Nothing warms you up from the inside out quite like a steaming bowl of country harvest root vegetable soup. This is my go-to comfort food when the weather turns chilly – packed with earthy seasonal veggies and kissed with the cozy flavors of curry powder and thyme. I love how the sweet potatoes and carrots mingle with the subtle spice, while the celeriac and parsnips add that wonderful rustic depth. It’s the kind of soup that makes your kitchen smell like a hug, and trust me, that first spoonful will have you hooked. Perfect for using up whatever root vegetables are in season, this hearty soup tastes like coming home.
Why You’ll Love This Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
This soup isn’t just delicious—it’s downright magical. Here’s why it’s become my cold-weather staple:
- Comfort in a bowl: The blend of sweet potatoes, carrots, and celeriac creates the most satisfying, hearty texture that’ll warm you right up.
- Effortless cooking: Just chop, sauté, and simmer—it practically makes itself while you relax with a cup of tea.
- Seasonal goodness: Uses whatever root veggies are freshest at the market (or hiding in your fridge).
- That curry-thyme magic: The spices add just enough warmth without overpowering the vegetables’ natural sweetness.
Honestly? It’s the soup I crave when I need a hug in edible form.
Ingredients for Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy pot of goodness – I’ve listed them in the order you’ll use them:
- For the base: 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter
- Aromatics: 1 onion (chopped into large dice), 3 garlic cloves (chopped)
- Spices: 1 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- Liquids: 1 1/2 litre (6 cups) water, 1/2 cup thickened cream (plus extra for garnish)
- Seasoning: 2 tsp cooking salt (halve for table salt), 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Root veggies: 1 large potato (~300g/10oz, peeled, 1″ cubes), 1 medium sweet potato (350g/12oz, peeled, 1″ cubes), 2 medium carrots (peeled, 1/2″ pieces), 1 small parsnip (150g/5oz, peeled, 1/2″ pieces), 1 small celeriac (600g/1.2 lb, peeled, 1/2″ pieces)
- Garnishes: Warm crusty bread, chopped parsley, extra curry powder, black pepper (all optional)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No stress if you need to swap things! Use any curry powder you love (I’m partial to Madras). Fresh thyme? Use 3x the amount of dried. Heavy cream or regular both work beautifully here. Don’t have celeriac? Try turnips or extra potatoes. The beauty of this soup is how forgiving it is with what’s in your pantry!
How to Make Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
Alright, let’s get cozy! Making this soup is as easy as pie (actually easier – no crust to fuss with). First, grab your biggest, heaviest pot – you know, the one that feels like a hug when you lift it. Here’s exactly how I do it:
- Start with the good stuff: Heat your olive oil and butter together over medium heat until the butter stops foaming. That’s your signal to add the onion and garlic. Stir them around until they’re soft and smell amazing – about 3 minutes should do it.
- Spice time! Sprinkle in that glorious curry powder and thyme. The second those hit the warm oil, your kitchen will smell incredible. Give them just 1 minute to toast – we want flavor, not bitterness.
- Veggie party: Dump in all your chopped root vegetables, water, salt, and pepper. Don’t worry if it looks crowded at first – those veggies will shrink as they cook. Bring it all to a lively boil, then immediately turn it down to a gentle simmer.
- The waiting game: Let it bubble away uncovered for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you can easily pierce a potato cube with a fork. The waiting is the hardest part – I always sneak tastes with a spoon!
- Creamy finish: Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cream. Taste it – this is where you might want another pinch of salt or pepper. Trust your gut here!
- Serve it up: Ladle into bowls with whatever garnishes make you happy. My personal favorite? A drizzle of cream, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and an extra dusting of curry powder for color. Don’t forget the crusty bread for dunking!
Tips for the Best Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
- Cut veggies roughly the same size so they cook evenly (no one wants mushy carrots with firm potatoes!)
- Start with less cream – you can always add more if you want it richer
- Let the soup sit for 10 minutes after cooking – the flavors marry beautifully
- If it gets too thick when reheating, just stir in a splash of water or broth
Serving Suggestions for Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
Oh, the fun part! This soup becomes a full meal with a hunk of warm, crusty bread for dipping – I’m partial to a rustic sourdough or seeded whole grain. For garnishes, I always set out little bowls of extra cream, chopped parsley, and a pinch of curry powder so everyone can customize. Feeling fancy? Top with crispy fried shallots or a dollop of garlicky yogurt. On really cold nights, I’ll even add a handful of shredded cheddar – it melts into the most glorious cheesy swirls. However you serve it, just make sure you’ve got plenty – seconds are practically guaranteed!
Storing and Reheating Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
This soup keeps like a dream! Let it cool completely, then pop it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I always use the stovetop over low heat – it brings back that just-made texture better than the microwave. The veggies might soften a bit more overnight, but honestly? I think it tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. If it thickens too much, just stir in a splash of water or broth while reheating. Freezing works too – though the cream might separate slightly when thawed, a quick stir will bring it right back together.
Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup Nutritional Information
Each comforting bowl of this soup packs about 250 calories, with 12g of good fats (mostly from that luscious cream and olive oil), 30g of energizing carbs from all those gorgeous root veggies, and 4g of protein. Keep in mind – these numbers can vary slightly depending on your exact ingredients and how generous you are with the cream drizzle! I always say it’s the kind of nourishment that feeds your soul as much as your body.
FAQs About Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup
Can I freeze this soup?
Absolutely! Just cool it completely first. The cream might separate a bit when thawed, but a good stir will bring it right back together. I freeze mine in individual portions for easy lunches – just reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water.
What other vegetables can I use?
Oh, get creative! Turnips, rutabagas, or even butternut squash work beautifully. Just keep them all roughly the same size for even cooking. In spring, I sometimes swap in fresh peas or asparagus tips for a lighter version.
Can I make it vegan?
You bet! Skip the butter (use all olive oil) and swap the cream for coconut milk. The curry powder pairs perfectly with coconut’s natural sweetness. I’ve even used blended white beans for creaminess – genius trick!
How can I make it thicker?
Two ways: either blend a cup of the soup and stir it back in, or let it simmer uncovered for an extra 5-10 minutes to reduce. Careful though – those root vegetables release starch naturally as they cook, so it’ll thicken more as it sits.
Is there a slow cooker version?
My favorite lazy method! Just sauté the onions and spices first (this step matters!), then dump everything except the cream into the slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours, stir in cream before serving. Easy-peasy!
Hearty Country Harvest Root Vegetable Soup in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and warming country harvest root vegetable soup, packed with seasonal root vegetables and flavored with curry powder and thyme. Perfect for chilly days.
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
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 litre (6 cups) water
- 2 tsp cooking salt/kosher salt (halve for 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 (optional, for serving)
- Parsley, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Pinch extra curry powder (optional, for garnish)
- Pinch black pepper (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
- Stir in curry powder and thyme, cook for 1 minute.
- Add all chopped root vegetables, water, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in thickened cream and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra cream, parsley, curry powder, and black pepper if desired.
- Enjoy with warm crusty bread.
Notes
- Use any curry powder you prefer.
- Dried thyme can be substituted with fresh thyme.
- Heavy cream or regular cream works for thickening.
- Adjust root vegetables based on availability.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg