Vegan Potato Soup

You can never go wrong with a comforting bowl of creamy vegan potato soup. This easy recipe is rich, warming, and brilliantly dairy-free!
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Large bowl of potato soup with a ladle.
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Nothing beats a big bowl of creamy vegan potato soup when youโ€™re craving something cozy and satisfying. This easy recipe combines tender potatoes, colorful veggies, garlic, herbs, and dairy-free cream for a rich and comforting soup that tastes like it simmered all day. Itโ€™s perfect for a chilly afternoon or an easy weeknight dinner. Grab a spoon and get ready for a seriously delicious bowl of comfort!

Potato-lovers will also fall head over heels for this dairy-free leek soup with creamy potatoes recipe!

What Makes This Potato Soup Recipe Special

Youโ€™ll want to save this one as your go-to for just as many reasons!

  • Potato Transformation. A few humble potatoes turn into a whole pot of silky, satisfying soup.
  • Meal Prep Superstar. This soup is happy to hang out in the fridge and makes an easy lunch or dinner for several days.
  • The Seasonings Do More Than Youโ€™d Expect. Marjoram and a tiny pinch of nutmeg might sound simple, but they give the soup a surprisingly cozy depth.
  • A Great โ€œUse What You Haveโ€ Soup. Toss in extra carrots, swap the celery for another veggie, or add leftover greens when you need to clear out the fridge.
  • Goes From Rustic to Fancy in Seconds. Serve it chunky with a casual sprinkle of herbs, or blend it until velvety smooth and finish it with a swirl of dairy-free cream.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions For Vegan Potato Soups

This is a simple and super satisfying soup made with pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients for vegan potato soup, with labels.
  • Onion – Adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor that forms the base of the soup. Cook it until soft before adding the other vegetables for the best flavor. Shallots or leeks are great alternatives.
  • Garlic – Gives the soup a little punch. Add it after the onion and cook briefly so it doesnโ€™t burn. Use ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder for every fresh clove.
  • Celery – Brings a mild, savory flavor. Chop it fairly small so it blends nicely into each spoonful. Try extra carrots or a little fennel if youโ€™re out of celery.
  • Carrots – Adds a subtle sweetness. Slice them thinly so they cook at the same rate as the other vegetables. Parsnips can add a similar sweetness with a slightly more earthy flavor..
  • Potatoes – Give a creamy texture and make it filling. Yukon Gold potatoes are especially nice because theyโ€™re naturally buttery and creamy. Russet potatoes work well too and will make the soup extra thick.
  • Dried Marjoram – Lends a mild, slightly sweet and earthy flavor. Rub it between your fingers before adding it to release more of its flavor. Dried thyme is an easy swap, or try a little oregano for a stronger herbal flavor.
  • Nutmeg – Gives creamy potato soup a subtle warmth to the soup. Start with a small amountโ€”you only need a little! A pinch of white pepper can add gentle warmth instead.
  • Vegetable Broth – Provides the liquid. Choose a low-sodium vegetable broth so you can control the salt yourself. Use water plus vegetable bouillon or a homemade vegetable stock.
  • Dairy-Free Cream – Gives the finished soup a rich, silky texture. Add it toward the end of cooking and avoid boiling the soup afterward. Unsweetened oat cream, soy cream, cashew cream, or even plain almond milk for a lighter touch.

How To Make Potato Soup

Once you’ve made this potato soup, youโ€™ll reach for it over and over through the chilly seasons and beyond!

Wooden cutting board with diced onion, celery, and carrots.

Step 1: Advanced Prep – Wash and chop the vegetables before you start cooking so you have everything ready to go as you make the vegan potato soup.

Onion and garlic sauteeing in a large soup pot.

Step 2: Cook Vegetables – Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium heat and sautรฉ the onion for 3 minutes. Add all the remaining vegetables and spices and cook for another minute.

Vegetables and vegetable broth added to the large soup pan.

Step 3: Add Broth and Bring to a Boil – Pour in the vegetable broth, cover, and bring the soup to a boil.

Next, Step 4: Simmer the Soup – Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the soup for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork tender.

