Creamy Finnish Salmon Soup (Printable Version)

Creamy Nordic soup with tender salmon, potatoes, and fresh dill. Ready in 40 minutes for a comforting meal.

# What You Need:

→ Fish & Seafood

01 - 14 oz skinless salmon fillet, boneless, cut into bite-sized cubes

→ Vegetables

02 - 1.3 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
03 - 1 medium carrot, sliced
04 - 1 small leek, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 bunch fresh dill, finely chopped, divided for garnish

→ Broth & Dairy

07 - 4 cups fish stock or water
08 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
09 - 1 bay leaf

→ Seasonings

10 - 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
12 - 1 tablespoon butter

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, leek, and carrot, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly softened.
02 - Add potatoes, bay leaf, and fish stock to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until potatoes are almost tender.
03 - Gently add salmon cubes to the pot and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until salmon is just cooked through.
04 - Stir in heavy cream and chopped dill. Season with salt and white pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes without boiling.
05 - Remove from heat and discard bay leaf. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with reserved fresh dill.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can have something restaurant-worthy on the table before anyone gets too hungry.
  • The salmon stays impossibly tender because you add it late, giving you creamy potato perfection without overcooking the fish.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, maximum coziness—exactly what you need on nights when the weather turns cold.
02 -
  • Don't add the salmon until the very end—it cooks so quickly that adding it early will leave you with dry, stringy pieces instead of tender morsels.
  • Never boil the soup once cream is added; high heat breaks the emulsion and you'll end up with a separated, broken-looking soup.
03 -
  • Make the soup base (everything except salmon and cream) hours ahead, then finish it with those two ingredients when you're ready to eat—this saves time and stress on busy nights.
  • Keep your knife sharp when cutting the salmon; a dull blade tears the flesh, which releases moisture and makes it cook unevenly.
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