15 Must-Try Herbs and Spices for Pumpkin Soup

It’s the time of year for soups and the best soup to make is pumpkin soup.

But, there’s another important question, what spices and herbs go well with pumpkin soup?

The best spices to pair with pumpkin soup are sage, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the soup. Herbs such as parsley, chives, basil, and mint also go well with pumpkin soup.

Here’s what I use when I make my pumpkin soup:

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What Spices and Herbs Go Well with Pumpkin Soup?

You may have noticed that I tend to write about herbs and spices frequently, and this is because they have always been a passion of mine.

This is the reason why I always try to use as many different herbs and spices as I can in my meals.

And the pumpkin soup is not an exception.

Here are some herbs and spices that go well with pumpkin soup:

1. Cinnamon

When you think about the perfect fall dish, pumpkin soup is likely to come to mind.

The warm, hearty taste of pumpkin pairs beautifully with other flavors in a variety of ways, but there’s one spice or herb that truly brings out the best in this seasonal food.

Which is why cinnamon is the perfect complement to pumpkin soup.

The earthy sweetness of cinnamon pairs wonderfully with the smooth texture and rich flavor of pumpkin.

Cinnamon also has a unique way of bringing out the most subtle notes in pumpkin—notes you might not realize were even there!

Cinnamon gives your pumpkin soup depth and complexity in a way that can only be described as “Fall Heaven.”

When you’re making your delicious soup, whether it be on a cold fall day or to celebrate Thanksgiving, try adding some cinnamon.

You’ll love the way it makes your pumpkin soup shine!

2. Garlic Powder

I love the taste of pumpkin soup, but it can be a little one-dimensional.

Using garlic powder brings out the complex, savory flavor in pumpkin soup, making it rich and tasty.

When I’m making pumpkin soup, I like to use a teaspoon of garlic powder and mix it in with the broth.

The soup is delicious on its own—it tastes like fall.

But with the added garlic powder, it becomes warm and rich and adds a touch of spice to what would otherwise be just an ordinary pumpkin soup.

3. Thyme

Thyme, as it turns out, is a great spice for pumpkin soup.

This is because thyme has a light and earthy flavor that complements the sweet, slightly spicy flavor of roasted pumpkin.

If you want to pair thyme with pumpkin soup, I’ve found that the best way to do this is to add a pinch of fresh or dried thyme in at the beginning of cooking and let it simmer with all the other ingredients.

If you want an even stronger taste, you can sprinkle some extra thyme on top as a garnish before serving.

4. Nutmeg

I can’t think of a single food that wouldn’t be improved by a sprinkle of nutmeg.

It’s the perfect addition to pumpkin soup, giving it an extra kick and a richness that makes the flavors pop.

If you’re serving pumpkin soup to guests, try garnishing it with a bit of nutmeg and some toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds).

It’ll give your guests something to talk about as they eat!

For an added treat, toast some bread in the oven before adding a little butter and sprinkling on some salt and nutmeg.

Then serve it with the soup.

Not only will you get the added texture from the crunchy bread, but the nutmeg will really make all of the flavors stand out!

5. Allspice

There’s always a time and place for pumpkin soup, but did you know that it’s even better when you add allspice to the mix?

This was something I learned from my mom, who was determined to make every pumpkin soup she made taste just like the one she had at Schnipper’s when she was in New York City.

It took me years to get her recipe down, which involved the addition of a lot of seasonings and spices.

I think that the one that really made the difference was allspice.

It added a layer of flavor and depth that made me feel like I was in this cozy little restaurant with my mom again.

I still make sure to add it every now and then when I make pumpkin soup now.

6. Cloves

Cloves add a little kick and a lot of depth to the standard pumpkin soup flavor.

I’d recommend maybe replacing some of the black pepper in your recipe with cloves, or starting off with half a teaspoon of cloves and seeing how you like it from there.

Make sure to add the cloves at the beginning so they can get all mixed in and infuse the whole thing while it cooks.

7. Cayenne pepper

I love the sweet, warm taste of pumpkin soup, and it’s especially good with a dash of cayenne pepper!

The first time I tried this combination was at a restaurant.

The chef had made their own pumpkin soup, and served it with a little bowl of spices, including cayenne.

I thought it sounded like an odd mix, but decided to try a touch of the pepper on my soup. And wow! It was so good!

Cayenne pepper gives your soup that kick that can sometimes be missing from more mild dishes.

It is also delicious when you add it in while making the soup itself.

I always put in half a tablespoon while cooking the onions and garlic.

