There’s something wonderfully comforting about a bowl of hearty soup that wraps you in warmth. The Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe is just that—packed with natural sweetness and earthy flavors from a blend of root vegetables, it’s a rustic taste of fall that I keep coming back to whenever I want easy, wholesome goodness in a bowl.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t recommend this enough—it’s one of those soups that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day and yet is incredibly simple to pull together. I love how every spoonful is rich in flavor even without complicated ingredients. This recipe proves that humble root veg can shine truly spectacularly!
- Simple, Real Ingredients: Uses accessible root vegetables you can find easily and relies on few pantry staples for maximum flavor.
- Layered Flavor with Curry and Thyme: A subtle curry powder twist gives depth while still keeping it comforting and familiar.
- Creamy Texture without Heavy Cream: The root vegetables’ natural starch combined with a splash of cream gives it a lovely velvety mouthfeel.
- Flexible and Customizable: You can swap veggies based on what’s fresh or in season without losing any of the soul of this soup.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture. Root vegetables provide natural sweetness and body, while the aromatic onions, garlic, and spices round it out. Here’s a quick breakdown from my kitchen:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a smooth, fruity base for sautéing your aromatics—don’t skip it as it builds flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Balances richness and helps caramelize the onions and garlic gently.
- Onion: The foundation of many soups, it melts down sweetly and deepens savory notes.
- Garlic: Punches up the warmth just so, without overpowering.
- Curry powder: Brings an earthy, subtle exotic twist—your regular store-bought is perfect.
- Dried thyme leaves: Adds a gentle herbal freshness that complements root vegetables beautifully.
- Water: Keeps the soup clean and lets vegetable flavors shine through without the heaviness of stock.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and highlighting the ingredients’ natural tastes.
- Thickened cream: Gives the soup a luscious finish, making it feel like a treat.
- Potato: Provides creamy texture as it breaks down when cooked.
- Sweet potato: Adds mild sweetness and silky smoothness.
- Carrots: Classic root flavor and vibrant color.
- Parsnip: Gives a slightly sweet, nutty edge that’s hard to replicate.
- Celeriac: Earthy, celery-like flavor with a firm texture that balances the softness of other roots.
Make It Your Way
I love to experiment with this soup—sometimes I add a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness or swap in a bit of smoked paprika instead of curry powder for a smoky vibe. The best part about the Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe is it’s a forgiving canvas for flavors you enjoy.
- Variation: For a dairy-free version, try coconut milk instead of cream—it adds a cozy tropical note that surprisingly works really well here.
- Seasonal Swap: When celeriac is hard to find, I boost the parsnip or add diced turnip—they keep that earthy backbone going strong.
- Make It Heartier: Toss in some cooked lentils or beans toward the end of cooking for an extra protein punch without losing the smooth texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Step 1: Warm the Base
Start by melting the butter in olive oil over medium-high heat in your largest pot. Once that’s bubbly, toss in your chopped onion and garlic. Stir gently and let the onion soften—about 2 minutes. You want the garlic fragrant but not burnt, so keep the heat steady. This step builds layers of flavor you’ll taste in every spoonful.
Step 2: Sauté Your Root Veg with Herbs & Spices
Add all your prepped root vegetables along with the curry powder and dried thyme. Stir it around consistently for 3 minutes so the veggies start to soften and the spices bloom. You’ll notice the air fills with this wonderful, cozy aroma—a sign things are going great.
Step 3: Simmer to Tender Perfection
Pour in your water with salt and pepper, and crank up the heat until the soup just starts bubbling. Then drop it down to a steady simmer (medium-high heat). Let it go for around 15 minutes—no lid—so the liquid reduces slightly and the vegetables get meltingly tender. Test with a knife; they should pierce easily without mushiness.
Step 4: Creamy Finale
Stir in the cream and let it bubble gently for about a minute just to meld things together. This is what gives the soup that silky richness.
Step 5: Blend Until Velvety Smooth
Take the pot off the heat and get ready with your stick blender. I usually blitz in batches: cover the hole on the blender lid insert with a folded tea towel to avoid splashes, blend well until perfectly smooth. If it’s too thick, just add a bit of water to loosen. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or extra cream as you like.
Top Tip
After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to get it just right every single time.
- Even Cutting: Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces—it helps them cook evenly and blend smoothly without chunky surprises.
- Don’t Skip Sautéing Aromatics: Starting with butter, oil, onion, and garlic builds flavor depth you won’t get by just boiling.
- Blending Safety: When using a stick blender, always cover the vent hole with a cloth to avoid hot splashes—trust me, it saves a mess and burns!
- Adjust Cream and Seasoning Last: Soup can always be thinned or seasoned after blending, so hold off on final salt and cream until the very end.
How to Serve Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I love to drizzle a little extra thickened cream in a pretty swirl on top and sprinkle chopped parsley for freshness. Sometimes I dust a pinch of curry powder and cracked black pepper right before serving for a subtle pop. Warm crusty bread on the side? Absolutely mandatory in my kitchen.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with warm, buttered sourdough or an herby flatbread. For heartier meals, I serve alongside a crisp green salad or roast chicken to balance the creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I’ve ladled this soup into hollowed-out mini pumpkins or served in elegant white bowls with edible flowers and microgreens on top. It’s a fun, festive way to impress guests while keeping that rustic vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I typically cool leftover soup completely before transferring to airtight containers. It keeps wonderfully in the fridge for about 4 days. I like to reheat gently on low heat, stirring often to keep it smooth and creamy.
Freezing
Freezing the Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe works great, too! Just leave out the cream when freezing and stir it in freshly when reheating. Soup stays tasty for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags.
Reheating
Warm it back up gently on the stove over low heat, stirring so it heats evenly. Add a splash of water or broth if it thickened too much. Reincorporate cream towards the end to freshen up the flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You absolutely can. Using vegetable stock will add an extra layer of flavor, making the soup even richer. However, the recipe is designed to taste great with just water and the curry powder seasoning, so both ways work well depending on your preference.
No worries! You can substitute celeriac with swede or turnip, and parsnip can be replaced by more carrot or a small sweet potato. These swaps keep the soup’s texture and subtle flavor complexity without losing its character.
Yes! Simply skip the butter and cream, using olive oil for sautéing and coconut milk or any plant-based cream alternative instead. Adjust seasoning to taste and you’ll have a rich, dairy-free version that’s just as comforting.
Make sure to simmer the soup uncovered so some water evaporates, concentrating the flavor. Also, choosing starchy root vegetables like potato and sweet potato helps thicken naturally. If it’s still too thin, blend a bit longer or cook a few extra minutes before blending.
Final Thoughts
This Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe truly feels like a kitchen classic in my home. Its balance of earthy, sweet, and subtly spiced flavors always brings a smile to my face. I hope you enjoy making it just as much—I promise it’s an easy, nourishing soup that’s perfect for any day you want a little extra cozy goodness.
Print
Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and creamy country harvest root vegetable soup, rich with a blend of potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and celeriac simmered with aromatic curry and thyme, finished with cream for a silky texture. Perfect for a warming main course during colder months.
Ingredients
Base
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped into large dice
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 ½ litre (6 cups) water
- 2 teaspoon cooking salt/kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup thickened cream (heavy cream or regular), plus extra for garnish
Root Vegetables
- 1 large potato (~300g/10oz), peeled, cut into 2.5cm (1") cubes
- 1 medium sweet potato (350g/12oz), peeled, cut into 2.5cm (1") cubes
- 2 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1.5cm (0.5") pieces
- 1 small/medium parsnip (150g/5oz), peeled, cut into 1.5cm (0.5") pieces
- 1 small celeriac (600g/1.2 lb), peeled, cut into 1.5cm (0.5") pieces (~2 heaped cups)
Serving/Garnish (Optional)
- Warm crusty bread
- Parsley, finely chopped
- Pinch extra curry powder
- Pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté: Put the olive oil and butter in a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, cook the onion and garlic for 2 minutes until the onion is softened.
- Add and Cook Vegetables: Add root vegetables, thyme, and curry powder. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until the outside of the vegetables starts to soften.
- Simmer: Turn stove to high heat. Add water, salt, and pepper. Stir, then once it comes to a simmer, lower heat to medium-high and simmer rapidly for 15 minutes (uncovered) until all the vegetables are soft. Check doneness with a knife.
- Add Cream: Stir in cream and simmer for 1 minute to combine flavors.
- Blend: Remove from heat. Using a stick blender, blitz the soup until smooth. Do this in batches if necessary, removing lid inserts and covering the blender hole with a folded tea towel for safety.
- Adjust Seasoning: Adjust thickness by adding water if needed, and season with more salt, pepper, or cream to taste.
- Serve: Pour into bowls. Garnish with a drizzle of cream, a pinch of curry powder, parsley, and a pinch of black pepper. Serve with warm crusty bread.
Notes
- Use regular grocery store Western curry powder for a mild and aromatic flavor that enhances the soup without making it overly spicy.
- Fresh thyme leaves or other dried herbs like oregano, Italian seasoning, or herbes de Provence can be used as an alternative to dried thyme.
- If you prefer, substitute cream with ⅓ cup milk plus 2 tablespoon (30g) unsalted butter to maintain richness with fewer calories.
- Feel free to vary the root vegetables. Pumpkin is a great substitute for any; swedes or turnips can replace or reduce the flavor dominance of parsnip and celeriac.
- Use any all-purpose or starchy potato such as Sebago for best results.
- When blending, do so in batches and cover blender holes with a folded tea towel to avoid splatters.
- Leftovers keep for up to 4 days in the fridge or can be frozen for 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 300 ml)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Leave a Reply