Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this spinach soup because it comes together quickly and uses everyday ingredients. The spinach gives the soup a beautiful green color and fresh flavor, while potatoes add natural creaminess and help create a velvety texture after blending.
I also like how easy this recipe is to customize. I can make it richer with extra cream, keep it lighter by leaving the cream out, or add different herbs and seasonings depending on what I have available.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Fresh spinach
- Potato
- Onion
- Garlic
- Olive oil or butter
- Vegetable or chicken broth
- Heavy cream or cooking cream
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ground nutmeg, optional
Directions
- I start by washing the spinach thoroughly and setting it aside. I peel and dice the potato, chop the onion, and mince the garlic.
- I heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. I add the onion and cook it for about 4 to 5 minutes, until it becomes soft and translucent.
- I stir in the garlic and cook it for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- I add the diced potato and broth. I bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potato is tender.
- I add the fresh spinach and cook it for another 2 to 3 minutes. I only cook the spinach until it wilts so it keeps as much of its fresh green color as possible.
- I remove the pot from the heat and carefully blend the soup with an immersion blender until it is smooth and creamy.
- I stir in the cream and season the soup with salt, black pepper, and a small pinch of nutmeg. I warm it gently for another minute or two without bringing it to a hard boil.
- I serve the spinach soup warm, adding a small swirl of cream or a little freshly ground black pepper if I want an extra finishing touch.
Servings and Timing
I usually get about 4 servings from this spinach soup recipe.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
Variations
For a dairy-free spinach soup, I replace the butter with olive oil and use coconut milk or another unsweetened dairy-free cream instead of heavy cream.
When I want an even thicker soup, I add another small potato. For a thinner consistency, I simply stir in additional broth until the soup reaches the texture I like.
I sometimes add fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or dill for another layer of flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice added just before serving also gives the soup a brighter, fresher taste.
For a little heat, I add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. When I want more savory depth, I sometimes finish the soup with grated Parmesan cheese.
Storage/Reheating
I let leftover spinach soup cool before transferring it to an airtight container. I store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, I can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. If I know I am going to freeze it, I prefer to leave out the cream and stir it in after thawing and reheating.
To reheat the soup, I place it in a saucepan over low to medium heat and stir occasionally until warmed through. If the soup has thickened in the refrigerator, I add a splash of broth, water, or milk to loosen it. I avoid boiling creamy spinach soup aggressively because gentle reheating helps maintain its smooth texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?
Yes. I can make this soup with frozen spinach when fresh spinach is unavailable. I thaw it first and remove excess liquid before adding it to the soup. Since frozen spinach is already wilted, I only need to cook it long enough to heat it through.
How do I keep spinach soup bright green?
I add the spinach near the end of cooking and cook it only until wilted. I find that prolonged cooking can dull its vibrant green color.
Can I make spinach soup without cream?
Yes. I can leave the cream out completely because the blended potato already provides a creamy texture. I can also use milk, coconut milk, or an unsweetened plant-based alternative.
What can I serve with spinach soup?
I like serving spinach soup with crusty bread, garlic bread, toasted sandwiches, or a simple salad. When I serve it as a starter, I keep the portions smaller and pair it with a heartier main course.
Why is my spinach soup bitter?
Spinach can occasionally have a slightly bitter or earthy flavor. I balance it with cream and proper seasoning, and I sometimes add a small squeeze of lemon juice. I also avoid overcooking the spinach, which helps preserve its fresher flavor.
Conclusion
This spinach soup is a simple recipe I can prepare whenever I want something warm, nourishing, and comforting without spending a long time in the kitchen. I love its creamy texture, fresh spinach flavor, and beautiful green color. With plenty of easy variations and straightforward ingredients, I can adapt it for a light lunch, cozy dinner, or elegant starter.
PrintSpinach Soup Recipe
A warm and creamy spinach soup made with fresh spinach, potato, aromatics, broth, and a touch of cream. It is smooth, comforting, and perfect for a light lunch or elegant starter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach
- Potato
- Onion
- Garlic
- Olive oil or butter
- Vegetable or chicken broth
- Heavy cream or cooking cream
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ground nutmeg, optional
Instructions
- Wash the spinach thoroughly and set it aside. Peel and dice the potato, chop the onion, and mince the garlic.
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft and translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the diced potato and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potato is tender.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until wilted.
- Remove the pot from the heat and carefully blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the cream and season with salt, black pepper, and a small pinch of nutmeg. Warm gently for 1 to 2 minutes without bringing the soup to a hard boil.
- Serve warm with an optional swirl of cream and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use olive oil instead of butter and coconut milk or unsweetened dairy-free cream instead of heavy cream.
- For a thicker soup, add another small potato. For a thinner soup, add additional broth until the desired consistency is reached.
- Fresh parsley, basil, or dill can be added for extra flavor.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavor.
- Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a little heat, or finish with grated Parmesan for extra savory flavor.
- Frozen spinach can replace fresh spinach. Thaw and remove excess liquid before adding it, then cook only until heated through.
- To preserve the bright green color, add spinach near the end and avoid overcooking it.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze without the cream and add it after thawing and reheating.
- Reheat gently over low to medium heat. Add a splash of broth, water, or milk if the soup becomes too thick.
- Serve with crusty bread, garlic bread, toasted sandwiches, or a simple salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg