Healthier Swedish Blueberry Soup (vegan, gluten-free, paleo)

This healthier Swedish blueberry soup uses just a little maple syrup to sweeten this energizing dish that can be served either warm or cold! Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and paleo.

This may seem like an odd recipe to post now (or ever, if you’ve never heard of blueberry soup!) but it’s a typical winter dish in Sweden. It’s even served at the Vasaloppet, the world’s oldest, largest, and longest ski race and also at ski resorts. Skiers seem to like the stuff. As do I!

This healthier Swedish blueberry soup uses just a little maple syrup to sweeten this energizing dish that can be served either warm or cold! Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

When I was an exchange student in Sweden, my host parents bought blåbärssoppa (blueberry soup) in a tetra pak and I loved having it as a drink for breakfast. Blueberry soup can also be served cold for a summertime version. If making this recipe in the summer, I’d skip the cardamom and cinnamon and add lemon zest instead.

Blueberry soup recipes pretty much all seem to call for lots and lots of granulated sugar, which seems silly considering how well maple syrup and blueberries go together. When I looked into blueberry soup recipes, I searched in Swedish and couldn’t find a single one that used maple syrup. But then I remembered how ridiculously expensive maple syrup is over there and it all made sense. I used just 1/4 cup maple syrup to sweeten 4 cups of soup and found it to be the perfect amount. You may need more or less depending on the sweetness of your berries. I don’t think cardamom is typically used in blueberry soup, either, but it’s my recipe and so in it went. :) I toss cardamom into all my Swedish recipes, with the exception of these gluten-free Swedish meatballs.

This healthier Swedish blueberry soup uses just a little maple syrup to sweeten this energizing dish that can be served either warm or cold! Naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free.

In Sweden, everyone has the right to walk into the forest and pick all the berries they want. It’s pretty cool. I once visited a friend in Stockholm and when I opened up his freezer to freeze some cookie dough, I found a freezer full of blueberries. It seriously just had blueberries in there. I asked what the deal was and he said that his mother, who lives about 5 hours north, had picked them and brought them down for him. They’re serious about their blueberries.

Perhaps because of this overabundance, they make blueberry soup. While I really enjoy this soup, I can’t imagine paying full price for blueberries just to make this. Now if you have affordable frozen blueberries, fresh blueberries on sale, or a Swedish mother who has run out of places to store her blueberries, then go for it. :)

For another delicious variation, try this mango raspberry chilled soup from It’s Yummi! It’s also naturally gluten-free.

Healthier Swedish Blueberry Soup (naturally vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free)

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Rated 5.0 by 3 readers
Healthier Swedish Blueberry Soup (vegan, gluten-free, paleo)
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Ready in:
  • Yield: 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (450 grams) fresh or frozen and thawed blueberries
  • 3 tablespoons - 1/4 cup (44 - 60 milliliters) maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cups (474 milliliters water)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch or tapioca flour for paleo + 1 tablespoon cold water, optional

Directions

  1. In a large, deep, non-reactive saucepan, bring the blueberries, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, cardamom, cinnamon, lemon juice and water to a boil over medium heat.
  2. Let boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  3. If you'd like the mixture to be thicker, mix together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir into the soup.
  4. Return the pan to the heat, bring to a boil, and then remove from the heat.
  5. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. Add the last tablespoon (or more) of maple syrup, if desired. Can also be served chilled. Goes well with a little Greek yogurt mixed in.
  6. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3 days.

Recipe by  | www.texanerin.com

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66 comments on “Healthier Swedish Blueberry Soup (vegan, gluten-free, paleo)” — Add one!

2 comments are awaiting moderation!

  • John says
    July 6, 2022 @ 12:37 am

    If you re just using lemon zest for summer how much do you need?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to John
      July 6, 2022 @ 12:01 pm

      I haven’t tried it but I’m guessing about a tablespoon. Just add it to taste. You can always add more.

      Reply
  • Angie says
    July 5, 2022 @ 4:02 am

    I just received your recipe. I recently found out I am Swedish (possibly from Västerbotten county) and my blueberries are ripening! Perfect! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Angie
      July 6, 2022 @ 12:00 pm

      That’s cool you found out you’re Swedish! :) I hope you’ll enjoy the soup if you try it out!

      Reply
  • Tamara
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    says
    October 2, 2021 @ 8:53 pm

    I used Honey instead of Maple syrup and used tapioca flour instead of the cornstarch, it was delicious. Thanks!

