Creamy Celery and Herb (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 and 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 for swirling
15 - Crusty bread for serving, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened but not browned.
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 the soup until smooth using an immersion blender, or carefully in batches using a countertop blender.
07 - Return soup to pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Heat gently if needed.
08 - Ladle 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 creates a velvety texture without needing a drop of heavy cream in the base, so you can feel virtuous while still enjoying something that tastes decadent.
  • This soup actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep when you know youll be too exhausted to cook after work.
02 -
  • Adding the herbs after the long simmer rather than at the beginning preserves their bright flavors and vibrant color in the finished soup.
  • The soup will thicken considerably overnight in the refrigerator, so you may need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
03 -
  • Save the pale yellow and light green celery leaves to add to your herb mixture, as they contain concentrated celery flavor that adds wonderful depth to the finished soup.
  • If you find the flavor of raw celery too assertive, try blanching the stalks in boiling water for 30 seconds before using them in the recipe, which mellows the intensity while preserving the fresh taste.
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