If you’re craving something cozy and nourishing, you’ve got to try this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe. It’s loaded with wholesome root veggies, warming spices, and a silky finish that feels like a hug in a bowl. Keep reading—I promise you’ll want to make this tonight.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup 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 Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
This isn’t just any vegetable soup. It’s a celebration of humble, earthy root vegetables enhanced with just the right touch of curry and thyme. I keep coming back to it on those chilly days when I want something satisfying but not fussy. It’s straightforward, yet incredibly flavorful—and it freezes like a dream.
- Hearty and Wholesome: Loads of root veggies create a naturally thick and filling soup perfect for colder weather.
- Simple Ingredients: No need for fancy stocks or multiple spices—curry powder and thyme elevate the flavor effortlessly.
- Silky Smooth Finish: A splash of cream adds that indulgent mouthfeel without weighing it down.
- Flexible and Adaptable: Easy to swap veggies or modify for your pantry and dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient contributes something important to this soup’s character. The root vegetables build a natural sweetness and body, while the curry powder and thyme bring gentle depth without overpowering. Here’s a quick look at some key players and how to pick the best:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds fruity richness and helps soften the veggies without burning.
- Unsalted butter: Boosts flavor and gives the soup that comforting mouthfeel.
- Onion and garlic: These aromatics are the flavor base; cook gently to bring out sweetness.
- Curry powder: I use a mild, store-bought blend that balances warmth and earthiness without making it a curry.
- Dried thyme leaves: The herbaceous note pairs beautifully with root veggies, but feel free to try oregano or herbes de Provence.
- Water: Keeps the soup light and lets those veggies shine—no need for stock here.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
- Thickened cream: Adds that luxurious creaminess, but you can swap for milk and butter if you prefer.
- Root vegetables: Potato, sweet potato, carrots, parsnip, and celeriac give sweetness, earthiness, and a great texture blend—feel free to play with quantities or add pumpkin.
Make It Your Way
I like to keep this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe pretty classic, but it’s so easy to tweak it depending on what you have at home or your mood. The comforting, creamy base is perfect for getting creative.
- Variation: Once, I swapped the celeriac for sweet pumpkin and doubled the parsnip—it added a lovely sweetness and I got rave reviews from my family.
- Dairy-Free: Try coconut cream instead of regular cream for a dairy-free twist with a subtle tropical note.
- Spice It Up: If you love some heat, a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne works wonders with the curry powder.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics Just Right
Start by heating olive oil and butter together in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts and begins to bubble, add your chopped onion and garlic—don’t rush this part. Give it about 2 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent. This step builds the flavor base, so watch carefully and stir often to prevent burning.
Step 2: Bring in the Root Veggies and Spices
Next, toss in your prepared root vegetables along with the dried thyme and curry powder. Keep the heat at medium and stir them for about 3 minutes. You'll notice the edges start to soften—that’s when you're headed in the right direction. This quick sauté wakes up the spices and starts mellowing the veggies for a smooth finish.
Step 3: Simmer Away for Full Flavor
Turn the heat up to high and pour in your water, along with salt and black pepper. Give everything a good stir, then let it come up to a rapid simmer. Once it’s bubbling nicely, reduce the heat to medium-high and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. To check if it’s done, poke the vegetables with a knife—they should be tender but not falling apart.
Step 4: Add Cream & Blend ’Til Silky
Pour in the thickened cream and stir well. Let it simmer for another minute, just to warm through. Then remove the pot from the heat and use a stick blender to puree it until the soup is perfectly smooth. I usually blend in batches, covering the top with a kitchen towel to avoid splatters. If the soup feels too thick, just add a splash of water. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or cream to your liking.
Top Tip
Making this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe taught me a few kitchen essentials. It’s about balancing patience with confident seasoning—don’t rush the sauté, and do taste as you go.
- Don’t Skip the Sauté: Letting the onion and garlic soften slowly deepens the flavor without bitterness.
- Blending Technique: Blend in batches and cover the blender opening with a folded kitchen towel to avoid messes—trust me, this saved my kitchen numerous times.
- Adjust Cream Last: Adding cream at the end keeps the soup silky and lets you control richness perfectly.
- Root Veg Swaps: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite roots—but be mindful of stronger flavors like parsnip and celeriac, which can take over.
How to Serve Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually drizzle a little extra cream on top and finish it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a pinch of curry powder and black pepper—these simple touches brighten the flavors and make the presentation pop.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with warm, crusty bread—homemade or store-bought. I love a rustic sourdough loaf, which is perfect for dipping and soaking up every last bit.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I sometimes serve the soup in small ramekins and top with a swirl of crème fraîche and toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch. It’s a fancy yet simple way to impress guests without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It tastes even better as the flavors meld, so don’t hesitate to make a big batch.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully. I portion it in freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving room for expansion. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for easy weeknight meals.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep the cream from breaking. Add a splash of water or cream if it seems too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely. Swap the butter for olive oil and replace the cream with coconut cream or a plant-based alternative to keep it rich and creamy.
Swedes (rutabagas) or turnips are great substitutes. They provide a similar earthy flavor without overpowering the soup.
You can, but I prefer water with curry powder and thyme to keep the flavors clean and let the vegetables shine. Using vegetable stock can sometimes make the soup heavier.
Root vegetables have natural starches that thicken the soup. If you use watery vegetables like zucchini or celery, you might want to reduce the water or add a thickener like a potato to maintain consistency.
Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t recommend this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe enough—it’s one of those go-to dishes I make when I want comfort food without fuss. It’s forgiving, adaptable, and just so satisfying. Give it a go, and I bet it’ll become one of your favorite soups this season. Plus, it’s perfect for sharing with friends or family who need a little warmth and love in a bowl.
Print
Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and creamy country harvest root vegetable soup made with a blend of potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnip, and celeriac, gently spiced with curry powder and thyme, finished with rich cream and served with crusty bread.
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 vegetables and spices: Add root vegetables, thyme, and curry powder. Cook for three minutes, stirring regularly, until the outside of the vegetables starts to soften.
- Simmer 15 minutes: Turn stove up to high. 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 with a knife).
- Add cream: Stir in cream and simmer for 1 minute to combine flavors.
- Blitz: Remove from heat and use a stick blender to blitz the soup until smooth. Do in batches, removing the lid insert and covering the hole with a folded tea towel to avoid splatter. Adjust the soup to taste by adding water to thin, salt and pepper if needed, and extra cream for a richer finish.
- Serve: Pour the soup into bowls. Drizzle with additional cream, and sprinkle with a pinch of curry powder, chopped parsley, and black pepper. Serve with warm crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use regular grocery store Western curry powder for a neutral yet flavorful addition without making it taste like a curry.
- Other herbs like fresh thyme, dried oregano, Italian herb mix, or herbes de Provence can be used instead of dried thyme.
- If you want a lighter finish, substitute the cream with ⅓ cup milk plus 2 tablespoon (30g) unsalted butter.
- Vegetables can be adjusted; pumpkin can substitute for any root vegetables, but increasing parsnip or celeriac can overpower the flavor and raise cost.
- Non-root vegetables can be used but will produce a thinner, less creamy soup due to their higher water content.
- When blending, do it in batches with the blender hole covered to prevent splattering.
- Leftovers keep for 4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 300 ml)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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