Jamie Oliver Celery And Stilton Soup Recipe

The Jamie Oliver Celery and Stilton Soup is a smooth, savoury soup that balances the clean, slightly peppery flavour of celery with the rich, salty depth of Stilton cheese. It’s comforting without being heavy and elegant enough to serve as a starter for guests.

This soup serves 4 people and takes around 35–40 minutes from start to finish. In this guide, you’ll learn how to soften celery properly, build a rounded flavour base, and add Stilton at the right stage so it melts smoothly without overpowering the soup.

What Makes This Worth Making

• Classic flavour pairing
  Celery’s freshness balances the bold, creamy intensity of Stilton beautifully.
• Smooth yet flavourful texture
  A simple potato base creates natural thickness without needing excessive cream.
• Perfect for colder evenings
  The warmth and richness make it ideal comfort food.
• Simple ingredients, refined result
  Every day, vegetables transform into a restaurant-style soup.
• Customisable strength of cheese
  You can adjust the amount of Stilton to suit your taste.

What Is Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup?

The Jamie Oliver Celery and Stilton Soup is a blended vegetable soup where celery is gently softened with onion and potato, then enriched with crumbled Stilton cheese for a creamy, savoury finish.

It reflects traditional British soup-making with a focus on balance and proper seasoning.

Jamie Oliver Celery and Stilton Soup Ingredients List

Serves 4

• 1 large bunch celery (chopped, including leaves)
• 1 medium potato (peeled and diced)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 750 ml vegetable or chicken stock
• 100 g Stilton cheese (crumbled)
• 50 ml milk or cream (optional)
• Salt and black pepper

Optional:

• Fresh thyme
• Extra Stilton for garnish

How to Prepare Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup – Simple Steps

Step 1: Build a Gentle Vegetable Base

Heat butter or olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent. Avoid browning, as it can alter the clean flavour of the soup.

Add chopped celery and cook another 5 minutes until slightly softened. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t catch at the bottom.

Step 2: Add Potato for Natural Body

Add diced potato and pour in stock.

Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 15–18 minutes until both celery and potato are completely tender. The vegetables should yield easily to a fork.

The potato helps thicken the soup naturally without flour.

Step 3: Blend Until Smooth

Turn off the heat before blending.

Blend carefully until smooth and velvety. If too thick, add a small splash of warm stock.

Texture should be silky, not grainy.

Step 4: Add Stilton at the Right Stage

Return soup to low heat and stir in crumbled Stilton gradually.

Allow it to melt gently without boiling. High heat can split the cheese and create a slightly oily texture.

Taste before adding salt, as Stilton is naturally salty.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Add black pepper and a small splash of milk or cream if desired for extra smoothness.

Let the soup rest for 2–3 minutes before serving to allow flavours to settle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup

• Overcooking celery until brown
  Browning changes the flavour and reduces freshness.
• Boiling after adding cheese
  This can cause separation and a greasy texture.
• Over-salting early
  Stilton already contains significant salt.
• Skipping proper blending
  A smooth finish is key to quality.
• Using too much Stilton
  Too much can overpower the delicate celery flavour.

Delicious Side Pairings for Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup

• Crusty sourdough bread
  The chewy texture complements the smooth soup beautifully.
• Walnut and apple salad
  Fresh crunch and sweetness balance the rich cheese.
• Garlic toast
  Adds texture and enhances savoury notes.
• Roasted pear slices
  Their sweetness pairs well with blue cheese.
• Simple green salad
  Keeps the meal light and fresh.

Expert Tips to Get This Jamie Oliver Celery and Stilton Soup Just Right

• Use fresh celery, including leaves
  Leaves add extra flavour depth.
• Simmer gently, not aggressively
  This preserves vegetable flavour.
• Blend thoroughly
  Proper blending ensuresa creamy texture without lumps.
• Add cheese gradually
  Prevents overpowering flavour.
• Taste before final seasoning
  Cheese affects salt balance significantly.

How to Add More Flavour to Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup

• Add fresh thyme while simmering
  Introduces subtle herbal warmth.
• Include a pinch of nutmeg
  Enhances creaminess.
• Add toasted walnuts on top
  Provides texture contrast.
• Finish with cracked black pepper
  Sharpens overall flavour.

How to Adjust Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup for Kids

• Reduce the quantity slightly
• Add an extra potato for a milder flavour
• Blend extra smooth
• Add a splash of milk for a softer taste
• Serve with bread for familiarity

Best Way to Store Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup Leftovers

• Cool completely before refrigerating
• Store in an airtight container up to 3 days
• Avoid repeated reheating
• Freeze without cream for a better texture

Best Ways to Reheat Jamie Oliver’s Celery and Stilton Soup Leftovers

• Reheat gently on the stovetop
• Avoid boiling
• Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
• Add a small splash of stock if thickened

Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

Approximate values:

• Calories: 310 kcal
• Protein: 9 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Fibre: 4 g
• Sodium: 650 mg

FAQs

Can I make celery and Stilton soup without a potato?

Yes, but the texture will be lighter and less creamy. If skipping the potato, you can increase the celery slightly or add a small amount of cream to maintain body and smoothness.

Why did my Stilton soup turn grainy?

Grainy texture usually happens when the soup boils after adding the cheese. Stilton should be stirred in over low heat and never boiled, as high temperatures can cause it to split.

Can I use another blue cheese instead of Stilton?

Yes. Gorgonzola or Danish blue cheese work well as a substitute. Choose a creamy variety and adjust the quantity, as some blue cheeses are stronger than Stilton.

Can celery and Stilton soup be frozen?

It can be frozen, but for the best results, freeze it before adding cream. Reheat gently on low heat and stir well to restore a smooth texture.

Final Words

This soup proves that simple ingredients can create refined flavour when treated carefully. Gentle cooking, balanced seasoning, and proper cheese incorporation transform celery and Stilton into a smooth, comforting bowl that feels both classic and elegant.

More recipes to add to your list

• Jamie Oliver Tuna Quiche
• Jamie Oliver Spinach Lasagne
• Jamie Oliver Cheese And Onion Pasties
• Jamie Oliver Spinach And Mushroom Pasta
• Jamie Oliver Victoria Sponge

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