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by Sandyon Oct 24, 2022
Rich, creamy, and with a touch of sweetness, this easy Pear Potato Soup is elegant enough for dinner parties but still easy enough to enjoy for a weeknight lunch or dinner.
Inspired by a trip to London, Downtown Abbey’s final season, and by working with Grey Poupon, I created this simple and delightful soup. It’s so good and impressively easy you’ll feel like a chef when you present this soup to family and friends!
Table of Contents
Easy Pear Potato Soup
I can just imagine myself sitting in a fancy dress at a splendidly set table and enjoying this soup, much as they did in the show. And while this soup certainly does impress, it’s also hearty and satisfying, and ticks all the boxes for a good comfort food soup.
Why I love this recipe
- It’s got the heartiness of a potato soup but a touch of sweetness from the pears.
- This soup is easy to make, and it pairs with so many tasty dishes!
- It reminds me of Downtown Abbey dinner parties and my own dinner parties!
- It looks as amazing in a homey mug as in an elegant cream soup bowl garnished with creme fraiche.
Pears aren’t just for eating raw!
I love cooking with pears. They hold up really well when roasted with chicken, but they’re also delicious poached, or even served in co*cktails!
Gather these ingredients
- Butter
- Sweet onion – Peeled and chopped.
- Garlic – Pressed.
- Boiling potatoes – Peeled and cut into small cubes.
- Carrots – Cut into small pieces.
- Maple syrup – Use real syrup for the best flavor.
- Pears – Cored and cut into chunks.
- Salt – I use fine sea salt.
- Fresh thyme
- Ground nutmeg
- Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
- Vegetable broth
- Creme Fraiche
- Red pepper flakes – Optional but a wee bit of spice is nice with this soup.
How to make this potato and pear soup
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cover the pot, cooking the onions for about 10 minutes until they’re softened.
- Turn the heat up to medium and add the garlic, potatoes, and carrots. Put the cover back on and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Add the maple syrup, pears, salt, thyme, and nutmeg, stirring gently and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the broth and mustard, and bring the pot to a boil. Then, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the potatoes are soft.
- Transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and serve with a spoonful of creme fraiche, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, and a few red pepper flakes.
Hot liquids in a blender
Be careful when pureeing hot liquids in a blender! Never fill the blender all the way – work in batches if you need to – and leave the hole in the lid unplugged. Cover the top of the blender lid with a clean kitchen towel, and start the blender on low, working your way to high until smooth and pureed. Very hot liquids have a tendency to explode out of the blender, but this process will reduce any accidents.
Tips & substitutions
- Any kind of potatoes work in this recipe, but floury potatoes tend to make the creamiest soup.
- Make sure your pears are ripe – hard green pears will result in a grainer soup, and it’ll have less flavor, too.
- You can also use canned pears.
- Fresh spices make all the difference – I use whole nutmeg and grate as much as needed with a microplane grater.
- You can use vegetable or chicken broth in this recipe.
Serving suggestions
Go all out with this delicious soup as a starter, and pair it with delicious eats like these English Sausage Pastries, roasted chicken, or baked salmon, or pair it with a fabulous salad.
Storage
Store any leftover Pear Potato Soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Gently heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop to reheat it.
Check out these awesome soup recipes while you’re here
- Sausage, Tomato, Bacon Soup
- Roasted Sweet Potato Soup
- Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
4.37 stars (41 reviews)
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Get the Recipe:Easy Pear Potato Soup
Rich, creamy, and with a touch of sweetness, this easy Pear Potato Soup is elegant enough for dinner parties but still easy enough to enjoy for a weeknight lunch or dinner.
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 40 minutes mins
Total Time: 1 hour hr
Yield: 6
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Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- ½ pound boiling potatoes, about 3 medium, peeled and cut into small cubes
- 2 medium carrots, cut into small pieces
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 4 pears cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
- 2 tsp. Grey Poupon Dijion Mustard
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- Creme Fraiche
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter; stir in the onion. Turn the heat down to medium-low, covering the onions. Stir occasionally for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are softened.
Turn the heat up to medium and stir in the garlic, potato, and carrot. Cover the pot and cook for about 10 minutes.
Add in the maple syrup, pear, salt, thyme, and nutmeg, stirring gently. Allow to cook on low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.
Add in the broth and mustard, bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
Transfer the soup in batches to a blender (or food processor), and puree for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a spoonful of creme fraiche, a sprinkle of fresh thyme and red pepper flakes.
Notes
Reposted from November 2015
Cuisine: American
Course: Soup
Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!
For this post, I collaborated withThe Downton Abbey Kitchen Presented by Grey Poupon. Here’s moreabout my trip: Downton Abbey Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches and Downton Abbey Lavender Tea Bread.
Related Posts:
- Downton Abbey Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches
- Downton Abbey Lavender Tea Bread
- Summer Lunch Turkey Sandwich Board
- Epic FUNFETTI® Inspired Cake Board
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
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published on Oct 24, 2022
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33 comments on “Easy Pear Potato Soup”
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Pat —Reply
Can I use can pears?
Sandy —
Yes you can!
Jeanne —Reply
Made this soup yesterday and everyone loved it! Easy to make and flavorful. A good way to use up some of our extra pear harvest :-)Sara —Reply
Planning a Downton Abbey themed murder mystery dinner. Can’t wait to try this soup!
Ellie —Reply
Okay, I wanted to wait until I made this to rate the recipe, and let me tell you, this was wonderful! I modified it slightly and kept it vegan. I started with a mirepoix, because I have a bunch of celery that I want to use. I made a triple batch of this soup so that I could freeze some for a quick dinner in the future. I let my mirepoix get a little bit of color to it, and I had an extra carrot, so it turned out a different color than your photo. I also added braised garlic. I didn’t have enough maple syrup, so I put in about 1/4 of what you called for, but I didn’t mind since I had the extra carrot. I added a bit more mustard, because I really liked the flavor it gave. I also didn’t have thyme, so I added parsley instead, and I think it made it really pop. I added Chinese 5 spice powder, which was such a good suggestion that I’m kicking myself for not using it for non-Asian dishes before now! I added powdered savory, white pepper, and I ended up using about 1/3 more broth than the recipe called for, because I was having a hard time blending the final product smoothly. 10/10, would recommend anytime!Ellie —Reply
This looks excellent! I’ve never actually seen Downton Abbey, which is quite frankly a little ridiculous, because it has so many checkboxes that I love: period costumes, beautiful old architecture, English accents, English culture, snobbery, drama, and period hairstyles! But the very first promo that I ever saw for it was some lady eviscerating another woman for being American, and it really rubbed me the wrong way, so I never watched it. I think I’m going to try this soup recipe without the maple syrup at first, with the option of adding it later. I love Grey Poupon but I rarely purchase it.Edie —Reply
Do you just sprinkle the Five Spice Powder on top of the Creme Fraiche and how much? I can’t see where it is mentioned except in the heading. Thank you.
Claire —Reply
My boyfriend cooked it for me yesterday evening ? Absolutely amazing ❤️❤️❤️
gayle hewitt —Reply
i want to make this soup i was wondering if i could make it a day ahead heat and add the last two ingredients and serve if it is just as good the next day as it is the day it’s made?
Sandy —
Yes you can, Gayle!
Megan {Country Cleaver} —Reply
This is so completely delightful!! And I’m still fan girl freaking out over your Downton Excursions!! Squad Goals for sure!
carla —Reply
oh my word. i made this last night for a downton abbey dinner party and it was a HUGE hit! everybody loved it! my version turned out slightly darker… i intentionally caramelized the sweet onion just a bit because… yum. it added a bit more color to the dish and the flavor was fabulous. pears in soup… who knew!
This soup is so pretty! I’m loving the combination of flavors. And your trip, so awesome!
Johanna —Reply
Just about to start making this! Just curious….do I have to peel the pears?
Sandy —
No, you do not have to peel the pears. But either way works! ENJOY!
I love London, and it looks like you had a wonderful time! And this soup – I love it! I must make this recipe!
Erik Hansen —Reply
Wow! So jealous. I would love to see Highclere Castle! Have a great visit. I’m a party planner and was floating the idea of having: Downton Abbey for a Day Workshop & Dinner Party. Going to research some of the many mansions here in the Minneapolis area. That kitchen menu might come in handy. Thanks for that. Any Minnesota readers like the idea? Mssg me on FB.
Erik
Erik Hansen Entertaining & Luxury Florals(Launching my own Blog soon..very excited :D)
bridget {bake at 350} —Reply
Lucky YOU!!!!!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl —Reply
I am living vicariously through all of your snaps!!! I love Downton Abbey – what a dream trip for you and Lori!! Have so much fun you two!
Lisa @ Wine & Glue —Reply
I’m so jealous I can barely contain myself!! OMG. I LOVE London! I spent a week there while on my honeymoon and it is one of my very favorite cities! And Grey Poupon sounds like the perfect hosts! Plus Downton Abbey?? AH! I am seriously addicted to the show and devastated that it’s ending. This soup! It looks amazing! Perfect for chilly fall weather no matter what continent you are on. Have fun!
Carolyn —Reply
Well, you know how jealous we all are!!! Spectacular! And the soup looks pretty spectacular too. We always have huge jars of Grey Poupon in our house from Costco. We go through it at an alarming rate!
Sandy —
Got mine at Costco, too. Stocking up for the holidays! Would be fun to have you here with us Carolyn!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes —Reply
Soup never looked more elegant. Have a great time in London. What a great opportunity.
kirstin —Reply
Jealous! HOw fun!! I will admit, I’ve never watched the show! Don’t judge…lol! Soup sounds wonderful!!!
Lori Lange —Reply
This is such a beautiful soup!!! Downton Abbey obsessed here… so can’t wait to hear about your experience!
Toni | BoulderLocavore —Reply
What a special experience Sandy! I’ve loved Downton Abbey from the beginning and hate to see it end. I know they director will be doing a show in the US next so that will be fun. Enjoy your trip and can’t wait to read more about it!
Sandy —
Thank you Toni! We’ll tell you all about it :)
Sharon Lahr —Reply
Instruction #2 says to stir in the garlic, etc but nowhere in the list of ingredients does it mention garlic :(
Sandy —
Just added, Sharon! Thanks for pointing that out! :)
Brian @ A Thought For Food —Reply
What a trip, Sandy! That sounds amazing. I have such fond memories of England… the food, the people, the scenery.
The pear and potato. I never would’ve thought of that… but it looks absolutely marvelous!
Sandy —
It’s been wonderful! Thanks, Brian! :)
Chels+Rief —Reply
This looks so creamy and delicious and what a great idea adding the pear in. I cannot wait for Downton Abbey to start. My “Downton Abbey” tea set is all ready to go!
Sandy —
We’re all set, too! Can’t wait!!
