Potato and Watercress Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, herbaceous soup where earthy potatoes meet peppery watercress, finished with a whisper of cream for balance. This general-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs potato, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

★ 4.0 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 General cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dice 300g peeled potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Finely chop 150g onion and mince 2 cloves garlic.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add diced potatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove pot from heat. Stir in 2 cups chopped watercress until wilted. Return to low heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Step 5: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup until creamy but still retaining potato chunks, or transfer to a blender in batches.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Potato and Watercress Soup take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Potato and Watercress Soup?

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 potato from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Potato and Watercress Soup?

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 Potato and Watercress Soup 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 Potato and Watercress Soup?

General 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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