Parsnip and Herb Soup (Printable version)

Creamy roasted parsnip soup finished with vibrant fresh herbs for a comforting, warming bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1.76 lbs parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, peeled
04 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Liquids

05 - 4.25 cups vegetable stock, gluten-free
06 - 3/4 cup whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk

→ Oils & Fats

07 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
11 - Salt to taste
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
14 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, optional

→ Garnish

15 - Extra fresh herbs for topping
16 - Drizzle of olive oil or cream, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Toss parsnips, onion, and garlic with olive oil and spread on a baking tray. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - Transfer roasted vegetables to a large saucepan. Add diced potato, bay leaf, thyme, white pepper, and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are soft.
04 - Remove the bay leaf. Using a blender or immersion blender, blend the soup until completely smooth.
05 - Return the soup to the pan and stir in the milk. Gently reheat without boiling. Season with salt to taste, then stir in chopped parsley, chives, and dill.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra herbs and a drizzle of olive oil or cream if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasting step coaxes out a nutty sweetness that boiling simply cannot match.
  • It feels incredibly luxurious on the tongue without needing a heavy amount of cream.
02 -
  • Removing the core of very large parsnips prevents the soup from becoming unpleasantly fibrous.
  • Blending the herbs directly into the hot soup rather than boiling them preserves their essential oils.
03 -
  • Sieve the soup after blending if you want a truly five star restaurant finish.
  • Always taste for salt after adding the milk as the dairy can dampen the seasoning.
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