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30 Minute Spicy Peanut Soup with Sesame Halloumi…for those nights when you need a cozy, healthy dinner, but you need it fast. Simply made on the stove (or in the instant pot), using healthy, pantry staple, ingredients. It’s creamy, just a touch spicy, and layered with sweet potatoes and kale for a bright and healthy soup. Then finish each bowl off with pan-fried Halloumi cheese. This dish is layered with flavor and texture, completely delicious, and perfect for a cold night.
Some of you might find this soup totally odd and way too different, but I beg you all to give it a try. It’s one of my favorite creamy soups.
SO MUCH flavor and color. And geez, it’s pretty healthy too.
Here’s the story. Do any of you remember my better than takeout 20 minute peanut noodles? I made them two years ago just before my family and I left for South Korea for the Olympics…remember these pics? Crazy it’s been almost two years! I remember making those noodles and being so excited to share the recipe. It was a mix up of Asian flavors, but yet I topped the noodles with a salty Greek cheese…halloumi. Why? Because I don’t like tofu but really wanted something crispy to top my noodles with other than chicken or chickpeas. I had halloumi cheese in the fridge. When fried, it looks just like tofu. So I thought why not just add that to my noodles…salty cheese, creamy peanutty noodles? It sounded a little different, but different in a good way.
The outcome? One of the most delicious recipes I’ve created. To this day, I still fall back on those noodles when life gets crazy busy. That recipe is what I call a “back pocket” recipe. But the secret to those noodles being so extra special?
The fried sesame halloumi. Again, kind of odd, but it works.
Which leads me right into today’s recipe. This is the soup version of those noodles and it’s equally delicious (and just as easy).
The details…
You can quickly make this soup on the stove or in the instant pot. Both versions are equally fast and easy. It’s really just a matter of which method you personally prefer.
I’m going to walk you through the stove-top method. It starts out by cooking up some shallots and garlic. Add Thai curry paste, then cook a minute or two to help the paste “activate” and release its flavor. Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the halloumi, and simmer until the sweet potato is soft. I used creamy peanut butter and coconut milk…not only for flavor, but also for creaminess. I wanted this soup to have a really creamy base, but then have layers of texture as well.
The sweet potatoes and kale are what add heartiness to this soup and make it a dish that can truly be enjoyed as a meal. I also find the hint of sweetness to pair really nicely with the spicy from the curry paste.
Let me tell you about it this sesame halloumi…
Yes, you NEED the halloumi and here is why.
Halloumi is a salty grilling cheese commonly used in Mediterranean cooking. It’s so good when pan-fried. I love incorporating it into dishes like vegetarian tacos, my peanut noodles, and now this peanut soup. It adds such great flavor and gives the perfect crispy, salty bite. It’s what makes this soup really stand out and become just a touch better than others.
I know it’s a little weird, please trust me, I promise you’ll enjoy this!
Not into spicy food?
Don’t worry you can still enjoy this soup! Lately I’ve been getting a lot of comments about how to tame down spicy recipes. Fortunately, reducing the heat-level in recipes is easy, just decrease the amount of chilies or whatever the spicy ingredient is. For this soup, it’s the Thai red curry paste. The recipe calls for three tablespoons, but if you don’t enjoy spicy food, start by using only one tablespoon and then add more to your taste level.
This will ensure you come out loving this recipe. Just taste as you go!
Lastly, a few spoonfuls of rice would be very delicious atop this soup.
And that is pretty much all you need to know. Hoping you all end up loving this soup just as much as we all do over here. It’s the perfect, hearty but healthy, bowl to enjoy any night of the week.
PS. if you need to make this vegan, just omit the cheese, which yes does make me sad, but I get it. Do what you need to do for you!
If you make this Spicy Peanut Soup with Sesame Halloumi, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Peanut Soup with Sesame Halloumi
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 954 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame or extra olive oil
- 2 small shallots, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 (14 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 8 ounces halloumi cheese, cubed
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- fresh limes and chopped peanuts, for serving
Instructions
Stove-Top
- 1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallots, and garlic. Cook 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is golden. Stir in the curry paste, cook another 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Add the broth, peanut butter, coconut milk, and soy sauce, stirring to combine. Add the sweet potatoes and bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer 10-15 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.2. Stir in the kale and cilantro, cook another 5 minutes. Taste, add salt if needed. 3. Meanwhile, make the halloumi. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the halloumi and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sesame seeds. Remove from the heat.4. Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with halloumi and peanuts. Zest, then juice the lime over each bowl. Enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. Set the instant pot to sauté. Cook 1 tablespoon oil, the shallots, and garlic. Cook until the garlic is golden, 1-2 minutes. Stir in the curry paste, cook another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the broth, peanut butter, coconut milk, and soy sauce, stirring to combine. Add the sweet potatoes. Seal and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.2. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release to release the steam. Set the Instant pot to sauté. Stir in the kale and cilantro, cook another 5 minutes. Taste, add salt if needed. 3. Finish as directed above.
This post was originally published on January 15, 2020
Making this for the second week in a row b/c it was SO GOOD! Had never made halloumi and man, this is one of my favorite recipes ever.
Aw yes!! So glad you have been loving this one, Lauren! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I’m a HUGE fan of so many of your recipes and am looking forward to trying this one. Quick question about wanting to add chicken. Would you recommend having the chicken already cooked before adding it to the soup at the end? Or do you think if I put it in the instant pot with the sweet potatoes and rest of the liquid ingredients that it could cook (and then be shredded) at the end of the 8 minutes? Thanks so much!
Hi Grace!! I think if you add raw chicken to the instant pot with the sweet potatoes that it will cook up perfect and be cooked + ready to shred once the soup is finished cooking. Great idea!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
I made this soup In my IP the other night with a few modifications. (I’m so glad I doubled the recipe, and I used the red curry paste—–initially I was going to leave it out fearing I wouldn’t like it—-instead I used 1/3 of the amount and next time I’ll probably use a closer amount to what‘s in the recipe).
I like proteins in my soup, so First, I cooked two chicken breasts in a few cups of water with chicken soup base (similar to “better than boullion” paste) and set the whole thing aside to cool in a new bowl.
As that sat cooling, I sautéed the aromatics and tossed the sweet potato in the pot, added the liquids and the rest of the ingredients into the pot, then pulled the chicken apart (chunky shreds) before I ran the IP again for the 8 minutes.
I deleted the cilantro (hate the stuff!).
I use a bag of chopped kale from Aldi’s (I don’t know if that’s the same as Tuscan kale or not but I used what was available) and it was perfect!
I tried in vain to find Halloumi. Everywhere I went or called and asked had no idea what I was talking about. So sadly, we weren’t able to have that on the soup. But I did rough chop some roasted peanuts and almonds and tossed them on top with some sesame seeds.
My grown kids and I give this yummy peanut butter soup five stars! If anyone is on the fence about it, TRY IT!! It was awesome!!
We absolutely LOVED it and it was so easy and quick to make that it’ll be one of my go-to soups from now on!
Thanks for sharing it!
Wow this is so amazing to read!! I am so glad you and your kids loved this recipe, Danielle! Also, I love the effort to find halloumi! One day! Thanks again! xTieghan
Another great recipe! I swapped spinach for kale and added bell peppers and broccoli (after sweet potatoes and before cilantro) because I wanted to use up some fridge veggies. Very easy to modify and super yummy! Thanks Tieghan-keep up the awesome work!
Hi Camille! Sounds amazing! I am so glad this went to well for you! xTieghan
Making it tonight! Whoop whoop! It’s always been one of my favorites Half Baked Harvest recipes!!!
Wow that is so great to hear! Thank you so much Cyndal! xTieghan
I want to congratulate you on the quality of your photography. Either you are a professional photographer, or you know one who takes the pictures of your dishes. It is hard not to want to try the recipes! Furthermore, they are always delicious. Yours is one of my favorite websites.
Hi Martine! That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
Easy recipe and something totally new and different for these winter nights! The halloumi definitely makes it.
Thank you Jess! xTieghan
This soup was INCREDIBLE. I’ve been making your recipes for a long time, and this has to be one of my favorites. Next time I might add more sweet potatoes for more heft and because I love the way they soak up the flavor, but wow, so good. This one will be going into the regular rotation for sure!
Hi Sarah! That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying this recipe! xTieghan
Making this tonight! I only have natural peanut butter… Will that work alright or will the consistency be off? Is it worth to buy the more processed peanut butter instead?
Hey Hannah! Natural peanut butter should work just fine. That is what I use! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
This is so so so delicious! Made it tonight for a snow day dinner and it’s so simple yet full of unique flavors. The Halloumi is pricey but so worth it! Totally brings everything together so don’t skip it! Will make again for sure!
Hi Lauren! I totally agree, its so worth it! Thank you for trying this soup! I am so glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hello! I want to make this in the a.m. and keep it warm until lunch (topping with halloumi at the last minute). Is that doable with a warm setting on the crock pot?
Hi Dianna! Yes, that should work well. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
This soup was amazing!! I switched out butternut squash for the sweet potato and it worked great. Thanks for this incredible recipe!!
Thank you so much Emily! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made the stove top version. Easy and delicious! Will make twice as much cheese since we were all snacking on it before adding to the soup.
Haha that is great! I am so glad you all loved this! xTieghan
Thank you SO much for your continually brilliant work! I cooked this last night, and it’s one of the best things I’ve made in recent memory! You. Are. So. Awesome. Time after time. Thank you, and my friend @Sandrala, who turned me on to your instagram. !
Thank you! I am so glad you have been loving my blog and recipes! I hope you continue to! xTieghan
Absolutely amazing! Followed recipe as directed, will definitely make this again. and again. 🙂 I’m totally obsessed with Halloumi.
I am so glad to hear that! Thank you so much! xTieghan