This farm to table fall parsnip soup, pairs roasted parsnips with pears, for a wonderful way to enjoy parsnips!
This parsnip soup inspiration came from that old saying "If it grows together, it goes together", so I combined some Fall fruit with my Fall root vegetables and was richly rewarded with a beautiful pot of soup.
Parsnips make a beautiful soup and combining them with pears makes for the most surprisingly delicious soup! I highly recommend it, even for people who think they don't like parsnips. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Don't skip the garnishes. The goat cheese crumbles and finely chopped walnuts take this delicious soup over the top.
Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup
Ingredients
Roasted Parsnips and Pears:
- 1 lb parsnips, peeled and chopped
- Olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
- 2 medium pears, peeled, cored and quartered
Soup:
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
For garnish:
- Roasted parsnips
- Goat Cheese crumbles
- Chopped walnuts
- Sunflower or Pea sprouts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. Peel the parsnips. Cut the parsnips in half across the middle, then cut thinner bottom piece in half lengthwise (unless really thin, in which case leave as is). Quarter the top part of the parsnips. Scatter onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, peel, core and quarter the pears.
- Remove parsnips from oven and flip parsnips over. Add the quartered pears. Return the parsnips and pears to the oven and roast another 15-20 minutes, or until parsnips are tender. *Timing will vary depending on the size of the parsnips. Keep an eye on them while in the oven. You want the parsnips to get a bit golden, but definitely not scorch. You may want to remove some of the smaller/thinner pieces early if they are golden enough before the larger pieces are tender. Remove from oven and transfer parsnips and pears to a bowl. *Set aside/reserve a few pieces of parsnip to use for garnish later, if you like.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped celery and onion and cook, stirring, about 3-4 minutes or until the onion is tender. Add the chicken broth, bay leaf, dried thyme and the roasted parsnips and pears. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer soap for 20-30 minutes to blend the flavours.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Taste the soup and then season well with salt and freshly ground pepper, as needed.
- Serve soup garnished with roasted parsnips, goat cheese crumbles, chopped walnuts and sprouts.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!
Sue says
Such a delicious and unusual soup. It’s a favourite in our house and here and I’ll definitely serve it to guests when the opportunity arises. I have successfully frozen it as well. Thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer says
So glad you are enjoying it, Sue :) Thanks so much!
Kathleen Walseth says
My husband who insisted he hates parsnips just asked me to make this soup again! We used blue cheese and freshly cracked walnuts and it was awesome. Thanks for the recipe….this one is a keeper.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Kathleen! Thanks so much :)
Daphne Chapman says
Can hardly wait to taste your Pear and Parsnip Soup especially after all the
Brilliant comments!!
Nearly there and just before the blender kicks in! It smells divine! Thank you!
Jennifer says
Enjoy, Daphne :) Thanks!
Barb Parker says
I made this recipe yesterday for guests; OMG, it was delicious! The aroma from it cooking was also devine. With the abundance of pears this season, I know what I will be making more of. Thank you!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Barb :) Thanks so much!
Brent says
Hi there. I am going to try this for Thanksgiving. Can leftovers be frozen?
Thanks!
Jennifer says
Hi Brent and yes, any leftovers should freeze well. Enjoy!
Elizabeth says
I am not sure what went wrong but I gave it 5 stars. Four disappeared by the time I posted my comment. Definitely 5 stars. We are making the soup again tonight!
Jennifer says
No worries, Elizabeth. That happens sometimes :)
Debby Gwyllt-smith says
Sounds awesome. I will try it out.
Jennifer says
Thanks Debby :) Enjoy!
Elizabeth says
Excellent taste. We thoroughly enjoyed the pear parsnip soup. We paired it with your pear Gouda and balsamic onion grilled cheese for a dinner.
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth and must have been lovely with the grilled cheese! Thanks so much :)
Mark says
Fantastic. I served it not with walnuts but with fresh thyme and goat's milk Feta. A winner. Thankyou
Jennifer says
Sounds lovely, Mark :) So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Kristine Simmons says
Oh my goodness, amazing! I made the parsnip and pear soup last night, and without any adjustments it was perfect. As suggested the toppings are a must to bring this comforting soup to the next level. I am planning on making the carrot soup on friday so will keep you posted. This will most definitely be a part of my regular rotation. As we are just two, I have frozen the remainder in mason jars for quick lunch/weeknight meal additions.
Thank you for making the weeknight meals less daunting, and at the same time exciting. This definitely fits in with seasonal cooking choices for me.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Kristine! I really enjoy this soup and always return to it when I have parsnips on hand :) Thanks so much!
Kristine Simmons says
Also made the carrot soup this weekend ....delicious! Added some Za'atar and sour cream as toppings. Served it with apple, pancetta and cheddar flatbread. I did cheat and used naan bread which I already had on hand. Delicious and colourful meal, will definitely be a staple!
Will be making the bean and bacon soup tonight! My freezer has quite a soup collection starting, so my work week is going to be so simple with these options ready to go.
Thanks as always for providing such great ideas and motivation(pictures).
Chris Scheuer says
They both look gorgeous and sound so... delicious! These are my favorite kind of soups. And those carrots! They look fantastic!
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and yes, I've never seen so many carrots all in one place :)
Sue says
I recently tried your Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup and it was absolutely delicious! Now I’ve got 2 more to try. Who knows - maybe hubby will decide he actually likes parsnips??!! 😀
Jennifer says
I really loved the parsnip soup and I don't "love" parsnips (I don't dislike them, just don't love them). They have quite a nice flavour roasted and combined with the pears.
Fabienne says
Thank you for such wonderful recipes. I always loook forward to seeing what you are suggesting when your e-mail arrives! Do you have a suggestion as to the type of pear to use for the parsnip and pear soup?
Jennifer says
Hi Fabienne, I usually pick up whichever pears looks ripest, as they are often quite green on the shelf. I think I used Bartlett pears for this one. Bosc would be nice too, I think, though any pear that's ripe (but still firm-ish) would work. Unless you have the time to let them ripen beforehand :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Love soup, especially this time of year and both of these look creamy, velvety and just DELISH! I'd have to try them both just to be sure which one I like best ;)
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Sounds like you had a great visit Jennifer. I absolutely love both soups! I will most definitely be adding to our winter soups menu.
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann :)
Tricia B says
I want to try both recipes! I love soup this time of year and the fresh flavors you've combined here must be terrific. Pinned!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia!
Gillie says
What a nice day! Hmm, going to have to try the parsnip one when Himself is not around. Not his favourite veg! Both look delicious.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Gillie :) He may even like this soup, even if he's not usually a fan. It's very mellow tasting.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I am absolutely loving both of these soups - the flavor combinations sound delicious!!! And, I can only imagine how amazing they taste with farm fresh ingredients!! The only problem I'm having is which soup to try first! I want them both... preferably at once! YUM!!
Jennifer says
Thanks Cheyanne :)
[email protected] says
This post offers so much - but mostly comfort! I love everything about this! Pinned!
Jennifer says
Thanks Annie!
Leanne says
How lovely that you were able to visit a farm as part of this campaign! The soups you created look so fresh and comforting. I actually make a roasted pear and parsnip soup, and it's one of my favourites. I need to try your carrot, apple and ginger soup. Sounds and looks delicious!
Jennifer says
Thanks Leanne and yes, it was a great day and loved seeing the process from field to store :)