What Spices Go Well with Carrot Soup? 15 Carrot Soup Spices

Although spices are crucial to most soup recipes, they are usually overlooked because most people believe that carrots and other produce already contain enough flavors.

However, you will be missing out on a lot of added benefits provided by the right spices in your carrot soup.

See Also:

• Carrot Soup Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Carrot Soups
• 13 Best Substitutes for Carrots in Soup

When I make soup, I always consider the spices to put in – because it can transform a simple bowl of soup into an incredible tasting dish!

I have some favorites that are perfect for carrot soup.

Are you intrigued? Want to know what spices go well with carrot soup?

Read Also: The 7 Best Toppings for Carrot Soup

Read on to discover my favorite carrot soup spices, my friend!

What Spices Go Well with Carrot Soup? 15 Carrot Soup Spices

Carrot soup is a great way to get your children to eat their veggies. However, you’ll want to spice up the flavor with some spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, curry, and cayenne pepper are all great spices to use in your carrot soup.

Looking for more options?

Then simply keep scrolling!

1. Cumin

Cumin is a great spice to use in combination with carrot soup.

It’s an earthy spice that pairs well with the sweetness of carrots.

Cumin can be used in a variety of ways.

You could add it as a seasoning towards the end of cooking, or even use it as a garnish.

For an extra burst of flavor, try combining cumin with other spices like chili powder, paprika, and cardamom.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try adding cumin to your favorite soup recipe!

If all this talk about cumin has made you hungry, then here are some recipes you can try out:

1. Carrot Cumin Soup
2. Spiced carrot & lentil soup
3. One-pan carrot & cumin soup

2. Coriander

Coriander and carrot soup is the perfect match.

Coriander, a citrusy herb, pairs well with carrots because the orange root vegetable’s natural sugars complement coriander’s bitterness.

Here are some tips on using coriander in combination with other herbs and spices in your carrot soup:

1. Add cumin, which has a similar flavor profile to coriander. Cumin also adds a smokiness that can bring out the natural sweetness of your carrots.
2. Try turmeric for an earthy, aromatic kick. Turmeric’s warm undertones will contrast nicely with the cool citrus of the coriander and the sweet, juicy carrot flavor will bring out the bright yellow color of the turmeric powder.
3. Pair your carrots with ginger for a spicier take on this classic soup combo. Ginger and carrots are an old favorite duo, but the addition of coriander adds a citrusy element that makes this classic combo feel fresh again!

Looking for specific recipes that combine these ingredients?

Try these:

1. Carrot & coriander soup
2. Ben’s mum’s ‘warming’ carrot and coriander soup recipe
3. Carrot and coriander soup with yoghurt swirl

3. Curry Powder

Hey, everyone!

Did you know that curry powder is a fantastic addition to any carrot soup?

The earthy, almost smoky flavor of the spice really brings out the sweetness of the carrots and highlights their natural sweetness and nuttiness.

If you’re going to include curry powder in your carrot soup, try mixing some cumin for an added layer of spice and smokiness.

And if you want something a little bit sweeter, add some thyme or oregano—that’ll be like a nice contrast to the spicier flavors and will make sure your soup tastes fresh but comforting too.

If you want to try this out yourself, we’ve got three recipes that are perfect for trying out this pairing:

1. Curried carrot soup
2. Curried carrot soup with cumin tortilla snaps recipe
3. Vegan Curried Carrot Soup

4. Cloves

Carrot soup is a classic for good reason.

It’s creamy, perfectly sweet, and easy to make.

If you’re looking for an extra kick that’ll make your carrot soup even more delicious, try adding a little bit of cloves!

Cloves are a perfect complement to carrot soup because they add just the right amount of earthiness and spice that will help balance out the sweetness from the carrots.

They also pair well with other herbs and spices commonly used in carrot soup—like coriander, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and cardamom.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try combining cloves with some of these other spices to create your own unique carrot soup blend.

Or if you’re not sure where to start, check out one of these recipes to get you started:

1. Carrot Soup with Cloves
2. Simple Carrot Soup
3. Wholesome Carrot Soup

5. Cinnamon

A classic combination, carrot and cinnamon are often paired together in sweet dishes like carrot cake, but they also make a great combo in savory dishes as well.

Cinnamon lends a rich, warm flavor to carrot soup that’s both familiar and surprising.

Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that is common in both sweet and savory recipes, so it pairs well with other herbs and spices like basil, ginger, and chili powder.

Want to get cooking?

Try these carrot soup recipes:

1. Moroccan-Spiced Carrot Soup
2. Moroccan Carrot Soup with Cinnamon Hazelnuts
3. Carrot Soup with Orange, Cinnamon, and Ginger

6. Thyme

Carrot soup is the perfect food for when the weather starts to cool down, and pairing it with thyme is a great way to add some extra flavor.

Thyme is a classic herb that goes great with both sweet foods (like carrots) and savory ones, so you can really play around with how you use it.

Personally, I like to add an extra dash of thyme after I’ve made my carrot soup—it’s a fun way to add some depth without being overwhelming.

However, you could also add it before cooking if you’d like the flavor to be more integrated.

If you want some inspiration on how to use thyme in your carrot soup, here are some recipes that use both:

1. Roasted Carrot Soup with Ginger and Thyme
2. Carrot Thyme Soup
3. Lemon-Thyme Carrot Soup

7. Nutmeg

If you love carrot soup, then you’re going to want to try it with nutmeg in the mix.

Just imagine: it’s a cold day, and the wind is howling.

You’ve just come back from a brisk walk, and you’re craving something warm and cozy.

You pour yourself a bowl of carrot soup, but before you take that first slurp, you grab the grinder of nutmeg and add a dash of spice to your soup.

Take a sip.

And… bam! It’s magic.

The nutmeg adds a hint of mystery to the classic carrot soup recipe—it’s like this secret ingredient that brings out all the flavors of the carrots and the other spices while adding an extra depth that makes your mouth water.

But don’t stop there!

Nutmeg is an incredibly versatile spice that goes well with just about everything.

It’s delicious with cinnamon, ginger, clove, black pepper, cardamom, salt… basically anything that’s already in your cupboard!

And if you want some recommendations for recipes where carrot soup and nutmeg are both used?

Try these:

1. Carrot Soup with Nutmeg
2. Not Too Complicated Carrot Soup
3. Spiced Carrot Soup

8. Ginger

There’s something about carrot soup that always makes it taste great, even when you’re eating it alone.

But adding ginger to carrot soup can add a layer of depth and dimension to the flavor that can’t be beat.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to best use carrot soup with ginger:

1. Try sauteing your vegetables in oil with some ginger before adding them to your soup pot. This will infuse the entire soup with an undercurrent of ginger-y goodness.
2. For a more traditional approach, try chopping up your ginger into tiny pieces and tossing them into the pot as you cook your carrots. This will give each spoonful a little burst of zesty zing!
3. If you like your carrot soup thick and creamy, try mixing some grated fresh ginger root into the base of your soup before simmering it! The ginger will give it a subtle kick that’ll have you coming back for seconds (and thirds).

Try these recipes if this sounds good to you:

1. Coconut Ginger Carrot Soup
2. Carrot Ginger Soup
3. 7-Ingredients Carrot Ginger Soup

9. Sage

Carrot soup and sage DO go together!

The savory notes of sage add an extra dimension to the earthy sweetness of carrot soup.

The best way to use sage in carrot soup is to put a pinch of fresh, minced sage leaves into the pot during cooking, but don’t forget to remove them before adding the cream at the end.

You can also use sage as a seasoning for your garnish.

Try sprinkling it on top of carrot croutons or adding it to roasted garlic oil!

Sage is also really good with other herbs, like thyme and rosemary.

If you’re looking for recipes with both carrot and sage, try these:

1. Carrot and Sage Soup
2. Carrot Soup with Sage and Mint
3. Creamy Carrot Soup with Brown Butter and Sage

10. Garlic

Are you ready to level up your soup game?

We’ve got a new spice/herb that is sure to add some flavor to your carrot soup.

Garlic is the perfect addition to this classic dish.

Not only does it pair well with carrots, but it also tastes amazing with cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper.

So why not whip out your favorite spice blends and get cracking?

And if you’re in need of some inspiration, check out these recipes:

1. Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup
2. Roasted Carrot Soup

11. Fennel Seeds

If you’re looking for a way to jazz up your carrot soup, try fennel seeds!

These tiny little spices are a great match for carrots because they offer a similar flavor profile.

Like carrots, fennel seeds have a natural sweetness, but when you bite into them, you’ll get an unexpected burst of licorice-like flavor that adds an extra layer to your dish without overpowering anything.

Fennel seeds are known for their ability to play nicely with other flavors—they can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

For some ideas on recipes that include both carrots and fennel seeds, try these:

1. Carrot Soup with Thyme and Fennel
2. Fennel Carrot Soup
3. Caramelised Fennel & Carrot Soup

12. Turmeric

What’s better than carrot soup? Carrot soup with turmeric!

That’s right—this is something that’s sure to be a hit in your kitchen: carrot soup with turmeric.

Turmeric is one of those spices that plays well with a lot of other herbs and spices, so you can experiment with the flavor of your carrot soup.

It goes great with ginger, basil, and thyme, to name a few.

You can try it out on one of these recipes:

1. Ginger & Turmeric Carrot Soup
2. Glowing Carrot Ginger Soup
3. 10-Ingredient Turmeric, Ginger, and Carrot Soup

13. Rosemary

Rosemary goes great with carrots, and really adds an extra dimension to your dish.

You can use it in combination with other spices like ginger, parsley, or basil, or on its own.

(It won’t matter which you choose—rosemary is a flexible spice that pairs well with many different herbs and flavors.)

Here are some recipes that use both carrots AND rosemary:

1. Velvety Chilled Carrot and Rosemary Soup
2. Cream of Carrot Soup with Ginger and Rosemary
3. Easy Carrot Soup Recipe

14. Bay leaves

Bay leaves are a staple spice in Mediterranean cooking, and they pair particularly well with soups like carrot soup.

You can add them to the pot right at the start, or if you have time, you can add them to the soup and let it simmer for 15 minutes before serving.

Another option is to add the bay leaf to a tea infuser and serve the soup that way!

Bay leaves are great for adding a subtle layer of complexity to other herbs and spices like rosemary and cumin, making them even more aromatic.

Try out this combination in your next batch of carrot soup!

Here are some other recipes where these two go well together:

1. Easy Carrot soup
2. Honeyed carrot soup
3. Creamy Carrot Soup With Bay Leaves and Star Anise

15. Chives

Carrot soup is a delicious meal that only gets better with fresh, savory chives. Carrots are naturally sweet, but chives add a savory and savory twist to the dish.

Try using it in combination with sage or thyme to bring out the carrot’s natural sweetness and make the dish even richer.

For your next carrot soup, try experimenting with different spices and herbs—you can’t go wrong!

8 Benefits of Using Spices in Carrot Soup

Carrot soup is a delicious, healthy treat.

It’s easy to make and can serve as both a light lunch and a hearty dinner.

You can make it for yourself, or whip up a batch for the whole family to enjoy!

But have you ever considered adding spices to your carrot soup?

Let me tell you: doing so will take your soup from good to GREAT.

Here are just some of the benefits of using spices in carrot soup:

1. Improved Flavor

Spice, by definition, adds depth and complexity to the flavor of any dish!

Adding just a pinch of spice—or even experimenting with several different kinds of spice—will add new dimensions to your carrot soup’s taste.

2. Health Benefits

Each spice has its own health benefits that can help improve your overall wellness!

For example, cumin has been shown to improve digestion, whereas coriander is rich in antioxidants that can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation throughout your body.

3. Expanded Recipe Options

Spices are helpful when it comes to changing up your usual recipe!

Rather than getting bored with the same old carrot soup, you can try out different spices each time you make it until you find the combination that works best for you!

4. You’ll Be the Talk of Your Next Potluck

I’m going to let you in on a little secret that my grandmother taught me: people go nuts for spices in their carrot soup.

They’ll tell you all about how delicious it is, and ask you for your recipe!

It’s a great way to make new friends (and maybe even land yourself a date).

My grandpa met my grandma when he asked her for the recipe to her legendary carrot soup.

True story.

5. Spices Are Inexpensive

You don’t need much spice to make your carrot soup taste amazing—a little goes a long way!

And the best part is, spices are very inexpensive—you can buy them in bulk online or at your local grocery store for less than $10 per pound (and they’ll last you months).

6. Spices Add Complexity and Depth to The Soup

When you think of carrot soup, what comes to mind?

Something orange, slightly sweet, and creamy, right?

This is exactly what carrot soup tastes like by itself. It’s simple, but delicious.

But when you add spices to your soup, it takes on new dimensions.

Suddenly, it has a layer of heat from the cayenne, or a hint of sweetness from the cinnamon.

It tastes more complex and interesting—and can even be more satisfying!

You’ll find yourself eating spoonfuls (or bowls!) of this richly-flavored soup without even thinking about it. And that’s a good thing!

7. Spices Can Help You Lose Weight

I know what you’re thinking: “But my carrot soup is already low-calorie!” Yes, it is—but have you ever tried sprinkling red pepper flakes on top of your soup?

They’ll add a little bit of heat to your meal, giving it more depth and making it more satisfying (so you won’t be tempted to eat as much).

8. It’s a Great Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies

Are your kids picky eaters?

Do they run screaming from the table at the first sight of, smell of, or thought of vegetables?

Adding spices to your carrot soup is a great way to entice them.

You can make it as bland or spicy as you like and in so doing increase their excitement about eating!

3 Tips For Putting Spices and Herbs in Carrot Soup

Cooking carrots for soup is easy, but adding the right spices and herbs can be a bit of a challenge.

To help make your carrot soup the best it can be, consider these three tips:

First, you should consider the flavor profile of your carrots.

If you’re using carrots that have a strong, earthy taste to them, it’s important to choose spices and herbs that will complement this.

You don’t want to overpower the carrots’ natural flavors; instead, think about what would bring out the best in them.

Second, consider how many other ingredients you’ll be adding to your soup.

The more ingredients you add, the fewer spices and herbs you should use—you don’t want the flavor of your soup to be overwhelming.

If you only have a few ingredients besides the carrots (maybe just some butter and water), on the other hand, you can use more spices and herbs.

Finally, ask yourself how much time you have to make this soup.

If you’re in a rush, there may not be time to make a fresh herb broth or sprinkle delicate fresh herbs on top of your finished product.

That’s okay!

There are lots of pre-made broths at the grocery store that can do the trick, and dried herbs often work just as well as their fresh counterparts.

What Can I Use Instead of Coriander in Carrot Soup?

If you’re looking to make changes to your carrot soup, but don’t have coriander on hand, there are a number of herbs and spices that you can use as a substitute.

You could try chervil or cumin, depending on the flavor profile that you’re going for.

Parsley is another good option if you’re looking to maintain some of that freshness in the recipe while adding depth of flavor.

You could also use something more complex like a blend of celery salt and ginger, which might be a bit more unexpected but would still create an awesome soup.