8. Rosemary

I love rosemary and pumpkin.

They are two of my favorite ingredients to use in the kitchen, and when I discovered that they go so well together it was like a revelation.

There is something about the scent of rosemary that just makes me feel cozy and warm, no matter what time of year it is.

I’m always looking for ways to use this herb, and pumpkin soup is a perfect fit.

When you’re making the soup, add a few sprigs of rosemary to the mix.

You can take those same sprigs and roast them with your pumpkin seeds—one of my favorite fall snacks!

9. Cumin

If you’re a fan of pumpkin soup, then you’ve probably tried making it with a variety of spices and herbs.

But I’m here to tell you that there’s one spice that we just can’t forget: cumin!

That’s right, adding a pinch of cumin can elevate your soup from “just okay” to “soup so great I’ll never go back.”

But why does cumin pair so well with pumpkin soup?

Well, part of it is that they both have a mellow flavor—so they won’t overpower each other, but they also won’t get drowned out by other ingredients.

Plus, there’s something about their flavors together that just makes my mouth happy—it’s like cumin was always meant for pumpkin soup.

And if you’re not sure how to start using cumin in your pumpkin soup, I can help with that too!

The key is to use a small amount at first and add more as needed.

It’s better to build up the flavor than to add too much at once!

10. Coriander

Coriander can take pumpkin soup to the next level.

Each spice or herb that you use in a dish has its own unique chemistry. When you combine ingredients, this chemistry can change and create whole new flavors.

Coriander has a citrusy taste and aroma, which makes it a good choice for adding some brightness to dishes that might feel overly rich or heavy on their own.

This is why coriander works so well with pumpkin soup: it helps cut through the heaviness of the pumpkin base, creating a lighter and more refreshing flavor profile.

Coriander also adds a little bit of heat to the dish—just enough that you can feel it without being overwhelmed by spiciness.

Instead of overpowering other flavors in the dish, this mild heat enhances them and helps bring out their natural sweetness or richness.

A sprinkle of coriander on top of your finished bowl of pumpkin soup will bring out the best in your favorite fall recipe!

11. Curry powder

Pumpkin and curry powder go hand in hand because they both have a sweet and savory flavor.

Both are also used in a ton of desserts, and their deep, rich flavors make the perfect balance for each other.

Curry powder is such a wonderful ingredient because it has so many different spices (including my favorite: turmeric), so it’s easy to use it to give your pumpkin soup a little extra oomph.

Whenever I make pumpkin soup, I always add a few spoonfuls of curry powder.

It gives my soup an extra layer of flavor, and makes the whole house smell great as it’s cooking!

12. Cardamom

One way I like to use cardamom is by adding a dash of ground cardamom to my pumpkin soup when I’m about halfway through cooking it.

This gives the flavors time to mix together and have a chance to meld, so the end result tastes like one thing rather than two individual ingredients thrown together.

Another idea is to garnish your pumpkin soup with some whole cardamom pods, either on top or in a bowl on the side for people to add themselves.

If you want to get even fancier, you can toast the pods before using them as garnish.

This will give them an extra nutty flavor that pairs well with the earthy flavor of pumpkin soup.

13. Turmeric

One thing that makes this such a great combination is that these two ingredients take on each other’s tastes so well.

For example, I add cinnamon to my pumpkin soup—but usually, it tastes like you’re eating a cinnamon stick after a few bites.

With the addition of some turmeric, though, the cinnamon flavor actually mellows out a little bit.

It still has that warm taste and smell, but it doesn’t overpower your senses as much.

Turmeric also has its own unique taste that complements the sweetness of the pumpkin perfectly.

It’s earthy and complex, with just a hint of sweetness itself (probably because it’s full of antioxidants).

14. Ground Ginger

Sometimes it’s hard to know just what spices or herbs will go well with your food.

But, I’m here to tell you that ground ginger is the perfect complement to pumpkin soup.

Here’s why: the strong earthy flavor of ginger pairs beautifully with the warm and earthy pumpkin.

And, there’s something about the way the fragrant, spicy quality of ginger cuts through the rich creaminess of pumpkin soup that just makes this pairing a natural winner.

I like to add just a hint of ground ginger, because I find that when you use too much it can overpower everything else in the dish.

But, if you’re more adventurous, feel free to experiment with more!

15. Oregano

Oregano is a great herb to add to your pumpkin soup. It gives it some spiciness, while also adding a nice earthy flavor.

I love to add red pepper flakes to my oregano to give it some extra spice.

Another great option is to add parmesan cheese right before you serve it.

The cheese adds some texture.

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