Creamy Carrot and Celery Soup with Thyme

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smooth, vegetable-forward soup where carrots and celery are pureed into a velvety base with subtle thyme notes. This french-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs butter, large (finely diced) onion, (peeled and diced) carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 French cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large finely diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 diced peeled carrots and 2 diced celery stalks to pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and add 1/2 tsp dried thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
  4. Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth (or transfer to blender in batches).
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 more minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Creamy Carrot and Celery Soup with Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Creamy Carrot and Celery Soup with Thyme?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Carrot and Celery Soup with Thyme?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Creamy Carrot and Celery Soup with Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Creamy Carrot and Celery Soup with Thyme?

French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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