The Coziest Hearty Potato & Bacon Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Steaming bowls of potato and bacon soup warm the soul on chilly evenings, offering a comforting embrace that satisfies deep hunger.

Cold weather calls for this hearty potato and bacon soup that blends creamy textures with smoky, savory flavors.

Crisp bacon bits dance through smooth potato puree, creating a delightful contrast in every spoonful.

Rich cream and sharp cheese elevate the soup’s robust profile, making each bite a delectable experience.

Tender potatoes absorb the smoky bacon essence, transforming into a luxurious meal that promises complete contentment.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings become memorable with this simple yet impressive soup.

You’ll want to ladle this delicious creation into bowls and watch as everyone’s faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 390 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup

• Bacon: Brings smoky, crispy texture and rich depth to the soup, choose thick-cut for robust flavor and easier crispiness.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Provides foundational liquid base, select low-sodium for better control of salt levels.

• Potatoes: Hearty starch that creates soup's creamy body, select starchy varieties like Russet for best consistency.
• Onions: Adds sweet undertone and aromatic base, fresh yellow onions work best for balanced flavor profile.
• Butter: Contributes luxurious richness and smooth mouthfeel, use unsalted for precise seasoning control.
• Milk or Heavy Cream: Delivers silky, luxurious texture, whole milk provides optimal creaminess.

• Garlic Powder: Introduces gentle, rounded garlic essence without raw sharpness.
• Salt: Elevates and balances overall taste profile, use kosher salt for cleaner seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and complexity, freshly ground provides most vibrant flavor.

Tools for Making a Potato Bacon Soup

• Large pot: Essential for cooking bacon, sauteing onions, and simmering the soup.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and dicing potatoes.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for precise vegetable preparation.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Potato masher or immersion blender: Helps create the desired soup texture.
• Ladle: Used for serving the soup into bowls.
• Measuring cups: Useful for accurate liquid measurements.

Cooking This Soup from Scratch

• Crisp the Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a large pot over medium heat, stirring until it turns golden and crunchy. Remove bacon, keeping the flavorful drippings behind.

• Soften the Onions

Drop chopped onions into the bacon drippings, cooking until they become translucent and fragrant.

• Tenderize the Potatoes

Tumble diced potatoes into the pot, coating them with onions and bacon fat. Pour broth over potatoes, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until potatoes are super soft.

• Crush and Smooth

Gently mash potatoes, leaving some chunks for texture. Stir in milk and butter to create a velvety consistency.

• Season and Enhance

Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the soup bubble gently for a few minutes to blend flavors.

• Finish and Serve

Crumble reserved bacon back into the soup. Ladle into warm bowls and top with extra bacon bits, cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.

Tips for a Rich, Savory Bacon Flavor

• Save every drop of rendered bacon fat to amplify the soup's deep, rich flavor profile and elevate the overall taste experience.
• Control the soup's consistency by adjusting potato mashing techniques – leave more chunks for rustic feel or blend smoother for creamy texture.
• Replace whole milk with low-fat milk, use turkey bacon for reduced fat, or add cauliflower alongside potatoes to increase vegetable content and lower calories.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months – store in airtight containers and reheat gently, potentially adding extra splash of broth to restore original consistency.

How to Serve Potato & Bacon Soup Warm

• Hearty Bread Companion: Serve thick slices of crusty sourdough or rustic french bread alongside the soup for dipping and soaking up all those delicious flavors.
• Crispy Topping Adventure: Sprinkle extra crispy bacon bits, chopped chives, shredded cheddar cheese, or green onions on top to add crunch and visual appeal to the creamy soup.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair the rich soup with a light, tangy green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy and savory profile, creating a well-rounded meal that feels comforting yet refreshing.
• Temperature Tip: Warm your serving bowls before ladling the soup to keep it hot longer, ensuring each spoonful remains perfectly heated from first bite to last.

Save and Store This Soup Easily

• Allow soup to cool to room temperature within 2 hours, spreading it in a shallow container to release heat faster and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in airtight containers and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work best to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption.
• Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace for expansion. Freeze up to 2-3 months. Exclude dairy ingredients before freezing for better texture when reheating.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore creamy consistency. Add small splash of broth or milk if soup seems too thick. Avoid microwave to maintain smooth texture and prevent separation of ingredients.

FAQs

• Are potatoes the best choice for this soup?

Potatoes provide creamy texture and hearty flavor, making them perfect for a comfort soup. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best because they break down easily and create a smooth, rich base.

• Can I make this soup healthier?

Yes, use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, opt for low-fat milk, and add extra vegetables like carrots or celery to increase nutritional value. You can also use chicken broth to reduce calories.

• How do I prevent the soup from becoming too thick?

Keep some liquid when mashing potatoes, and add extra broth or milk if needed. Stir frequently and adjust consistency by adding warm liquid gradually until you reach desired thickness.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This soup stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead meal for busy weeks.

Hearty Potato & Bacon Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create a soul-warming meal you’ll savor with every delicious spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 3 cups potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and diced
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Bacon Rendering: Sizzle bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then remove and reserve, leaving the flavorful drippings behind.
2. Aromatic Base: Sauté onions in the bacon fat until translucent and fragrant, creating a foundational flavor for the soup.
3. Potato Preparation: Add cubed potatoes to the pot, coating them in the bacon-infused base. Pour in broth, bringing to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer until potatoes become tender and begin to break down slightly.
4. Texture Development: Partially mash the potatoes using a potato masher, creating a rustic, thick consistency while maintaining some potato chunks for textural interest.
5. Creamy Enhancement: Stir in milk or cream and butter, blending thoroughly to create a velvety, rich soup base with a luxurious mouthfeel.
6. Seasoning and Finishing: Incorporate garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Reintroduce crispy bacon pieces, allowing flavors to meld during a brief 5-minute simmer.
7. Serving Presentation: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, garnishing with additional crumbled bacon, optional shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream. Serve piping hot to maximize flavor and comfort.

Notes

Maximize Bacon Flavor: Render bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor and achieve perfect crispiness without burning. Low and steady heat ensures even cooking and rich taste.

Create Creamy Texture: Use a potato masher to partially crush potatoes, creating a rustic thickness. Avoid over-mashing to maintain chunky, hearty soup consistency.

Prevent Dairy Curdling: Add milk or cream at low temperature and stir gently to prevent separation. Remove from heat before adding dairy to maintain smooth, silky texture.

Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap bacon with turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for lighter versions. Use vegetable broth and dairy-free milk for vegan adaptation, ensuring same rich flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg