Creamy Celeriac with Crispy Bacon (Printable)

Velvety celeriac and potato blended with cream, topped with crispy bacon for a comforting European-style bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large celeriac (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and diced
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Liquids

05 - 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
06 - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, optional

→ Garnish

10 - 4 slices bacon
11 - Chopped fresh chives or parsley, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté until soft and translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
02 - Add the celeriac and potato. Stir to coat with the butter and cook for 3 minutes.
03 - Pour in the stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender.
04 - Meanwhile, place the bacon slices in a cold, dry skillet. Cook over medium heat until crispy, turning as needed. Drain on paper towels and crumble or leave whole.
05 - Remove the soup from heat. Purée with an immersion blender until smooth, or carefully in batches in a blender.
06 - Stir in the cream and a pinch of nutmeg, season with salt and pepper. Gently reheat if needed, but do not boil.
07 - Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with crispy bacon and a sprinkle of chives or parsley, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels restaurant-worthy but takes less time than you'd expect, and your kitchen will smell incredible.
  • The bacon crunch against the silky soup is genuinely addictive, transforming something light into something you'll actually crave.
  • This soup quietly impresses vegetarians and meat-eaters alike because the flavors speak for themselves without shouting.
02 -
  • Never let the soup boil after you've added the cream or it can separate and break—low and gentle is the only way once that cream is in.
  • The magic happens when you taste it before adding the cream. That's when you season properly, because cream mutes flavors slightly and you want to account for that.
03 -
  • Buy celeriac from a farmer's market if you can—the flavor is more pronounced and it feels like you're cooking something more intentional.
  • Toast your serving bowls in the oven for a minute before ladling soup into them; the warmth keeps the soup hotter longer and feels luxurious.
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