Description
Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) is a comforting Polish-inspired dish featuring tender potatoes, grated carrots, and tangy dill pickles in a smooth, creamy broth. This hearty soup is enriched with sour cream and flavored with fresh or dried dill, creating a perfect balance of creamy and tangy notes ideal for a warming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large carrot, grated
Pickle and Flavoring
- 1 cup dill pickles, grated
- 1/2 cup pickle juice (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Thickening
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup flour
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute to release its fragrance.
- Cook Vegetables: Pour the chicken broth into the pot and add the cubed potatoes and grated carrot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Pickles: Stir in the grated dill pickles and pickle juice. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to meld the flavors, infusing the broth with a tangy depth.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and flour until smooth. To temper the sour cream mixture and prevent curdling, ladle a small amount of hot soup into it while whisking continuously. Then slowly stir this mixture back into the main pot, whisking to avoid lumps.
- Thicken Soup: Continue cooking the soup for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently until the soup thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season and Finish: Stir in the dried or fresh dill and season with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy dill pickle soup hot, optionally garnished with additional fresh dill for extra aroma and color.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of pickle juice to control the teaonginess of the soup according to your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or rye toast.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can increase the flour slightly or reduce the broth.
- Fresh dill provides a brighter flavor, but dried dill works well too if fresh is unavailable.
