Southern Peanut Soup Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/31/23
Tested by
Kayla Hoang
Photo of Kayla Hoang
Tested by Kayla Hoang
Kayla Hoang is a freelance recipe developer, writer, and baker whose Bangladeshi and Vietnamese roots influence all she does. Her life revolves around food and she can almost always be found waiting by the oven for a fresh batch of cookies.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Southern Peanut Soup in a pot and in bowls

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

This tasty peanut soup is a classic Southern specialty. Peanut soup is sometimes called "Tuskegee Soup," named for George Washington Carver, who was famous for his experiments with peanuts. There are a number of variations to peanut soup, and this is just one of many. This version is made without milk, but many other versions are made with cream or milk. This soup is made with peanut butter, chicken stock, celery, onion, lemon juice, butter, and other ingredients. 

This is a thinner version, but you can change it up and make a thick, rich and creamy peanut soup, by replacing about 2 to 3 cups of the chicken stock with heavy cream.

The recipe makes a big batch, about 2 1/2 quarts, and could be scaled down to make less if desired.

This dish can be served on its own or at lunch with a tossed salad or sandwich. It can also be one of the courses for a special occasion dinner. 

"This peanut soup is so delightfully savory, well rounded, and full-bodied. I loved how it came together so quickly and how flavorful it was with only a handful of ingredients. Because it doesn’t require too much, I’d recommend using a good quality stock to provide a really great, flavorful base." —Kayla Hoang

Southern Peanut Soup Recipe/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped

  • 1 small onion, coarsely chopped

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 quarts warm chicken stock

  • 2 cups peanut butter

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/3 teaspoon celery salt

  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Southern Peanut Soup ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the celery and onion in the butter over medium heat until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, and stir until blended.

    Celery, onions and butter in a pot, with a wooden spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  3. Stir in the warm chicken broth. Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

    Chicken broth added to the celery and onion mixture in the pot, with the wooden spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  4. Remove from heat. Strain, discarding the solids. Return the broth to the pot. Whisk in the peanut butter, lemon juice, salt, and celery salt. Cook, whisking frequently until the mixture is smooth and just until heated through.

    Southern Peanut Soup in a pot with a whisk

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  5. Ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and serve.

    Southern Peanut Soup in bowls and in a pot

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Tips

Instead of using store-bought peanut butter, make your own homemade peanut butter to use in this soup. It's so easy to make, you'll wonder why you didn't do it before!

Recipe Variations

  • Slice up one bunch of green onions and use them in place of the small onion.
  • Use heavy cream in place of 2 to 3 cups of the chicken stock.
  • Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to add some spice.

How to Store and Freeze

Before refrigerating or freezing, make sure this peanut soup is cool.


  • Leftovers can be put in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • This soup can also be frozen for two to three months in a freezer-safe container.
  • Reheat the amount desired in a saucepan on medium heat until warm. Taste the soup after it's been reheated and if needed, add a small splash of lemon juice in it to brighten it up.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
618 Calories
49g Fat
30g Carbs
22g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 618
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 49g 62%
Saturated Fat 14g 72%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 994mg 43%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 22g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 56mg 4%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 713mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)