Description
Hearty German potato soup showcases comforting flavors from Bavaria’s culinary traditions. Creamy potatoes, crisp bacon, and aromatic herbs blend into a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable or chicken broth
Vegetables:
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 leeks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon marjoram
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- Sauté onions, leeks, and celery in the bacon fat for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Add diced potatoes, carrots, and marjoram to the pot, stirring to coat with the existing fat and vegetable mixture.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, ensuring all vegetables are submerged, and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the soup to simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Gently break down some potato pieces using a potato masher or immersion blender to create a slightly thickened texture without completely puréeing the soup.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste and considering the saltiness of the bacon.
- Reintroduce the crispy bacon pieces into the soup, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the liquid.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for a more robust flavor and extra crunch in the soup, ensuring it’s crispy before removing from the pot.
- For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain a deep, smoky undertone without meat.
- Consider using a mix of waxy and starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold and Russet to create a perfect balance of texture and creaminess when mashing.
- Keep the bacon fat in the pot while sautéing vegetables to add an extra layer of rich, savory flavor that elevates the entire soup’s profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg