This creamy parsnip and apple soup is a delicious one pot recipe with minimal ingredients, but loads of flavour! Garnished with fresh chives, it makes for one delicious lunch or side to dinner.
This parsnip and apple soup recipe was original posted in July 2015 and has been updated with new photos and recipe details.
This parsnip and apple soup is quite unique and really parsnip forward. I don’t mean ‘forward’ like this is some kinda hip recipe. I’m definitely not that cool.
What I mean is this parsnip apple soup is really ‘parsnipy’ (is that even a word??), you do get a little sweetness and tartness from the Granny Smith apples.
It’s kinda unassuming.
At first, you think may think ‘oh, that’s pretty simple … a little root vegetables and some apple.’
And it is simple, but then you taste it, you realize just how delicious it is. Parsnip soup with apple is where it’s at!
Why This Parsnip Apple Soup is Great!
- Made with only 10 ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your pantry and fridge
- Comes together in about 30 minutes
- Made in one pot for easy cleanup
- Of course, it taste delicious!
Fan of parsnip recipes? You may enjoy this mashed parsnip!
What Does Parsnip Taste Like? How to Cook Parsnips?
Parsnip looks quite similar to carrots. However, they have a distinct flavour, kinda grassy. When you eat parsnip, you know it. They’re a little sweeter than carrots, but can be cooked much in the same way you would cook carrots.
For cooking parsnips you can:
- Roast or bake (which really intensifies their flavour)
- Boil them (super popular around here, especially with a traditional Newfoundland dish called Jigg’s Dinner)
- Steam ’em or
- Fry (I’ve had parsnip chips and they’re so good).
They can be enjoyed as is or made into a puree or soup, like this parsnip soup recipe.
How to Make This Soup
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Cook onion until softened. Add garlic.
- Add parsnips, apples, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until parsnips and apples have softened.
- Blend with immersion blender.
- Add cream and blend again.
- Easy, right?
Best Cooking Apple to Use
For this creamy parsnip apple soup, I opt for Granny Smith apples. I love their tartness and they pair beautifully with the sweet parsnip. Don’t have those? Sub with Pink Lady or Braeburn.
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Garnish Ideas
- Fresh chives or green onion
- Little drizzle of heavy cream swirled over top
- Crumbled goat cheese
- Parmesan
- Homemade croutons
- Drizzle of olive oil (garlic olive oil is lovely)
More Recipe Tips
Heavy cream is used, but if you like to lighten things up an equal amount of whole milk Greek yogurt could be used instead.
White pepper is used in this parsnip soup, but if you don’t have that on hand, regular black pepper would work too.
Cut the parsnip into small-ish chunks so they cook quickly. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes!
More Easy Soup Recipes
- Roasted Cauliflower Leek Soup with Cheddar
- Vegan Broccoli Soup with Spinach
- Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato with Fennel Soup
- Curried Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
And if you’re looking to add even more apple or parsnip recipes to your menu, check out this apple pizza (from Champagne Tastes) and curried carrot and parsnip soup (from Garlic and Zest).
Hope you love this parsnip soup recipe as much as we do!
If you make this parsnip apple soup, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Creamy Parsnip and Apple Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound parsnips , peeled & cut into ¼-inch pieces
- 3 Granny Smith apples , peeled, cored & cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (also known as 'whipping cream', 35% milk fat)
- Chives , finely chopped (garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.
- Cook onion, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, stir in, and cook one minute.
- Add parsnips, apples, thyme, salt & white pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add broth, bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover ajar & cook for about 15 minutes until parsnip & apple are tender.
- Off heat, blend with immersion blender until smooth. Add cream and blend again. Serve and garnish, if desired, with chives and a little swirl of cream. Enjoy!Note: You can heat through again (after you've added the cream, if needed).
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I love parsnip! I’ve always enjoyed them roasted, but I only recently started adding them to creamy soups! They have such an awesome texture and the pairing with tart green apples is brilliant!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Leanne 🙂
Valentina
Dawn, I love this flavor combination. I think parsnips are underused in general. This is a good reminder to keep them in mind when I’m shopping. I especially love your topping/garnish ideas. I think the goat cheese would be fabulous!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thank you Valentina! So happy you like the recipe 🙂
Marissa
I’m so intrigued by this ‘parsnipy’ soup of yours, Dawn! Looks bold and fabulous – definitely a must try!!
Have a lovely weekend, friend!
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Hope you love it, Marissa! Same to you! XO
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I haven’t ever really eaten a parsnip! Time to expand my horizons. This soup looks lovely and I’ll need to give it a try simply so I know how it tastes!
Girl Heart Food
Really? Bet you’d love it…or I sure hope so 😉 Thanks Kathy! Enjoy!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I’m glad you updated this one so I could be reminded of it!! I happen to LOVE parsnips. Of course, what don’t I love?! Ha! But either way, the flavour combo of this soup sounds ah-mazing. It’s still soup weather here, so count me in for a bowl of this!! XO
Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thanks Katherine! Indeed I will 😉 XO
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I love this flavour combination. The apple is so perfect to balance the parsnips. Lovely!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jennifer! I think so too 😉
David @ Spiced
Parsnips. Now there’s a root veggie that I haven’t experimenting with very much. I use ’em when making a classic roast beef, but that’s about it. Now I’m intrigued! This soup sounds delicious, Dawn…plus I love things that kapow my taste buds! We’re starting to get warmer here, but there’s still snow on the ground. A good soup like this would be a welcome sight for lunch next week!
Girl Heart Food
I grew up with them and really enjoy! Thank you David! It really would make for a yummy lunch 🙂
Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale
Dawn, this looks deliciously delicious! I did not grow up eating parsnips, and honestly I just discovered them. Now I am in love with them. I can’t wait to try your recipe. I could eat the whole batch all by myself!
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Hope you love this soup! Thanks Katie 🙂