The Best Creamy Potato Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Creamy potato soup ranks among the most comforting dishes we crave during chilly evenings.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a warm, satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Cold weather calls for something substantial and nourishing on your plate.

Simple ingredients from your pantry can quickly become a delectable masterpiece of comfort.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate this classic recipe for its rich, velvety texture.

Smooth potatoes combined with savory herbs deliver an incredible depth of flavor that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

FAQs

• What makes this potato soup different from others?

The bacon fat and crispy bacon bits add a rich, smoky flavor that elevates this soup beyond basic potato soup recipes.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon and use olive oil to sauté vegetables. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a fully vegetarian version.

• How do I prevent my soup from becoming lumpy when adding the cream mixture?

Slowly whisk the cream mixture into the soup and stir constantly to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without any lumps.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

The soup provides a good balance of protein from bacon and chicken broth, carbohydrates from potatoes, and vitamins from kale and other vegetables.

What Makes The Best Potato Soup So Delicious

• Craft Hearty Comfort: A soul-warming soup packed with rich flavors and tender ingredients that hug your taste buds like a cozy blanket.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Loaded with vegetables like kale, carrots, and potatoes, this recipe delivers a powerful punch of vitamins and minerals in every spoonful.
• Master Culinary Skills: Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their kitchen confidence without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Versatile enough for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this soup satisfies everyone from kids to grandparents with its delicious blend of textures and tastes.

Ingredients for The Best Potato Soup

• Bacon: Adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture to the soup.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic: Create a flavorful aromatic base for the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a rich liquid foundation for the soup's structure.

• Potatoes: The main ingredient that gives the soup its hearty and creamy consistency.
• Butter, Flour: Combine to create a roux that helps thicken the soup.

• Heavy Cream, Half and Half: Add richness and smooth texture to the soup.

• Tarragon, Kale, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile and add nutritional value to the soup.

How to Cook The Best Potato Soup

Step 1: Crisp Up The Bacon

Cook bacon in a large pot until perfectly crispy.

Carefully remove the bacon strips and set them aside, keeping a delicious layer of bacon fat in the pot for extra flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery
• Garlic

Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and release their wonderful aroma.

Step 3: Prepare Potato Base

• Diced potatoes
• Chicken broth

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Cream Mixture

• Melting butter
• Whisking in flour to make a roux
• Gradually stirring in heavy cream or half and half

Step 5: Combine And Thicken

Gently pour the cream mixture into the potato soup, stirring continuously.

Cook until the soup reaches a rich, velvety consistency.

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

• Chopped tarragon
• Chopped kale
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Crumbled bacon

Simmer for an additional few minutes to blend all flavors together.

Serve hot and enjoy the ultimate comfort soup!

Pro Tips for The Best Potato Soup

• Ensure bacon is evenly cooked by using medium heat and flipping occasionally for uniform crispiness.
• Sauté vegetables in bacon fat for deeper, richer taste that enhances the overall soup profile.
• Whisk flour and butter slowly and continuously to create a smooth base without clumps.
• Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth for a thinner texture or letting it simmer longer for a thicker result.
• Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth to create a delicious plant-based version of the soup.

Variations on The Best Potato Soup

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add mushrooms for umami flavor and extra protein.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk. Use olive oil instead of butter when making the roux. Add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets. Use turnips or radishes as a lower-carb base. Keep the creamy texture with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Soup: Add diced jalapeños, cumin, and chili powder. Top with cilantro, green onions, and a dollop of Mexican crema. Sprinkle with cotija cheese for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions for The Best Potato Soup

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty potato soup in deep ceramic mugs for a rustic, warming presentation that feels like a hug in a bowl.
• Bacon Crunch Topper: Sprinkle extra crispy bacon bits and chopped fresh chives on top for a delightful crunch and burst of flavor that elevates the soup's texture.
• Bread Pairing Paradise: Accompany the soup with warm, crusty sourdough bread or buttery garlic toast to soak up every delicious spoonful and create a complete meal.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Garnish with shredded sharp cheddar or crumbled blue cheese to add a creamy, tangy dimension that complements the soup's rich base.

How to Store The Best Potato Soup

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing soup with fresh kale, as it may become mushy.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Stop when soup reaches desired temperature.

The Best Potato Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

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

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Description

Creamy Potato Soup invites comfort and warmth in one delightful bowl, blending rich flavors with hearty ingredients. Hearty potatoes and smooth cream create a delectable experience you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 pound (454 grams) bacon, chopped
• 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) thinly sliced carrots
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) kale, stems removed and chopped fine

Seasonings and Thickeners:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream or half and half
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Render bacon in a spacious pot until golden and crisp, transferring the strips to a paper towel-lined plate while preserving the rendered fat.
2. Sauté diced aromatics (onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic) in the remaining bacon drippings until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Introduce diced potatoes and chicken broth to the pot, elevating heat to generate a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes reach a tender consistency.
4. Craft a velvety roux in a separate skillet by melting butter and whisking in flour until smooth, gradually incorporating heavy cream to create a luxurious base.
5. Integrate the cream mixture into the potato mixture, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and allow the soup to thicken for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
6. Enhance the soup’s complexity by folding in chopped tarragon, fresh kale, and reserved crispy bacon pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Allow the soup to meld flavors by simmering an additional 2-3 minutes before ladling into warm bowls, ensuring a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Notes

• Maximize bacon flavor by rendering fat slowly over medium-low heat, ensuring crispy texture without burning.
• Create a smoother soup consistency by partially mashing some potatoes with a potato masher before adding cream mixture.
• Reduce dairy content for lighter version by substituting half-and-half with low-fat milk or vegetable broth.
• Elevate vegetarian options by replacing bacon with smoked paprika and roasted mushrooms for depth of umami flavor.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 366 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg