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    Home » Recipes » Soups

    Czech Caraway Soup (Kmínová polévka)

    Published: Jun 16, 2021 · Modified: May 25, 2024 by Petra Kupská | Cook Like Czechs · 18 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    • 466shares

    Caraway seed soup brings back the fragrant memories of traditional Czech cuisine. Though nearly forgotten today, the recipe remains easy to make. Caraway seeds, known for their benefits, were often used by Bohemian grannies to soothe upset stomachs and support breastfeeding mothers.

    caraway soup Czech kmínová polévka recipe

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is how Steve commented on the recipe: Very tasty soup!! I bought some caraway seeds for a recipe only to find I already had some. So, while searching for recipes with caraway seeds, I found this recipe. Thank you!! Also, I will definitely try some of your other recipes. They look delicious! Thanks again!!

    In this post: About the recipe · Czech pronunciation · Ingredients · How to make Czech caraway soup · Useful tips

    ➜ About this recipe

    A hundred years ago, caraway soup was a common part of Czech family dinners. This popular soup required only a few basic ingredients, with caraway seeds as the main component, a staple spice in Czech cuisine.

    However, in the second half of the 20th century, the soup's reputation suffered due to its frequent appearance in school canteens. Many schoolchildren didn't find caraway soup appealing and often merely dipped their spoons into it.

    While the basic recipe for caraway soup traditionally included only water and was thickened with a mixture called Záklechtka (flour mixed with water), my recipe offers a more modern approach.

    I start by frying the ingredients for a more intense flavor, thicken the soup with a roux, and use vegetable broth instead of water. This results in a delicious and flavorful soup that I believe is well worth trying.

    Caraway or cumin? Do not confuse caraway seeds with cumin! Although these seeds look similar, you can only achieve the authentic Czech flavor of the soup by using caraway. While caraway seeds are called Kmín in Czech, cumin is known as Římský kmín.

    ➜ Pronunciation

    Caraway soup is called "Kmínová polévka" in Czech. I have recorded a short audio clip with the pronunciation so that you can get an idea of how to say Kmínová polévka in native Czech.

    Want to make more traditional Czech soups? Try this one: Sauerkraut soup, aka Zelňačka!

    ➜ Ingredients

    czech caraway soup ingredients
    • Onion – small
    • Caraway seeds – roughly crush the seeds using a mortar or briefly pulse them in a clean coffee grinder. Or, read how to grind spices by hand.
    • Potatoes – small; any all-purpose yellow potatoes (such as Yukon Golds) will work.
    • Vegetable oil – canola or sunflower oil work well. Pork lard is also an excellent option and used to be the preferred choice of Bohemian grandmothers for cooking.
    • All-purpose flour – for making roux, a thickening agent in the soup.
    • Egg – whisking an egg into the hot soup makes it thicker and richer.
    • Vegetable broth – or water.
    • Black pepper – ground
    • Salt
    • Parsley greens – for garnishing

    ✅ You will find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below, which you can also print out.

    ➜ How to make caraway soup

    STEP 1: Peel and finely chop the onion. Peel the potatoes and cube them.

    STEP 2: In a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven (my preferred option), heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and stir until translucent.

    frying onion in a pot

    STEP 3: Add the caraway seeds and stir for about 1 minute until the caraway aroma develops.

    adding caraway seeds

    STEP 4: Add the flour and stir continuously for another minute.

    adding flour
    making caraway soup

    STEP 5: Remove the pot from the heat source and add one cup of vegetable broth. Whisk well to prevent lumps. Add another cup of broth and whisk again. Now, you can add the rest of the liquid. Season with salt and pepper, and stir well.

    making caraway soup

    STEP 6: Put the pot of caraway soup back on the stove. Add the cubed potatoes, raise the heat, and bring the soup to a boil.

    adding potatoes

    STEP 7: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Stir occasionally to prevent the flour from settling at the bottom and burning.

    STEP 8: Finally, remove the pot from the stove, crack one whole egg into the soup, and whisk it in. Do not cook the soup any further.

    making caraway soup czech kmínová polévka

    STEP 9: Salt to taste if necessary, stir, and serve.

    czech caraway soup kmínová polévka

    ➜ Serving

    Serve warm, garnish the soup in a bowl with chopped parsley greens.

    A slice of fresh rye bread or a sprinkling of bread croutons is a great accompaniment to this caraway soup.

    czech kmínová polévka caraway seed soup

    ➜ Cooking Tips

    • Bohemian grandmothers typically didn't fry the flour initially; they usually just stirred it with a bit of water into the soup and cooked it briefly. However, if you sauté the flour at the beginning, the soup will gain much more flavor.
    • Flour stirred in a bit of water, added to the soup to thicken it, is called "Záklechtka" in the old Czech language.
    • In Czech history, caraway seeds were often used in folk medicine. Known for its digestive benefits, caraway seed soup remains a favorite vegetable soup for lactating mothers and people with upset stomachs.

    More Czech soups

    • Czech garlic soup – Česnečka
    • Bramborová polévka – mushroom potato soup
    • Goulash soup – Gulášová polévka, made with beef

    Tried this recipe?

    Leave a review down in the comments! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Other readers and I love hearing what you think. Stay in touch by following me on Facebook and Pinterest. For more Czech stuff, subscribe to my newsletter!

    caraway soup recipe

    Caraway Soup – Czech Kmínová polévka

    Author: Petra Kupská | Cook Like Czechs
    Let's journey back to old Czech times and make caraway soup! Bohemian grandmothers often prepared this quick and delicious dish, filling the air with the aroma of caraway seeds. Don't let this lovely recipe be forgotten!
    5 from 8 votes
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    Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    Servings: 4

    Tap or hover to scale

    Ingredients 

    • 1 medium onion peeled and finely chopped
    • 2 teaspoons ground caraway seeds
    • 4 medium potatoes
    • 1 Tablespoon sunflower oil (or canola / pork lard)
    • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 egg
    • 5 cups vegetable broth lukewarm (or water)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • salt
    • 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley greens to garnish

    Instructions 

    • Before you start cooking: Peel and finely chop 1 medium onion, then peel and dice 4 medium potatoes.
    • In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat 1 Tablespoon sunflower oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring until translucent.
    • Add 2 teaspoons ground caraway seeds and stir for about 1 minute until the caraway aroma develops. Add 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour and stir for 1 minute.
    • Remove the pot from the heat, then add one cup of lukewarm broth. Stir carefully with a whisk to prevent lumps. Add another cup of broth and whisk again. Now, add the rest of the broth, season with salt and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, and stir well.
    • Return the pot to the stove and add the diced potatoes. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil.
    • Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Stir occasionally to prevent the flour from settling at the bottom and burning.
    • Finally, remove the pot from the stove, crack 1 egg into the soup, and whisk it in. Do not cook the soup any further.
    • Salt to taste if necessary, stir well, and serve, sprinkling each bowl of soup with chopped parsley greens.

    Notes

    • The basic recipe makes 4 yields.
    • SERVING: Serve warm, garnishing each bowl with chopped parsley greens. A slice of fresh rye bread or a sprinkling of croutons makes a perfect accompaniment to this caraway soup.
    • Store the soup in the fridge, where it will keep for 3-4 days.

    Nutritional estimate pro serving

    Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1120mg | Potassium: 1024mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
    Servings: 4
    Calories pro serving: 256
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Czech
    Keyword: Caraway seeds, czech soups
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    Do you like the recipe?I would be happy for your feedback! Please, rate the recipe and share your opinion or questions in comments bellow. Thank you very much.
    • 466shares

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    Comments

    1. Malcolm High says

      November 21, 2021 at 5:57 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this soup! The Caraway and salt make a pervasive flavour under the potato that is excellent! Thank you for posting these recipes!

      Reply
      • Petra Kupská says

        November 23, 2021 at 3:32 pm

        Thanks a lot for your lovely comment! I am happy you like the flavor of this caraway soup, it’s an old-bohemian recipe 🙂

        Reply
        • Sandra says

          May 10, 2022 at 8:23 pm

          5 stars
          Delicious and easy to make. My Czech mother made this soup for me when I had stomach issues, so I figured I would give it a try. I made it Hungarian style by adding paprika and garlic. I also cooked the raw egg for 3 minutes.

          Reply
          • Petra Kupská says

            May 16, 2022 at 7:00 am

            Thank you, Sandra, for your lovely feedback! Yes, caraway seeds are an excellent natural remedy for soothing the stomach 🙂 Ground paprika and garlic definitely gave the soup another dimension of taste, and I am happy to confirm that a beaten egg is also often added to the soup in Czech recipes!

            Reply
    2. Steve says

      January 05, 2024 at 12:10 am

      5 stars
      Very tasty soup!! I bought some caraway seeds for a recipe only to find I already had some. So, while searching for recipes with caraway seeds, I found this recipe. Thank you!! Also, I will definitely try some of your other recipes. They look delicious! Thanks again!!

      Reply
      • Anicka Cooklikeczechs.com says

        February 12, 2024 at 8:41 am

        Hello Steve, thank you so much for your kind words and feedback! I hope you will enjoy the other recipes as well!

        Reply
    3. Peter says

      March 22, 2024 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious soup. my wife and both enjoyed it. Caraway is a pjnice flavor for the soup. something different.

      Reply
      • Petra Kupská says

        April 02, 2024 at 5:51 am

        Thank you, Peter, for your kind feedback!

        Reply
        • Victoria says

          May 25, 2024 at 6:55 pm

          Hi Petra, I’m looking for a recipe my grandma made, chlebova polevka. She would,dry rye bread in the oven and grate it into the soup. If you have that recipe, please highlight it for us. I love all your recipes, but this is one I’ve looked for years. Thank you.

          Reply
          • Petra Kupská says

            May 26, 2024 at 2:14 am

            Hi Victoria, thank you for the interesting tip! I will add Chlebová polévka to my to-do list and try to find the recipe to make it as soon as possible. Greetings from Bohemia, Petra

            Reply
    4. Olga Mitchell says

      May 25, 2024 at 4:47 pm

      I have never heard of this soup and would like to try it. I don’t know where I could get the ground poppy seeds. Olga

      Reply
      • Petra Kupská says

        May 26, 2024 at 12:28 pm

        Hi Olga, in the Czech Republic, crushed caraway seeds are commonly found in the stores, but I understand it can be challenging to obtain elsewhere. Therefore, I recommend using ground caraway instead. You can easily grind it yourself using a spice grinder or a clean coffee grinder. A mortar and pestle will also work well. Additionally, I have written an article on how to grind spices by hand, please click HERE.

        Reply
    5. Harriet Pellizzari says

      May 25, 2024 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      i never needed the onion, potatoes and egg.
      it tastes so good too.
      Must be good though.
      i called it war soup.
      it is yummy x

      Reply
      • Petra Kupská says

        May 26, 2024 at 1:51 am

        Hi Harriet, thank you for your kind words! I agree that traditional Czech recipes are quite simple, yet still delicious. I try to retain the original ingredients but update the methods to better suit modern tastes. Thank you for the interesting insight on terminology— "war soup" is a new term for me! Warm greetings from the Czech Republic, Petra

        Reply
    6. Barb says

      June 29, 2024 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      I love this soup! Since I first made it, I find myself craving it every so often! It’s tasty, light, just a few ingredients, and it’s fun to make! One tip I found: when ready to add the egg at the end, I first emulsify the egg with an immersion blender in a tall narrow container; then while the blender is still running, I pour in about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the HOT broth and blend until smooth and velvety. I THEN stir the egg-broth mixture into the soup. Perfect! Smooth with no blobs or strings of egg floating in the soup!! I’m a soup-aholic and THIS is one of my all-time favorites! Dekuji, Petra!

      Reply
      • Anicka Cooklikeczechs.com says

        July 02, 2024 at 12:48 pm

        Thank you so much for your comment and useful feedback! I am delighted to hear you like the soup!

        Reply
    7. Karen Radanovich says

      May 03, 2025 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      I have been looking for this recipe for years I am 75 when my grandmother passed it did too. Thank you so much. The other recipe is for sauerkraut soup can you help😉

      Reply
    8. Suzanne RN says

      June 12, 2025 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      This is another delicious Czech soup that's perfect for the fall or winter! I love caraway and really like this soup too!

      Reply

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    Hi, I am Petra, a born-and-raised Czech and self-taught cook with 25+ years of experience. I am here to show you that you can cook Czech food—even if you live abroad or never learned it growing up. With clear steps and trusted guidance, Czech cooking becomes simple, joyful, and meaningful, right in your own kitchen.

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