Creamy comfort in a bowl of soup, that’s what you get with every serving of German Potato Soup! Also known as ‘Kartoffelsuppe’, this is one of the most popular soup in Germany – and now, you can easily prepare it at home!
Weather is starting to warm up here in our part of the world, but it’s still cool enough that we can’t resist a bowl of this mouth-watering potato soup.
We normally have it as an appetizer, still, we always end up finishing a second bowl – that’s how delicious it is. The result? Not enough room left for the rest of the meal. 🙂
HOW TO MAKE GERMAN POTATO SOUP
WHAT KIND OF POTATOES SHOULD I USE FOR THIS SIMPLE POTATO SOUP RECIPE?
Ideally, you should use the floury type of potatoes. The same kind that you use for making mashed potato.
However, I have repeatedly made this creamy potato soup using waxy types of potatoes — the same type that is great for roasting, and the soup turned out great as well.
So, feel free to use whatever type of potatoes you have available.
CAN I USE CHICKEN STOCK INSTEAD OF VEGETABLE STOCK TO MAKE THIS EASY POTATO SOUP?
Absolutely.
I oftentimes alternate between chicken stock and vegetable stock myself, when I make kartoffelsuppe.
The only thing to remember is to go easy on the amount of salt that you add, at first. Better to taste the soup before adding the rest of the seasoning (and spices) in there.
IS THERE A SUBSTITUTE FOR DOUBLE CREAM TO MAKE THIS CREAMY POTATO SOUP RECIPE?
I can only recommend half and half or light cream.
I tried crème fraiche (because it worked so well with French Cauliflower Soup), but I was not satisfied with the result.
Cream goes so much better with this potato soup recipe than crème fraiche, in my opinion.
TIPS FOR MAKING GERMAN POTATO SOUP:
- The other spices, cumin and nutmeg, are optional. But I personally think they make a noticeable difference. They make the soup more complex. So, try them if you can.
- You can chop the vegetables in identical sizes, if you want. I normally chop the potatoes slightly bigger than the rest though.
- If you don’t have a stick blender, then you can use a regular stand blender. However, if you’re doing this, let the potato soup cool down a bit before pouring it into the blender – better safe than sorry.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CREAMY POTATO SOUP?
Bread. If you have the crusty, country bread, even better. It’s my personal favorite for this soup. 🙂
Buns (or rolls) would work perfectly as well. Give it a try!
LOOKING FOR MORE GERMAN DISHES? THEN CHECK OUT 10+ German Food Recipes You Must Try
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📖 Recipe
German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced finely
- 1 small onion, sliced finely
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1/2 kg potatoes, diced
- 3 cups stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 3/4 cup double cream
- 1 tbsp butter, heaping, chilled
- 1 lemon, grated zest
- 1/4 cup spring (green) onions, cut into thin rings
- salt and pepper, to season
- dash cumin powder (optional)
- dash nutmeg powder (optional)
Instructions
- Heat up olive oil on a medium-sized pot.
- Once olive oil is ready, add garlic and onion.
- Cook until garlic becomes fragrant and onion becomes softer.
- Add carrot and celery. Mix and cook for a few minutes.
- Add potatoes, stock and bay leaf.
- Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
- Keep simmering until the vegetables are slightly cooked (i.e. softened).
- Remove the bay leaf. Scoop about 1/3 of the vegetables and set aside.
- Add double cream and butter. Mix until butter has completely dissolve.
- Blitz the soup by using a stick blender. (Alternatively, you can use a stand blender, but you have to make sure the soup has cooled down a bit.)
- Season with salt and pepper. Add lemon zest. (Although cumin and nutmeg are optional, you should add them now if you intend to use them.)
- Mix to combine everything.
- Add spring onions. Mix, taste and adjust the seasoning, if desired.
- Add back the 1/3 of the vegetables that was set aside earlier. Cover and simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Serve. Garnish with more spring onions, if desired.
Nutrition
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Sabrina Plourde
I’m not sure what double cream is? Do you know if it would be heavy cream or half and half here in the US?
Really enjoying looking over your recipes!
Thank you!
Neriz
Thanks Sabrina!
Yep, double cream is the same as heavy cream in US. Half and half is the same as light cream here. 🙂
Durinda Wearn
I loved this receipe, my family lived it! I tweaked it a bit with seasoning, and I added some cheese and bacon crumbles when serving. DELICIOUS!
Heather
Absolutely AMAZING! I followed the recipe and doubled it for left overs. I like to follow recipes by the letter, first, to give an honest review. However, I did add some paprika (not smoked) instead of cumin. And instead of lemon zest, I added a quick splash of red wine vinegar. I remember my German grandfather making this for me and we would add vinegar to our tastes once it was served up to us. Thank you for bringing good memories.
Christine
I use a recipe similar. It calls for one 8 oz brick of cream cheese instead of cream…it melts smooth and the soup is delicious.
Neriz
Thanks for the suggestion Christine! I will give it a try next time. 🙂
Brigitte Hazelmyer
I was born in 1959, and I grew up Trier and this suppe was a family favorite… Often served with a large stack of French crepes, All I can say is YUMMMM
Brigitte
Neriz
Thanks Brigitte! YUMMMM indeed 🙂
Irene
Instead of cream (double/heavy) I used coconut milk. It worked fine for our little half-german family 🙂
Neriz
I have a can of coconut milk here – I will try this tomorrow night!
Thank you so much for your suggestion Irene. 🙂
Jenn
Just line the one a German Grossmutter taught me to make long ago. In the Hill Country of Central Texas to boot.
Neriz
Thank you Jenn 🙂
Susan Flowers
This recipe was very easy to follow and yielded a delicious soup!! I will be making this over & over again!
Neriz
Thank you Susan! 🙂
Anne Staley-Larsen
This is so much like the Potato soup my Oma used to make. It was delicious and everyone loved it. I did add some Thyme and Rosemary but otherwise followed the recipe as written.
Neriz
Thank you so much Anne!
Penny
I made this the first time following the directions exactly. It was delicious! It has now also become the base for clam chowder. I make the soup and , after blending, I add two cans of clams with their juice with the chunk veggies. Let it heat through, and it’s fantastic!
Shannon Coffin
I missed my Grama’ soup until I saw this recipe…it’s like being back at Gramas house. Thank you for making an old gal feel young again.
Neriz
You’re welcome Shannon. I can completely relate to your comment. 🙂
Angel
I made this recipe for the second time today and it was delicious! The first time I added too much carrots and the soup turned orange, but this time it was perfect and also added nutmeg and cumin. Thank you for this cozy and lovely recipe.
Neriz
You’re welcome Angel! Thank you for your comment. 🙂
Emily K
This was a very easy recipe to follow, and it turned out great! We really enjoyed it and can’t wait to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!