A close-up of a deliciously creamy, loaded potato soup garnished with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh chives, and a dollop of sour cream.

Introduction

Warm up with a bowl of the ultimate creamy potato soup! This hearty classic offers pure comfort, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave something truly satisfying. Loaded with tender, starchy potatoes and a rich, velvety texture, this homemade potato soup comes together easily in just one pot. Get ready to create a heartwarming, deeply flavorful meal that your entire family will adore and ask for again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Potato Soup

This irresistible hearty potato soup will quickly become a cherished recipe in your kitchen for many reasons.

It’s a wonderfully quick and easy one-pot meal, simplifying your dinner routine with minimal cleanup.
The soup boasts a rich, velvety texture and deep flavor that’s incredibly comforting with every single spoonful.
You can customize it endlessly with your favorite toppings, allowing everyone to create their perfect bowl.
It’s the ideal dish to warm you up from the inside out on any cold day, feeling like a cozy, edible hug.
This crowd-pleasing recipe is a guaranteed hit, ensuring smiles and full bellies for family and friends alike.

Ingredients for Creamy Potato Soup

Creating this delicious homemade potato soup requires simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have on hand. Each component plays a vital role in building the soup’s incredible depth and creamy consistency.

6 strips (uncooked) bacon, cut into small pieces
3 Tablespoons unsalted or salted butter
1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1.5 cup/200g)
3 large garlic cloves, minced
⅓ cup all-purpose flour (42g)
2 ½ lbs gold potatoes, peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1” (this was about 6 large potatoes for me/1.15kg)
4 cups chicken broth (945ml)
2 cups milk (475ml)
⅔ cup heavy cream (155ml)
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
¼ – ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
⅔ cup sour cream (160g)
Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, fresh chives, additional sour cream, and extra crispy bacon bits for serving.

Notes & Substitutions

For the very best texture in your creamy potato soup, we strongly recommend using either gold or Russet potatoes. Gold potatoes offer a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture, while Russets provide a wonderfully starchy base that effectively thickens the soup. According to Simply Recipes, the difference in moisture content between Russet and yellow potatoes impacts their culinary applications, with Russets being ideal for thickening. properties of russet and gold potatoes in cooking. If you prefer a slightly lighter dairy option, you can easily swap half-and-half for some of the heavy cream or milk in the recipe. For a delicious vegetarian version, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Adjust the ancho chili powder precisely to your taste, adding more for a smoky, gentle kick or less for a milder flavor profile. Feel free to use turkey bacon as a leaner alternative to pork bacon if desired.

Equipment

You only need a few basic and readily available tools to create this incredibly simple recipe. Grab a sturdy large Dutch oven or a substantial soup pot for all your cooking needs. An immersion blender makes pureeing the soup wonderfully easy, but a standard blender works just as well (always use extreme caution when blending hot liquids). You’ll also need a sharp knife, a reliable cutting board, and a whisk to ensure smooth mixing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this delicious and comforting potato soup is remarkably straightforward. Follow these detailed steps carefully for a perfectly creamy, deeply flavorful, and satisfying result every single time.

Cook Bacon: Begin by placing the cut bacon pieces in your large Dutch oven or soup pot. Cook them over medium heat until the bacon becomes delightfully crisp and beautifully browned. This renders flavorful fat.
Reserve Bacon: Carefully remove the cooked bacon pieces from the pot using a slotted spoon. Set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate, ensuring to leave all the flavorful rendered bacon fat in the pot.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the butter and chopped yellow onion to the pot with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just about 30 seconds until it becomes wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown, as it can turn bitter.
Make Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the ingredients in the pot. Stir continuously until it is completely smooth and forms a paste, using a whisk if necessary to prevent lumps. This creates a thickening roux.
Combine Ingredients: Add the diced potatoes to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined and the roux is fully incorporated.
Cook Potatoes: Bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil. Continue to cook until the diced potatoes are fork-tender, meaning they can be easily pierced with a fork, which typically takes about 10 minutes.
Puree Soup: Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Carefully remove approximately half of the soup (about 5 cups is a good eyeball estimate) to a heat-safe blender and puree until it is perfectly smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot for convenience.
Finish Soup: Return the pureed soup to the pot with the remaining chunky soup. Stir in the sour cream and the reserved crispy bacon pieces. Mix everything together well until fully incorporated.
Simmer & Serve: Allow the magnificent soup to gently simmer for another 15 minutes. This crucial step allows all the incredible flavors to meld beautifully. Serve your comforting potato soup hot, garnished with additional sour cream, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, or fresh chives as desired. Enjoy every heartwarming spoonful!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

