Vegetarian Harissa-Spiked Creamy Parsnip Soup

By
Katie Workman
Katie Workman
Award-winning food writer, blogger, and author of two cookbooks. She frequently appears on broadcast media sharing her expertise.
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Updated on 07/25/21
Vegetarian harissa spiked creamy parsnip soup recipe

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
118 Calories
6g Fat
15g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 118
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Sodium 496mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 10mg 52%
Calcium 44mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 334mg 7%
*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.)

Parsnips are a root vegetable, related to both carrots and parsley. They are shaped like carrots, sometimes much larger, and usually a bit wider at the base, with a creamy yellow-beige skin and interior. Parsnips can be used in the same ways as carrots, though their flavor is notably sweeter, especially when cooked. You can also get baby parsnips, and if you are planning to use them raw, these are the best, as they won’t have the woody core that the larger parsnips often have. If your kid is old enough to use a vegetable peeler, you can have them help in the kitchen by peeling the parsnips.

This soup is a nice change of pace from other pureed vegetable soups, but you could also make this with rutabagas, or a combination of both rutabagas and parsnips. Harissa is a spicy sauce made from chili peppers, paprika, and olive oil and is used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. It adds a great pop of flavor to all kinds of dishes; I always love finding new hot sauces and pastes to play around with. You can start with a teaspoon or two and work your way up if your family likes a milder hint of heat in their soups. 

Ingredients

  • 6 medium parsnips, peeled

  • 5 cups vegetable broth, divided

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

  • 1 tablespoon harissa, or to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for vegetarian harissa spiked creamy parsnip soup
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. Cut the parsnips into slices.

    Cut parsnips
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Combine them with the broth in a pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover the pot, lower the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 30 minutes until the parsnips are very tender. Allow the vegetables and broth to cool slightly.

    Put in pot
    ​The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. Puree the parsnips and the broth left in the pot (there should be about 2 cups left) in a food processor or blender.

    Puree parnsips
    ​The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. Add the cream and harissa and process again until smooth.

    Add the cream
    ​The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  6. Return to the pot and add the remaining 2 cups vegetable broth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

    Soup
    ​The Spruce / Cara Cormack 

  7. Serve warm and enjoy!

    Vegetarian harissa spiked creamy parsnip soup
    ​The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Blender Warning

Steam from hot ingredients can expand quickly in a blender, causing burns and splattering everywhere. To prevent this, fill the blender only 1/3 of the way, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.

If you're really enjoying the heat and taste of harissa, try this Harissa-Spiked Parsnip Puree. Other spicy sauces that I've tried include the Korean fermented chili paste called gochujang, which I used in this Spicy Greens Salad with Gochujang Dressing. And probably the most well-known, I've found that a squirt of Sriracha sauce is great on almost anything. Try Sriracha Mayo, Carrot Fries with Sriracha Sauce, or Tortilla-Crusted Tilapia with Sriracha Sauce.