Celery

Roasted Celery Soup

March  8, 2012
3
5 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Makes almost 2 quarts
Author Notes

Celery roasted with a little fennel and garlic and then pureed with chicken broth and potatoes makes for a nice starter or light lunch. A touch of half and half or cream with a spritz of lemon finishes it off. —inpatskitchen

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: Inpatskitchen is a prolific FOOD52er and -- as a retired teacher, paralegal, and seafood retailer -- a bit of a cook of all trades, too.
WHAT: A simple and elegant twist on cream of celery soup.
HOW: By roasting the celery and fennel, and boiling the potatoes in broth, inpatskitchen builds a lovely foundation of flavors. And of course, cream to finish is always a great idea.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This soup truly elevates humble, plain vegetables that are usually relegated to a garnish plate or side dish to a higher plane of existence. Given proper attention, lo and behold, they shine. —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 8 large celery stalks cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 bulb fresh fennel cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 2 large whole garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 medium redskin potatoes, peeled and cut into a 1 1/2 inch dice
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup light cream or half and half
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper for re seasoning if needed
  • Celery leaves and fennel fronds for a little garnish
Directions
  1. Place the cut celery, fennel and cloves of garlic in a 9x13 inch roasting pan. Add the salt, pepper and olive oil and toss to thoroughly coat everything. Roast in a 350F oven for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges of the vegetables just begin to brown.
  2. While the vegetables are cooking, cook the potatoes in the chicken broth until tender..about 10 to 12 minutes. Set the pan aside to cool a bit.
  3. When the vegetables have finished roasting add them to the potatoes and broth. Let everything cool a bit.
  4. In a blender puree the soup in batches. If you have a "liquify" setting on your blender use that. If you like you can strain the soup through a mesh strainer. Once pureed. return the soup to the pot and bring up to the boil. Stir in the cream/half and half and the lemon juice. Re season if needed and garnish each bowl with celery leaves and fennel fronds if you like.
  5. NOTE: For a little more pronounced celery flavor add a pinch or two of celery seed or salt when re seasoning.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Zalea Sloan
    Zalea Sloan
  • Dan
    Dan
  • Karen PG
    Karen PG
  • SKK
    SKK
  • sel et poivre
    sel et poivre
inpatskitchen

Recipe by: inpatskitchen

I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining. My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!

120 Reviews

Mirandamom January 18, 2023
When I strained this soup, I was left with something not much thicker than broth, despite working the solids energetically. So I added a couple more chopped potatoes and some peas and we’re pretty happy with the result.
 
cosmiccook November 7, 2018
Anyone make this w celery ROOT ) aka celeriac?
 
inpatskitchen November 8, 2018
I haven't...but why not?. If you do it please let me know how it goes...
 
Alles April 2, 2018
Yum! My modification was to double the vegetables because I like chunks in my soup. Will make again; thanks!
 
inpatskitchen April 2, 2018
So happy you enjoyed! Thank YOU!
 
Sidney March 8, 2018
Subbed half of a head of cauliflower for potatoes and ended up adding some coconut milk to half of the batch. Made sure to use my blender instead of food processor to make it creamy in keeping with the other comments. Truly divine! The cauliflower sub and optional coconut addition also works really nicely with Anna Thomas' green soup. https://food52.com/recipes/31438-anna-thomas-green-soup
 
inpatskitchen March 9, 2018
Sounds Delish!!!
 
Deedledum October 12, 2016
I've always peeled the strings/hairs of celery before using it-that might help those people who are put off by them. People who wear dentures can't chew through the suckers. It's a great soup, and is a good way to use up the last of your celery.
 
inpatskitchen October 12, 2016
I see your point Deedledum...that's why I suggest straining it. Glad you liked it...thanks so much!
 
Zalea S. March 11, 2016
I've made this soup a couple of times and I've made a few alterations.
1. I double the batch, it makes A LOT-BUT I EAT A LOT OF THIS SOUP **D:
2. I use vegetable broth
3. maybe it's the broth I use, but I need to cut back on the salt
4. I use water instead of half and half because I like thinner soups
5. I add more lemon.
 
inpatskitchen March 12, 2016
Your version sounds wonderful! Thanks for making it olive!
 
Dan July 26, 2015
Made this again tonight. Love it. Putting it through the strainer is a must for me to get out the hair like celery threads- my 25 years + old blender just isn't up to the job on its own - but the final result is silky and wonderful and worth the extra effort. Great soup..
 
inpatskitchen July 26, 2015
I'm so glad you're happy with this..thanks very much!
 
Malise June 8, 2015
I made the soup with the addition of the rutabaga(suggested by a reader) and some shredded carrots. I skipped the potato because the texture seemed great without it. I also used 4 cups of broth and 2 cups of water for the stock to cut down on sodium just a bit and milk for the cream to cut down on the calorie total. My husband and I both really liked it--he was a little skeptical when I said we were having Celery Soup, but asked for seconds!
 
inpatskitchen June 8, 2015
Thanks Malise! Your version sure sounds like a hit!
 
Douglas B. March 28, 2015
I loved roasted veggies (especially endive, red onion and sweet potato) and now I have another fav to roast Fennel & Celery. As well as this fine soup
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2015
Thank you Douglas! I sure hope you enjoy!
 
Allison March 1, 2015
I love the flavor of this (and I skipped the cream) but I do not care for the texture. I used only celery hearts, so they weren't hardly stringy at all, but the pureed soup is unpleasantly stringy. Also, the waxy red potatos give the soup a sticky, gloppy texture that I don't care for at all. This is a nice interpretation of vichyssoise, and I love the fennel, but I won't make it again.
 
inpatskitchen March 1, 2015
Sorry you weren't happy but welcome to Food52. I'm sure you'll find many other recipes on this site that you're happy with.
 
Cheyenne W. February 3, 2015
This recipe was delish and so easy to make. I used white potatoes instead of red, onions in place of fennels. So glad I found this site!
 
inpatskitchen February 3, 2015
Thanks! So happy you enjoyed! And Welcome to Food52!
 
btglenn April 27, 2014
This recipe can be the base for a number of additions or substitutions for whatever you have in the house, or for other personal preferences. I find, for a richer celery flavor, instead of fennel, or in addition to it, to substitute a celery root in this recipe. Another possibility is adding a rutabaga. I also add chopped celery leaves to the broth in addition to the potatoes. A quicky thickener used by Jacques Pepin is to use instant potatoes for a thickener -- I used Idahoan Original in this recipe. And, for the creamy taste, I substitute a scant half cup of almond milk with 1 1/2 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese in the puree. For a finish, try a dollop of sour cream to top it off.
 
inpatskitchen April 27, 2014
Your ideas sound wonderful btglenn!
 
Deb L. February 23, 2014
I just made this soup; oh so yummy! I did skip the cream for allergy reasons and found that the potato gave it a creamy texture that was just right. I am sure the cream would have made it delectible but it is good to know it is wonderful without for those of us who cannot use cream. Also I used vegetable base, because I had some, to make it vegan safe!
 
inpatskitchen February 24, 2014
Thanks so much Deb!!
 
Karen P. February 13, 2014
Subbed an item out of necessity - a tbsp of dill for fennell. Added half a red onion (sauteed) because it was in the house and a couple extra stalks because I really had too much in the house! Soup turned out great and I'll definitely recommend it. :)
 
inpatskitchen February 14, 2014
Thanks Karen! So glad you enjoyed!
 
(]Celia[) February 5, 2014
Also, I'm nthing the people who said you can skip the cream. I'm sure it's lovely with it, but potatoes + immersion blender yielded just the texture I was looking for even without it.
 
(]Celia[) February 5, 2014
This soup is AMAZING. Every since I first had cream of celery root soup in Stowe, VT (one of those transformative food moments I'll remember forever) I've been trying to recreate it. Wrestling with gnarly celeriac is never my favorite, but worse, I could never get the intense celery flavor and velvety texture I craved. Turns out, I was coming at it the wrong way entirely. One bite of this soup and I was back in the ski cabin with the snow outside, so happy to be alive.
 
inpatskitchen February 5, 2014
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed!
 
