19 Best Herbs and Spices for Potato Soup

Potato soup is one of those comfort dishes that deserves to be dressed up with flavorful ingredients every once in a while.

Here’s the perfect fix for your go-to recipe: vibrant, fragrant herbs and spices.

Sure, butter, cream, and cheese all make dinner taste better—but I know from experience that with just the right blend of fresh or dried herbs and zesty spices, you can turn an ordinary potato soup into something truly extraordinary.

If that sounds like a challenge worth taking on (I’m not judging!), dive into this collection of my favorite herbs and spices for potato soup.

Read Also: The 10 Best Toppings for Potato Soup

1. Cilantro

Cilantro is a great herb to use when adding flavor to dishes.

It adds a bright and zesty flavor, as well as being surprisingly versatile.

For potato soup, you can pair cilantro with other herbs such as oregano or thyme for an even more complex flavor profile.

In terms of the amount of cilantro to use in your recipe, it depends on personal preference but generally, 2-3 tablespoons will give enough of its characteristic taste without overpowering the other flavors in the soup.

Read Also: What Salad Goes with Potato Soup? (12 Best Salads)

2. Dried Rosemary

Dried rosemary is an excellent pick for dishes that need a bit of earthy, woodsy flavor.

It’s especially good with potato soup, seafood, and pork, adding robust layers of complex flavors to steamed or grilled fish as well as duck and lamb recipes.

Dried rosemary has a far more intense flavor than fresh, so you don’t need a whole lot; start by using 1/2 teaspoon per recipe.

Rosemary is also great when blended with other herbs like thyme, oregano, basil, and parsley—a sprinkle over simple baked potatoes makes them taste truly special.

You can also combine dried rosemary with garlic salt and pepper for a flavorful seasoning blend that works on all types of meats—from poultry or beef to fish or pork.

3. Saffron

Saffron is a powerful spice with a distinct flavor that can bring a delicious depth of flavor to your dishes.

It has the ability to brighten up and enhance mild flavors, making it perfect for adding subtle notes and aromas.

For potato soup, saffron adds hints of floral sweetness along with earthy undertones that perfectly balance out the rich flavors of butter and cream.

When using saffron in dishes like potato soup, you only need to use a pinch.

Too much saffron can become overwhelming or bitter, so it’s important to just add small increments until you get the desired effect on taste and aroma.

Saffron works beautifully when paired with other savory ingredients like onions, garlic, lemons, paprika, or cayenne pepper.

Each ingredient will present its own unique flavor profile while enhancing each other – making for even greater depths of flavor!

4. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a great choice for seasoning potato soup, as it adds complexity and depth to the flavor profile.

You should use a small pinch at first, tasting after adding to make sure you don’t overpower the soup and that it has a pleasant aroma.

Nutmeg’s vibrant flavor pairs well with sage and thyme, so adding a pinch of each herb along with nutmeg will really enhance your soup.

Additionally, nutmeg mellows out when cooked in liquid ingredients such as cream or cheese sauces; be sure to add more than if using fresh herbs or spices.

5. Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is a mixture of herbs and spices that bring an intense flavor to recipes.

It typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, garlic powder, and sometimes red pepper flakes.

This blend of herbs makes it one of the most versatile seasonings in regards to pairing with other ingredients.

When adding Italian seasoning to a dish you should use 1 teaspoon per 2-3 servings of your dish.

You can adjust according to the intensity and flavor desired or depending on what ingredients it is being paired with.

6. Mace

Mace is a flavorful, aromatic spice that can be used to enhance the flavor of any soup.

The unique flavor of mace, which resembles nutmeg and cinnamon, gives soups an appealing, warm flavor that’s perfect for winter.

To use mace in a potato soup recipe, for instance, add 1/4 teaspoon of ground mace per 4 servings of soup.

Mace pairs nicely with other spices such as allspice or oregano and dried herbs like thyme or basil – experiment to find the best combination for you!

7. Poppy Seed

Poppy seed is an amazing way to add nutty, aromatic flavor to soup.

Its delicate crunch also adds a nice texture and contrast in the otherwise smooth ingredients of a soup.

Use poppy seeds sparingly, as they can be overpowering—start with a teaspoon per four servings and adjust as needed according to your preference.

Poppy seeds pair especially well with garlic, onion, celery, and other root vegetables or tubers such as potatoes.

If you’re looking for additional herbs and spices that would work nicely in combination with poppy seeds, try adding thyme, parsley, bay leaves, or oregano for extra dimension of flavors.

8. Ras El Hanout

Ras El Hanout is a classic North African blend of spices that can add a complex flavor to your soup.

It is typically made up of more than 20 different spices, and it usually has notes of cardamom, ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

The flavors in Ras El Hanout will balance out the creaminess from the butter or cheese you are using for your soup.

In terms of how much you should use: start small – about 1/4 tsp per cup – so as not to overpower the other flavors in the dish; then adjust according to taste.

Ras El Hanout pairs well with ingredients such as shallots, garlic, onions, and potatoes—all traditional additions to potato soup recipes!

To elevate these ingredients even further, try adding something unexpected like preserved lemons or pomegranate molasses for some added sweet-tart complexity.

9. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are perfect for adding a nutty, earthy flavor to your potato soup.

They have mildly-sweet and spicy notes that will give the soup an interesting twist in comparison to more traditional herbs like thyme and rosemary.

For best results, use ½ teaspoon of fenugreek powder per quart of soup.

Fenugreek pairs well with other ingredients such as garlic, onion, or tomatoes, and can be used together with other classic chili spices—like cumin or coriander seed—to enhance its already robust taste.

10. Cajun Seasoning

Cajun seasoning is a great pick for your soup as it provides a blend of flavor profiles with its combination of spices, including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.

The herbs provide a fragrant aroma and unique flavor profile which you can pair with other ingredients like tomatoes and celery to take the soup up another level.

When using Cajun seasoning to make potato soup, start off by adding one tablespoon per four-six servings of your soup.

You can add more at the finish if needed for extra kick or heat.

Remember that some Cajun seasoning mixes also contain cayenne pepper; so be careful not to overdo it as this could overpower the flavors from the other ingredients!

Finally, experiment with combining different ingredients such as bell peppers, green onions, and jalapenos along with fresh parsley and thyme to scientifically engineer a new creation each time you make your recipe!

11. Thyme

Thyme is a flavorful herb that goes well in potato soup.

Its woodsy, earthy flavor helps to season the soup and adds depth of flavor.

It also works beautifully with butter, cream, or cheese—all popular ingredients found in potato soup recipes.

When using thyme to flavor your soups, you will want to use 1 – 2 teaspoons for 4 servings (1/4 teaspoon for each serving).

You may also want to experiment with other flavors such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika or cumin as they pair nicely with thyme.

To get the most out of the herbs’ aroma and flavor profile, add them toward the end of cooking time so they remain vibrant and aromatic instead of cooked away into oblivion.

12. Dry Mustard

Dry mustard is a great way to bring depth and warmth to your soup.

It adds an intense, spicy-sweet flavor that can round out the other flavors in the dish.

Unlike wet mustard, dry mustard contains no water so it will fully incorporate into your soup and won’t thin it out.

The amount of dry mustard you should use varies depending on taste preferences and the recipe—but generally, about 1 teaspoon per serving is enough for a flavorful kick.

To make the most of this delicious spice, pair dry mustard with other aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger, or pepper.

Also, consider using vegetables like parsnips or potatoes as a base for your soup; these vegetables become extra creamy when cooked down with some butter or cream.

Topped with fresh herbs for garnish or crumbled cheese for extra richness, any soup made with dry mustard will be just full of flavor!

13. Allspice

Allspice is a great choice for inclusion in your potato soup recipe because it provides an earthy, slightly sweet flavor that complements the creamy texture of this classic dish.

Adding a teaspoon to your soup is enough to provide just the right hint of warmth and richness—any more than that will be too overwhelming.

Allspice pairs well with other ingredients such as garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and chili peppers to give your soup a depth of flavor.

The combination of these herbs can make all the difference in bringing out each individual ingredient’s unique taste profile—so don’t be afraid to experiment with different amounts.

14. Celery Seed

Celery seed is a great pick for your soup, as it has a unique flavor and aroma that will give the dish a hearty kick.

Celery seed brings out subtle savory notes in the other ingredients, making them more flavorful and satisfying.

When seasoning with celery seed to make a potato soup, start off with just ¼ teaspoon of it per 4 servings, then adjust according to taste.

For more intense flavor and fragrance, toast the seeds first before adding them to your recipes—just cook over medium heat in a skillet until they are fragrant but not burning.

These seeds pair nicely with fresh rosemary or thyme, so try using some of those herbs together when making your next batch of potato soup!

15. Salt

Salt is an essential ingredient for soup, as it helps to balance out the flavors in a dish.

When paired with other ingredients like butter, cream, and cheese, too much salt can be overpowering; so use it judiciously.

Start by adding ¼ teaspoon at a time and tasting between each addition.

16. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a great choice for seasoning your soup.

With its mild to medium heat, it can give your soup just the right amount of kick without being overpowering.

Additionally, cayenne pepper’s natural smoky flavor adds an interesting layer of complexity to any dish.

It pairs well with other herbs and spices like garlic, black pepper, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and paprika.

A good starting point would be 1/4 tsp of ground cayenne per 2 cups of liquid in your soup recipe.

You can adjust this if needed according to your preference for spiciness – use less for a milder taste or more for a hotter flavor.

Don’t forget that cayenne increases in intensity as it cooks so begin by tasting your soup during preparation then add incremental amounts until you achieve the desired level of zest!

17. Onion Powder

Onion powder is a great choice for making soups because it adds flavor without adding texture.

A little goes a long way, so start with just a few teaspoons and adjust to your taste.

It pairs well with other herbs like parsley or thyme, as well as garlic powder, paprika, or chili flakes for added complexity.

You can further enhance the flavor by sautéing diced onions in butter before adding to the soup base.

18. Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is perfect for potato soup as it adds a zesty, garlicky flavor without having to actually dice and mince fresh garlic.

A little bit of garlic powder goes a long way to add both layer of flavors and aromas to your dish.

I recommend using about ¼ teaspoon per cup of cream or broth when making your soup.

Garlic powder pairs nicely with other spices such as thyme, oregano, parsley, basil, and rosemary which can help bring out its rich flavors.

You can also use it in combination with dairy ingredients such as sour cream or cream cheese to give the soup additional body and richness.

19. Black Pepper

Black pepper is a great choice for seasoning soup because it adds a pungent heat to the dish without overpowering other flavors.

The recommended amount of black pepper to use in soup is one teaspoon per quart, but feel free to adjust according to your own preference.

Black pepper also pairs well with other ingredients like garlic and onion, along with various herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram, and sage.

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