Creamy Dill Pickle Soup

Featured in: Quick Comfort Dinners

This comforting potato soup blends creamy textures with the bright, tangy flavor of dill pickles. Starting with sautéed onions, carrots, and celery, diced potatoes are simmered in vegetable broth with bay leaf and thyme for depth. A smooth mix of flour and milk thickens the base, while chopped pickles, brine, and fresh dill add distinctive brightness. Tempered sour cream enriches the finish, making it a satisfying winter warmer that balances richness and tang.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:40:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of creamy dill pickle soup, perfect for a cozy, comforting lunch. Save
Steaming bowl of creamy dill pickle soup, perfect for a cozy, comforting lunch. | forkta.com

A tangy, creamy potato soup brightened by dill pickles—this unexpected winter warmer is rich, satisfying, and bursting with flavor.

This soup quickly became a favorite in my home for its unique taste and ease of preparation.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 medium onion finely chopped, 2 large carrots peeled and diced, 2 celery stalks diced, 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced
  • Broth & Dairy: 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup sour cream, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • Pickles & Flavorings: 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped, 1/2 cup pickle brine (from the jar), 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped (or 1 tbsp dried dill), 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp dried thyme, Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery cook until softened about 5 minutes.
Step 2:
Stir in the potatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
Step 3:
Add the vegetable broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender about 15 minutes.
Step 4:
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until smooth. Stir this mixture into the soup and simmer until slightly thickened about 5 minutes.
Step 5:
Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the chopped pickles, pickle brine, and dill. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 6:
Turn off the heat. Whisk the sour cream in a separate bowl with a ladleful of hot soup to temper, then stir into the pot.
Step 7:
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with extra dill if desired.
A rich and flavorful bowl of creamy dill pickle soup, ready to be served hot. Save
A rich and flavorful bowl of creamy dill pickle soup, ready to be served hot. | forkta.com

Sharing this soup with my family brings warmth and joy during the cold months.

Required Tools

Large pot cutting board and knife whisk ladle

Allergen Information

Contains milk and sour cream (dairy) Contains wheat (flour) Always check pickle and broth labels for hidden allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories 285 Total Fat 13 g Carbohydrates 36 g Protein 6 g per serving

Hearty and warming, a close-up shows the delicious creamy dill pickle soup with fresh dill. Save
Hearty and warming, a close-up shows the delicious creamy dill pickle soup with fresh dill. | forkta.com

This soup is a delightful balance of tangy and creamy flavors that will brighten your winter meals.

Recipe FAQs

What gives this soup its tangy flavor?

The tanginess comes from finely chopped dill pickles and their brine, which provide a bright contrast to the creamy base.

Can I substitute the dairy ingredients for a vegan option?

Yes, plant-based alternatives for butter, milk, and sour cream can be used to maintain the creamy texture without dairy.

How do I thicken the soup properly?

A mixture of all-purpose flour and milk is whisked and added during simmering to gently thicken the soup to a smooth, creamy consistency.

What herbs enhance the flavor in this dish?

Fresh dill is the star herb, complemented by bay leaf and dried thyme, which add subtle earthy notes throughout cooking.

What dishes pair well with this creamy soup?

Serving with crusty rye bread or rolls complements the soup’s rich and tangy profile, adding a satisfying texture contrast.

Creamy Dill Pickle Soup

A tangy, creamy potato dish featuring dill pickles and fresh herbs for bright, rich flavor.

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
50 min
Created by Mia Parker


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Central European

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
04 2 celery stalks, diced
05 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced

Broth & Dairy

01 4 cups vegetable broth
02 1 cup whole milk
03 1 cup sour cream
04 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Pickles & Flavorings

01 1 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
02 1/2 cup pickle brine
03 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
04 1 bay leaf
05 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 Salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make It

Step 01

Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 02

Add Potatoes: Incorporate diced potatoes into the pot and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 03

Simmer with Broth and Herbs: Pour in vegetable broth, then add bay leaf and dried thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender, approximately 15 minutes.

Step 04

Thicken Soup: Whisk flour and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this mixture into the soup and simmer for 5 minutes until it slightly thickens.

Step 05

Incorporate Pickles and Dill: Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped dill pickles, pickle brine, and fresh dill. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 06

Temper and Add Sour Cream: Off the heat, whisk sour cream with a ladleful of hot soup to temper. Then stir the tempered sour cream into the pot evenly.

Step 07

Season and Serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot, optionally garnished with additional fresh dill.

Equipment Needed

  • Large pot
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Whisk
  • Ladle

Allergy Details

Check every item for allergens, and check with your doctor if you’re unsure.
  • Contains dairy (milk and sour cream).
  • Contains wheat (flour).
  • Check pickle and broth labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition Per Serving

For informational purposes; please consult your healthcare professional.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Protein: 6 g