SKK February 3, 2014
I have always loved this recipe and I made it again tonight. Loved by all. Thank you again for sharing it!
 
inpatskitchen February 4, 2014
Thank YOU!!
 
ghainskom January 8, 2014
I'm trying to buy more of the vegetables I used to pass and bought fresh fennel for the first time of my life for this recipe. And I don't regret it. My 6 yo wasn't too fond of it but my 2 yo loved it and so did I!
 
inpatskitchen January 8, 2014
So happy you and the 2 year old enjoyed! Fennel is one of my most favorite underused vegetables!
 
Erin C. December 10, 2013
This. Was. Fabulous.

I had tons of leftover celery from Thanksgiving. Raw celery is not my jam - it's so plain - but I was committed not to letting it go to waste when I found this soup. I subbed the cream/H&H for 2T butter and omitted the fennel since I didn't have any on hand. Oh...then I added some crumbled bacon to finish things off :) This was a great light, yet warming, dinner soup. Thanks for the recipe!
 
inpatskitchen December 11, 2013
So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for making it...the bacon sounds awesome!
 
Paul October 17, 2013
Made this last night. Came out GREAT!
 
inpatskitchen October 17, 2013
Thanks Paul! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
 
Woolley S. June 15, 2013
Sounds wonderful except for those lactose intolerant folks --- any suggestions?
Ps, soy products are also really not acceptable.
 
inpatskitchen June 15, 2013
In a recent "Features" article, AntoniaJames wrote about homemade nut milks and suggested almond or cashew milk. Read the article here:http://food52.com/blog/5911-making-nut-milks-at-home
I haven't tried it yet but AJ is a fantastic cook and knows what she's talking about. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!
 
SKK February 3, 2014
It is great without cream. The potatoes make it creamy.
 
sel E. April 25, 2013
Hi Pat, I love this soup so much that I'd like to have your permission to feature it on my blog (with credit of course). Pls let me know. Thx :)
 
inpatskitchen April 25, 2013
Oh yes! I'm so honored...please feel free!
 
JLechuga April 7, 2013
Amazing! We threw in some chard and asparagus....so yummy!
 
inpatskitchen April 8, 2013
So glad you liked this! The chard and asparagus sound wonderful!
 
michellepennie March 19, 2013
made this and it was absolutely delicious thanks for the recipes :-)
 
inpatskitchen March 19, 2013
I'm so pleased you enjoyed this..thanks so much!
 
lindamettler March 8, 2013
Perhaps dill? But not too much. Anise? Possibly just celery!
 
sel E. March 8, 2013
This looks fantastic. And I have a whole bunch of celery in need of some loving in my fridge. However, fennel is always hard to get (and oh so expensive) where I live. What do you think would be a good substitute? Thanks
 
inpatskitchen March 9, 2013
Thanks sel et poivre! Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground fennel seed and more celery? And lindamettler's dill suggestion sounds fabulous!
 
sel E. March 9, 2013
Thank you both! I will try it with fennel seed and maybe scatter some dill on top.
 
inpatskitchen March 9, 2013
Let us know how it goes..
 
sel E. March 12, 2013
Finally made this for dinner. Like you suggested, I added some fennel seeds before I roasted the celery. And I made a few other changes. I only had 2 smallish potatoes and a couple of sweet potatoes, so I just threw them all in. I also didn't have any cream so I just used milk. A pinch of sugar to round up the flavours and a sprinkle of chilli flakes at the end and guess what? It was so so good! Best soup I've had in ages. Thank you!
 
inpatskitchen March 12, 2013
I'm so glad you enjoyed this and I like your modifications!!
 
placidplaid March 3, 2013
I will although I will leave the fennel out of the first batch just to get the celery essence.
 
placidplaid March 3, 2013
Just found this recipe and I'm looking forward to cooking it up. As a little girl I used to love Campbell's Cream of Celery soup. I wouldn't go for it now but this will be a nice recreation. Can't wait to savor!
 
inpatskitchen March 3, 2013
Thanks so much placidplaid! Please let me know how you like it if you do try!
 
cratecooking February 13, 2013
Absolutely delicious! A clever way to use up celery, as I always seem to have extra!
 
inpatskitchen February 13, 2013
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed this....I always have extra celery too!
 
TeraO January 30, 2013
I was required by the homeopathic doctor I was working with to eat 2 cups of cooked celery along with my dinner, this soup came to my rescue! SO glad I can just eat a large bowl of this instead of some cooked celery alone. Thank you, delicious!
 
inpatskitchen January 31, 2013
So glad it worked out for you! Thanks so much!
 
lindamettler November 11, 2012
Hard to believe that such a simple recipe would yield the most fabulous soup ever. Made this for a dinner party and it was an enormous success. Many thanks for a recipe I'll make again and again.
 
inpatskitchen November 12, 2012
I'm sooo glad you enjoyed this. Thank YOU!
 
ImprovCuisine May 19, 2012
Going on vacation and had some celery to use up. Made this soup and it was DELICIOUS! We had a healthy dinner and now there are leftovers in the freezer for when we get back. I can't wait. Great recipe.
 
inpatskitchen May 19, 2012
Thank you so much! I'm soo glad you enjoyed it....I could go for some leftover right now myself.
 
Jay S. April 14, 2012
My wife and I are so glad we found this recipe (and this site). Roasted Celery Soup is truly a gourmet delight! ????? Thank you so much, Pat! You are a wonder!
 
inpatskitchen April 14, 2012
Thank you so much Jay! This is an unbelievable site (I found it a little more than a year ago).So many great cooks, so much to learn...And welcome to Food52!
 
arielleclementine April 2, 2012
it's 90 degrees in Austin, but we had this for dinner tonight anyway- what a gorgeous soup!! will make again and again!
 
inpatskitchen April 3, 2012
Thanks so much arielleclementine! 90 degrees? Whew! Not looking forward to those temps.
 
Ascender March 13, 2013
I bet this soup would be equally good served chilled in the summer. Might need a bit more salt served cold.
 
inpatskitchen March 13, 2013
I think you're right....celery vichyssoise? Sounds great! I'll have to try it when the weather warms. Thanks for the idea!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian April 2, 2012
This looks just wonderful, Pat!! Very belatedly, many many congrats to you for your win!
 
inpatskitchen April 2, 2012
Thank you Susan! I was so surprised (but very happy!).
 
savorthis March 29, 2012
This does look good. It definitely elevates what seems to be a benign (or in my case, deadly) vegetable. If I had not been sent TWICE to the hospital for allergic reactions to celery, I'd love to try it!
 
inpatskitchen March 29, 2012
Thank you so much savorthis! So sorry you can't eat celery and so I certainly do understand. I've had a number of allergies myself throughout the course of my life that I've happily and luckily outgrown.
 
lakelurelady March 29, 2012
I love this soup. The tip about adding celery seeds is a good one. Congrats on a well deserved win.
 
inpatskitchen March 29, 2012
Thanks! I really appreciate your kind words.
 
Kitchen B. March 29, 2012
Congrats on a great recipe. Very well done
 
inpatskitchen March 29, 2012
Thanks so much Kitchen Butterfly
 
Texas E. March 28, 2012
Incredibly delicious! Minimal ingredients, easily and quickly prepared. Really reminded me of a great German asparagus soup.
Thanks for a great recipe!
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Thanks so much! I'd love to see your German asparagus soup...spent a summer there as an exchange student years and years ago. And I love asparagus soup! Please post!
 
krusher March 28, 2012
Well deserved win. I love and cook celery soup regularly - Simon Hopkinson's recipe. Your roasting of the celery, fennel (which I had never added but love) and garlic is the genius step with magic results. I will be cooking your recipe from now on. Thank you
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Thank YOU krusher!!
 
