This creamy red pepper coconut soup is the perfect balance of smooth, savory, and just the right amount of sweetness. It’s one of my favorite comforting bowls of goodness, and it comes together easily for a satisfying meal.

Deliciously Satisfying Creamy Red Pepper Coconut Soup
I’m always experimenting with whatever I’ve got on hand, and that’s exactly how this creamy red pepper coconut soup came to life. I started with a few random ingredients I found in the fridge and pantry, and it turned out so well. The coconut milk gives it a smooth, rich texture, while the red peppers add a subtle sweetness. It’s simple but satisfying, with no complicated ingredients.
When I first put this together, I was surprised by how well everything blended. The coconut milk really brings it all together, and the red peppers give it a nice, mellow flavor that feels just right. It’s one of those recipes that’s easy to make and always delivers.
What I love most is that it’s creamy without being too heavy. You can easily adjust the seasoning to suit your taste, and it pairs perfectly with some crunchy garlic breadsticks on the side. It’s the kind of meal that’s easy to enjoy anytime.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make.
- Simple ingredients with big flavor.
- Tastes even better as leftovers.
- It’s effortlessly voluptuous.

Ingredients
This combo of ingredients is what makes this soup so comforting and delicious:
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- Onion: Brings in that sweet, savory flavor that’s essential for the foundation of any good soup.
- Celery: Adds a subtle freshness to balance out the other flavors.
- Red peppers: Sweet and vibrant, these contribute to the color and flavor.
- Garlic: A flavor booster—adds depth and a touch of savory goodness that really brings everything together.
- Chicken broth: The liquid base that makes the soup smooth and gives it that comforting, savory flavor. You could also use vegetable broth.
- Coconut milk: Adds creaminess and a little sweetness, plus it helps balance out the spicy flavors.
- Sweet chili sauce: A little kick with sweetness, making the soup more exciting without being too spicy.
- Salt
- Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and sharpness to balance the richness of the coconut milk.
- Heavy cream: For that smooth, creamy texture that makes the soup feel indulgent.

How To Make Red Pepper Coconut Soup
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One (Melt the Butter):
Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. - Step Two (Sauté the Veggies):
Toss in the onion, celery, and red peppers. Cook them until they soften up, about 5 minutes. - Step Three (Add the Garlic):
Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. It’ll start smelling great. - Step Four (Add the Liquids):
Pour in the chicken broth, coconut milk, sweet chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down and let it simmer on low for 10 minutes. - Step Five (Blend It):
Carefully blend the soup in two batches until it’s nice and smooth. (Hot liquids expand when blended, so don’t fill the blender too full.) - Step Six (Add the Cream):
Pour the soup back into the Dutch oven and stir in the cream until everything is combined. Taste and season as you like. - Step Seven (Serve It Up):
Dish up the soup and serve with crunchy garlic breadsticks on the side for dipping.

Recipe Tips
Here are a few recipe tips for when you’re making your easy red pepper soup:
- Be sure to blend the soup in batches to avoid overflowing your blender. Hot liquids expand, so don’t fill it too high!
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning—add a pinch more salt or pepper to suit your taste.
- For a smoky depth, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Add a squeeze of lime for a fresh, zesty finish if you’re in the mood.
- Pair this soup with crunchy garlic breadsticks—they’re perfect for dipping.
- This soup tastes even better the next day, so don’t be afraid to have leftovers.

Storage and Freezing Tips
Here are your storage, leftovers, reheating, and freezing tips:
- Storage: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep it smooth. You can also use the microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Freezing: Since this soup contains heavy cream, it’s best not to freeze it as the cream can separate when thawed. However, if you do choose to freeze it, make sure to cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then gently warm on the stove, stirring to bring the cream back together.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a different color bell pepper? Yes. If you have orange or yellow bell peppers on hand, feel free to use them. The color may slightly differ, as well as the sweetness, but it will be close to the original.
- Can I add other vegetables to the soup? Carrots or parsnips are a good add to this soup, but you will need to adjust the liquid ingredients to keep it creamy.
- What protein source can I add to this red pepper soup? My favorite for this soup is grilled shrimp. It pairs perfectly with the coconut milk base.
- How can I make this soup vegetarian? To make this soup vegetarian, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Everything else remains the same, and you’ll still get that rich, creamy flavor. If you’re looking for a richer base, you can also use mushroom broth for added depth.
- How can I make this soup vegan? To make this soup vegan, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, and use a plant-based butter (like coconut oil or olive oil) in place of regular butter. For the cream, you can use a dairy-free cream like oat cream or cashew cream for a smooth texture without the sweetness of coconut cream. The coconut milk will still work perfectly for richness and flavor.

More Quick Weeknight Dinner Soup Recipes
If you’re in need of more quick and comforting soup ideas for busy weeknights, I’ve got you covered with these easy and delicious recipes.
- Wonton Soup
- Mexican Street Corn Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Wild Rice Soup
- Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Kale and White Bean Sausage Soup
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Creamy Red Pepper Coconut Soup
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons For accurate measurements.
- Dutch Oven or soup pot. Large pot for cooking the soup.
- Cutting board For chopping vegetables and garlic.
- Knife To dice and mince the veggies and garlic.
- wooden spoon For stirring the soup.
- Blender To puree the soup in batches.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsps. butter
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 5 stalks celery chopped
- 2 large red bell peppers cored, seeded and chopped
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14 oz.) can lite or regular unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-1/4 tsp. table salt
- 3/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.2 tbsps. butter
- Sauté the onion, celery, and red peppers until softened, about 5 minutes.1/2 cup chopped yellow onion, 5 stalks celery , 2 large red bell peppers
- Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.1 tsp minced garlic
- Stir in the chicken broth, coconut milk, sweet chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer on low for 10 minutes.1 (14.5 oz.) can low-sodium chicken broth, 1 (14 oz.) can lite or regular unsweetened coconut milk, 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1-1/4 tsp. table salt, 3/4 tsp. black pepper
- Puree the soup in two batches in a blender until smooth. (Be cautious—hot liquids expand in a closed blender. Don’t overfill.)
- Pour the soup back into the Dutch oven and stir in the cream until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.1/4 cup heavy cream
- Serve with crunchy garlic breadsticks or my Dutch oven bread for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how it turned out.
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Cate says
Made this red pepper soup tonight and it turned out AMAZING! Super creamy and comforting, definitely adding it to my regular rotation.
Jo Wake says
I wasn’t sure how the flavors would come together, but wow, this soup is perfect! So simple, but so good.
Tieghan says
This sounds so good!! I love coconut and with red peppers!! YUM!
snowmoonelk says
I made this delicious soup on Sunday night. I had a bowl as did my soup-hating teen – we loved it! I gave the rest to my s/o this evening as he was sitting in bed full of cold, and feeling very sorry for himself! Coupled with a hot water bottle a fluffy duvet and plenty of pillows, the soup was warmly welcomed.
Shandy says
Loved this red pepper coconut soup! I used veggie broth instead of chicken, and it was delicious. Definitely a keeper.
Belinda Y. Hughes says
This came together so fast and tasted so creamy. The red pepper really gives it a nice sweetness. Will make again!
laura p says
Made this tonight and it’s delicious. A made a couple of small changes. I added one large potato, cubed, to help thicken the soup, and I omitted the cream because the soup is already rich from the coconut milk. I sprinkled finely chopped coriander on top just before serving. Will definitely make again.
Scargosun says
Made this exactly as written and it was wonderful! If I make it more often though, I may need to try it with the light coconut milk. 😉 It was wonderfully rich. The husband liked it but wanted meat in it. *eye roll* I might try it some time with shrimp or chicken but in my book this was an absolute winner and I will aim to keep all the ingredients on hand all the time.
Cathy says
So glad to hear it!
Danielle says
Made this last night and it was amazing. My husband and two boys couldn’t get enough. Made it exactly like the recipe. I couldn’t believe how much flavor the thai sauce added. By just one sauce. Seriously amazing idea and recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Cathy says
So glad to hear it!!
Steve Howell says
Another great recipe which we enjoyed for lunch. It should be obvious but just to cover your bases you might want to specify that the 5 stalks of celery should be chopped — unless you really meant for them to stay whole. ?
Ann says
What kind of sweet chili sauce? Like Mae Ploy? It is a bit like sweet & sour so that sounds a little strange but if that’s what you’re calling for, I’ll use it!
Cathy says
Sweet Chili Sauce is found in the Asian section of the grocery store. It’s not sour.
Julie Rena Fisher says
Just wondering if I could use a jar of whole roasted red peppers? Thank you. Can’t wait to make it.
Cathy Pollak says
Hmm, you could…the peppers are in oil so you will likely have a bit of an oil slick on the soup. It might work out fine. Let me know.
Joy says
I am wondering if this would taste good if I were to roast the peppers first?
Cathy Pollak says
It won’t hurt.
Deborah Hanson says
Fantastic
Wendy Smithson says
Delicious! I made a plant based version. I used olive oil, vegetable broth and skipped the heavy cream. I also added quinoa. I also didn’t completely blend the soup.