Are you craving ultimate comfort food that’s both hearty and incredibly easy to make? Look no further than this fantastic potato soup recipe. It delivers rich, creamy flavor, packed with tender potatoes and savory bacon, all in one pot. This dish is perfect for chilly evenings and busy weeknights, offering a satisfying meal with minimal fuss for home cooks.
Why You’ll Love This Potato Soup Recipe
This potato soup recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Here’s why it will quickly become a family favorite:
- Creamy, satisfying texture: Enjoy a velvety smooth soup with chunks of tender potatoes.
- Flavorful savory bacon and aromatic vegetables: Each spoonful bursts with bacon, onion, and garlic.
- Perfect for cozy nights or gatherings: It’s ideal for a comforting meal at home or sharing with friends.
- Simple, straightforward cooking process: Even beginners can easily master this dish.
- Easily customizable to taste: Adjust seasonings or add your favorite toppings for a personal touch.
The Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large Dutch oven, cook bacon pieces over medium heat until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving fat in the pot.
- Add butter to the pot. Once melted, add onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and whisk to form a smooth roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Use an immersion blender (or remove half the soup to blend) and puree until smooth, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Return pureed soup to the pot. Stir in sour cream and reserved bacon. Simmer gently for another 15 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot topped with cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chives.
Notes
Ingredients
Creating this delicious potato soup recipe starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you need to gather for a truly unforgettable bowl of comfort:
- 6 strips (uncooked) bacon (cut into small pieces)
- 3 Tablespoons butter (unsalted or salted will work)
- 1 medium yellow onion (chopped (about 1.5 cup/200g))
- 3 large garlic cloves (minced)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (42g)
- 2 ½ lbs gold potatoes (peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1” (this was about 6 Large potatoes for me/1.15kg))
- 4 cups chicken broth (945ml)
- 2 cups milk (475ml)
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (155ml)
- 1 ½ teaspoon* salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder**
- ⅔ cup sour cream (160g)
- Shredded cheddar cheese, chives, and additional sour cream and bacon for topping (optional)
Notes & Substitutions
- Potatoes: Gold or Yukon Golds are best for creaminess. Russets absorb more liquid, making a thicker soup, while red potatoes hold their shape well. According to Urban Farmie, Yukon Gold potatoes are excellent for creamy soups because they retain their shape and provide the best texture.
- Dairy: For lighter options, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Plant-based milks like unsweetened almond or oat milk can work for a dairy-free version.
- Broth: Use vegetable broth to make this a vegetarian potato soup recipe.
- Flavor Boost: Ancho chili powder adds a subtle smoky depth without significant heat.
- Salt: Adjust to taste, especially if your chicken broth or bacon is already salty.
Equipment
Gathering your tools before you start makes cooking much smoother. You will need:
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot: Ideal for even heat distribution and one-pot cooking.
- Cutting board and sharp knife: For safely preparing your ingredients.
- Immersion blender or standard blender: To achieve that perfect creamy consistency.
- Ladle and serving bowls: Ready for enjoying your delicious creation.
Instructions
Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to create the best creamy potato soup recipe. This method ensures maximum flavor and a wonderfully smooth texture.
- Cook Bacon: Place bacon pieces in a large Dutch Oven or soup pot over medium heat and cook until bacon is crisp and browned.
- Sauté Aromatics: Remove bacon pieces and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot. Add butter and chopped onion and cook over medium heat until onions are tender (3-5 minutes).
- Add Garlic: Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the ingredients in the pot and stir until smooth (use whisk if needed). This forms the base for your creamy potato soup.
- Add Liquids & Potatoes: Add diced potatoes to the pot along with chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Stir well.
- Simmer Potatoes: Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork (about 10 minutes).
- Partial Puree: Reduce heat to simmer and remove approximately half*** of the soup to a blender (be careful, it will be hot!) and puree until smooth (half is about 5 cups of soup, but just eyeballing the amount will be fine. Alternatively you can use an immersion blender for this creamy potato soup recipe.).
- Combine & Stir: Return the pureed soup to the pot and add sour cream and reserved bacon pieces, stir well.
- Final Simmer: Allow soup to simmer gently for 15 minutes before serving. This step truly melds all the incredible flavors.
- Serve Hot: Ladle into bowls. Top with additional sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, or chives. Enjoy this comforting potato soup recipe!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Making a fantastic potato soup is easy with these expert tips. Avoid common pitfalls and enhance your final dish.
- Potato Prep: Dice potatoes uniformly, no larger than 1 inch. This ensures they cook evenly and become perfectly tender for your potato soup recipe.
- Roux Importance: Cook the flour and fat mixture (roux) for a minute or two. This prevents a raw flour taste in your creamy soup.
- Prevent Scorching: Stir the soup frequently after adding dairy. This keeps the bottom from sticking and burning.
- Adjusting Consistency: Add a splash more broth or milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Flavor Depth: Don’t skip the ancho chili powder. It adds a subtle, smoky dimension to the potato soup recipe.
- Prevent Curdling: Temper sour cream by whisking a small amount of hot soup into it first. Then, add the warmed sour cream to the pot.
Serving Suggestions, Storage & Reheating, & Variations
This versatile potato soup recipe offers many possibilities for enjoyment.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this creamy potato soup recipe with a side of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping. A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing also pairs beautifully, offering a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions.
Variations
- Loaded Baked Potato: Stir in extra shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and more crispy bacon bits just before serving.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes with the other seasonings for a touch of heat.
- Vegetarian: Simply use vegetable broth and omit the bacon for a delicious meat-free version of this potato soup recipe.
- Broccoli Cheddar: Stir in 1 cup of steamed, chopped broccoli florets and an extra ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
Nutrition Information
Enjoying this potato soup recipe is a treat! Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving.
| Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Total Carb | Dietary Fiber | Total Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 450 | 28g | 16g | 85mg | 780mg | 38g | 4g | 7g | 15g |
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate based on ingredients and preparation. Actual values may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What type of potatoes are best for this potato soup recipe?
Gold or Yukon Gold potatoes are highly recommended. They break down beautifully, contributing to the creamy texture of the soup while still retaining some body.
Can I freeze potato soup?
Dairy-based soups like this one can sometimes separate when frozen and reheated. If freezing, consider freezing before adding the heavy cream and sour cream, then stir them in during reheating for best results.
How do I thicken or thin my potato soup?
To thicken, create a slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water, then whisk it into the simmering soup. To thin, simply add a bit more chicken broth or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Can I make this potato soup recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and gently reheat, adding a splash of milk or broth if needed to restore its perfect consistency.
Conclusion
This ultimate creamy potato soup recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a bowl full of warmth and comfort. With its rich flavors, tender potatoes, and savory bacon, it’s designed to bring joy and satisfaction to your table. The simple, one-pot preparation makes it incredibly easy, perfect for busy parents and beginner cooks alike. We encourage you to try this wonderful potato soup recipe today. Share it with your loved ones and savor every delicious spoonful!
