Rustic German Potato Soup – A cozy, hearty, old-world classic inspired by traditional German cooking

🎉 Introduction

Rustic German Potato Soup is a warm, deeply comforting bowl inspired by the hearty soups of rural Germany. Creamy potatoes mingle with tender vegetables, savory turkey bacon or smoked turkey sausage (always pork-free!), and aromatic herbs to create a rich, filling soup perfect for cold weather or cozy evenings.

This soup has an old-world charm — simple ingredients, slow-simmered flavor, and the kind of rustic warmth that feels like a hug in a bowl. Thick, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying, it’s a timeless recipe your whole family will love.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board & knife
• Wooden spoon
• Potato masher
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Ladle

🛒 Ingredients

Base

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped

Potatoes & Broth

• 5–6 Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled & diced
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram (classic German herb)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Protein (German-style, pork-free!)

Choose one:

• 1–1½ cups chopped smoked turkey sausage
• OR ½–1 cup crispy turkey bacon pieces
• OR 1 cup diced cooked chicken for a lighter version

Creamy Finish (optional but delicious)

• ½–1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• 1 tablespoon butter

Garnishes

• Fresh parsley
• Chives
• Extra turkey bacon
• Cracked pepper

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Sauté aromatics

Heat olive oil and butter in a soup pot over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, and celery.
Cook 6–7 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

Step 2: Add potatoes & seasoning

Add diced potatoes, marjoram, thyme, bay leaf, pepper, and salt.
Stir to coat vegetables in the aromatic seasonings.

Step 3: Add broth

Pour in chicken or vegetable broth + 1 cup water.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat.
Simmer 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes are very tender.

Step 4: Thicken the soup

Remove bay leaf.
Use a potato masher to mash about ⅓ of the potatoes directly in the pot.
This creates the classic thick, rustic texture.

Step 5: Add turkey sausage or turkey bacon

Stir in smoked turkey sausage or crispy turkey bacon.
Simmer 5–10 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 6: Add creamy finish (optional)

Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream + an extra tablespoon of butter.
Simmer on LOW for 3 minutes — do not boil.

Step 7: Serve

Ladle into bowls and top with parsley, chives, and extra turkey bacon if desired.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Serves: 5–6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate 3–4 days
• Potato soups thicken in the fridge — add broth or water when reheating
• Reheat gently over low heat to avoid splitting the cream
• Freezes well without cream added; add cream after thawing

🥄 Variations

• German Leek Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe mit Lauch)
  Add sliced leeks with the onions.
• Pureed Silky Version
  Blend the entire soup until smooth for a velvety style.
• Vegetarian Version
  Skip turkey sausage and add mushrooms + smoked paprika.
• Oktoberfest Version
  Use smoky turkey sausage + extra marjoram for bold flavor.
• Root Vegetable Blend
  Add turnips or parsnips for more old-world heartiness.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What potatoes work best?
   Yukon golds make it creamy; russets make it thicker.
2. Can I use fresh herbs?
   Yes — add them at the end for better flavor.
3. Is marjoram necessary?
   It’s traditional in German soups, but thyme-only also works.
4. Can I add cabbage?
   Absolutely — add sliced cabbage to simmer with the potatoes.
5. Can I make it dairy-free?
   Yes — use coconut cream or leave it non-creamy.
6. Can I use chicken instead of turkey sausage?
   Yes — diced or shredded chicken works well.
7. Can I add cheese?
   It’s not traditional, but mild cheddar melts nicely.
8. Why mash only part of the soup?
   It thickens the soup while keeping rustic chunks.
9. Can I slow-cook this?
   Yes — LOW 6–7 hours; add cream at the end.
10. Is this kid-friendly?
    Very! Mild flavors and creamy texture make it a hit.

🏁 Conclusion

Rustic German Potato Soup is hearty, creamy, and full of warm, old-world flavor. With tender potatoes, savory aromatics, and smoky turkey sausage or turkey bacon, it delivers a deeply comforting, satisfying bowl that feels both nostalgic and nourishing. Perfect for chilly days, busy weeknights, or whenever you crave a simple, wholesome meal — this classic soup is sure to become a favorite.

