Roasted Red Pepper Soup (Printable)

Silky soup with roasted peppers, garlic, and harissa. Vegetarian, gluten-free. Ready in 55 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large red bell peppers
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
04 - 1 head garlic
05 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
07 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 - 1½ teaspoons harissa paste
09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

12 - ¼ cup crème fraîche or plain Greek yogurt
13 - Fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
14 - Crusty bread for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - Cut the red peppers in half, remove seeds and membranes, and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and place on the baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the pepper skins are charred and blistered. Remove and let cool while keeping the oven on.
04 - Once cooled, peel the skins off the peppers and squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins.
05 - In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and potato. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and harissa paste; cook for 1 minute.
07 - Add roasted peppers, roasted garlic, smoked paprika, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
08 - Puree the soup in batches using a blender or with an immersion blender until silky smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Ladle into bowls, swirl with crème fraîche or yogurt, and garnish with fresh herbs as desired. Serve with crusty bread.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of roasted peppers and garlic creates a deep, complex flavor profile.
  • Harissa adds a unique, smoky heat that is easily adjustable to your taste.
  • It is naturally gluten-free and can be easily adapted for a vegan diet.
  • Perfect for meal prep, as the flavors intensify and improve overnight.
02 -
  • Roasting the garlic in foil makes it sweet and creamy, preventing it from burning while the peppers char.
  • Using an immersion blender directly in the pot makes cleanup easy, while a high-speed blender will achieve the absolute smoothest texture.
  • This recipe is excellent for make-ahead meals as the flavors improve after resting.
Go Back