I absolutely love this Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe because it’s a delightful twist on classic potato soup with that unmistakable tangy punch only dill pickles can deliver. It’s comforting and creamy, yet bright and a little zesty—perfect for a cozy night in or when you want something a bit unexpected but still totally homey. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself craving this unique flavor combo again and again.
When I first made this soup, I was amazed by how the pickle brine and chunks transform the whole dish into something so much more lively than your typical potato soup. It works amazingly well as a lunch or dinner soup, especially when you want to impress guests with something simple but surprisingly flavorful. The balance between creamy sour cream and tart pickles makes it a winner every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combo: The tartness from pickles perfectly complements the creamy potatoes for a deliciously balanced soup.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these staples in your kitchen already, making this soup easy and quick to whip up.
- Comfort Food with a Twist: It’s just as cozy as classic potato soup but with an exciting dill pickle punch that keeps things interesting.
- Great Make-Ahead Meal: This soup stores beautifully, so leftovers mean more cozy meals without extra work.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients come together wonderfully, blending creamy textures with tangy dill pickle flavor. When shopping, look for fresh, crisp pickles and good-quality chicken broth to really make this soup shine.
- Chicken broth: A rich broth is the base for our soup’s savory flavor, so don’t skip on a good quality one.
- Frozen Southern-style hash browns: These small diced potatoes cook evenly and give the perfect soup texture without the work of peeling and chopping.
- Carrots: Finely diced for subtle sweetness and color contrast.
- Onion: Adds a foundational layer of flavor; I prefer yellow or white onions.
- Dill pickles: The star of the show—choose crunchy ones for nice texture.
- Pickle brine: This really amps up the dill pickle flavor throughout the soup.
- Sour cream: For that creamy tang, plus it helps mellow out the acidity of the pickles.
- All-purpose flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the soup.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps soften vegetables as they cook.
- Old Bay seasoning: Gives a subtle depth with herbs and spices that blend beautifully with the soup’s other flavors.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): A little heat to wake up the taste buds, though you can skip if you prefer milder flavors.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground is best for finishing the soup.
- Pickle slices for garnish: Adds crunch and an extra splash of vinegar brightness right on top.
Variations
Just like any great comfort food, I love to tweak this Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe depending on what mood I’m in or what I have on hand. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
- Vegetarian version: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth—my meat-free friends always enjoy it just as much!
- Extra crunch: Stir in some crumbled bacon or top with fried shallots for a smoky, crunchy twist.
- More veggies: Add celery or a handful of spinach for an extra dose of greens without overpowering the pickle flavor.
- Dairy-free: Try substituting sour cream with coconut cream or a creamy cashew sauce to keep it smooth and tangy.
How to Make Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe
Step 1: Softening the Veggies and Potatoes
Start by melting the butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Then toss in your frozen hash browns, finely diced carrots, and onions. Cover the pot and let everything soften gently for about five minutes, stirring now and then to make sure nothing sticks or browns too quickly. This step is key to getting those tender, well-cooked veggies that form the base of your soup.
Step 2: Thickening the Soup with Flour
Once your veggies have softened, sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir it in well. This helps thicken the soup as it cooks, so don’t skip this part. Stir constantly to avoid lumps forming and create a nice, smooth base for the broth and brine.
Step 3: Adding Broth, Brine, and Pickles
Slowly pour in your chicken broth followed by the pickle brine, stirring all the while to combine everything evenly. Add in the chopped dill pickles, Old Bay seasoning, cayenne pepper if you’re using it, and give everything a good stir. This is where the amazing dill pickle flavor really starts to come alive in your pot!
Step 4: Simmer to Perfection
Bring the soup to a boil while stirring constantly, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently until the carrots and potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the veggies are soft and the soup has thickened nicely. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Stir in Sour Cream and Finish
Remove the soup from heat and stir in one cup of the sour cream. This adds that creamy tang that rounds out the flavors perfectly. Taste and adjust seasoning with black pepper if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with extra sour cream, pickle slices, and fresh dill if you have it on hand, then serve it warm and watch everyone fall in love with the flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe
- Use Southern-Style Hash Browns: These small diced potatoes cook evenly and give a great texture without extra chopping.
- Don’t Skip the Pickle Brine: It’s what truly elevates the soup, adding tang and complexity beyond just adding chopped pickles.
- Stir Constantly When Adding Flour: This prevents clumps and ensures a smooth, velvety soup base.
- Add Sour Cream Off Heat: To prevent curdling, always stir in the sour cream only after removing the soup pot from heat.
How to Serve Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this soup with an extra dollop of sour cream and a few crisp pickle slices for that fun crunch and visual pop. Sometimes I’ll add fresh dill or chives for a burst of herbal freshness that really brightens each spoonful. These simple garnishes take the soup from delicious to downright irresistible.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or warm garlic rolls for dipping. I often serve it alongside a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies to round out the meal with some fresh textures. For a heartier option, grilled cheese sandwiches or sausage links make fantastic companions that your family will love.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions or dinner parties, I’ve served the Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe in mini bread bowls—guests are always impressed! You could also drizzle a little dill-infused olive oil across the top or sprinkle some crispy fried onions to jazz up each bowl. It makes the humble soup feel a bit fancy and festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge, and it usually lasts about 3 to 4 days. Interestingly, the flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next day’s meal even better! Just make sure to stir well before reheating.
Freezing
I’ve had good success freezing this soup, but I recommend freezing it without the sour cream to keep the texture smooth. Freeze in portion-sized containers for easy thawing. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and stir in fresh sour cream when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over low heat to avoid curdling or breaking the cream. Stir often until heated through, then finish by stirring in any additional sour cream or garnishes you like. Avoid boiling the soup once the sour cream’s added for the best texture.
FAQs
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Can I make Dill Pickle Potato Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the chicken broth for your favorite vegetable broth and keep all other ingredients the same for a tasty vegetarian version packed with flavor.
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What kind of pickles work best?
I prefer crunchy dill pickles with lots of flavor rather than sweet bread-and-butter varieties. The tanginess comes through best and balances nicely against the soup’s creaminess.
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Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen hash browns?
You can, but it takes more prep. Peel and dice fresh potatoes into small, even cubes to ensure they cook thoroughly. Just be sure to simmer a bit longer until the potatoes are tender.
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Why add pickle brine to the soup?
The pickle brine infuses the soup with that signature tangy, slightly salty flavor throughout, giving the soup depth beyond just chopped pickles. It’s a game-changer and really brings the dill pickle essence forward.
Final Thoughts
I truly think this Dill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe is a fun, comforting dish that deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. It’s simple to make, uses ingredients you probably already have on hand, and delivers a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. If you love classic potato soup but want to shake things up, give this a go—I promise, you and your family will be asking for seconds!
PrintDill Pickle Potato Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty and tangy Dill Pickle Potato Soup combines creamy potatoes, tender carrots, and zesty dill pickles in a flavorful broth enriched with sour cream. Perfect for a comforting meal, this soup balances savory and sour notes with a hint of spice from Old Bay seasoning and cayenne, making it a unique and delicious dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Broth and Base
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pickle brine
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Vegetables and Pickles
- 4 cups frozen Southern-style hash browns (small cubes)
- 2 cups carrots, finely diced
- 1 cup onion, finely diced
- 3 large dill pickles, chopped
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup sour cream, plus more for garnish
- 1-2 dill pickles, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cook Vegetables: Melt the unsalted butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the frozen hash browns, finely diced carrots, and onions. Cover the pot and allow the vegetables to soften, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
- Add Flour to Thicken: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the softened vegetables and stir well to evenly incorporate it. This step helps thicken the soup base.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the chicken broth and pickle brine while stirring to prevent lumps. Add the chopped dill pickles, Old Bay seasoning, cayenne pepper (if using), and black pepper to taste. Stir everything to combine.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a boil while stirring constantly. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender and the flavors have melded.
- Finish with Sour Cream: Remove the soup from heat and stir in one cup of sour cream until fully incorporated, creating a creamy and tangy finish.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with additional sour cream, sliced dill pickles, and fresh dill if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit any animal-derived ingredients.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to control the soup’s spiciness according to your preference.
- Use fresh dill or dill weed as garnish for added fresh herb flavor and aroma.
- Be sure to stir constantly when adding liquid after flour to avoid lumps.
- Sour cream can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a healthier option with similar creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg