohydrates to the asparagus soup, but you can try replacing them with chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), which will boost the amount of protein in the soup, too.