Watercress soup is a vibrant and refreshing dish, packed with nutrients and a peppery kick that’s sure to awaken your taste buds. It’s the perfect choice for a light, healthy meal. For more flavorful ideas, explore my selection of healthy soup recipes.
It is a fantastic idea for anyone wishing to do a spring body cleansing or a detox to get their bodies ready for the summer. With relatively little preparation time, you can serve this dish to your guests in a jiffy.
Your guests will be all the more impressed by the vibrant green colors of the watercress soup.
What is watercress soup?
One can say that watercress soup is actually a puree of all the ingredients from the recipe with the addition of double cream and vegetable stock.
This lovely combination of flavours heroes the main ingredient of the dish, which is, of course, the watercress.
Where can I get watercress?
If you are asking yourself this question, you probably don’t use a lot of watercress. Watercress is very easy to buy.
As it is spring, it should be available in all the major supermarket chains. As the success of this soup strongly relies on the quality of the watercress, you should aim to visit your local farmer’s market.
There is nothing better and fresher than organically grown watercress bought directly from the producer.
Growing your own watercress
Have you ever tried growing any herbs of your own? Have your tried growing watercress?
If your answer is yes, you must comment below and let us know how it went! You can plant your seeds in your garden or in a pot a grow it indoors.
You will need to plant the seeds in fertile soil. As watercress requires more water than the average plant (a lot of moisture), the best option would be to grow it outside with our light UK showers doing the watering for you.
The watercress prefers sunshine, but can withstand shade as well. It will take roughly two months for you to harvest the watercress. Harvest time is from early spring to late summer.
Picking watercress
When you purchase fresh watercress in a pot, or you are growing some in your lovely garden, be cautious when you pick the leaves. Carefully pick the leaves, so you don’t damage the roots of the plant.
Otherwise it won’t grow again. Never take more than roughly a third of one plant. This will make the plant last longer.
Watercress storage
This plant is at its best when freshly picked. Unfortunately, watercress is not great for storage. It tends to wilt and turn a different colour by the third day in the fridge.
Make sure you use this fragile ingredient as soon as possible so you can get the best flavours in your dish. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the watercress.
It will lose all its flavour. Furthermore, it will be soggy once you defrost. Does anyone have any clever tips for storing salads or herbs in the fridge? Please leave a comment!
Cooking the watercress
Be very careful when you cook the watercress. It’s got a robust taste, but physically it’s a delicate ingredient. You can lose flavour intensity in seconds if you expose the watercress to too much heat.
The stock
I use vegetable stock for this watercress soup recipe. I enjoy making my own fresh vegetable stock out of any veggies I can find in my fridge.
This way, the flavour is more intense and the dish healthier. You can be sure that in a fresh vegetable stock you won’t find any flavour additives or enhancers like in bouillon.
If you ran out of vegetable stock, you can also use chicken stock for your watercress soup. The taste won’t differ too much.
The potato
The potato plays an important role in the water cress soup. The potatoes help thicken the soup and also mellows the bite of the watercress.
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You can modify the taste of the watercress soup. If you want a stronger watercress flavour to come through, simple add less potato.
The right consistency
As mentioned above, you can add the potato and it will help get the watercress a thicker consistency. If your watercress soup is too thick, don’t panic.
Add more vegetable stock or water to make it more like a soup, and less like a puree. My trusted Froothie blender makes life so much easier!
Other ingredients you can add
You can also mix these ingredients into your watercress soup:
- Spinach – great in terms of fibre. Slightly bitter taste.
- Leek – will add a bit of sweetness to the dish. Will cut through the bitterness of the watercress.
- Lemon juice – will give the dish a boost of Vitamin C. Little acidity will complement the freshness of the water cress soup very well.
- Celery – will add a nice crisp flavour. It will also make the watercress soup more aromatic.
Substitutes
I used double cream as a dressing option. If you are lactose intolerant or vegan, then you can simply leave this step out.
If you have a great bio or vegan shop near you, you can use lactose-free cream, which is a bit trickier to find.
Vegan friendly
With the omission of the cream and butter, this beautiful watercress soup is a fantastic dish for vegans and vegetarians. If you wish to add protein to the dish, sprinkle with some roasted pine nuts. This dish will keep your energy levels up all day!
Herbs
I like to top off this dish with thyme. It looks very inviting and adds even more freshness to the dish. You can also use:
- Rosemary – if you like bitter flavours, then rosemary is the herb for you.
- Chives – will add another element of freshness and a different texture to the soup.
- Parsley – a classic favourite.
Storage of the watercress soup
Place the watercress soup in your fridge. Make sure you consume the soup within a couple of days while it’s still fresh.
You can also freeze the soup once it’s cool and done. This way you won’t have to worry about preparing dinner for one night of the week.
Hot or Cold
You can serve the watercress soup as a hot meal and as a cold meal. This decision is 100% yours! My preference is towards serving it hot. I find it more filling when it’s warm.