    Reply
  • Ralph N von Ehrenkrook says
    September 9, 2019 @ 5:09 pm

    I also recommend using ground flax seed as thickener instead of the corn starch. Adds Omega 3 and fiber.

    Reply
  • Jules Shepard says
    May 13, 2019 @ 6:21 pm

    So intrigued by this and agree that it would be an amazing breakfast! Can’t wait to taste it!

    Reply
  • Nuno Dias says
    February 20, 2019 @ 7:16 pm

    Have you tried to omit or at least reduce the amount of maple syrup for this recipe? Blueberries are already 10% sugar (https://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-blueberries000000000000000000000.html), so I’m not sure if the maple syrup is really needed…

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Nuno Dias
      February 25, 2019 @ 7:45 pm

      Yes, I used the least amount to make it taste good.

      Reply
      • Nuno Dias replies to Erin
        February 26, 2019 @ 1:10 am

        OK, thanks. I’ll try it when I can, then.

        Reply
  • Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
    August 11, 2017 @ 8:32 pm

    This is the funnest recipe ever! I’ve never heard of blueberry soup! I want to try it now. My husband’s ancestors are swedish.

    Reply
  • Tracy says
    July 4, 2017 @ 11:57 pm

    This sounds wonderful. I make squash soup and pumpkin soup. That is like drinking pumpkin pie. I would imagine blueberry soup would be like drinking a blueberry pie. Yum!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Tracy
      July 8, 2017 @ 5:35 pm

      It really is! I’m on board for anything that’s like drinking pie. :D

      Reply
  • Joseph
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    April 19, 2017 @ 4:33 am

    I wonder if I could just puree everything together (except the cornstarch and tablespoon of water) in a blender if I’m making it chilled as a summer soup (I’ll keep the cardamom and cinnamon in there anyway). Because there are times here in Buffalo when, believe it or not…it’s just plain way too hot and humid to do any kind of cooking over the stove LOL.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Joseph
      April 20, 2017 @ 8:25 pm

      Hmm. I don’t think it’d thicken. It’d just be pureed blueberries without boiling to thicken it up. And I know how you feel about not wanting to do any cooking in the summer! Here in Germany we don’t have AC and I’m the same way.

      Reply
      • Joseph
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        replies to Erin
        April 23, 2017 @ 11:14 pm

        Well I could just pour it into a glass and drink it then if it doesn’t thicken I suppose LOL!

        Though I think chia seeds can usually thicken cold stuff. There was a raw strawberry jam recipe I saw that used chia seeds as the thickener.

        And I say “believe it or not” because my neck of the woods is famous for snow LOL!

        Reply
        • Erin replies to Joseph
          April 25, 2017 @ 1:34 pm

          Oooh… chia seeds is an interesting idea! Though I’d wonder if it’s get a little too gloopy. Raw pureed blueberries tend to gel and get weird, so who knows. It’d definitely be an experiment. ;)

  • Debbie says
    July 10, 2016 @ 3:25 am

    I had a Dutch neighbour growing up that used to make blueberry soup… I love it! So glad to come across your site!
    :)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Debbie
      July 10, 2016 @ 9:04 pm

      Neat! I hope they shared with you. ;) Thanks for your comment and I’m happy you found the blog, too!

      Reply
  • Mandie @ Mandie's Kitchen says
    February 23, 2015 @ 11:12 pm

    So it’s a dessert soup? Very neat. Never heard of a sweet soup before, but anything blueberry is certain to be delicious!

    Reply
  • Lauren@HealthyDelicious says
    February 23, 2015 @ 6:42 pm

    Blueberry soup is kind of blowing my mind, but I’m totally game to give it a try. I love that hint of cardamom in there – it’s one of my favorite winter spices.

    Reply
  • Coleen @ The Redhead Baker says
    February 22, 2015 @ 4:23 am

    I had no idea the Swedish liked blueberries so much! I’ve had fruit soup before (it was mixed-berry), but this sounds delicious! I love that you used maple syrup in place of sugar.

    Reply
  • Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
    February 21, 2015 @ 2:26 am

    It’s true, I have never heard of blueberry soup! But um, I’m totally willing to buy cartons of blueberries to make this! Can’t wait to try a chilled version in the summer too!

    Reply
  • Nutmeg Nanny says
    February 20, 2015 @ 2:35 pm

    I have never heard of blueberry soup before but sweet baby J it’s gorgeous! I imagine it being sweet and comforting all at the same time. I wish I had the ability to just pick all the blueberries I want…that would be awesome!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Nutmeg Nanny
      March 27, 2015 @ 7:16 pm

      It is indeed! I sure wish I still lived there. :)

      Reply
  • anita says
    February 20, 2015 @ 8:09 am

    I did not know about blueberry soup – thanks for sharing this tidbit! And I love that you put a twist on it with maple syrup!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to anita
      March 27, 2015 @ 7:16 pm

      Right?! So much better than a cup of sugar!

      Reply
  • Cookin Canuck says
    February 19, 2015 @ 6:49 pm

    How cool that everyone can walk into the forest and pick blueberries to their heart’s content! I am so intrigued by this soup and I can see why you’d drink it for breakfast…kind of smoothie-like.

    Reply
  • Angie says
    February 19, 2015 @ 5:44 pm

    I seriously love blueberries so I know I would love this soup. So fun to learn that it’s a Swedish soup and how much they love their blueberries!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Angie
      March 27, 2015 @ 7:21 pm

      I bet you would! It’s hard to dislike cooked blueberries and maple syrup. :D

      Reply
  • Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
    February 19, 2015 @ 3:56 pm

    How did I not know of the existence of blueberry soup? This is gorgeous and I want to eat it all (as well as all those frozen blueberries!!)

    Reply
  • Heather / girlichef says
    February 19, 2015 @ 3:22 pm

    I wish I had that problem (an overabundance of blueberries). I’ve never tried blueberry soup, I imagine I’d rather drink it than eat it, but hey, however it gets “in there”, right? I love that you added cardamom, sounds fantastic.

    Reply
  • Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
    February 19, 2015 @ 1:16 pm

    I’ve never heard of blueberry soup but I’m so intrigued I might have to try it. I always love reading about your history of an ingredient or recipe!

    Reply
  • Ginny McMeans says
    February 19, 2015 @ 5:57 am

    How unusual and wonderful sounding. You were so lucky to be in Sweden as an exchange student to.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Ginny McMeans
      March 27, 2015 @ 7:15 pm

      Yes! I definitely feel lucky when it comes to my times in Sweden. Love it there. :)

      Reply
  • Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
    February 18, 2015 @ 11:54 pm

    I too, have never tasted blueberry soup! But I love the story behind it and would gladly try this! It looks good!

    Reply
  • Martha@A Family Feast says
    February 18, 2015 @ 11:13 pm

    I’ve never had blueberry soup either – but definitely want to try this recipe. And – you have me thinking about other soup recipes with fruit…Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Susan says
    February 18, 2015 @ 9:52 pm

    Erin, I am so delighted that you posted this soup! When we do our long cruises, usually on the first evening they serve chilled blueberry soup as one of the options. I always get it. I think theirs has cream in it, but yours is definitely healthier and sounds scrumptious. I’m definitely saving this recipe.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Susan
      March 27, 2015 @ 7:20 pm

      How interesting that they serve it on cruises! You’re the second person to mention that since I posted this recipe. :) Thanks for your comment, Susan!

      Reply
  • The Food Hunter says
    February 18, 2015 @ 8:35 pm

    I’ve never heard of this but I would love to try it.

    Reply
  • Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
    February 18, 2015 @ 5:42 pm

    I can’t help but love any culture that embraces the blueberry with such zeal. I’ve never heard of blueberry soup, but I can’t wait to try it now that I’m in the know.

    Reply
  • Stephanie @ Back for Seconds says
    February 18, 2015 @ 5:10 pm

    I have never even heard of blueberry soup but I can totally get on board. It sounds awesome! I could also get on board with a freezer full of blueberries! The best!

    Reply
  • Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
    February 18, 2015 @ 3:18 pm

    Wow! Blueberries are seriously a thing in Sweden. Thanks for sharing this story along with your soup recipe using pure maple syrup, Erin. It really is much better for us than sugar as maple syrup is alkaline with nutrients and sugar is acidic. I must try this soon!

    Reply
  • Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
    February 18, 2015 @ 1:57 pm

    How have I NEVER thought to make blueberries into SOUP?! This sounds so yummy, and I happen to have a lifetime (coscto sized) supply of frozen blueberries on hand! Pinned!

    Reply

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