Creamy Dill Pickle Soup

Featured in: Snack Time Heroes

This comforting soup combines diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions cooked in a savory vegetable broth. Cream and flour create a smooth texture, while chopped dill pickles, pickle brine, and fresh dill add a vibrant, tangy brightness. Simmered gently with herbs like thyme and bay leaf, this soup offers a satisfying balance of creamy richness and bold flavor, perfect for warming up during colder months.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:57:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of creamy dill pickle soup, brimming with pickles and fresh dill, ready to eat. Save
Steaming bowl of creamy dill pickle soup, brimming with pickles and fresh dill, ready to eat. | williesnack.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 family favorite last winter when we were looking for something comforting and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
  • Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Carrots: 2 large, peeled and diced
  • Celery stalks: 2, diced
  • Russet potatoes: 3 medium, peeled and diced
  • Vegetable broth: 4 cups
  • Whole milk: 1 cup
  • Sour cream: 1 cup
  • All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp
  • Dill pickles: 1 cup, finely chopped
  • Pickle brine: 1/2 cup (from the jar)
  • Fresh dill: 2 tbsp, chopped or 1 tbsp dried dill
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Dried thyme: 1 tsp
  • 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.
Thick, comforting creamy dill pickle soup, perfect with a crusty roll and a delightful dill pickle. Save
Thick, comforting creamy dill pickle soup, perfect with a crusty roll and a delightful dill pickle. | williesnack.com

Our family loves gathering around the table to share this warm soup, especially on chilly evenings.

Notes

For a vegan version, use plant-based butter, milk, and sour cream. Add a touch of smoked paprika for extra depth. Serve with rye bread or crusty rolls.

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.

Close-up of creamy dill pickle soup, a hearty vegetarian soup with visible pickle and potato chunks. Save
Close-up of creamy dill pickle soup, a hearty vegetarian soup with visible pickle and potato chunks. | williesnack.com

This soup is perfect for cozy nights and will impress guests with its unique tangy twist.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What makes the soup creamy and tangy?

The creaminess comes from the combination of sour cream and whole milk mixed with flour, while chopped dill pickles and pickle brine provide the signature tangy brightness.

Can I make this soup vegan?

Yes, substitute plant-based butter, milk, and sour cream to create a vegan-friendly version with similar creamy texture and flavor.

How do herbs enhance the flavor?

Bay leaf and thyme add a subtle earthy background that complements the tanginess of dill and pickles, enriching the overall flavor profile.

What side dishes pair well with this soup?

Crusty rye bread or rolls are excellent companions, providing a hearty contrast to the smooth and tangy elements of the soup.

How long does it take to prepare and cook?

Preparation takes about 15 minutes, with 35 minutes of simmering to tenderize vegetables and develop flavor, totaling roughly 50 minutes.

Creamy Dill Pickle Soup

Rich and tangy potato soup brightened by chopped dill pickles and creamy dairy elements.

Prep time
15 min
Time to cook
35 min
Total duration
50 min
Created by Willie Cooper


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Central European

Total yield 4 Number of servings

Dietary notes Vegetarian-friendly

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 ½ 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 Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 02

Add Potatoes: Incorporate diced potatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 03

Simmer Vegetables: Pour in vegetable broth, add bay leaf and thyme, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, approximately 15 minutes.

Step 04

Prepare Thickening Mixture: Whisk together flour and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Stir into the soup and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 05

Add Pickles and Herbs: Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped dill pickles, pickle brine, and dill. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 06

Incorporate Sour Cream: Tempering sour cream by whisking it with a ladle of hot soup separately, then stirring it into the pot off the heat.

Step 07

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

Tools you'll need

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

Allergy details

Review ingredients for potential allergens and ask a medical expert if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (milk and sour cream)
  • Contains wheat (all-purpose flour)
  • Check pickle and broth labels for hidden allergens

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional info is for reference only. For health questions, check with a medical professional.
  • Energy: 285
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 6 g