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    Home » Cuisines

    Traditional German Soup Recipes

    Published: Feb 19, 2023 · Modified: Apr 19, 2023 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    Not really a fan of soups?  Then you should give these traditional German soups a try — simple, easy recipes that will surely convince you to serve them more often!

    Cover image for traditional German Soups showing a bowl of goulash soup.

    Soup is one of the essential parts of every German meal — served as an appetizer or as the main dish.

    Known locally as ‘suppe,’ everyone enjoys at least a bowl daily.

    You can expect each German soup to be seasoned with regular paprika (or Hungarian paprika) or with some common spices in a traditional German kitchen, like marjoram and caraway seeds.

    While it’s typical to find broth-based German soups with additional trimmings like dumplings or noodles, there are also quite a lot with a mix of meat and vegetables.

    And out of these vegetables, potatoes must be, hands down, the favorite.

    So, let’s start with the well-loved soups with potatoes.

    IF YOU WANT MORE AUTHENTIC GERMAN RECIPES, YOU WILL LIKE THESE POSTS!

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    Soups with Potatoes

    German Potato Soup 

    A pot of German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe). The simple potato soup is garnished with spring onions and ready for serving.

    (German soup name: Kartoffelsuppe)

    A personal favorite, kartoffelsuppe can also be classified as a creamy vegetable soup because it adds cream to the rest of the ingredients before pureeing.

    The carrots and celery give that hint of sweetness, and the grated zest lightens everything up.

    Yes, this German potato soup is technically a cold-weather soup, but trust me, you will make it the whole year round.

    German Goulash Soup 

    An overhead shot of a bowl of German goulask soup with some fresh parsley as garnish.

    (German soup name: Gulaschsuppe)

    Same mouth-watering flavors as the famous German stew, goulash, but lighter — that’s why it works even for warmer months.

    Oh!  And this goulash soup also takes less time to cook because the beef is chopped in smaller chunks — so you’ll get a bit of meat and potatoes in every spoonful.

    German Lentil Soup

    An overhead shot of a serving of German lentil soup, with buns served with it.

    (German soup name:  Linsensuppe) 

    You think it’s another one of those bland lentil soups?  Nope, you are absolutely mistaken.

    This German lentil soup uses bacon fat to saute the onions and prepare the soup’s base flavors.

    If you want more meat in there, add bits of ham or slices of German sausage — which is what I always do.

    That is already a delicious, filling meal for me. 🙂

    Creamy German Soups

    German Sauerkraut Soup

    Two servings of sauerkrautsuppe with fresh apple on the side.

    (German soup name:  Sauerkrautsuppe)

    It’s another soup with tons of variation depending on which part of Germany you come from.

    There are some with such intense colors because of the paprika added to them, some that are pureed into smooth consistency — but this sauerkraut soup recipe is my favorite way of preparing it.

    Start sauteing in bacon fat, and brown the sauerkraut, but keep its texture in the soup.  

    And don’t worry that it will end up too sour — rinsing and draining the sauerkraut is a must, plus grated apples are added for a hint of sweetness.

    Oh!  There is no cream added for sure — just give it a try to see for yourself! 🙂

    German Leek Soup

    A closer shot of a spoonful of creamy leek soup.

    (German soup name: Lauchsuppe)

    Expect leeks’ delicate, sweet taste in every serving of this leek soup recipe.

    Creamy and light, so it’s excellent as an appetizer — or serve it with some bread if you want a light meal instead.

    German Tomato Soup

    Two bowls of German tomato soup, with slices of bread, olive oil and fresh basil leaves next to it.

    (German soup name: Tomatensuppe)

    You will not have any problem making this German Tomato Soup all year round.

    How? Because canned crushed tomatoes are excellent for this soup recipe, the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples.

    Imagine a delicious serving of creamy tomato soup, and you have everything you need in your kitchen!

    So which one is your favorite German soup so far?  Give them a try and let me know! 🙂  

    OR GET SOME IDEAS FROM THIS LIST OF SOUPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

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