Nothing beats the cozy, nourishing feeling of a warm bowl on a chilly day, and this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe does exactly that. It’s a humble blend of earthy root veggies and fragrant spices, rich and creamy but still light enough to leave you feeling satisfied, not heavy.
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’ve made this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe countless times, and it never fails to comfort and impress, no fancy ingredients needed. It’s a simple, hearty way to celebrate those fall and winter root vegetables packed with flavor and a hint of curry warmth that makes it special.
- Simple ingredients: Uses everyday veggies and pantry staples you probably have on hand.
- Balanced flavors: The curry powder adds just the right kick without overpowering the natural sweetness of the root veggies.
- Comfort in a bowl: Creamy texture without heavy cream overload—perfect for cold days or when you want something soothing.
- Flexible and forgiving: You can swap vegetables or adjust seasoning effortlessly to suit your pantry and tastes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When you see the mix of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and celeriac together, you’re getting a beautiful combination of starch, sweetness, and earthy depth that cooks down into a silky smooth soup. The curry powder and thyme add subtle complexity, while the cream rounds it all out. Here’s why I chose each ingredient and tips on getting the best out of them:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds fruity richness and helps soften the aromatics without overpowering the soup’s flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Enhances the mouthfeel and adds a mild sweetness that plays well with root vegetables.
- Onion: A foundational flavor that’s softened just right to create a sweet base.
- Garlic: Gives the soup a gentle aromatic depth without stealing the spotlight.
- Curry powder: I love using a standard grocery store curry powder—it gives subtle warmth and interest without making the soup taste like a curry.
- Dried thyme: Offers a gentle herby note that pairs beautifully with root veggies.
- Water: Keeps the soup light but lets the vegetable flavors shine through better than stock for this one.
- Salt and black pepper: Balance and enhance all the other flavors.
- Thickened cream: For that silky finish you’ll adore; you can even swap with milk plus a touch of butter if you want it lighter.
- Potato (all-purpose/starchy): Creates body and creamy texture after blending.
- Sweet potato: Adds natural sweetness and gorgeous color.
- Carrots: Gentle sweetness and bright orange color.
- Parsnip: Slightly spicy, nutty flavor that ups the complexity.
- Celeriac: Earthy and slightly celery-like flavor, grounding all the sweetness.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you love your soup chunkier or silky smooth, spicier or more mellow, it’s all about what feels good to you and fits your pantry.
- Variation: I sometimes swap parsnip and celeriac for pumpkin or swede when I want a slightly sweeter or less expensive option—both work beautifully and change things up without losing the soul of the soup.
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream instead of thickened cream for that creamy touch with a subtle exotic hint.
- Extra protein: Adding cooked lentils or white beans can turn this soup into a meal that's both filling and nutritious.
- Herb swaps: Fresh thyme or oregano work just as well if dried isn’t on hand—I love using whatever herbs feel fresh that day.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sautéing the Aromatics
Start by heating the olive oil and butter in a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts and starts to bubble gently, add your chopped onion and garlic. Cook them for about 2 minutes until the onion softens and smells sweet—this step builds the flavor base you’ll appreciate in every spoonful.
Step 2: Adding Root Vegetables and Spices
Toss in all your chopped root vegetables along with dried thyme and curry powder. Keep the heat moderate and stir every so often for about 3 minutes. You want the veggies to get a little softness on the outside and the spices to bloom without burning—this brings out a lovely depth in the final soup.
Step 3: Simmering to Perfection
Next, crank your heat to high and pour in the water along with salt and pepper. Stir everything, then as soon as the soup starts to simmer, reduce heat to medium-high. Let it simmer rapidly for about 15 minutes, uncovered, until the veggies are tender all the way through—test with a knife to be sure.
Step 4: Cream and Final Blend
Lower the heat a touch and stir in the thickened cream. Let it simmer gently for an additional minute, then take the pot off the burner. Now, using a stick blender, purée the soup until gorgeously smooth and creamy. Remember to do it in batches if needed and cover your blender opening with a tea towel to avoid splashes.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Give it a taste test—you can thin your soup with a little water, adjust salt and pepper if needed, or add more cream if you want it extra indulgent. Every time I make this soup, I tweak it just a bit to get it right for that day’s mood.
Top Tip
From my many pots of this soup, I’ve picked up a few little tricks that make it shine every time. These will help you avoid common snags and get the best flavor and texture right from your kitchen.
- Don’t overcook the onion and garlic: Soft is perfect; burnt is bitter. Keep an eye and stir regularly.
- Use a heavy pot: Helps to cook veggies evenly and prevents hot spots that scorch spices.
- Blend carefully: Removing the blender insert and covering the hole with a towel for batches stops splatters and mess.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: The cream will mellow flavors, so taste after blending before you add extra salt or spice.
How to Serve Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I like to drizzle a little extra thickened cream right on top—it looks pretty and adds silkiness right at the first bite. A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley gives a bright, herbaceous contrast, and just a tiny pinch of extra curry powder and cracked black pepper finishes off the flavor and makes it look super inviting.
Side Dishes
Warm crusty bread is my go-to – think good sourdough or a rustic country loaf for dipping. Sometimes I serve it alongside a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup’s creamy richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special gathering, I’ve served this soup in little ceramic cups as a starter, garnished with microgreens and a swirl of infused oil—everyone loved the elegant touch! You might even try adding roasted pumpkin seeds on top for crunch when entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they keep beautifully for up to 4 days. The flavors meld even more, which I actually love—just remember to give it a good stir before reheating as separation can happen.
Freezing
This soup freezes exceptionally well in portioned containers. When I freeze it, I skip adding the cream until reheating—it keeps the texture nicer. Thaw overnight in the fridge before warming gently on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the cream from separating. Adding a splash of water or more cream while warming can refresh the soup’s smooth texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can replace the butter with olive oil and substitute the thickened cream with coconut cream or your favorite unsweetened plant-based cream for a lovely, dairy-free version.
No worries at all. Swapping with swedes, turnips, or simply increasing the carrot and potato amounts works well. Each root brings its own flavor, so the soup will still be delicious and comforting.
You can, but in my experience, using water lets the pure root vegetable flavors shine through better. If you prefer stock, choose a mild-flavored one to avoid overpowering the delicate soup.
Start with the recommended water amount, then adjust after blending. If it’s too thick, add a little more water or cream. If too thin, simmer uncovered a bit longer to reduce or add more root vegetables next time for natural thickness.
Final Thoughts
This Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation—not just because it’s comforting and delicious, but because it’s so adaptable and forgiving. Whether you’re looking for an easy weekday dinner or a cozy starter to share with friends, this soup fits just right. Give it a go and make it yours; I promise you’ll find its warmth and simplicity irresistible!
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 comforting and creamy country harvest root vegetable soup featuring a blend of potatoes, carrots, parsnip, and celeriac, seasoned with curry powder and thyme, finished with cream and served with warm crusty bread for a hearty meal.
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: Turn stove 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 vegetables are soft when tested with a knife.
- Add cream: Stir in cream and simmer for 1 minute to incorporate flavors.
- Blend: Remove from heat and use a stick blender to blitz the soup until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding water if needed and season with extra salt, pepper, or cream to taste.
- Serve: Pour into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of cream, a pinch of curry powder, freshly chopped parsley, and black pepper. Serve with warm crusty bread.
Notes
- Use regular grocery store Western curry powder for a mild flavor that adds interest without overpowering the vegetables.
- Fresh thyme, dried oregano, Italian herb mix, or herbes de Provence can be substituted for dried thyme.
- For a lighter option, substitute cream with ⅓ cup milk plus 2 tablespoon (30g) unsalted butter.
- Root vegetables can be varied; pumpkin can substitute any root veg, but beware that parsnip and celeriac have strong flavors and can dominate if increased.
- Use any all-purpose or starchy potatoes such as Sebago for best results.
- Non-root vegetables can be used but will result in a thinner soup due to higher water content.
- When blending, do so in batches and cover the blender lid hole with a folded tea towel to avoid splashing.
- Leftovers keep for 4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 300ml)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

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