SKK March 28, 2012
Hi Pat, I am making your soup for the third time for a dinner party. Love how the simplicity of the recipe produces such depth of flavor and such complexity. And it is easy to roast the vegetables the day before. Congratulations - you certainly deserve this award!
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Wow! I am so so glad you're enjoying this..Thanks so much!
 
Waverly March 28, 2012
Congratulations, Inpatskitchen! Lovely recipe!
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
You are too kind...I'm making your salad this weekend.
 
GiGi26 March 28, 2012
Wonderful!! Congratulations! It's been said before but, the soup IS amazing!
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Do you get a chance to make it yet? Thanks Pam!
 
GiGi26 March 29, 2012
Yes I did, last Saturday. It was a hit with all!


 
fiveandspice March 28, 2012
Congratulations!!!! Such a wonderfully lovely soup! This is just perfect for the transitioning season right now, too.
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Thanks fiveandspice!
 
hardlikearmour March 28, 2012
Congratulations, IPK! It's a truly gorgeous recipe.
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Thanks HLA! Truly honored to be a part of this community!
 
boulangere March 28, 2012
Warm congratulations on the win for your heavenly soup.
 
inpatskitchen March 28, 2012
Thanks b! Happy and surprised!
 
Midge March 26, 2012
Yum! Congrats!
 
inpatskitchen March 26, 2012
Thanks so much Midge!
 
mrslarkin March 23, 2012
Congrats, Pat. Looks and sounds delicious!!
 
inpatskitchen March 24, 2012
Thanks mrslarkin!
 
fiveandspice March 23, 2012
Congrats on being a finalist IPK! This looks wonderfully soothing and delicious!
 
inpatskitchen March 23, 2012
You are too kind! Thanks very much!
 
aargersi March 23, 2012
Beautiful soup - congratulations!!!
 
inpatskitchen March 23, 2012
Thank you aargersi!
 
Waverly March 23, 2012
This looks wonderful! So proud to be a finalist with you. Am saving your recipe. Congrats!
 
inpatskitchen March 23, 2012
Thanks Waverly! I love your mushroom recipes and am so honored to be a finalist with you also!
 
Kitchen B. March 23, 2012
Congratulations. We made your orange chicken a few weeks ago - to resounding praise. Well done....
 
inpatskitchen March 23, 2012
Thanks so much!! I'm glad the orange chicken was a success..it's a hit around here too!
 
boulangere March 22, 2012
This is lovely, Pat, and congratulations of being a finalist.
 
inpatskitchen March 23, 2012
Thank you b..I really appreciate it!
 
krusher March 22, 2012
This looks amazing. I love soups so this one will be tried in the next week. I can just about taste it as I read the recipe. Well done and congratulations.
 
SKK March 22, 2012
I love, love, love this recipe. It is so good - made it with chicken broth once and vegetable bouillon another time for vegetarian friends. It is really amazing. Another homerun for you!
 
inpatskitchen March 22, 2012
Oh thank you SKK! I'm so glad you enjoyed it both ways!
 
Panfusine March 22, 2012
COngratulations on the well deserved finalist pick...I could substitute Vegetable broth to make this vegetarian, couldn't I??
 
SKK March 22, 2012
Hi PF, I too love this recipe. I substituted vegetable bouillon that I always have on hand and it was great. The recipe for the bouillon comes from 101 cookbooks http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/homemade-bouillon-recipe.html
 
inpatskitchen March 22, 2012
Certainly use vegetable broth and SKK's link to a broth sounds amazing!
 
inpatskitchen March 10, 2012
I must tell you....my daughter and her 3 kids stopped by yesterday and I reheated some of this for her. Her youngest, who is just shy of 3 climbed up on her lap and took over the bowl saying "Yummy!" after each slurp. Yay Alex!
 
AntoniaJames March 8, 2012
Perfectly lovely. On the must-try list!! ;o)
 
inpatskitchen March 8, 2012
Thank you AJ! Please let me know what you think if you try this.
 
AntoniaJames March 8, 2012
I'm definitely making it soon! I love creamy soups and this one gets bonus points (lots of them!) for the fennel. What an inviting photo that is, too. Nicely done, my friend. ;o)