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Cream of Celery Soup

Featured in Cozy Bowls of Comfort.

This comforting celery soup transforms humble ingredients into a velvety bowl of goodness. Fresh, crisp celery stalks are slowly cooked with sweet leeks until tender, capturing the vegetable's natural flavors at their best. The addition of cream creates a smooth, luxurious texture that makes every spoonful satisfying. Simple seasonings let celery's unique taste shine through, while careful blending ensures a silky finish. It's a wonderful way to enjoy celery in a new light, proving that simple ingredients can create something truly special.
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Updated on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 19:14:41 GMT
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A bowl of creamy soup topped with chopped herbs and pepper, with a spoon resting inside. Pin it
A bowl of creamy soup topped with chopped herbs and pepper, with a spoon resting inside. | cookingkeys.com

Let me share the soup that completely changed how my family thinks about celery! After watching bunches of celery slowly wilt in my crisper drawer I decided to transform them into something special. That first batch when the velvety smooth soup came together with its subtle earthy sweetness my husband couldn't believe the main ingredient was celery. Now this soup is our favorite way to turn simple vegetables into pure comfort!

Why This Soup Is Special

This isn't your average cream soup! The combination of celery leeks and onions creates this incredibly rich flavor that's both familiar and sophisticated. Last week when my neighbor was feeling under the weather I brought her a batch she said it was better than any canned soup she'd ever tried. Even my kids who usually push vegetables around their plates ask for seconds!

What You'll Need

  • The Basics: Fresh celery with lots of leaves, sweet onion, a beautiful leek, fresh garlic, real butter, good quality stock (chicken or vegetable), heavy cream, sea salt, and fresh pepper.
  • For Garnishing: Those lovely celery leaves, fresh parsley if you like, maybe a swirl of cream.

Let's Start Cooking

Building The Base
First melt that butter in your biggest pot and add your vegetables. The kitchen starts filling with the most amazing aroma! I love watching everything slowly soften and release their flavors it's like kitchen meditation.
Creating The Magic
Once everything's nice and tender in goes the stock. While it simmers I usually warm up some crusty bread the perfect partner for this soup. That moment when you start blending and watching it turn silky smooth pure magic!
The Finishing Touch
A splash of cream at the end transforms everything into velvet. Then comes my favorite part tasting and adjusting the seasonings until it's just perfect.
A bowl of creamy soup garnished with herbs and served with a wooden spoon. Pin it
A bowl of creamy soup garnished with herbs and served with a wooden spoon. | cookingkeys.com

Making It Perfect

Want to know my secrets for the best celery soup? Save those celery leaves they add so much flavor! When you're cooking the vegetables let them get soft but not brown keeps the color bright and pretty. And here's my favorite tip finish with just a tiny splash of lemon juice right at the end brightens everything up perfectly!

Serving It Up

This soup is perfect on its own but I love serving it in my grandmother's old bowls with a swirl of cream on top. Some crusty bread on the side for dunking is a must! For lunch parties I'll serve it in little cups as a starter everyone always wants the recipe. Sometimes I'll sprinkle some extra celery leaves on top makes it look like it came from a fancy restaurant!

Keeping It Fresh

This soup actually gets better the next day! The flavors have time to really develop together. I often make a double batch and keep some in the freezer perfect for those nights when you need something warming and comforting quickly. Just remember to reheat it gently and maybe add a fresh splash of cream.

Mix It Up

Don't be afraid to play with the recipe! Sometimes I'll add a potato makes it extra creamy without the cream. My dairy-free friend loves it with coconut milk instead of cream. Once I added some fresh dill absolute game changer! The fun part is making each batch your own.

A creamy soup with diced celery and fresh parsley, served in a black-handled bowl on a wooden cutting board. Pin it
A creamy soup with diced celery and fresh parsley, served in a black-handled bowl on a wooden cutting board. | cookingkeys.com

Why This Recipe Matters

This soup has become our favorite way to turn humble vegetables into something special! There's something so satisfying about transforming ingredients that might have been forgotten in the crisper drawer into a bowl of pure comfort. My kids are even learning to appreciate vegetables more watching how they become something completely different. The best part isn't just how delicious it is it's seeing everyone's surprised faces when they find out it's 'just' celery soup! Whether you're making it for someone who needs comfort or just because you want something warming and wholesome this never disappoints. And watching people discover they can make something so lovely from such simple ingredients? That's what makes cooking so rewarding!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I pick the best celery for this soup?

Choose bright green, crisp celery stalks that snap easily and taste fresh. Avoid limp or bitter celery as it will affect the soup's flavor.

→ Can I make this soup ahead of time?

You can make this soup up to three days ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of cream if needed to restore the consistency.

→ Can I freeze this soup?

While you can freeze the soup before adding cream, cream-based soups can separate when frozen. If freezing, add the cream after thawing and reheating.

→ What can I serve with celery soup?

Crusty bread makes a perfect partner for dipping. A simple green salad or grilled cheese sandwich also pairs well with this soup.

→ Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock for a vegetarian version. The soup will still be creamy and delicious.

Conclusion

This creamy celery soup is a delightful way to enjoy the natural flavors of fresh celery. Prepared with leeks and finished with cream, it offers a smooth and comforting dining experience perfect for cold days.

Cream of Celery Soup

A velvety smooth celery soup made with fresh celery, leeks, and cream. This comforting soup brings out the best flavors of fresh celery.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 5 Servings (5 bowls)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 3 tablespoons butter, divided use.
02 1 cup onion, finely chopped.
03 1½ cups leeks, white and light green parts, sliced.
04 6½ cups celery, chopped and divided.
05 2 garlic cloves, minced.
06 4 cups chicken stock.
07 2 bay leaves.
08 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste.
09 ⅓ cup heavy cream.
10 Black pepper, freshly ground.
11 Fresh chives or parsley for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot. Cook onions, leeks, and 5 cups celery until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook one more minute.

Step 02

Pour in stock and add bay leaves. Season with salt. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes.

Step 03

Meanwhile, melt remaining butter in a pan. Add 1½ cups celery and ½ cup hot stock from soup. Cook until tender, about 6 minutes.

Step 04

Remove bay leaves. Blend soup until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender.

Step 05

Stir in cream and cooked celery pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Top with fresh herbs.

Notes

  1. Use only fresh, crisp celery for best results.
  2. Taste celery before using to ensure it's not bitter.
  3. Adjust salt based on whether stock and butter are salted.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large soup pot.
  • Immersion blender or stand blender.
  • Small sauté pan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 231
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 7 g