Cream of Celery Soup
Cream of Celery Soup is a comforting classic that delights with its rich, creamy texture and fresh celery flavor. This easy-to-make soup balances the subtle earthiness of celery with a velvety base, perfect as a starter, light lunch, or warming snack any time of year.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free flour or alternative thickener)
Vegetables
- 4 cups fresh celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
Fats and Thickeners
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Liquids
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or cream
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs (optional, such as parsley or thyme)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash and chop fresh celery stalks into small pieces to ensure even cooking. Dice the onion finely to help it soften quickly and blend seamlessly.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat butter or olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and diced onion, cooking gently until translucent and tender, about 5-7 minutes, coaxing out their natural sweetness.
- Add Flour to Create a Roux: Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the softened vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste and thicken the base evenly.
- Pour in Broth and Simmer: Slowly add vegetable or chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer, allowing the soup to thicken and the celery to soften fully, about 15 minutes.
- Blend Until Smooth: Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a countertop blender in batches and puree until smooth and creamy. This step transforms the soup into its classic silky texture.
- Stir in Cream and Season: Return the puree to the pot if needed, then stir in the milk or cream for richness. Season with salt, pepper, and optional fresh herbs to taste. Warm the soup gently before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh celery for the brightest flavor.
- Don’t skip making the roux to ensure a velvety texture without lumps.
- Blend soup in small batches carefully to avoid spills and achieve smooth consistency.
- Add cream gradually to control the soup’s thickness and richness.
- Always season after blending to balance flavors perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cream of celery soup, celery soup, creamy vegetable soup, comforting soup, easy soup recipe