Half the blended potato soup being added back into the soup pot.

Step 5: Remove Leaves and Blend – Remove the bay leaves (if using) and compost or discard. Blend half of the soup either with an immersion blender or in an upright blender.

Dairy-free cream being poured into the vegan potato soup.

Step 6: Add Cream and Simmer Until Ready – Pour the smooth, blended soup back into the large pot, add the dairy-free cream, and stir to combine. Simmer for a few more minutes, adjust the seasonings to taste, and enjoy!

Large bowl of potato soup with a ladle next to a pot of soup.

How To Serve Up Your Easy Potato Soup

The only way to top the ultimate vegan potato soup recipe is with fantastic finishes!

Toppings:

Side Dishes:

FAQs

Is potato soup healthy?

Potatoes get a lot of flack as white starchy vegetables, but they have a whole lot of nutrition to offer! Theyโ€™re a rich source of B-complex vitamins, thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and folate, in addition to many minerals such as iron, manganese, magnesium, copper, and potassium.

How long will leftovers keep?

Let the soup cool completely before storing in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. For long term storage, pack individual servings in separate containers and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When youโ€™re ready to serve, let the soup thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.

Can I make potato soup in the slow cooker?

Yes, this recipe is a great candidate for low and slow cooking! You can prep it in the morning and come home to dinner waiting for you at the end of the day. Cook the vegetables on the sautรฉ function first, then add the broth and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Blend and serve!

Print me! Did you know you can easily print our recipes? Just tap the โ€œPrint Recipeโ€ button in the recipe card. You can keep a stack of new recipes to try in your kitchenโ€”or better yetโ€”create a recipe binder where you keep all your favorites!

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Vegan Potato Soup

5 from 6 votes
Classic and comforting, this easy vegan potato soup is rich, warming, and brilliantly dairy-free!
Large bowl of potato soup with a ladle.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 -8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks celery (or 1โ„2 small celery root), diced (see notes below)
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 4 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped
  • ยฝ teaspoon dried marjoram, see notes below
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 2 whole bay leaves, optional
  • โ…“ cup dairy-free cream (see notes below)
  • red pepper flakes, optional, to taste
  • fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large heavy-based pot over medium heat and add the onion. Sautรฉ for 3 minutes, then add the garlic, celery, carrots, potatoes, and all the spices. Sautรฉ for a further minute.
  • Pour in the vegetable broth, add the bay leaves (if using), and bring the soup to a boil.
  • Then, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes, covered, or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Transfer half the soup to another pot, remove the bay leaves (if used), and blend one half with an immersion blender until smooth.
  • Alternatively, blend it in a blender, making sure to work in batches, hold down the lid, and avoid overfilling the blender.
  • This step helps to create an interesting texture of smooth and chunky, which makes this soup really delicious!
  • Pour the blended soup back into the large pot, add the dairy-free cream, and stir to combine. Allow it to simmer for a few more minutes, taste it, and adjust the seasonings (salt/pepper and red pepper flakes for heat) to your liking.
  • Serve in bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Notes

Celery: In Germany, itโ€™s traditional to use celeriac (celery root). However, if you canโ€™t find it, use celery stalks (ribs).
Marjoram: I highly recommend using it as it adds wonderful flavor to this soup. If you donโ€™t have it, you can add a little thyme and/or rosemary.
Dairy-free Cream: You can use any type (soy cream, oat cream, cashew cream, or canned coconut milk). Use plant-based milk for a low-fat version.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 865mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3818IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg
Course โ€” Soup
Cuisine โ€” German
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Many thanks to our amazing recipe tester Ruth Havertz for testing this recipe! This vegan potato soup recipe was adapted and photos were reprinted with permission from Simple and Delicious Vegan by Michaela Vais creator of Ela Vegan. Published by Mango 2023.

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5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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5 comments
  1. Andrea White says:

    5 stars
    My kind of soup! So cozy and delicious!

  2. 5 stars
    Potatoes are my favorite food and I absolutely adore soup. This is a must make ASAP!

  3. 5 stars
    Tried this vegan potato soup recipe last night. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner and so delicious! Served with bread and beer. YUM.

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