Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup Recipe for Ultimate Coziness

Comfort dances through this old-fashioned potato & bacon soup with rustic charm and warmth.

Crispy bacon bits promise delectable crunch against smooth, creamy potatoes.

Grandmothers worldwide have perfected such simple yet magical dishes across generations.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-satisfying meal that whispers memories of cozy kitchens.

Robust flavors emerge from carefully selected components, promising rich satisfaction in every spoonful.

Each ladle carries tradition and love, inviting you to savor this classic recipe.

Let this soup transport you to moments of pure culinary bliss.

Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup: A Classic Favorite

• Create a restaurant-quality soup with just basic cooking skills and minimal preparation time, perfect for busy home cooks.
• Craft a universally appealing dish that satisfies everyone from kids to grandparents with its hearty, comforting profile.
• Adapt the recipe easily by swapping ingredients or adjusting consistency, making it a flexible option for spontaneous dinner planning.

Ingredients to Make Potato & Bacon Soup

• Bacon: Provides a smoky, rich flavor and crispy texture, choose thick-cut for more intense taste.
• Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth: Creates a savory liquid base, homemade or low-sodium options recommended.

• Potatoes: Starchy base that gives soup thickness and heartiness, russet or Yukon gold work best.
• Onions: Adds depth and aromatic foundation, yellow onions preferred for classic flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances overall seasoning profile with subtle garlic notes.

• Milk, Heavy Cream: Adds smoothness and richness, whole milk provides best consistency.
• Butter: Contributes additional richness and silky texture, unsalted recommended for better flavor control.

• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Provides mild heat and complementary spice.

Steps to Cook Potato & Bacon Soup

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until golden and crispy. Transfer bacon to a plate, keeping the delicious rendered fat in the pot for extra flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Onions

Drop chopped onions into the bacon fat and cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet, savory aroma.

Step 3: Prepare Potato Base

Add diced potatoes to the pot, coating them in the flavorful fat and onion mixture. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, completely covering the potatoes. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 4: Create Creamy Texture

Gently mash potatoes using a potato masher, leaving some chunks for a rustic feel. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender. Stir in milk and butter to create a rich, velvety texture.

Step 5: Season and Enhance

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Allow the soup to simmer, letting the flavors blend and intensify.

Step 6: Incorporate Crispy Bacon

Fold in the previously cooked bacon, saving a few pieces for topping if desired.

Step 7: Serve with Style

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Extra crispy bacon bits
• Chopped chives

Enjoy this comforting, hearty soup that warms you from the inside out.

Tips That Make Potato & Bacon Soup Shine

• Customize Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut bacon for a richer, meatier flavor that adds more depth to the soup's overall taste profile.
• Prevent Potato Discoloration: Rinse diced potatoes in cold water before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent browning, ensuring a more appealing presentation.
• Create Texture Variations: Experiment with mashing techniques- partially mash for a rustic feel or use an immersion blender for a smoother consistency based on personal preference.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Add chopped kale or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking to increase the soup's nutritional content without compromising its classic flavor.
• Make It Dairy-Free: Substitute milk with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a creamy texture that accommodates lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Potato & Bacon Soup

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing if using cream-based soup, as texture may separate.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or milk to restore original consistency if needed. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warm.
• Place soup in microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even heating and prevent hot spots.

What Complements Potato & Bacon Soup

• Complement the smoky bacon and creamy potatoes with a crisp Chardonnay that balances the soup's richness, cutting through the fat while enhancing the savory flavors.
• Top the soup with sharp cheddar cheese crumbles and crispy homemade croutons to add texture and an extra layer of tangy, salty goodness that elevates the entire dish.
• Serve alongside a crusty sourdough bread or rustic country bread, perfect for dipping and soaking up the creamy, bacon-infused broth, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Sprinkle fresh chives or chopped green onions on top to add a bright, mild onion flavor that provides a refreshing contrast to the soup's rich and heavy base.

Variations on the Classic Potato & Bacon Soup

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and sautéed mushrooms for a rich, smoky flavor without meat. Use vegetable broth and add extra herbs like thyme to enhance depth.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk. Use olive oil instead of butter and coconut cream for added richness. Ensure all other ingredients remain the same.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content. Maintain the same cooking method and seasoning, creating a lighter yet equally satisfying soup.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Confirm all ingredients are gluten-free certified. Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening if needed. Check broth labels to ensure no hidden gluten-containing additives.

Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comfort meets classic charm in this hearty old-fashioned potato & bacon soup, showcasing rustic flavors that warm the soul. Creamy potatoes and crispy bacon create a delicious symphony, inviting you to savor each comforting spoonful of pure culinary bliss.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 6 slices bacon, chopped

Vegetables:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (Russet or Yukon Gold work best)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Dairy:

• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for serving)

Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate heat, stirring periodically until achieving a crisp golden texture. Extract the bacon, preserving the rich rendered fat within the pot.
2. Gently sauté the diced onions in the residual bacon drippings until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Introduce the cubed potatoes into the pot, thoroughly coating them with the fragrant bacon fat and softened onions. Pour in the broth, ensuring complete liquid coverage, then elevate to a boiling point before reducing to a gentle simmer.
4. Allow the potatoes to tenderize for 15-20 minutes, testing their doneness with a fork. Partially mash the potatoes using a potato masher, maintaining a rustic, chunky texture while creating a slightly thickened base.
5. Incorporate milk or cream along with butter to enhance the soup’s luxurious consistency. Blend gently to distribute the dairy components evenly throughout the mixture.
6. Season the soup with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences. Permit the flavors to harmonize during a brief 5-minute simmering period.
7. Reintroduce the crispy bacon pieces into the soup, stirring to distribute. Crumble additional bacon for a garnish if desired.
8. Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, embellishing with optional toppings like shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately to capture the soup’s optimal warmth and flavor profile.

Notes

• Customize the bacon’s crispiness by controlling cooking time, ensuring perfectly textured soup base with rich, smoky undertones.
• Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for optimal creaminess and ideal soup consistency.
• Experiment with dairy alternatives like plant-based milk or coconut cream for lactose-free or vegan adaptations without compromising flavor depth.
• Elevate the soup’s nutritional profile by adding chopped kale, spinach, or carrots during potato simmering stage for extra vitamins and color.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 425
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg