A creamy, tangy Czech-American dill soup with potatoes, hot dogs, and a roux-thickened broth, tested three times to get the vinegar and sour cream perfectly balanced without curdling.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6servings
Calories: 245kcal
Ingredients
For the Soup Base:
4tablespoonunsalted butter
1small yellow onion, diced (¾ cup)
1/3cupall-purpose flour
4cuplow-sodium chicken broth
2cupwhole milk
3medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
1/4cupfresh dill, chopped, plus more for garnish
11/2teaspoonsalt, plus more to taste
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
For the Tangy Finish and Garnish:
4beef hot dogs, sliced into rounds (or 8 oz diced ham)
2tablespoonwhite vinegar, plus more to taste
1/2cupsour cream, room temperature
2hard-boiled eggs, sliced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until translucent. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until pale and slightly foamy.
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then whisk in the milk. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the diced potatoes and 1½ teaspoons salt. Simmer uncovered for 15–18 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Stir in the sliced hot dogs and chopped dill. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the pot sit for 1–2 minutes. Whisk ½ cup of the hot broth into the sour cream in a separate bowl to temper it, then stir the tempered sour cream and the vinegar back into the pot gradually.
Taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. Let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with sliced hard-boiled egg and extra fresh dill.
Notes
Full-fat sour cream at room temperature is much less likely to curdle than cold or low-fat sour cream — plan ahead and set it out 15–20 minutes before you start cooking.
To make ahead, prepare through Step 4 up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate; finish with the tempered sour cream and vinegar just before serving.
The soup thickens noticeably as it cools — thin leftovers with a splash of milk when reheating over low heat.
Freeze the soup base (before Step 5) for up to 2 months; add the dairy and vinegar fresh after thawing.
If using dried dill instead of fresh, use 1 tablespoon and add it in Step 2 so it has time to rehydrate.
Vinegar brands vary in acidity — always taste after the first addition before adding the full amount.