Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Introduction
This Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup is a comforting, creamy blend of seasonal root vegetables, infused with gentle curry and thyme. It’s perfect for chilly days when you want something warm, nourishing, and full of flavor.

Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped into large dice
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tbsp curry powder (any brand will do)
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 litre (6 cups) water
- 2 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt (halve if using table salt)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup thickened cream (heavy cream or regular), plus extra for garnish
- 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)
- Warm crusty bread, to serve
- Parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
- Pinch of extra curry powder, for garnish
- Pinch of black pepper, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until the onion softens.
- Step 2: Add the chopped root vegetables, dried thyme, and curry powder. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vegetables begin to soften on the outside.
- Step 3: Increase the heat to high and pour in the water, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-high and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender when pierced with a knife.
- Step 4: Stir in the thickened cream and let the soup simmer gently for 1 minute more.
- Step 5: Remove the pot from the heat and carefully blend the soup using a stick blender until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding water if needed, and season further with salt, pepper, or extra cream according to your taste.
- Step 6: Serve the soup hot in bowls. Drizzle with extra cream and sprinkle with a pinch of curry powder, chopped parsley, and black pepper. Enjoy with warm crusty bread on the side.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegan version, substitute butter and cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil and coconut cream.
- Adding a pinch of smoked paprika can give the soup a subtle smoky depth.
- Use homemade vegetable broth instead of water for richer flavor.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half the soup and stir the rest back in.
Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens during storage, add a splash of water or cream while reheating to restore the desired consistency.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?
Yes, the soup actually tastes better the next day as the flavors develop. Make it ahead, cool completely, refrigerate, and reheat before serving.
What if I don’t have a stick blender?
You can use a regular blender in batches to puree the soup. Just be careful with the hot liquid—allow it to cool slightly and vent the blender lid to avoid pressure build-up.
PrintCountry Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Recipe
Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup is a comforting and creamy velvety soup packed with hearty root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnip, and celeriac. It is seasoned with aromatic curry powder and thyme, finished with a splash of thickened cream for richness. This rustic, warming soup is perfect for chilly days and pairs wonderfully with warm crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British/Australian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped into large dice
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
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)
Liquids & Seasoning
- 1 1/2 litre (6 cups) water
- 2 tsp cooking salt/kosher salt (halve amount if using table salt)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup thickened cream (heavy cream or regular), plus extra for garnish
To Serve
- Warm crusty bread
- Parsley, finely chopped
- Pinch extra curry powder
- Pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until the onion has softened and is fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add vegetables and spices: Add all the root vegetables (potato, sweet potato, carrots, parsnip, and celeriac) along with 1 tsp dried thyme leaves and 1 tbsp curry powder. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the edges of the vegetables start to soften and the spices become aromatic.
- Simmer the soup: Increase the heat to high and pour in 1.5 liters (6 cups) of water. Add 2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well and once the soup comes to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-high and let it simmer vigorously without a lid for 15 minutes. Check the vegetables with a knife to ensure they are tender and soft.
- Add cream and finish simmering: Stir in 1/2 cup of thickened cream and continue to simmer gently for another 1 minute to blend the flavors and incorporate the cream fully.
- Blend the soup: Remove the pot from heat. Using a stick (immersion) blender, carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding extra water if too thick. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and cream to preference for richness and seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle the smooth soup into bowls. Garnish by drizzling extra cream on top, sprinkle with a pinch of curry powder, freshly chopped parsley, and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- Note 1: You can use any curry powder you prefer; Clive’s curry powder is recommended for its balanced flavor.
- Note 2: Dried thyme adds a subtle earthy aroma but can be replaced with fresh thyme if preferred.
- Note 3: Heavy cream enriches the soup; substitute with regular cream or coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
- Note 5: A stick blender is best for blending directly in the pot; alternatively, use a regular blender in batches but be cautious of hot liquid splashes.
- Halve the salt quantity if using regular table salt instead of kosher salt to avoid over-seasoning.
Keywords: root vegetable soup, creamy vegetable soup, curry vegetable soup, autumn soup, easy vegetarian soup, rustic soup, healthy soup

