Get ready for a flavor adventure unlike any other: Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) is the ultimate Polish comfort dish that combines the tang of pickles, the silkiness of sour cream, and the earthy heartiness of potatoes all in one soul-warming bowl. This family favorite delivers a delightful blend of richness, brightness, and satisfying texture, perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a little culinary nostalgia. Whether you grew up with this traditional soup or are discovering it for the first time, your taste buds are in for an unforgettable treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the quirky combination fool you: the ingredients for Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) are straightforward, humble, and easy to find, yet each plays a pivotal role in developing this soup’s craveworthy balance of creamy comfort and zippy tang. Here’s what you’ll need (and why!):
- Unsalted butter: Adds that essential touch of richness, providing a smooth foundation for sautéing the aromatics.
- Yellow onion: Offers a gentle sweetness and depth that melds perfectly with the briny notes of the soup.
- Garlic: Brings subtle warmth and complexity, enhancing every other flavor in the pot.
- Russet potatoes: These starchy beauties give body, creaminess, and earthy flavor to the finished soup.
- Grated dill pickles: The show’s star — their tang and crunch are absolutely essential to the soup’s signature taste.
- Vegetable or chicken broth: Acts as the flavorful canvas, tying all the elements together while keeping things light.
- Pickle juice: Adds an extra punch of briny, tangy flavor that makes this soup so undeniably special.
- Dried thyme: Lends a fragrant herbal note that complements both the potatoes and dill.
- Bay leaf: Infuses subtle aromatics, rounding out the overall flavor.
- Black pepper: Brings gentle heat, keeping the flavors lively.
- Sour cream: The magic behind the soup’s creamy, velvety finish; it tames the tang and elevates every spoonful.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the soup just enough without making it stodgy.
- Fresh dill: Infuses an unmistakable, garden-fresh flavor that shines through at the end.
- Salt to taste: Essential for balancing and bringing out all the punchy, comforting flavors.
How to Make Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa)
Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
Start by melting the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once it’s gently bubbling, add the diced onion and let it cook until it turns soft and translucent, about five minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and let everything cook for another thirty seconds, just until fragrant. The kitchen should start to smell amazing at this point — this base will give your Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) irresistible depth before the tangy ingredients join the party.
Step 2: Simmer Potatoes and Pickles
Add the peeled and diced russet potatoes, grated dill pickles, broth of your choice, pickle juice, dried thyme, bay leaf, and freshly ground black pepper. Give everything a good stir, crank up the heat, and bring it to a gentle boil. Once bubbling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork. This step lets the pickles infuse the soup, and the potatoes soften to creamy perfection.
Step 3: Add the Creamy Element
Now for that famous Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) texture! In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream and all-purpose flour until totally smooth. To prevent curdling, slowly incorporate a few spoonfuls of the hot soup into the creamy mixture to warm it up. Once tempered, stir the entire mixture back into the pot. Simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. The soup will thicken slightly, achieving that rich, velvety finish without being too heavy.
Step 4: Brighten with Fresh Dill and Finish
Fish out the bay leaf and stir in the chopped fresh dill right before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning — sometimes a little extra salt or another dash of pickle juice brings the tang up to just the right level. At this stage, the aroma is simply mouthwatering, and the flavors are layered beautifully.
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Ladle the Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) into bowls while it’s piping hot. For extra flair and flavor, garnish each bowl with a scatter of more fresh dill or a generous dollop of sour cream. Every spoonful is a journey: cozy, creamy, tangy, and undeniably comforting.
How to Serve Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa)
Garnishes
The finishing touches make all the difference! Sprinkle extra chopped fresh dill over each bowl for that signature pop of color and herbal aroma. A swirl of sour cream adds both decadence and a striking visual contrast. If you love a little crunch, try scattering crispy fried onions or thinly sliced scallions on top — these small additions elevate Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) from simple to sensational.
Side Dishes
Traditional accompaniments like crusty rye bread or a loaf of warm sourdough are perfect partners, soaking up all those tangy, creamy flavors. On the side, a light cucumber salad or some pickled vegetables echo the punchy soup flavors while providing refreshing contrast. For a heartier meal, pair with simple pierogi or a platter of roasted sausages if you’re not keeping things vegetarian.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, ladle Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) into hollowed-out bread bowls — the soup soaks in and creates an edible centerpiece. Serve in tea cups with mini rye crisps as a playful appetizer or turn it into a rustic supper by piling on extra toppings buffet-style so everyone can garnish their own bowl. This soup is just as suited for a cozy night at home as it is for a show-stopping dinner party!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer any leftover Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to three days. The flavors only deepen and meld overnight, making this soup even tastier the next day. Always let the soup come to room temperature before sealing it away to keep the texture spot-on and avoid unwanted condensation.
Freezing
Good news for meal-preppers: this soup freezes remarkably well! Let it chill fully, then pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze for up to three months. Just note that upon thawing, the texture of the sour cream may change a bit, but a thorough reheat and good stir will bring it back to life.
Reheating
To reheat, transfer the soup to a pot and warm gently over medium-low heat, stirring often. Avoid boiling after the soup has been combined with sour cream, as this can make it separate. For reheating smaller portions, the microwave works fine — just use a lower power setting and stir halfway through heating to keep the texture creamy and smooth.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes?
Absolutely! While russet potatoes give the soup a supremely creamy texture, Yukon Golds or other all-purpose potatoes also work well. Just be sure to adjust cooking time as needed, since waxier potatoes may cook slightly faster.
What kind of pickles are best for Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa)?
Full-sour or naturally fermented dill pickles are the traditional choice for authentic flavor, but you can use store-bought pickles if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure they’re nice and tangy, since the brininess is the soul of this soup!
Is there a way to make this soup vegan?
Yes! Swap the butter for your favorite plant-based alternative, use vegetable broth, and choose a vegan sour cream. The flour will work as a thickener just the same, and the soup will maintain its satisfying creamy character.
Can I make Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) gluten-free?
Definitely — just substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or a little cornstarch mixed with water. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy swap!
How do I adjust the flavor if the soup is too tangy?
If you find the soup a bit too zippy for your taste, simply stir in a splash of extra broth or an extra spoonful of sour cream. This softens the tanginess while keeping the soup luscious and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) before, you’re truly in for a delightful surprise! There’s something endlessly comforting and unique about the way tangy pickles and creamy potatoes come together in every bite. Give it a go — and don’t be surprised if this becomes one of those recipes you keep coming back to, season after season.
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Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa) Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Polish classic, Creamy Dill Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa), featuring tangy dill pickles, hearty potatoes, and a touch of sour cream. This comforting soup is brimming with flavor and sure to warm you up on chilly days.
Ingredients
Main Soup Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup grated dill pickles (about 3–4 pickles)
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup pickle juice (from the jar)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Cook Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes, broth, grated pickles, pickle juice, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Thicken Soup: Whisk sour cream with flour in a small bowl until smooth. Temper the mixture by adding hot soup, then stir it into the pot. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf, stir in fresh dill, adjust seasoning, and serve hot garnished with extra dill or sour cream.
Notes
- Use full-sour or fermented pickles for a more traditional flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip meat-based garnishes.
- Delicious with crusty rye bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