For truly uniform cooking, always ensure your potatoes are cut into even, roughly 1-inch pieces. This guarantees they all become tender simultaneously, preventing some from being undercooked. Remember to precisely adjust your salt levels based on the sodium content of your chosen chicken broth; taste and adjust as needed. For the ultimate creaminess, puree more of the soup; for a chunkier texture, puree less. Always avoid blending the crispy bacon into the soup; add it at the very end to preserve its delightful texture. Don’t skip the ancho chili powder; it adds a crucial layer of smoky depth to this delicious potato soup without making it overly spicy. If your soup is too thin, simmer it longer to reduce, or make a cornstarch slurry. If it’s too thick, add a splash more broth or milk until your desired consistency is reached. For blandness, a pinch more salt or a dash of hot sauce can significantly perk it up.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delightful potato soup hot and generously loaded with your favorite toppings to enhance its flavor and texture. Think shredded sharp cheddar cheese, fresh green chives, extra crispy bacon bits, or a generous dollop of cool sour cream. It pairs wonderfully as a main course with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or a simple crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Storage Instructions

Always allow your hearty soup to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also successfully freeze this hearty potato soup for up to 3 months. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a small splash of milk or broth if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration or freezing. The USDA provides guidelines on safely storing cooked foods, including those with dairy, to prevent spoilage and ensure food safety. safe food handling and storage guidelines.

Variations

Get creative and customize your potato soup with these delicious ideas:

Loaded Baked: Stir in cooked broccoli florets or corn kernels for extra vegetables and flavor.
Vegetarian Adaptation: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the bacon; add a pinch of smoked paprika for depth.
Smoky or Spicy Versions: Enhance the smoky flavor with more ancho chili powder, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño with the onions for a spicy kick.
Add Leeks or Other Vegetables: Sauté sliced leeks alongside the onions for an extra layer of delicate flavor and sweetness.

Nutrition Information

This rich and creamy potato soup provides a comforting and energy-rich meal that’s both satisfying and flavorful. Please remember that these nutritional values are estimated and can certainly vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and precise serving sizes used in your own preparation. It’s a hearty option offering a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. To make it a bit healthier, consider opting for low-fat milk and broth, and perhaps slightly reducing the amount of bacon.

Nutrient	Amount
Serving Size	1 serving
Calories	521 kcal
Carbohydrate Content	47 g
Protein Content	12 g
Fat Content	32 g
Saturated Fat Content	17 g
Trans Fat Content	1 g
Cholesterol Content	87 mg
Sodium Content	1326 mg
Fiber Content	5 g
Sugar Content	7 g
Potassium Content	1176 mg
Vitamin A	897 IU
Vitamin C	50 mg
Calcium	182 mg
Iron	2 mg

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can potato soup be made ahead?

Yes, absolutely! You can conveniently prepare this delicious potato soup a day or even two days in advance. The flavors often have more time to meld and deepen overnight, frequently making it even more delicious the next day. Simply reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk if needed to restore its creamy consistency.

What type of potatoes works best for this creamy potato soup?

Gold or Russet potatoes are truly ideal for achieving the best results in this particular recipe. Gold potatoes offer a naturally buttery flavor and a lovely creamy texture when cooked down. Russets, on the other hand, provide a wonderfully starchy base that significantly helps in thickening the soup, contributing to its rich, velvety mouthfeel.

How can I thicken my potato soup if it’s too thin?

If your homemade potato soup turns out a bit too thin for your preference, you have a couple of easy solutions. You can simmer it longer to allow for natural reduction and thickening, or easily make a simple cornstarch slurry. To do this, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water, then whisk this mixture into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired thickness.

Is it possible to freeze leftover potato soup?

Absolutely! This creamy potato soup freezes exceptionally well for up to three months, making it perfect for meal prep. Allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Ensure you leave a little headspace at the top for expansion. Thaw the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating it.

How can I make this potato soup recipe vegetarian?

To easily adapt this comforting potato soup recipe to be vegetarian, simply make a few straightforward substitutions. Omit the bacon entirely from the ingredient list and instead use a high-quality vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth. For an extra layer of delicious savory and smoky flavor, you can add a generous pinch of smoked paprika to the soup.

Conclusion

This ultimate creamy potato soup offers unparalleled comfort, deep flavor, and remarkable ease of preparation, truly proving that making delicious, heartwarming meals doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With its perfectly tender potatoes, rich and velvety broth, and simple step-by-step instructions, you’ve created a truly magnificent dish perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to special gatherings. Don’t hesitate to whip up a delicious batch of this fantastic soup tonight! We’d absolutely love to hear how you customized your bowl; please share your thoughts, creative variations, and favorite toppings in the comments below!