The Coziest Creamy Potato Soup Recipe For Chilly Days

Comfort meets culinary magic in this delightful potato soup that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a bowl of pure happiness.

Smooth textures and rich flavors dance together, making each spoonful a delectable experience.

Potatoes take center stage, offering their creamy potential in every bite.

Seasonal herbs and subtle spices add depth to this classic dish.

Simple techniques transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

What Makes Creamy Potato Soup So Comforting

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This creamy potato soup wraps you in warmth with its rich, satisfying flavors that feel like a cozy hug on a chilly day.
• Maximize Flavor Efficiency: By using bacon drippings to sauté vegetables and creating a quick roux, the recipe builds deep, layered taste without complicated techniques.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with familiar ingredients like potatoes, bacon, and cheese, this soup appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime a breeze.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible toppings like shredded cheese, bacon bits, and scallions let everyone personalize their bowl, turning dinner into a fun, interactive experience.

Ingredients for Creamy Potato Soup

• Bacon: Provides a smoky, crispy flavor and adds richness to the soup.
• Chicken Stock: Creates a flavorful liquid base for the soup.

• Potatoes: The main ingredient that gives the soup its creamy texture and hearty base.
• Onion, Celery, Carrots: Adds depth of flavor and nutritional value to the soup.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall taste with its aromatic profile.
• Scallions: Offers a fresh, mild onion-like garnish for topping.

• Milk: Provides creaminess and smoothness to the soup.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the soup and create a smooth consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor and creamy topping.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's overall taste.

How to Prepare Creamy Potato Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Bacon to Crispy Perfection

Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it turns golden and crisp.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, letting it drain and become extra crunchy.

Step 2: Saute Veggie Flavor Base

• Onions
• Celery
• Carrots
• Garlic

Cook these vegetables until they become soft and release their aromatic flavors.

Step 3: Create Creamy Thickening Base

Sprinkle flour into the pot and stir continuously for one minute.

This creates a magical roux that will help thicken your soup beautifully.

Step 4: Pour and Blend Liquid Gold

Slowly pour chicken stock into the pot, stirring constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.

Blend the liquid smoothly with the vegetable mixture.

Step 5: Simmer Potato Chunks

Add diced potatoes to the pot and let them simmer gently.

Cook until the potatoes become tender and soft, which typically takes about 15 minutes.

Step 6: Enrich with Creamy Goodness

Stir in milk and season with salt and pepper.

Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, letting the flavors meld together perfectly.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crispy bacon pieces
• Diced scallions

Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, hearty soup!

Pro Tips for Creamy Potato Soup

• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest texture and best flavor absorption.
• Dice potatoes just before cooking and rinse them in cold water to remove excess starch and keep them bright white.
• Cook bacon on medium-low heat for evenly crisp pieces without burning, ensuring maximum flavor and perfect crunch.
• Adjust soup consistency by adding more stock for a thinner soup or letting it simmer longer to thicken naturally without extra thickeners.
• Toast flour briefly before adding liquid to develop a deeper, nuttier taste and eliminate raw flour flavor in the final soup.

Variations on Creamy Potato Soup

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable stock for a meatless version that keeps the rich, smoky flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap milk with coconut milk or almond milk, and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese to maintain creamy texture and add nutty undertones.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend instead of wheat flour for thickening, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the soup.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining a similar creamy consistency and hearty feel.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Potato Soup

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Pair this hearty soup with a warm slice of crusty sourdough bread for dipping and soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Rustic Lunch Combo: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add fresh texture.
• Hearty Winter Meal: Complement the soup with a side of roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or honey-glazed carrots for a complete and satisfying dinner experience.
• Garnish Galore: Experiment with additional toppings like crumbled blue cheese, crispy fried onions, or a dollop of sour cream to elevate the soup's presentation and taste.

How to Store Creamy Potato Soup

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid adding dairy-based toppings before freezing.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick.

FAQs

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, replace bacon with smoked paprika or vegetable bacon, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, and skip the bacon topping.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

No, the flour used to create the roux contains gluten. You can substitute with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free.

• How can I make the soup thicker?

Add more flour during the roux stage or mash some potatoes directly in the soup to create a thicker, creamier texture.

• Can I freeze this potato soup?

While you can freeze it, the cream and potatoes might slightly separate upon thawing. If freezing, add fresh dairy when reheating for best consistency.

Creamy Potato Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting creamy potato soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its rich, velvety texture and hearty blend of ingredients. Potato lovers will savor each spoonful of this classic soup that promises pure satisfaction and culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
• 2 cups (236.588 ml) whole milk
• 2 cups chicken stock

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Thickeners and Seasonings:

• 1/3 cup (40 grams) all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
• Diced scallions (for topping)
• Bacon pieces (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
2. Sauté chopped onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic in the bacon drippings until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth, thickening base and prevent burning, cook for 60 seconds.
4. Slowly pour chicken stock into the pot, whisking continuously to eliminate any potential lumps and create a smooth consistency.
5. Add diced potatoes to the liquid, allowing them to simmer gently until fork-tender, about 15-18 minutes.
6. Pour milk into the pot, seasoning with salt and black pepper, and continue simmering for an additional 5-7 minutes to meld flavors and achieve desired soup consistency.
7. Ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls, garnishing with crispy bacon pieces, shredded cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped scallions for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives for a lighter, healthier version of the soup.
• Omit bacon and replace chicken stock with vegetable broth to create a completely meat-free option.
• For extra creaminess, partially mash some potatoes against the pot’s side while cooking to thicken the soup naturally.
• Add a dash of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a subtle kick that complements the creamy potato base.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 355 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg