This Polish Cream of Celery Root Soup (a.k.a celeriac soup) is creamy, velvety, and indulgent. It is easy and tastes like pureed potato soup, but it is much healthier!

Creamy Polish Celeriac Soup

Growing up in Poland, one of the most essential root vegetables we always had on hand was celery root—known as celeriac. It was a staple in my grandmother’s kitchen (and parsnip. Here is a creamy parsnip soup recipe!)), finding its way into soups, stews, and even as a base for salads. In Poland, we appreciate the hearty, earthy flavor of celeriac, which adds a delicate depth to many traditional dishes. Whether roasted, puréed, or used to flavor broths, celeriac is a humble yet important part of our culinary heritage. I remember my grandmother patiently peeling away its knobby, rough exterior with a sharp knife, knowing the creamy, white flesh underneath would soon transform into something truly special.

One dish I still make to this day is Polish cream of celery root (Zupa Krem z Selera). The taste of this soup brings me right back to those chilly autumn days in Poland, when root vegetables were a comfort during long winters. It’s a simple soup that relies on fresh, local ingredients like celery root, leeks, and garlic. The creamy texture and subtle, earthy flavor make it a perfect first course at a dinner party or a comforting meal on a cold evening.

What is Celery Root?

Celery root, or celeriac, is a knobby, brown root vegetable that may look intimidating at first but holds a wonderful, delicate flavor reminiscent of celery, though slightly nuttier and earthier. It’s often used in Polish cooking, whether in soups like this celeriac soup, as a flavor enhancer in broths, or shredded raw into salads. It is not very easy to find in US. Still, some of the local grocery stores and health food stores carry them, especially in the fall and winter months when root vegetables are at their best. If you’ve never cooked with it before, the first time might seem challenging, but all it takes is a vegetable peeler and a little patience to uncover the smooth, delicious flesh underneath.

Why to Make This Soup

Comforting and Creamy: The soup’s smooth, velvety texture is incredibly satisfying, especially on cold days. The mild, nutty flavor of the celery root, the sweetness of parsnips, and the subtle onion-like leeks create a beautifully balanced dish that feels like a warm hug.
Healthy and Nourishing: Packed with root vegetables, this soup is full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a wholesome, nutrient-rich option. Ingredients like garlic and bay leaves add anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, while cashew cream provides a healthy, dairy-free alternative to traditional cream.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Despite using basic ingredients like celery root, parsnips, and leeks, this soup delivers a rich and complex flavor. The allspice and bay leaves elevate it with warm, aromatic notes that transform simple vegetables into something special.
Easy to Make: With a handful of accessible ingredients, this soup is simple to prepare, even for beginner cooks. It requires minimal prep and cooking time, making it a great go-to for busy weeknights or when you want something homemade and comforting without too much effort.
Great for Meal Prep: It stores well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week. The flavors often deepen as it sits, making it even more delicious the next day.

Ingredients For Celeriac Soup

Celery Root (Celeriac): This knobby, rough-skinned vegetable may look unassuming, but beneath its tough exterior lies a tender, creamy flesh with a mild, earthy flavor similar to celery, but nuttier and more delicate. It’s a fantastic base for soups and purees, adding depth and a smooth texture to dishes.
Parsnip: A close relative of the carrot, parsnip has a sweet, slightly nutty flavor with a hint of spiciness. Its cream-colored flesh becomes tender and sweet when cooked, making it a great addition to soups, where it adds natural sweetness and complexity.
Leeks: A member of the onion family, leeks offer a milder, more delicate flavor than onions, with a subtle sweetness. They bring a soft, onion-like fragrance to dishes and are perfect for adding depth to soups without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Garlic: Known for its pungent and slightly spicy flavor, garlic is a staple in many cuisines. It adds warmth and aromatic richness to dishes, especially when sautéed, enhancing the savory profile of soups and broths.
Bay Leaves: These aromatic leaves have a subtle, slightly floral flavor that infuses broths and soups with a gentle complexity. Although they’re not eaten, bay leaves add a layer of fragrance.
Allspice: Despite its name, allspice is a single spice with a flavor profile that combines the warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It adds a sweet spiciness to savory dishes, especially soups and stews, and a rich, aromatic warmth.
Vegetable Broth: A versatile, plant-based broth made from simmering vegetables, herbs, and spices. It serves as a flavorful base for soups and stews, offering depth without overpowering the main ingredients.
Cashew Cream: A dairy-free alternative to traditional cream, it is made by soaking raw cashews and blending them into a smooth, rich mixture. It adds creaminess to soups without dairy, offering a subtle nutty flavor and a luscious texture. You can also use coconut milk or heavy cream. Or, honestly, skip this altogether. The soup will still be delicious!

How to Make Cream of Celery Root Soup

To start this delicious Polish cream of celery root soup, use a large pot or Dutch oven and a little extra virgin olive oil to sauté the vegetables. Leeks, some cloves of garlic, and a couple of bay leaves, along with allspice, provide the aromatic base, and they are all gently softened over medium heat. The star of the dish, of course, is the celery root. After peeling and chopping it into manageable pieces, I toss it into the pot with leeks and garlic.

I love using a mix of chicken or bone broth for added richness, but if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, vegetable broth works just as well. The soup is simmered gently over low heat, with enough broth to cover the root vegetables, until the celery root is fork-tender. A bit of fresh thyme or bey leaf brings that signature Polish flavor that I grew up with.

Once the veggies are soft, it’s time to purée the soup to a creamy consistency. You can use a stick blender or immersion blender right in the pot for ease or transfer everything to a food processor or high-speed blender in batches. Once the soup is smooth, you can stir in a bit of heavy cream or, for a dairy-free version, coconut milk or cashew cream made by soaking raw cashews and blending them with water until smooth. Or you can just blend the soup without any of those additions. A pinch of kosher salt, a dash of black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors make this a perfectly balanced, creamy soup.

How to Serve it?

This Polish cream of celery soup is best served hot, with a drizzle of olive oil, crushed nuts, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme. It’s comforting and filling enough to be a meal on its own, but it also works wonderfully as a first course for a larger meal, like a cozy Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving dinner. The creamy celery root soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread and nice crackers. Its subtle, delicate flavor will impress your guests at any dinner party.

For a heartier version, I sometimes add white beans or serve it alongside roasted hearty root veggies. Since I now live in Colorado, where farmer’s markets are brimming with fresh produce, I always try to pick up a few pounds of celery root when I spot it at the local farmers market. It’s amazing how something as simple as celeriac can evoke memories of Poland, warming both body and soul.

If you haven’t tried cooking with celery root yet, introduce this Polish creamy celery root soup as your home version. Its flavor is mild enough to please everyone at the table but unique enough to stand out among other soup recipes. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious soup that’s perfect for any occasion.

Why Polish People Love Their Soups

Poles have a deep love for their soups. We eat soup pretty much every day, and it doesn’t matter if it is 100 F outside! We will still eat warm soup on those days. 😊

Soup is a cornerstone of Polish cuisine and has been passed down through generations. Many traditional Polish meals start with soup, and each region has its own beloved varieties, from żurek (sour rye soup) to rosół (chicken broth). These recipes are often tied to family traditions, holidays, and special occasions, giving them a deep cultural significance.
Poland has a strong connection to its seasons, and soups are a great way to celebrate local, seasonal produce availability. In the summer, lighter, vegetable-based soups like chłodnik (cold beet soup) are popular, while in winter, hearty, warming soups like bigos or kapuśniak (cabbage soup) take center stage, making use of preserved or root vegetables.
Historically, Poland has been an agricultural society where hearty meals were necessary to fuel a day of labor. Soups are nutrient-dense and often filled with root vegetables, grains, and meats, providing essential energy and warmth, especially during the long, cold winters. Soups were an easy way to stretch ingredients, making them both nourishing and economical.
Polish soups offer an incredible variety of flavors, from the tangy sourness of barszcz and żurek to the richness of creamy soups like celeriac or mushroom. This variety means there’s a soup for every palate and occasion, which keeps them central to the Polish dining experience.
Soups are synonymous with comfort, especially in a country with cold winters. A bowl of hot soup can warm you up after coming in from the cold, making it a go-to meal for many Poles throughout the year. The act of sharing a pot of soup with family and friends also reinforces the comfort and connection that comes with it.

Cream of celery root soup exemplifies the beauty of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. Its rich, creamy texture and delicate, nutty flavor highlight the versatility of celery root, making it a comforting and nourishing choice for any meal. Its ease of preparation and adaptability to various dietary needs make it a standout dish, perfect for cozy dinners or special gatherings.

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