Parsnip and Herb Soup (Printable version)

Sweet roasted parsnips blended with fresh herbs for a velvety, comforting bowl ready in under an hour.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1.75 lbs parsnips, peeled and cut into ¾-inch chunks
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, sliced

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 4 cups vegetable stock (gluten-free if needed)
08 - 1 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
09 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Dairy (optional)

10 - ⅓ cup double cream or crème fraîche (use plant-based for vegan/dairy-free)

→ Fresh Herbs

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (optional)
14 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss parsnip chunks with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt on a baking tray. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
02 - Heat the remaining olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, and potato. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened but not colored.
03 - Add roasted parsnips to the pan. Pour in the vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until all vegetables are very soft.
04 - Remove from heat. Blend the soup using a stick blender (or in batches with a countertop blender) until silky smooth.
05 - Stir in the cream or crème fraîche, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Reheat gently if needed. Ladle into bowls and finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh herbs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasting step transforms humble parsnips into something extraordinary
  • Its secretly impressive but incredibly easy to pull off
02 -
  • Blending hot soup in a countertop blender can cause explosions, always leave the steam vent open or cool slightly first
  • The potato might seem unnecessary but its the difference between creamy and watery
03 -
  • Taste a parsnip raw before buying, if its bitter the soup will be too
  • Lemon juice at the end wakes everything up without tasting citrusy
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