17 Best Herbs and Spices for Sweet Potato Soup

If you’re looking for the best herbs and spices for sweet potato soup, look no further!

I’ve got 17 delicious options that will take your soup from good to great.

So, whether you like it sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, I’ve got you covered.

17 Best Herbs and Spices for Sweet Potato Soup

Your soup is about to get a lot more flavorful.

There are a variety of herbs and spices that can take your sweet potato soup to the next level.

From savory to sweet, there is an herb or spice that will fit your soup perfectly.

Here are 17 of the best herbs and spices for sweet potato soup:

1. Parsley

Parsley has a somewhat peppery flavor that can enhance the flavor of sweet potato soup.

I usually like to use it as a garnish, adding a sprinkle on top of the soup just before serving.

Pro Tip: When using parsley as a garnish, be sure to chop it fairly finely so that it doesn’t overwhelm the soup.

A little goes a long way!

2. Chives

Chives have a mild onion flavor and are a great way to top off a soup or potato dish.

They’re also really easy to grow at home!

When using fresh chives, snip them with clean scissors into small pieces.

You can add chives to just about any soup, but they pair especially well with sweet potatoes.

I like to add a little bit of sharp cheddar cheese and some crumbled bacon on top of my chive-topped sweet potato soup.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have fresh chives on hand, you can substitute dried chives or even green onions.

3. Thyme

Thyme dances between earthy, minty, and woodsy (in the best way possible).

It’s a perfect addition to sweet potato soup because it can hold its own against the sweetness of the potatoes, while still complementing the other flavors in the soup.

I like to use about 1 teaspoon of thyme for every 2 cups of soup.

Other ingredients that go well with thyme are rosemary, sage, and garlic.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have fresh thyme on hand, you can substitute dried thyme.

Just use 1/3 of the amount called for in the recipe.

4. Basil

Basil is a balance between sweet and savory (with hints of mint) which is why it goes so well with sweet potato soup.

I typically use 1 tablespoon of chopped basil per serving.

Other ingredients that go great in sweet potato soup are ginger, cumin, and cinnamon.

Pro Tip: If you want to add a little bit of creaminess to your soup without using dairy, add some cooked white rice.

It’ll also help thicken up the soup.

5. Oregano

Oregano is peppery and assertive (but in a good way).

It’s often used as a finishing herb, but I think it really shines when it’s cooked into a dish.

This soup is the perfect example of that – the oregano helps to balance out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and carrots.

Other ingredients that pair well with oregano: tomatoes, garlic, onion, and lemon.

Pro Tip: If a recipe calls for dried oregano, you can use half the amount of fresh oregano.

Random Fact: Oregano is actually part of the mint family!

6. Rosemary

Rosemary is a lemony-pine-like herb that is great in sweet potato soup.

A little goes a long way with this herb, so start with just a sprig or two.

Other ingredients that pair well with rosemary are garlic, onion, and thyme.

Pro Tip: To get the most flavor out of your herbs, strip the leaves off the stem and chop them before adding them to your dish.

Random Fact: Rosemary is a member of the mint family!

7. Marjoram

Marjoram has an earthy and woodsy flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of sweet potatoes.

It’s also a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to poultry and vegetables.

When using marjoram in soup, I like to add a teaspoon or two per serving.

Other ingredients that go well with marjoram include garlic, onion, and thyme.

Pro Tip: To get the most flavor out of your herbs and spices, add them towards the end of cooking. This will help to preserve their flavor and prevent them from becoming overcooked.

Random Fact: Marjoram is also a member of the mint family!

8. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves have an almost minty flavor with a hint of floral sweetness.

They’re often used in savory dishes like soups and stews, but can also be used in sweet dishes like pies and cakes.

When using bay leaves in soup, you only need one or two leaves per recipe.

Any more than that and the flavor can become overwhelming.

Other ingredients that pair well with bay leaves are carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes.

Pro Tip: Be sure to remove the bay leaves from your soup before serving! If you don’t, someone is bound to end up with a leaf in their bowl.

Fun Fact: Bay leaves were once used as currency!

9. Dill

Dill has a bright and sweet taste that goes well with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.

It’s also a very versatile herb, so it can be used in many different ways.

You can use it fresh, or dried.

I like to use about 1 teaspoon of dried dill for every 2 cups of soup.

Other ingredients that pair well with dill are lemon, garlic, and cumin.

Pro Tip: If you’re using fresh dill, add it at the end so it doesn’t lose its flavor.

Fun Fact: Dill is a member of the parsley family!

10. Paprika

Paprika has a subtle earthiness that pairs well with the sweetness of sweet potatoes.

It’s also a great source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.

I like to use about 1 teaspoon of paprika per cup of soup, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.

Other ingredients that go well with paprika are cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika.

Pro Tip: If you want a little bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your soup.

Fun Fact: Paprika is made from ground peppers in the Capsicum annuum family, which includes bell peppers, jalapeños, and cayenne peppers.

11. Sage

Sage has a strong, slightly minty (and musky) flavor that goes really well with sweet potatoes.

I like to use about 1 teaspoon of sage for every 2 cups of soup.

Other ingredients that pair well with sage are onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.

Pro Tip: If you want to really bring out the flavor of sage, fry it in a little bit of butter before adding it to your soup.

Fun Fact: Sage is also a member of the mint family!

12. Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds taste slightly nutty, with citrusy and floral notes.

They go great in sweet potato soup, adding a depth of flavor that rounds out the sweetness of the potatoes.

I like to use about 1 teaspoon per cup of soup.

Other ingredients that pair well with coriander are cumin, ginger, and chili pepper.

Pro Tip: Toasting the seeds before adding them to your dish will bring out their flavor even more. Just be careful not to burn them!

Fun Fact: Coriander is actually the seed of the cilantro plant.

So if you don’t like cilantro, you might want to steer clear of coriander as well.

13. Allspice

Allspice tastes like a mix of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg (which makes sense, because it’s actually a blend of all three spices).

It’s often used in desserts like pies and cookies, but I love using it to add a warm and cozy flavor to soups.

A little goes a long way with this spice, so start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust from there.

Other ingredients that pair well with allspice are sweet potatoes, carrots, ginger, and apples.

Pro Tip: When using allspice in soup, add it towards the end of cooking so the flavor doesn’t become too overwhelming.

Fun Fact: Allspice is the only spice that is grown exclusively in the Western Hemisphere!

14. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is mostly hot and a little fruity (think: raisins), with a hint of smokiness.

It’s perfect in sweet potato soup because it adds just the right amount of heat to balance out the sweetness of the potatoes.

I like to use 1/4 teaspoon per serving, but you can adjust according to your own preferences.

Other ingredients that pair well with cayenne pepper are smoked paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder.

Pro Tip: When cooking with cayenne pepper, start with less than you think you need and add more as needed. Cayenne pepper is very potent and it’s easy to overdo it!

Fun Fact: Cayenne peppers get their heat from a compound called capsaicin.

15. Onion Powder

Onion powder tastes a lot more onion-y than fresh onions, so you don’t need to use as much.

I like to add a little bit of onion powder to my sweet potato soup for extra flavor.

Other ingredients that go well with onion powder are garlic, black pepper, and cumin.

Pro Tip: When using onion powder, start with a small amount and add more to taste. A little goes a long way!

Fun Fact: Onion powder is actually made from dried onions that have been ground up into a fine powder.

16. Garlic Powder

Garlic powder tastes less assertive (and sweeter) than fresh garlic, making it a perfect choice for sweet potato soup.

You only need to use a little bit- I would recommend starting with 1/4 teaspoon and working your way up from there.

Other ingredients that pair well with garlic powder are onion powder, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder.

Pro Tip: When using garlic powder (or any dried herb or spice), be sure to add it near the beginning of cooking so that it has time to rehydrate and release its flavor.

Fun Fact: Garlic is a member of the onion family!

17. Caraway Seeds

Caraway seeds have a nutty and bittersweet sharpness (with a hint of citrus) that can really elevate a dish.

When used in sweet potato soup, they provide a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the potatoes.

I like to use about 1 teaspoon per pound of sweet potatoes.

Other ingredients that pair well with caraway seeds are onions, garlic, and cumin.

Pro Tip: Toasting the seeds before using them will help bring out their flavor. Just add them to a dry pan over medium heat and stirring frequently until they become fragrant.

Fun Fact: Caraway seeds are actually fruits!