Simple garlic soup, a healthy broth that’s quick to prepare. Delicious and light on it’s own but also a great tasty base for other soups.
This garlic soup is a recipe that I’ve created for my friend Claire. A regular at our Supperclub and Afternoon Teas, Claire is a great supporter of our blog and everything we do, we love talking food.
After posting our French Onion Soup recipe Claire had commented on it. She went on to talk about a very similar, broth style, garlic soup that she had enjoyed on holiday many years ago in the Czech Republic.
Claire and her husband were on holiday in Prague, those days before kids when we get lost wandering in a new city. Coming across a small rustic restaurant, they took a table outside.
They ordered garlic soup which was served in small casserole dishes and by all accounts when the soup arrived “the smell was incredible”. The soup came served with a slice of cheese covered baguette on top.
I love that a simple bowl of garlic broth can evoke such lovely memories, food does that. A simple garlic soup which she said was delicious but hasn’t eaten since.
I love conversations like this, and decided that I would try and recreate this garlic soup recipe for Claire. When I made the soup I was feeling a little under the weather, this light clear broth hit the spot.
It is a lot of garlic!
It sounds like a lot of garlic, but the leek adds a nice sweetness to soften the broth.
However, in this garlic broth the garlic flavour comes through soft and sweet, not at all like raw garlic which would be too harsh.
Claire and I both love garlic so this garlic broth is a winner for us. However, worth feeding all the family then nobody can complain about your garlic breath!
Additional serving suggestions:
A great soup on it’s own but a versatile base garlic broth also.
Chilli heat:
One of our readers made a great suggestion and adds green chilli to this garlic soup, this would add a lovely hit of heat to this simple broth.
Add some vegetables and pulses:
I can imagine it being lovely with the addition of some chickpeas or potatoes to make more of a meal.
Leftover chicken:
I also reckon leftover chicken would work too. That said I’d be happiest eating it as it is.
Making this soup suitable for Vegan diners:
If following a Vegan diet the butter in this garlic soup can be substituted with olive oil instead.
Also ensure that the vegetable stock you are using is suitable for vegans.
Pin the recipe:
Additional recipe suggestions:
If you like this garlic soup then why not try some of these other simple broth based recipes:
- Traditional Cullen Skink
- Simple Tomato Soup
- Traditional French Onion Soup
- Simple Curried Chickpea & Vegetable Soup
For some great hints and tips on how to make a great bowl of soup, have a read of our 20 Simple Soup Recipes post. This features some delicious soup recipes for you to try!
Garlic Soup
Ingredients
- 20 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 1 leek (finely sliced)
- 50 g butter
- 1.5 litre vegetable stock
- 1 large handful parsley leaf (chopped)
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Place the butter in a large saucepan and melt over a medium heat. Add the garlic and leek and saute gently for 15 minutes until the vegetables have softened but not coloured.
- Add the vegetable stock and parsley and simmer gently for a further 15 minutes.
- Check seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with some croutons or crusty bread.
Notes
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
Christine Ann Scott
My first introduction to garlic soup was also in Prague and hadn’t been able to replicate it until now. Thanks to you I now can and am enjoying the memories of sitting in the restaurant with my son who has now been unable to travel for 2 years as have myself thank you.
Spike
For a quick whip up shebang, this is great! 2nd time I added a green chilli for a bit of kick and I do recommend for anyone looking for some spice with their garlicky goodness.
The outcome of this is a surprisingly full, smooth, (and if you put too much in) buttery broth. I really enjoy how the texture of the garlic changes to something new.
This is such an easy recipe it’s dreadful this isn’t more common, really. This is definitely one for the repertoire. Thanks! Glad I found it.
Lesley
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed our recipe. I love making soup and this has to be one of my favourites, such a simple broth. I like your addition of green chilli, that would work a treat for a bit of a spicy twist.
Claire W
This is hands down the BEST soup EVER. I cannot believe that from a vague idea and description of a soup once eaten in Prague with my husband many, many years ago, when we were ridiculously hungover, that Lesley managed to come up with this masterpiece!! When I made it, it evoked happy memories and it tastes DIVINE with that warming “good soup glow”. Lesley is a ruddy culinary genius (as is Michelle but I think this one was mostly down to Lesley) Can’t recommend this recipe enough. Make it, it will improve your life Thank you Lesley, from the bottom of my belly ❤️
Claire W
This is hands down the BEST soup EVER. I cannot believe that from a vague idea and description of a soup once eaten in Prague with my husband many, many years ago, when we were ridiculously hungover that Lesley managed to come up with this masterpiece!! When I made it, it evoked happy memories and it tastes Divine with that warming “good soup glow”. Lesley is a ruddy culinary genius (as is Michelle but I think this one was mostly down to Lesley) Can’t recommend this recipe enough. Make it, it will improve your life Thank you Lesley, from the bottom of my belly ❤️
Lesley
You are more than welcome and I’m delighted I managed to recreate this for you. I like a proper food creation challenge. I now love this soup myself. Perfect as it is but sometimes I throw in some extra veg. Lesley x