Serving Suggestions
There are plenty of things you can serve this dish with. I already mentioned some herbs and the addition of double cream. You can also serve these with the watercress soup:
- Parmesan – will make the soup more salty and intense.
- Croutons – adds great crunch. Kids will love it!
- Olive oil – drizzle in tiny amounts to add more flavour.
- Nuts – I think pine nuts will make a lovely addition.
If you enjoyed this recipe and wish to read more on healthy dishes, you can visit these:
More smooth vegetable soup recipes
Need some more soup for the soul? Check out these divine recipes.
- Zucchini and leek soup
- Marrow soup
- Wild garlic soup
- Leek and onion soup
- Pumpkin and sweet potato soup
📖 Recipe
Watercress Soup
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 15ml (1 tbsp) butter
- 15ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil
- 400g (1lb) peeled potatoes, sliced
- 750ml (3 cups) vegetable stock
- 150g (5oz) watercress, washed
- Double cream, optional
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Gently fry the onion and garlic in the butter and oil, in a large saucepan, until softened.
- Add the potatoes and stock to the onion mixture.
- Place the lid on the pot and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Add the watercress, give it a stir and let simmer for about 1 minute until the green have just wilted.
- Remove from the heat, pour the contents in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Season to taste and serve with a dash of cream.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the watercress. It’s got a robust taste but physically it’s a delicate ingredient.
- The potatoes help thicken the soup and also mellows the bite of the watercress. Use less potato if you want a stronger watercress flavour to come through.
- If the soup’s consistency is too thick for your liking, add more vegetable stock or water.
- Substitute the butter with oil to make the soup completely vegan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 174
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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D.Oreilly
I loved watercress, when as a child my Mother would make Fresh (never from a packet) Watercress sandwich with sprinkling of salt, I buy from supermarket now, but not very often though, it just don't have that peppery taste it did have. 🙁
Michelle Minnaar
Oh, I feel your pain. Don't even get me started on the insipid tomatoes you get in the supermarkets. Homegrown is simply the best!
Gill plank
We moved to a house with a pond which is fed by an underground spring, this flowing out down a stream to the river at bottom of the garden. I found my own supply of watercress growing on the banks of the pond so have a plentiful supply of it. I love the stuff & know it’s good for my blood etc. Soup it also good for using up a glut of the stuff when it grows too quickly. I wash it thoroughly in several lots of water & lastly in salt water just to make sure it’s clean.
Natalie Crossan
in salads xxx
George Wright
I enjoy it in salads & sandwiches, as a garnish with steak and made into soup.
Helen
as soup
donna l jones
im my sandwich
Ian Murray
i like it in a soup. chilli chicken and watercress soup. yum.
Diana
In egg sandwich 🙂
katie w
in a salad or an egg & cress sandwich
Deborah Bird
Usually just in a salad! I would love to learn some new ways to use it. This soup sounds delicious!
Sue Dorking
I love watercress in a salad but will have to try the soup!
Emma Smith
I love to add watercress to my mash potatoes and then serve it with smoked haddock and a poached egg
susan hoggett
I like it in salad sandwich on crusty brown bread
Cherry Edwards
In a salad or in a sandwich
Richard Tyler
Def.in EGGY Sandwiches 🙂
michelle
Good choice, Richard!
Emily Clark
I love it on top of a pizza. Nice peppery taste!
C
Hmmm I don't actually see the recipe here. Am I just missing it? Where can I find it?
Isis
Wonderful soup. Changed recipe to bone broth for the collagen and protein, used a basil infused oil to sauté the onions, used my food processor to chop the onions and potatoes (separately) very finely, then after onions reached a gold color n the pan, I added the potatoes and sautéed for another 3-5 minutes to get a little carmelization. Added the bone broth, 2 cups of water, Cooked for 10 min, added the watercress for 1 min. Blended until velvety smooth for 90 seconds. The addition of the bone broth made a velvety rich smooth soup without any dairy and the flavors are out of this world amazing. Thank you for the inspiration!
Sam R
with egg mayo in a baguette or sandwich! it always reminds me of summer x
Iris W
I have to admit I have never been very adventurous when using watercress apart from adding it to egg sandwiches or on a salad. That soup looks delicious I will have to try this
Solange
In a salad.
Jo Carroll
I love it in an egg sarnie. x
Kat Lucas
I like to have it on a sandwich
Chris @thinlyspread
Hoorah! I have a bunch of beautiful watercress in my fridge right now - that's lunch sorted! Such an informative post as always 🙂
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
What a beautiful soup, such a verdant green! Perfect for spring.
Kim Neville
I like it in egg or chicken salad sandwiches
Kerry Taylor
With rocket in pasta! Yummy!
Tracey Peach
I love watercress in a salad the best I also love it in a sandwich too 🙂 x
amy bondoc
i mix it with spinach and eat it as it is!
erin madden
With egg in a sandwhich
laura banks
ive only really ever had it in soup
Tracy Nixon
I enjoy salmon with a watercress sauce served wth mash!
stuart hargreaves
AS A SALAD, I LOVE THAT PEPPERY TASTE
Fiona
In a salad!