Creamy Homemade Potato Soup Recipe

Indulge in Our Silky Creamy Homemade Potato Soup Recipe

Winter’s chill calls for a comforting bowl of creamy homemade potato soup that warms you from the inside out.

Potatoes blend seamlessly with rich, velvety ingredients to create a soul-soothing meal.

Creamy and hearty, this recipe delivers layers of flavor in every spoonful.

Smooth textures and robust seasonings dance together, promising a delightful dining experience.

Each ingredient carefully selected brings depth and warmth to the table.

The aroma of simmering potatoes and herbs will draw everyone close, eager to taste this classic comfort dish.

Savor every bite of this luxurious soup that turns a simple meal into a memorable culinary moment.

Tips for Texture That’s Smooth Yet Chunky

  • Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for maximum creaminess and ideal texture. These varieties break down beautifully and create a velvety soup base.
  • Crisp bacon separately to maintain crunchiness. Add crispy bits just before serving to prevent soggy texture and preserve that delightful crackle.
  • When partially blending, leave some potato chunks for rustic appeal. This technique creates a restaurant-style texture with smooth and chunky elements.
  • Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter, lactose-free version. These alternatives maintain rich consistency while offering dietary flexibility.
  • This soup freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to restore creamy consistency.

Serve with Croutons, Bacon, or Cheese

  • Comfort Food Feast: Serve this hearty potato soup with crusty bread for dipping and soaking up all the delicious flavors.
  • Cozy Topping Bar: Set out small dishes of crispy bacon bits, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and sour cream so guests can customize their bowl.
  • Soup and Salad Combo: Pair the creamy potato soup with a light, crisp green salad to balance the richness and add a fresh element to the meal.
  • Winter Warming Companion: Enjoy this soup alongside a warm fireplace or during a cold evening for the ultimate comfort food experience.

Store in Mason Jars for Later

  • Store leftover potato soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Avoid adding dairy toppings before freezing.
  • Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore creamy consistency if needed.
  • Chop potatoes and bacon in advance. Store separately in sealed containers. Assemble soup quickly during busy weeknights, saving time and reducing kitchen stress.

FAQs

  • Why do I need to partially blend the soup?

Partially blending the soup creates a creamy texture while maintaining some potato chunks, giving the soup a more interesting and satisfying mouthfeel. This technique helps thicken the soup and adds a rustic, homemade quality.

  • Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply skip the bacon and replace bacon drippings with butter or olive oil. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to create a completely vegetarian potato soup that’s just as delicious and comforting.

  • How can I prevent the milk from curdling when adding it to the hot soup?

Whisk the flour and milk together first to create a smooth mixture, and add it slowly while stirring constantly. This helps stabilize the mixture and prevents separation, ensuring a smooth and creamy soup.

  • What type of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold are ideal for potato soup. They break down easily and help create a naturally thick and creamy texture, making them perfect for this comforting recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 6

Potato Soup Ingredient Snapshot

For Meat and Fat Base:
  • Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture to the soup, selecting thick-cut bacon enhances overall taste.
  • Olive Oil or Butter: Creates a smooth cooking base, helps develop deep flavor foundation.
For Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion: Builds foundational savory depth, selecting sweet yellow onions creates balanced taste profile.
  • Garlic: Adds robust flavor complexity, fresh garlic delivers more intense taste compared to pre-minced varieties.
For Soup Foundation:
  • Potatoes: Offers creamy texture and hearty substance, choosing starchy russet potatoes ensures perfect soup consistency.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base with subtle savory undertones, low-sodium varieties allow better seasoning control.
  • Thyme: Introduces delicate herbal notes, using fresh thyme springs enhances aromatic experience.
  • Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasoning elements, freshly ground black pepper intensifies overall flavor profile.
For Thickening and Creaminess:
  • Flour: Acts as natural thickening agent, ensuring smooth soup texture.
  • Milk: Creates silky base for soup, whole milk delivers richer consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Contributes luxurious richness and velvety mouthfeel.
For Garnish and Finishing:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy flavor, shredding cheese fresh maximizes melting potential.
  • Green Onions: Introduces fresh, light crunch and visual appeal.
  • Sour Cream: Provides cool, tangy contrast to rich soup base.

Tools for Homemade Soup That Hits the Spot

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking bacon, sautéing aromatics, and simmering the entire soup.
  • Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon from the pot without excess grease.
  • Small Bowl: Used for whisking flour and milk together smoothly.
  • Cutting Board: Helps chop onions, potatoes, and garlic with ease.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing ingredients precisely.
  • Immersion Blender or Regular Blender: Optional tool for creating a creamier soup texture.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients throughout cooking process.

How to Simmer a Thick, Hearty Potato Soup

  • Sizzle the Bacon

Crisp up bacon in a large pot until golden and delicious. Remove the bacon, keeping a touch of those flavorful drippings behind.

  • Awaken the Aromatics

Toss chopped onions into the pot, letting them dance and soften. Sprinkle in garlic and let it release itsal aroma.

  • Embrace the Potatoes

Drop diced potatoes into the pot with broth and seasonings. Let everything bubble and simmer until potatoes become tender and dreamy.

  • Create Creamy

Whisk milk and flour into a silky blend. Pour into the pot with cream, allowing the mixture to transform and thicken beautifully.

  • Customize Your Comfort

For extra smoothness, partially blend the soup, keeping some chunks for a rustic feel. Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer portions to a regular blender.

  • Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Top with cheese, green onions, sour cream, and those crispy bacon bits you saved earlier. Enjoy your heartwarming creation!

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Creamy Homemade Potato Soup Recipe

Creamy Homemade Potato Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty potato soup celebrates comfort with creamy Idaho potatoes and rich bacon bits. Simple ingredients blend seamlessly for a satisfying bowl you’ll crave on chilly evenings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (about 5 cups), peeled and diced
  • 3 cups (720 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 4 slices bacon, diced (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (for thickening)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sliced green onions or chives
  • Sour cream
  • Additional cooked bacon, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until golden, then remove with a slotted spoon, reserving two tablespoons of rendered fat. Set bacon aside for garnishing.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions in reserved bacon fat until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook briefly to release its fragrant notes. If bacon-free, use butter or olive oil as an alternative.
  3. Soup Base Construction: Introduce diced potatoes, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered until potatoes become tender, approximately 15-18 minutes.
  4. Creamy Transformation: Whisk flour and milk into a smooth slurry, then gently fold into the simmering soup. Add heavy cream and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
  5. Texture Refinement: Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, maintaining some potato chunks for rustic appeal. Alternatively, blend half the soup in a standard blender, then reintegrate into the pot for a balanced consistency.
  6. Elegant Presentation: Ladle steaming soup into serving bowls. Garnish generously with sharp cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and crispy bacon fragments. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Bacon Fat Flavor Boost: Save the rendered bacon fat for extra depth; it adds rich, smoky undertones to the soup’s base.
  • Potato Precision: Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Thickening Technique: Whisk flour and milk thoroughly to prevent lumps, creating a smooth, silky base without grainy texture.
  • Blending Balance: When using an immersion blender, pulse carefully to maintain some potato chunks for a rustic, hearty texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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