Česnečka (Czech Garlic Soup)

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
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Updated on 12/20/21
Česnečka (Czech Garlic Soup)

 ALLEKO/Getty Images

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
385 Calories
14g Fat
50g Carbs
15g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 385
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 771mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 17mg 86%
Calcium 99mg 8%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 1235mg 26%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This Czech garlic soup recipe or česnečka is said to be the number one hangover cure in the Czech Republic.

It's a simple affair of broth, potatoes, garlic, and onions. This soup is so quick to make that many housewives and mothers rise early in the morning to stir up a pot of this easy dish for their spouses and family members after a night of partying.

Garlic soup is by no means the only food eaten to chase away the effects of enthusiastic celebrations.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons bacon fat, or unsalted butter

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced

  • 6 cups chicken stock, or beef stock, hot

  • 2 large potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed, optional

  • Croutons, for garnish

  • Grated cheese, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt bacon fat or butter. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent.

  2. Add hot stock and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, return to the boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender.

  3. Adjust seasoning and, for a stronger garlic taste, add 3 cloves crushed garlic (not minced). Serve immediately with croutons and grated cheese of choice.

More Garlic Soup Recipes

  • Spanish Garlic Soup Recipe: This peasant dish is traditional in the colder regions of Spain where soups and stews are eaten daily. This recipe makes use of stale bread.

  • Georgian Lamb and Rice Soup Recipe: This traditional Georgian soup has a healthy dose of garlic cloves along with lamb shoulder, rice and chopped sour plum roll known as tklapi.

  • Bulgarian Cold Cucumber Soup Recipe: This soup is known as tarator in Bulgarian and it is a refreshing cold soup loaded with fresh cucumbers, garlic, yogurt, walnuts, and day-old bread.​

  • Vegan Roasted Garlic and Lemon Soup Recipe: This creamy soup combines roasted garlic and lemon to offer brightness and a fresh-tasting finish.

  • Garlic Tonic Soup Recipe: Garlic has long been touted as a healing vegetable. Even though this recipe calls for an entire head of garlic, the soup is soothing, mellow and mild. It can be used at the first sign of a cold or other illness or enjoyed regularly to support a healthy immune system.