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Home » German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)

German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)

Written on October 12, 2017

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This German potato soup recipe is loaded with healthy veggies, savory bacon, and is absolutely JAM-PACKED with FLAVOR! And that flavor is ever better the next day so be sure to double recipe for leftovers!

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

One of my all-time favorite brothy soups is a classic German potato soup.  I grew up in Stuttgart, Germany cooking with my Bavarian mother on a regular basis.  She would give me age-appropriate tasks from the time I was three or four years old and once I was a teenager I started exploring recipes on my own and preparing meals without supervision.  I remember two of the very first dishes I made by myself was a Winter vegetable cobbler and a brothy German potato soup.

I can still remember the aroma that filled our family kitchen from the bacon, caramelized onions and leek as the soup simmered, announcing the promise of a delicious meal ahead.  I received glowing reviews from my Oma and Opa when my mom suggested I make that same soup for them at our next visit.  They loved it and my confidence was bolstered. From there I continued falling deeper and deeper in love with cooking.

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

Key Ingredients in a Great German Potato Soup

This soup features several key ingredients that combine to make a characteristic German-flavored soup.

Celeriac (aka, celery root) is an essential component of many German soups.  It’s part of the standard medley of soup vegetables known as “Suppengrün” (translated as “soup greens”) that consists of carrots, celeriac, leek and parsley, the ingredients that, along with bacon, really give soups that “German” flavor.

You’ll find Suppengrün called for in many German soup recipes and to omit any of them does the flavor of the soup a major injustice.  If you haven’t cooked much with leek or celeriac, once you taste them in this soup you’ll understand – they’re delicious!

Aside from the Suppengrün, bacon plays a major role.  Enjoying a bowl of this classic German potato soup without bacon is almost unthinkable!  (We love our bacon.)  In combination with the vegetables it is the perfect marriage of flavors.

Lastly, quality chicken broth is a must.  Ever since I first tasted Aneto’s 100% all-natural chicken broth a few years ago, it has remained my favorite and top recommended brand of broth.  Why?  Because Aneto is the ONLY broth manufacturer that makes broth the way we do at home:  The freshest ingredients slow-simmered for hours in a large pot (only theirs is gigantic).  No fillers, no artificial or “natural” flavors, no “condensed” this or that, no powders – just pure, whole vegetables and real chicken made into a wonderful broth you can feel good about eating.

After tasting it I was already sold, but after the opportunity my husband and I had of touring Aneto’s factory in Barcelona, Spain, I was convinced beyond doubt.

READ ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE AT ANETO’S FACTORY IN SPAIN.  YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!

Click HERE for a list of U.S. store locations carrying Aneto broths.

Now on to making that delicious German soup!

There are many regional versions of potato soup in Germany, each region adding their own unique touch.  But the two general types of potato soup are either brothy or creamy.  This version is a classic brothy potato soup and I’m confident you’re going to LOVE it!

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

Let’s get started!

Fry the bacon, then add the onions and cook until golden, 6-8 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for another minute.  Add the vegetables.

Add the chicken broth and the herbs.

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 30-40 minutes.

Add the parsley and simmer for another minute.

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

Add salt and pepper to taste.

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

Serve and enjoy!

This is a great make-ahead soup as the flavor is even better the next day!

german potato soup recipe authentic traditional bacon leek celeriac best swabian brothy

 

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potato soup recipe best german traditional authentic

 

German Potato Soup

Kimberly Killebrew
This delicious, authentic German Potato Soup is packed full of veggies and TONS of flavor - It will satisfy both body and soul!
Print Recipe
4.86 from 34 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Soup
Cuisine German
Servings 6
Calories 327 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces bacon ,diced
  • 1 large onion ,chopped
  • 1 clove garlic ,minced
  • 2 pounds waxy potatoes ,chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1 large leek ,sliced and thoroughly washed
  • 3 carrots ,diced
  • 1 1/2 cups diced celeriac (aka, celery root)
  • 2 tomatoes ,diced
  • 6 cups quality chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • Fry the bacon then add the onion and cook until golden, 6-8 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for another minute.  Add all remaining ingredients except for the parsley.  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 30-40 minutes.
  • Add the parsley and simmer for another minute.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Note: This is a great make-ahead soup as the flavor is even better the next day!

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g
Keyword German Potato Soup
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

 

   

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Topics include: Affiliate, All Recipes, By Country or Region, By Course, By Type of Dish, Disclosure, Food, Germany, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, Paleo, Soups & Stews, Western Europe as well as: bacon, carrots, celeriac, celery root, German, german potato soup, gluten free, leek, paleo, potatoes, soup93 Comments →

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93 Responses

  1. Evelyn Alebord says

    February 26, 2021 at 7:52 pm

    I want to make this soup for my german boyfriend but I cant find the dried or any kind of marjoram at any of my stores in massachusettes even Aldis which 90% of their products are german is there a close substitute that I can use wanted to surprise him this weekend while he was at work any suggestions? That won’t take away from the soup he always talks about his grandmothers when he was younger and would eat at her house when they lived in germany. Thank you

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      February 26, 2021 at 7:56 pm

      Hi Evelyn, it’s not quite the same but you can substitute oregano. Happy cooking and please let us know what you and your boyfriend think! :)

      Reply
  2. Nicole says

    February 14, 2021 at 9:28 am

    This recipe was fantastic, absolutely loved it. The celery root gives the flavour my grandma’s soups always had – I could never figure out why my soups were lacking.. now I know! Highly recommend to anyone to try this, super easy and the flavour is delicious.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      February 14, 2021 at 11:29 am

      Thank you so much, Nicole, I’m happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    January 29, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    Hi Kimberly, I am so happy you shared this recipe! I’ve been trying out new soup recipes every weekend, so I’m adding this one to the list. It looks superb! :)

    Reply
  4. Lindsey says

    January 16, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    This is a new family favorite! I love all the vegetables with the bacon. A delicious, feel good soup, especially on cold days or when you’re not feeling well.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 16, 2021 at 11:01 pm

      Thanks so much, Lindsey, I’m happy it was a family hit!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    January 10, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    Smells amazing! Tastes great! Brings back memories of traveling in Bavaria. This preparation is easy. (I’m no chef.) I had to sub celery for the celeriac but still fabulous. The recipe makes a lot and I’ll have to store some long-term. I’m curious how well it freezes/thaws. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 10, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      Awesome, Jennifer, thank you! It’s generally not recommended freezing soups with potatoes because they become dry and grainy when thawed.

      Reply
  6. Tony says

    November 19, 2020 at 11:20 am

    Hi Kimberley,

    Yet another recipe of yours that we have tried tonight, and it was delicious. Very hearty and very filling with lots of French bread.

    We will most definitely make it again. Great on a cold winter evening.

    Reply
  7. Amy says

    November 18, 2020 at 8:55 pm

    I live in a small rural town and my grocery had celeriac! It gave such a depth of flavor to this soup. My whole family loved it. I took some to my ailing elderly parents and they loved it. Such an authentic, comforting recipe. Thank you Kimberly; you never disappoint.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 19, 2020 at 8:29 am

      Thank you so much, Amy! <3

      Reply
  8. Tara says

    November 10, 2020 at 9:50 am

    Wow! This was so much more than I expected! Super simple to make, used same ingredients except different brand of broth. I am not a soup person but this so so full of flavor. My whole family enjoyed it. Served with croissants, an easy weeknight meal.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 10, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      That’s wonderful, Tara, I’m so happy it was a family hit, thank you so much!

      Reply
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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure:
The Daring Gourmet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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