Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup

This creamy roasted garlic soup is perfect when you want something comforting yet elegant made from simple ingredients. It’s a great way to enjoy the mellow sweetness of garlic enhanced by a rich, silky texture that feels indulgent but is straightforward to prepare.

I first made this soup on a chilly evening when I wanted something soothing yet flavorful. It quickly became a favorite and now I turn to it whenever I need a little kitchen coziness.

Ingredients

• Roasted garlic heads: provide soft caramelized garlic flavor, roasting them until tender enhances their natural sweetness
• Olive oil: for roasting and frying, choose a good quality extra virgin one for the best aroma
• Sea salt: to bring out all the flavors in the soup without overpowering
• Garlic cloves: thinly sliced create crispy garlic chips which add texture
• Crushed red pepper: adds a kick to the chili oil, balancing the creaminess with some heat
• Unsalted butter and olive oil: used for sautéing add depth and richness
• Potato: lends body and creaminess when blended, pick a starchy type like Russet for smooth texture
• Yellow onion: offers a mild sweetness that supports the garlic’s flavor, fresh and firm for the best results
• Fresh thyme sprigs: infuse an herby note, avoid dried here because fresh gives brightness
• Chicken or vegetable broth: builds the soup base, homemade or a good quality low-sodium store-bought works well
• Heavy cream: enriches the soup, adding a velvety finish

Instructions

Build The Roasted Garlic:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the tops off the garlic heads so the cloves are exposed. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt. Wrap loosely in foil and roast for about 40 minutes until the garlic is golden and soft when pierced. This step caramelizes the garlic, turning its raw sharpness into sweet, mellow magic.

Make The Garlic Chips and Chili Oil:

While the garlic roasts, heat a quarter cup of olive oil over low heat in a small pan. Add the thinly sliced garlic cloves and one teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cook gently until the slices are golden brown and crisp. Be attentive here as garlic burns quickly and turns bitter. Remove the garlic chips with a slotted spoon and keep the spicy oil for drizzle.

Sauté Aromatics and Veggies:

In a large soup pot, heat one tablespoon olive oil and one tablespoon unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and potato. Cook gently, stirring often until the onions are translucent and the potatoes start to soften about 8 to 10 minutes. This creates a flavorful base that melds beautifully with the roasted garlic.

Add Seasonings and Broth:

Stir in sea salt, crushed red pepper, black pepper, and the fresh thyme sprigs. Pour two cups of chicken or vegetable broth over the veggies. Bring to a gentle simmer and cover. Let cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, usually about 15 minutes. This step lets the herbs and spices infuse throughout.

Incorporate Roasted Garlic and Blend:

Squeeze the softened cloves out of their skins directly into the pot. Remove the thyme sprigs. Using an immersion blender blend the soup until silky smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, carefully transfer to a countertop blender in batches. This becomes the luxurious creamy texture that makes this soup memorable.

Finish With Cream:

Return the blended soup to low heat if needed. Stir in the heavy cream and let it warm through for a couple of minutes without boiling. This adds richness and rounds out the flavors, making the soup luscious and comforting.

Serve and Garnish:

Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle with the reserved chili oil and scatter garlic chips on top. Garnish with a few fresh thyme sprigs if desired. The chili oil provides a spicy contrast while the garlic chips give crunch to each spoonful.

The roasted garlic is the star here, turning raw pungency into something sweet and mellow that fills your home while cooking. The garlic chips and chili oil elevate this humble soup into something special. A memorable moment for me was sharing this soup with close friends during a snowy weekend, each bowl warming both body and spirit.

Storage Tips

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stove so the cream does not separate. Garlic chips are best added fresh to maintain their crispiness, so keep them separate until serving.

Ingredient Swaps

For dairy-free version substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream for richness. Use vegetable broth to keep the soup vegetarian or vegan. If you prefer less heat, reduce crushed red pepper or omit in the chili oil drizzle.

Serving Ideas

Serve with rustic crusty bread or garlic toast for dipping. A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs nicely to balance the richness. For an elegant touch, stir in a spoonful of crème fraîche or a handful of grated Parmesan just before serving.

This creamy roasted garlic soup combines simple technique with elegant flavor for a dish your whole family will adore.

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

→ How do you roast garlic to enhance its flavor?

Roasting garlic softens its sharpness and brings out a natural sweetness. Roast whole heads in olive oil until golden and caramelized.

→ What purpose do the garlic chips serve in this dish?

Thinly sliced garlic fried until crispy adds a crunchy texture and bursts of intense garlic flavor to balance the creamy soup.

→ Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

Yes, vegetable broth works well and keeps the soup suitable for vegetarians, maintaining a rich and savory base.

→ What does the chili oil drizzle contribute?

The chili oil brings a gentle warmth and slight spiciness that complements the mellow roasted garlic and adds depth to the flavor profile.

→ How do you achieve a smooth texture in the soup?

Blending the cooked ingredients until velvety smooth, combined with the addition of cream, creates the soup’s luscious consistency.

→ Is fresh thyme essential in this preparation?

Fresh thyme adds aromatic earthiness and bright herbaceous notes that elevate the overall flavor balance of the soup.