Description
Hearty “creamy dill pickle soup” brings Polish comfort to winter’s chill, blending tangy pickles with rich potatoes and creamy broth. Savory spices and unexpected ingredients create a surprisingly delightful bowl you’ll crave on cold nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 carrots, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped)
Creamy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 cup sour cream or heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and warm the olive oil or butter over medium heat, creating a sizzling foundation for the soup’s aromatic base.
- Gently introduce diced onions and minced garlic, allowing them to soften and release their fragrant essence for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate grated carrots into the pot, stirring and cooking for an additional 2 minutes to develop a rich flavor profile.
- Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the vegetable mixture, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
- Carefully add diced potatoes to the bubbling broth, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the potatoes to tenderize for 15-20 minutes.
- In a separate small bowl, create a smooth liaison by whisking sour cream and flour until completely integrated.
- Carefully temper the sour cream mixture by introducing a ladleful of hot broth, whisking continuously to prevent potential curdling.
- Gradually reintroduce the tempered mixture back into the soup, stirring consistently to ensure a velvety, lump-free consistency.
- Enrich the soup with chopped dill pickles and tangy pickle juice, infusing the liquid with a distinctive briny character.
- Sprinkle dried or fresh dill into the pot, allowing the herbs to meld and intensify the soup’s flavor for 5-7 minutes.
- Conduct a final taste assessment, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper to achieve a perfectly balanced profile.
- Ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with a delicate sprig of fresh dill or a luxurious dollop of sour cream.
Notes
- Pickle Selection Matters: Choose crisp, tangy dill pickles with a robust flavor profile to ensure the soup has a vibrant and authentic taste.
- Smooth Texture Technique: Gradually whisk hot broth into the sour cream mixture to prevent curdling and create a silky, creamy consistency.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to make the soup vegetarian, and use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version.
- Flavor Balancing Hack: Adjust pickle juice quantity based on personal preference, adding more for intense tanginess or less for a milder flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg