German Potato Soup
Short, Catchy Intro
So you want cozy, creamy comfort without pretending you woke up at dawn to simmer stock for eight hours? Same here. This German Potato Soup is the kind of thing that hugs your ribcage and tells you everything will be fine, even if your plants are dying and your socks do not match. It comes together fast, tastes like you worked harder than you did, and makes leftovers that secretly taste better the next day.
If you like the classic take but want to see other approaches, check out this tasty twist on a homemade version that inspired my first try homemade German potato soup. Trust me, it will make your smoke alarm jealous of how little action it sees.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
- It uses pantry-friendly stuff and still tastes like a treat. No obscure ingredients, no weird kitchen gadgets required.
- It is forgiving. Burn the toast, forget to set a timer, but follow this soup and you are still a culinary hero. This soup forgives mistakes.
- It is creamy without being heavy because we use dairy-free cream. Yes you can have creamy and not feel like you swallowed a brick.
- It stretches. Feed two, or eight, or the neighbor who always "forgets" their wallet when they come over. Leftovers become lunch bosses.
- Want a veggie-only version or a smoky bacon vibe? This base lets you play. In fact if you prefer a plant-forward spin, check out this guide to a vegan take that keeps the soul of the soup alive vegan spin on German potato soup. IMO this shows how adaptable the recipe is.
Key point Eat this when you need comfort food that does not require an engineering degree.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup dairy-free cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Yep that is it. Keep things simple and honest. If you want to jazz it up later, go for it, but start here.
Step-by-Step Instructions
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
Keep stirring now and then so nothing sulks and burns. You want the onion soft and slightly translucent.Add diced potatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until potatoes are soft.
Test a potato with a fork. If it slides off easily you are golden. Patience here pays off in creamy magic.Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until creamy.
If you do not have an immersion blender, ladle in batches to a regular blender and pulse carefully. Hot soup likes drama, not splashes.Stir in the dairy-free cream, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Heat through.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more pepper if you like a little attitude.Serve warm, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
A drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of chopped parsley makes it Instagram-ready, but the soup will forgive you if you skip it.Leftovers? Reheat gently on the stove. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens up too much.
Pro tip stay patient while reheating. Avoid boiling it again or the texture will sulk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding too much salt early on and then wondering where the flavor hid. Taste as you go and remember you can always add more.
- Overblending into a glue-like paste. Smooth is good. Smooth plus baby food is not. Blend until creamy but keep some texture if you like body.
- Using tiny potatoes and thinking you saved time. Chop them uniformly so everything cooks in the same timeframe.
- Skipping the sauté step. That onion-celery-carrot trio builds flavor. You could skip it but then you are flavor cheating.
- Reheating at full blast. Bring the soup back gently or it will separate a bit and throw a fit. A splash of broth fixes mood swings.
Alternatives & Substitutions
- No dairy-free cream handy? Use coconut milk for a slightly sweet twist or light cream if you tolerate dairy. I like coconut milk for a summer twist and light cream for full-on comfort.
- Want protein? Stir in cooked sausage slices or crispy bacon bits when serving. The smoky hit is wild.
- Short on potatoes? Add a small parsnip or a half cup of diced turnip to bulk up texture. Potatoes rule, but friends help.
- Want heat? Toss in a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne. Start small and grow bolder.
- Gluten-free yes, vegan yes, adaptable yes. This soup plays well with most dietary rules. If you crave a Cajun kick try adding some creole seasoning like in this spicy variation Cajun potato soup recipe. I have tried it. It wakes up your taste buds.
If you are feeling experimental, swap thyme for rosemary for a piney note. It is not wrong, just different.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use frozen potatoes instead of fresh?
Sure you can, but fresh gives better texture. Frozen will work in a pinch if you want speed over beauty.Do I have to peel the potatoes?
No. If you like a rustic texture and don’t mind skins, leave them on. I peel when I want smoother soup and fewer surprises.Can I make this ahead and freeze it?
Absolutely. Freeze in meal-size portions. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently. Freezer life about 2 to 3 months.What if I do not have an immersion blender?
Use a regular blender in batches. Be careful with hot liquid. Cover the lid with a towel and pulse slowly.Can I add cheese?
Yes. Stir in shredded cheese at the end until melted. Not vegan anymore, but delicious.Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Totally. Most kids love creamy potato soup. Chop veggies small and skip the cayenne.How do I make it thicker or thinner?
For thicker soup mash a few potato chunks before blending. For thinner soup add more broth or a splash of water.
Final Thoughts
You made it this far which probably means you love food, or you are procrastinating other life things by reading recipes. Either way I approve. This German Potato Soup is the kind of meal that makes simple ingredients feel fancy. It comforts, it stretches, and it gets along with leftovers.
Bold tip Always taste and adjust. Salt and pepper are your friends and a little acid like a tiny splash of vinegar can brighten everything up if the soup feels sleepy.
Now go impress someone or yourself with this bowl of cozy. Serve it with crusty bread, a salad, or a smug smile. You earned it.
Conclusion
If you want a deeper dive into the traditional roots and variations of this dish, I recommend checking out this classic write up for inspiration German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe) – Food and Journeys®.
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German Potato Soup
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cozy, creamy German Potato Soup that comes together quickly using pantry-friendly ingredients, perfect for comforting meals.
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup dairy-free cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
- Add diced potatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until potatoes are soft.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until creamy.
- Stir in the dairy-free cream, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Heat through.
- Serve warm, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
- To reheat leftovers, do so gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much.
Notes
For a veggie-only version, substitute the dairy-free cream with coconut milk. For extra protein, add cooked sausage or crispy bacon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: soup, comfort food, German potato soup