Rustic German Potato Soup – A cozy, hearty, old-world classic inspired by traditional German cooking

Rustic German Potato Soup is a warm, deeply comforting bowl inspired by the hearty soups of rural Germany. Creamy potatoes mingle with tender vegetables, savory turkey bacon or smoked turkey sausage (always pork-free!), and aromatic herbs to create a rich, filling soup perfect for cold weather or cozy evenings. This soup has an old-world charm — simple ingredients, slow-simmered flavor, and the kind of rustic warmth that feels like a hug in a bowl. Thick, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying, it’s a timeless recipe your whole family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

Base

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3 carrots sliced
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• Potatoes & Broth
• 5 –6 Yukon gold or russet potatoes peeled & diced
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram classic German herb
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Protein German-style, pork-free!

Choose one:

• 1 –1½ cups chopped smoked turkey sausage
• OR ½–1 cup crispy turkey bacon pieces
• OR 1 cup diced cooked chicken for a lighter version
• Creamy Finish optional but delicious
• ½ –1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Garnishes
• Fresh parsley
• Chives
• Extra turkey bacon
• Cracked pepper

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Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board & knife
• Wooden spoon
• Potato masher
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Ladle

Method

 

Step 1: Sauté aromatics

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery.
3. Cook 6–7 minutes until softened.
4. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

Step 2: Add potatoes & seasoning

1. Add diced potatoes, marjoram, thyme, bay leaf, pepper, and salt.
2. Stir to coat vegetables in the aromatic seasonings.

Step 3: Add broth

1. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth + 1 cup water.
2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat.
3. Simmer 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes are very tender.

Step 4: Thicken the soup

1. Remove bay leaf.
2. Use a potato masher to mash about ⅓ of the potatoes directly in the pot.
3. This creates the classic thick, rustic texture.

Step 5: Add turkey sausage or turkey bacon

1. Stir in smoked turkey sausage or crispy turkey bacon.
2. Simmer 5–10 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 6: Add creamy finish (optional)

1. Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream + an extra tablespoon of butter.
2. Simmer on LOW for 3 minutes — do not boil.

Step 7: Serve

1. Ladle into bowls and top with parsley, chives, and extra turkey bacon if desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate 3–4 days

Potato soups thicken in the fridge — add broth or water when reheating

Reheat gently over low heat to avoid splitting the cream

Freezes well without cream added; add cream after thawing

🥄 Variations

German Leek Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe mit Lauch)
Add sliced leeks with the onions.

Pureed Silky Version
Blend the entire soup until smooth for a velvety style.

Vegetarian Version
Skip turkey sausage and add mushrooms + smoked paprika.

Oktoberfest Version
Use smoky turkey sausage + extra marjoram for bold flavor.

Root Vegetable Blend
Add turnips or parsnips for more old-world heartiness.

❓ 10 FAQs

What potatoes work best?
Yukon golds make it creamy; russets make it thicker.

Can I use fresh herbs?
Yes — add them at the end for better flavor.

Is marjoram necessary?
It’s traditional in German soups, but thyme-only also works.

Can I add cabbage?
Absolutely — add sliced cabbage to simmer with the potatoes.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes — use coconut cream or leave it non-creamy.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey sausage?
Yes — diced or shredded chicken works well.

Can I add cheese?
It’s not traditional, but mild cheddar melts nicely.

Why mash only part of the soup?
It thickens the soup while keeping rustic chunks.

Can I slow-cook this?
Yes — LOW 6–7 hours; add cream at the end.

Is this kid-friendly?
Very! Mild flavors and creamy texture make it a hit.

🏁 Conclusion

Rustic German Potato Soup is hearty, creamy, and full of warm, old-world flavor. With tender potatoes, savory aromatics, and smoky turkey sausage or turkey bacon, it delivers a deeply comforting, satisfying bowl that feels both nostalgic and nourishing. Perfect for chilly days, busy weeknights, or whenever you crave a simple, wholesome meal — this classic soup is sure to become a favorite.