Creamy Celery Root Bisque (Printable)

An elegant, velvety soup featuring subtle celery root flavor, perfect for special occasions or refined dining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large celery root (about 1.5 lb), peeled and diced
02 - 1 medium Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced
03 - 1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, sliced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups vegetable broth
07 - 1 cup whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or non-dairy cream

→ Fats and Seasoning

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
12 - Salt to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Chopped chives or parsley
14 - Drizzle of cream, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add leek, onion, and garlic. Sauté until soft but not browned, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Add diced celery root and potato. Continue sautéing for another 3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and add bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 25 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
04 - Remove and discard bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, transfer in batches to a countertop blender.
05 - Stir in milk and cream. Heat gently without boiling, and season with salt and white pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with chopped chives, parsley, and a drizzle of cream if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns an underappreciated vegetable into something that feels luxurious and restaurant worthy
  • The texture is impossibly creamy without needing excessive cream or complex techniques
  • It keeps beautifully for days and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • Peeling celery root takes some patience, use a sharp knife and cut off the knobby exterior rather than trying to use a vegetable peeler
  • Do not rush the puréeing step, keep blending until the soup is completely smooth, any lumps will ruin the refined texture
03 -
  • Work quickly when peeling celery root as it can oxidize and turn slightly brown, though this does not affect the flavor
  • If you want an incredibly smooth texture, pass the puréed soup through a fine mesh sieve before adding the cream
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