The Best Potato Soup Recipe: A Heartwarming Bowl of Comfort

Crafting a hearty potato soup delights home cooks seeking comfort in every spoonful.

Creamy textures and rich flavors merge into a bowl of pure satisfaction.

Potatoes bring magic to this classic dish, creating warmth that hugs your taste buds.

Simple ingredients dance together, promising a meal that feels like a culinary embrace.

Russet potatoes work perfectly, delivering smooth and velvety goodness with each bite.

Seasoned with love and minimal effort, this recipe transforms basic pantry staples into something extraordinary.

Let’s uncover the secret to making a soul-warming potato soup that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Brings Joy In The Best Potato Soup Recipe

• Quick Comfort Fix: Whip up this soul-warming potato soup in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something deliciously satisfying.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Just a few simple ingredients and basic cooking skills transform ordinary potatoes into a creamy, cheesy masterpiece that tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will devour this hearty soup, packed with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and smooth potato goodness that appeals to every taste bud.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Enjoy as a cozy dinner, lunch companion, or starter that adapts easily to different occasions, from casual family meals to elegant dinner parties.

What’s Found In The Best Potato Soup

• Russet Potatoes: Hearty potatoes with starchy texture perfect for creamy soups, choose firm potatoes without sprouts or green patches.
• Onion: Provides deep savory base flavor, yellow or white onions work best for classic soup taste.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and rich flavor, fresh cloves recommended over pre-minced.

• Chicken Broth, Milk, Heavy Cream: Create smooth, rich soup base with complementary creamy consistency, use low-sodium broth for better control of saltiness.
• Butter: Helps develop roux and adds richness, unsalted butter preferred for precise seasoning.

• Cheddar Cheese, Bacon: Provide intense savory flavor and textural contrast, sharp cheddar recommended for stronger taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens soup and creates smooth base, ensure no lumps when mixing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced flavor, kosher salt offers better control.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish adding bright color and mild onion crunch.

Potato Soup Best Ever Cooking Plan

Step 1: Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat up your cooking pot and melt the butter over medium warmth.

Toss in the chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring and dancing them around until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delicious aroma.

Step 2: Introduce Potato Goodness

Drop in the diced potatoes and pour in the chicken broth.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and let everything simmer gently.

Watch the potatoes become tender and soft, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Create Silky Smooth Texture

• Flour
• Milk

Blend until the mixture looks completely smooth with no lumps.

Slowly pour this into the soup, followed by the rich heavy cream.

Stir continuously to prevent any clumping.

Step 4: Blend to Perfection

Use an immersion blender to transform the soup into a velvety, creamy delight.

Blend until the texture is wonderfully smooth and inviting.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Excitement

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Half of the crumbled bacon

Cook until the cheese melts completely and the soup thickens to a luxurious consistency.

Step 6: Final Flavor Touch

Season with salt and pepper to your taste.

• Remaining bacon bits
• Chopped green onions
• Extra sprinkle of cheese

Pro Secrets Behind The Best Potato Soup

• Use a potato masher first to break down some potatoes before blending for a perfect creamy-chunky texture.
• Temper the milk-flour mixture by adding a small amount of hot soup liquid before stirring into the pot to avoid lumps.
• Remove the soup from direct heat when adding cheese and stir gently to ensure smooth, even melting without separation.
• Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based milk and cheese for a vegetarian version of the soup.
• Sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika or add crispy pancetta instead of bacon for an extra layer of rich, smoky taste.

Ways to Save The Best Potato Soup

• Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
• Heat in microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Add extra liquid if soup appears too thick.

What to Serve With The Best Potato Soup

• Savor Hearty Potato Soup Pairings
• Complement Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the creamy soup's rich flavors. The crispy exterior and soft inside create a perfect textural contrast.
• Match with Crisp Salad: Prepare a light, tangy green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette. This fresh side balances the soup's richness and adds a bright, refreshing element.
• Elevate with Chardonnay: Select a medium-bodied Chardonnay with buttery notes that mirror the soup's creamy texture. The wine's subtle oak and apple undertones enhance the potato and cheese flavors.
• Serve with Savory Ham: Add thin slices of smoky ham on the side to provide a protein-packed complement that echoes the bacon's salty, rich profile in the soup.

Best Potato Soup Takes

• Vegan Potato Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, use plant-based milk and cream alternatives like coconut or almond milk. Swap cheddar cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening. Choose gluten-free chicken broth and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower or turnips. Reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Top with jalapeños and swap bacon for chorizo for a zesty southwestern-inspired soup.

FAQs

• Can I make this potato soup without an immersion blender?

Yes, you can use a regular blender. Carefully transfer small batches of hot soup to the blender, blend until smooth, and return to the pot.

• Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, omit bacon, and use a plant-based cheese alternative for a delicious vegetarian version.

• How can I make the soup healthier?

Reduce the heavy cream by using half-and-half or whole milk. You can also use less cheese or choose a lower-fat cheese option to cut down on calories.

• What type of potatoes work best for this soup?

Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal. They have a creamy texture and hold up well during cooking, creating a smooth and rich soup consistency.

The Best Potato Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy potato soup delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending rustic charm with smooth, hearty goodness. Warm bowls of rich potato goodness invite you to savor each spoonful of pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 12 cups milk (1.5 cups)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish:

• Green onions

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, then gently sweat onions and garlic until they become translucent and aromatic.
2. Introduce diced potatoes and chicken broth, elevating the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer. Allow ingredients to meld and potatoes to soften completely, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Create a silky thickening agent by whisking flour into milk until no lumps remain, ensuring a smooth consistency.
4. Gradually incorporate the milk mixture into the simmering soup, followed by a rich stream of heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
5. Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender, puréeing until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency with no potato chunks remaining.
6. Introduce shredded cheddar cheese and half of the crispy bacon pieces, stirring until cheese melts completely and soup reaches a luxurious, creamy thickness.
7. Calibrate flavors with precise salt and pepper seasoning, tasting and adjusting as needed.
8. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with remaining bacon crumbles, freshly chopped green onions, and an additional sprinkle of cheese for visual appeal and extra flavor dimension.

Notes

• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Sauté onions and garlic slowly to develop a deep, sweet base that enhances the soup’s overall taste without burning.
• Cut potatoes into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use turkey bacon as a lower-fat alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg