The Creamiest, Most Soul-Warming Potato Soup Recipe Ever

Cold winter nights call for a heartwarming creamy potato soup that wraps you in comfort like a cozy blanket.

Potatoes transform into velvet magic when blended with rich dairy and savory herbs.

Every spoonful carries memories of grandmother’s kitchen and warmth that spreads through your entire body.

Humble ingredients dance together, creating something extraordinary and soul-satisfying.

Hearty chunks of potato mingle with smooth, silky broth in a culinary symphony that feels like a gentle embrace.

Layered flavors and simple ingredients make this recipe a true champion of weeknight dinners.

Grab a ladle and let this soup become your new cold-weather companion.

Why Creamy Potato Soup Feels So Comforting

• Craft a Comfort Classic: This creamy potato soup delivers pure comfort with its rich, velvety texture and hearty bacon-infused flavor that wraps you in warmth like a cozy blanket.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients allow personalization by adjusting toppings, spice levels, or adding extra mix-ins to suit individual tastes and preferences without complicated modifications.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Ready in under 45 minutes, this one-pot meal provides maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy families seeking delicious and satisfying dinner solutions.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: The combination of crispy bacon, smooth potatoes, and creamy base creates a universally appealing dish that both kids and adults will love, making it ideal for family gatherings or casual dinner parties.

Ingredients You Need For Creamy Potato Soup

• Bacon: Provides a smoky flavor and crispy topping, choose thick-cut for better texture.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and liquid base for the soup, low-sodium recommended for better control of saltiness.

• Butter, Milk, Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Create rich and smooth soup texture, use full-fat for best flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Offers sharp flavor and melty garnish, sharp or extra-sharp varieties recommended.

• Onion, Garlic: Build foundational aromatic base, fresh garlic provides more intense flavor.
• Potatoes: Main soup ingredient, starchy varieties like Russet work best for creamy consistency.
• Flour: Helps thicken soup and create smooth roux, all-purpose flour preferred.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning, adjust to personal taste.
• Ancho Chili Powder: Optional ingredient for subtle heat and complexity.
• Chives: Fresh garnish that adds mild onion-like flavor and visual appeal.

How To Make Creamy Potato Soup At Home

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Sizzle chopped bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until it turns golden and crispy. Scoop out the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and let them rest on paper towels, keeping all that delicious bacon fat in the pot.

Step 2: Prepare Aromatic Base

• Butter
• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Melt butter into the bacon fat. Toss in the onions and cook until they become translucent and soft. Add garlic and let it dance around the pot for a minute, releasing its wonderful aroma.

Step 3: Create Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir constantly to create a smooth, golden roux. Let it cook for a couple of minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 4: Build the Soup

• Chicken broth
• Diced potatoes
• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Pepper
• Ancho chili powder

Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until everything blends smoothly. Add potatoes and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then lower to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the potatoes become tender and dreamy.

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup. If you don’t have one, carefully transfer half the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, then return to the pot. This creates a luxurious, creamy consistency with some potato chunks for texture.

Step 6: Final Touches

Stir in sour cream until it’s completely incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper as needed.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped chives
• Crispy bacon pieces

Best Tips For Creamy Potato Soup

• Crisp Bacon Perfectly: Cook bacon on medium heat until golden brown and crunchy, ensuring maximum flavor infusion for your soup base.
• Control Roux Consistency: Stir flour mixture continuously to prevent burning and create a smooth, lump-free base that thickens the soup evenly.
• Blend for Texture Variety: Partially puree the soup to maintain some potato chunks while creating a creamy overall texture that feels rustic and comforting.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Layer seasonings by using bacon fat, ancho chili powder, and fresh herbs to elevate the soup's taste profile beyond basic ingredients.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use turkey bacon for a lighter protein option that still delivers rich flavor.

Ways To Store Creamy Potato Soup Properly

• Refrigerate leftover creamy potato soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Cool the soup completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Cover the surface with plastic wrap to minimize air exposure and prevent a skin from forming.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain the smooth, creamy texture.
• Add a splash of extra chicken broth or milk if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration.
• Never freeze this soup, as the dairy and potatoes will separate and become grainy, ruining the delightful creamy consistency.
• For best flavor and texture, consume within 2-3 days of preparation.
• When reheating, avoid using the microwave if possible, as it can cause uneven heating and potentially break down the soup's creamy base.

What To Eat With Creamy Potato Soup

• Pair with Crusty Sourdough: Grab a warm slice of tangy sourdough bread to soak up every delicious drop of this creamy potato soup. The bread's slight sourness perfectly complements the rich, savory flavors of the soup.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: Uncork a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the soup's creaminess. These light, refreshing wines provide a bright contrast to the hearty potato base.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Toss together a light salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette. The fresh, crunchy salad balances the soup's richness and adds a refreshing element to the meal.
• Serve with Craft Beer Pairing: Choose a smooth amber ale or light lager to enhance the bacon and potato flavors. The beer's malty undertones will complement the soup's creamy texture and smoky bacon notes.

Fun Changes To Creamy Potato Soup

• Green Goddess Potato Soup: Blend fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and chives into the soup for a vibrant, herbal flavor profile. Replace bacon with crispy herb-roasted vegetables for a vegetarian option.
• Southwestern Kick Potato Soup: Add roasted green chiles, swap ancho chili powder for chipotle, and top with fresh cilantro and jalapeño slices. Include black beans and corn for extra texture and southwestern flair.
• Smoky Gouda Potato Soup: Substitute cheddar with smoked gouda cheese and add a touch of smoked paprika. Garnish with crispy pancetta and fresh thyme for a rich, complex taste experience.
• Alpine Style Potato Soup: Incorporate Swiss gruyère cheese and a splash of white wine. Sprinkle with crispy sage leaves and toasted alpine nuts for a European-inspired version.

FAQs For Creamy Potato Soup

• What makes this potato soup so creamy?

The combination of milk, heavy cream, and sour cream creates an incredibly rich and smooth texture. The roux (flour and butter mixture) also helps thicken the soup and add extra creaminess.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

You can easily skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Replace the bacon fat with butter or olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.

• Is an immersion blender necessary for this recipe?

Not at all! You can use a regular blender to puree half the soup. Just be careful when blending hot liquids and work in batches to prevent overflow.

• How spicy is this soup with ancho chili powder?

The ancho chili powder adds a mild, slightly smoky flavor without intense heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can omit it completely or use just a pinch for depth of flavor.

Creamy Potato Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting Creamy Potato Soup delivers pure warmth straight from hearty kitchens filled with love and rich flavor. Silky potato goodness promises to nourish souls with each spoonful, inviting you to savor home-style deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2.5 pounds gold potatoes, peeled and diced into ¾-inch pieces
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 6 strips bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• ⅔ cup heavy cream
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• Shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ancho chili powder (optional)
• Chopped chives (for topping)
• Additional bacon (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp and golden brown.
2. Extract the bacon with a perforated utensil, allowing the fat to remain in the pot, and transfer the crispy pieces to a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Melt butter into the existing bacon drippings, creating a rich foundational flavor.
4. Gently sauté the onions until they become translucent and slightly softened.
5. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for a brief moment.
6. Dust the flour over the aromatic mixture, whisking continuously to create a smooth, golden roux.
7. Toast the roux for a couple of minutes to eliminate any raw flour undertones.
8. Slowly incorporate chicken broth, ensuring a silky, lump-free consistency.
9. Fold in potatoes, milk, heavy cream, and seasonings, allowing the ingredients to harmonize.
10. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover.
11. Simmer until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
12. Partially pulverize the soup using an immersion blender, maintaining a rustic, chunky texture.
13. Incorporate sour cream for additional richness and depth.
14. Calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper to personal preference.
15. Serve in warm bowls, garnishing with crisp bacon bits, sharp cheddar, and fresh chives.

Notes

• Swap bacon for turkey bacon or coconut bacon to create a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version of the soup.
• Experiment with different potato varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for unique texture and flavor profiles.
• Use lactose-free milk and cream alternatives to make the soup suitable for those with dairy sensitivities.
• Enhance the soup’s nutrition by adding roasted vegetables like cauliflower or carrots during the blending process for extra depth and vitamins.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg