Cream of Artichoke Recipe: Easy Spanish Soup Classic 2026

This cream of artichoke soup is a silky, comforting bowl of Spanish flavor that works just as well as an elegant starter as it does as a light dinner. The artichokes bring a delicate, slightly nutty taste that shines through because the soup is made with nothing more than water, letting the vegetable take center stage.

The only part that asks for a bit of patience is cleaning the artichokes, but once that is done the rest comes together easily. Artichokes oxidize very quickly, so as soon as each heart is trimmed it goes straight into a bowl of water with lemon juice and the squeezed lemon shells to keep it looking pale and fresh.

After simmering, the soup is blended until smooth and then passed through a fine sieve to remove any fibrous strands that could be unpleasant to bite into. A few crispy fried artichoke chips and a drizzle of olive oil on top turn this humble spoon dish into something special.

Ingredients for Cream of Artichoke Soup

This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 1 garlic clove
• 150 g onion
• 1 medium potato
• 4 medium artichokes
• 1 lemon
• 20 g olive oil
• Salt
• 400 ml water

How to Make Cream of Artichoke Soup Step by Step

1. Chop the Garlic, Onion and Potato

The first thing to do is slice 1 garlic clove thinly and cut 150 g of onion into small squares. Peel and roughly crush 1 medium potato, breaking it into chunks so it cooks evenly.

2. Clean the Artichokes

Now clean 4 medium artichokes. Remove all the outer leaves and cut off almost the entire stem, also stripping away its outer layers.

3. Trim the Artichoke Tips

Next, cut off the top third of each artichoke so that only the heart remains.

4. Keep the Artichokes in Lemon Water

As you clean each artichoke, immediately drop it into a bowl of water with the juice of one lemon along with the squeezed lemon shells to prevent browning.

5. Sauté the Garlic, Onion and Potato

Place a pot over medium heat with 20 g of olive oil and, once hot, add the garlic and sauté for a few moments. Then add the onion and a pinch of salt, stir and cook for 5 minutes. After that, add the potato, mix it into the sofrito and cook for 2 minutes.

6. Add the Artichokes and Water

Turn the heat up to high and add the chopped artichokes and 400 ml of water. You can set aside half an artichoke heart to decorate the soup at the end.

7. Simmer for 20 Minutes

As soon as the water comes to a boil, add salt, lower the heat to medium-low and let everything cook for 20 minutes.

8. Blend the Soup

Blend the cream of artichoke soup until it is smooth and free of lumps.

9. Strain the Cream

Pass the cream of artichoke soup through a sieve to remove any fibrous strands that may remain.

10. Fry Artichoke Chips for Garnish

To decorate the soup, you can make fried artichoke chips. Slice the half artichoke heart you set aside into very thin pieces. Heat a skillet over high heat with a little olive oil and, once the oil is very hot, fry the artichoke slices for a few seconds until golden. Remove the chips, draining off the oil well, and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess grease.

11. Serve the Soup

Serve the cream of artichoke soup topped with the chips and a drizzle of olive oil.

Tips for the Best Cream of Artichoke Soup

Work Quickly to Prevent Oxidation

Artichokes brown almost the instant they are cut, so keep a bowl of water with lemon juice and the squeezed lemon shells right next to your cutting board. Drop each cleaned heart in as you go and the flesh will stay pale and appetizing.

Use Water to Let the Artichoke Shine

This soup is made with plain water to appreciate the full flavor of the vegetable, though you could also use a vegetable stock if you prefer a deeper taste. Either way, blend the cooked soup and then pass it through a sieve or fine strainer to remove any strands that would be unpleasant to find while eating.

Save a Heart for Crispy Chips

Reserve half an artichoke heart before cooking and slice it paper-thin for frying. Fried for just a few seconds in very hot olive oil, they turn golden and crisp, adding a lovely contrast to the smooth, velvety soup.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime street food or party fare is on my mind, I'll throw together this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a light starter or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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