Description
Polish Potato Soup, or Zupa Ziemniaczana, is a rich and hearty soup perfect for cold days. This traditional soup showcases simple ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and onions, all cooked to tender perfection in a savory broth. The addition of kielbasa offers a smoky flavor, while heavy cream or tempered sour cream adds a creamy richness that makes every spoonful incredibly comforting. Topped with fresh dill, this soup is a delicious reflection of Polish home-cooking and will fill your home with warmth and nostalgia.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 5 oz kielbasa (optional, diced)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or tempered sour cream, see notes below)
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Start by peeling and dicing the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Peel and slice the carrots into rounds. Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic.
- Cook the vegetables: In a large pot, combine the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring that the vegetables are fully covered by the liquid.
- Optional step with kielbasa: If you are using kielbasa, dice it and add it to the pot with the vegetables. Kielbasa adds a smoky, meaty flavor to the soup but can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally, cooking until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the cream: Once the vegetables are fully cooked, stir in the heavy cream (or tempered sour cream). If using sour cream, temper it by gradually adding a little of the hot soup broth to the sour cream before stirring it into the soup to prevent curdling.
- Season and add dill: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the chopped fresh dill.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra dill if desired. Serve hot with a slice of rustic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15mins
- Cook Time: 30mins