Creamy Celery and Herb Soup (Printable)

A silky-smooth soup with tender celery and fresh herbs for a light, flavorful finish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 6 celery stalks, sliced (approximately 14 ounces)
04 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups vegetable broth
07 - 1 cup whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk

→ Herbs & Seasoning

08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
12 - Salt to taste
13 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

14 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream or crème fraîche, optional
15 - Crusty bread for serving, optional

# Steps:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent, avoiding browning.
02 - Add sliced celery and diced potato to the pot. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and add bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes until celery and potato are very tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in milk and fresh herbs including parsley, dill, and chives. Simmer for 2 additional minutes.
06 - Blend soup until smooth using an immersion blender, or carefully blend in batches using a countertop blender.
07 - Return soup to pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Heat gently if necessary.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls. Swirl in cream or crème fraîche if desired and garnish with additional fresh herbs. Serve hot with crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The potato gives this soup a silky texture without needing loads of cream, so you get that luxurious mouthfeel with a lighter finish.
  • Even people who claim they dont like celery have seconds of this soup its that transformative.
02 -
  • Never boil the soup after adding milk or it will separate try to keep it at a gentle simmer only.
  • Celery leaves add incredible flavor to the soup, so dont discard them if your celery comes with the leafy tops still attached.
03 -
  • Use the tender inner stalks of celery for the soup and save the tougher outer stalks for making vegetable stock or adding to a mirepoix for other dishes.
  • Let the soup cool for about 5 minutes before blending to prevent steam buildup in your blender, which can cause the lid to pop off.
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