Top 10 Czech Vegetable Soups

In Czech folklore, the best cure for a cold or a hangover is a bowl of česnečka, a traditional garlic soup. Although garlic is the key ingredient, the soup also incorporates potatoes, meat broth, onions, and traditional spices such as caraway and marjoram. This healthy dish is usually topped with grated cheese and crunchy croutons, and it is commonly served and enjoyed as an appetizer.Expand

This traditional Czech soup is prepared with fresh peas, green split peas, or yellow split peas. It often incorporates flavorful broths, various root vegetables, smoked meat, and spices such as cumin or marjoram. Although it can vary in color and consistency, it is usually complemented with a dollop of cream or crispy croutons, and then enjoyed as a nutritious appetizer.Expand

Whether it is prepared with fresh tomatoes or pureed tomato sauce, this creamy and refreshing soup is a staple dish of traditional Czech cuisine. It is usually seasoned with bay leaves, allspice, or cloves, and thickened with sautéed onions and flour. Although it can be enjoyed on its own, it is traditionally complemented with rice or pasta, and served as a warm, nutritious appetizer.Expand

Czech kulajda is a creamy dill soup with a floury roux acting as the base. It is believed that every Czech region and family have their signature version of this hearty soup. Today most varieties consist of mushrooms and potatoes, with an occasional addition of sour cream or poached eggs. Certain regional varieties use vinegar to give the dish an intensely sour taste. Regardless of the numerous versions of the soup, kulajda is essentially a classic, warming dish that is mostly enjoyed during the cold winter season.Expand

Zelňačka is a traditional sauerkraut soup. Although there are numerous varieties of this Czech classic, most of them consist of sour cabbage, potatoes, cream, and traditional Czech smoked meat. Thick, filling, and generously spiced with caraway seeds and smoked paprika, this rustic soup can often be found on the menus of traditional Czech pubs. It is usually served with homemade bread on the side and can be enjoyed as a starter or a hearty main course.Expand

Although it was originally considered a poor man’s meal, this creamy potato soup known as bramboračka has become one of the classics of Czech cuisine. It appears in numerous variations, but mainly includes simple ingredients such as root vegetables, dried mushrooms, and various fresh or dried spices. These days, it can be found on the menus of many traditional Czech pubs, where it is mainly enjoyed as a satisfying starter that is often served in traditional bread bowls.Expand

Although cibulačka originated from the famous French soupe à l'oignon, this Czech version has become one of the favorite soup varieties in the country. It is a simple and pungent dish consisting of caramelized onions cooked with a broth based on meat or vegetables. It is usually served with crispy bread slices and a layer of grated cheese on top. Some Czech varieties incorporate potatoes, cream, or mushrooms, and occasionally thicken the broth with flour. This nutritious soup is mostly associated with the winter season, when it is commonly enjoyed as a satisfying starter.Expand

Čočková polévka is a comforting Czech lentil soup. It is usually made with brown or green dry lentils, root vegetables, and various spices such as marjoram or coriander. Occasionally, it is thickened with flour, while spicy sausages or smoky bacon are sometimes added to create a more nutritious dish. Traditionally, the soup is prepared on New Year’s Day because it is believed that lentils will bring prosperity to the family, although it is also enjoyed throughout the year and can be found on the menus of many traditional Czech restaurants.Expand

Fazolová is a traditional bean soup. Although it appears in numerous varieties, it usually consists of plump white beans cooked in a flavorful broth, with an option to add potatoes, root vegetables, and smoked meat. It is usually enriched with sour cream or thickened with flour. This rustic dish is one of the most common soup varieties in the country, and can be found on the menus of many traditional restaurants. It is always served hot and is mainly enjoyed as a hearty appetizer.Expand

Zeleninová polévka is a Czech vegetable soup that is usually served as a nutritious appetizer. This hearty dish has numerous varieties and can incorporate various root or leafy vegetables. Most commonly, it consists of diced or sliced carrots, celery, and potatoes, but it is easily adjusted to any taste. Next to vegetables, it can also incorporate thin pasta and egg or liver dumplings. Regardless of the varieties, this classic soup is a staple in many Czech households, and is often found on the menus of traditional restaurants.Expand