The Perfect Creamy Potato Soup With Bacon Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a delectable potato soup with bacon can turn an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary adventure.

Chilly nights call for warm, comforting meals that hug your soul from the inside out.

Potatoes absorb rich flavors like little flavor sponges, creating depth in every spoonful.

Crispy bacon adds a smoky crunch that elevates this classic dish beyond simple ingredients.

creamy textures blend seamlessly with salty pork, making each bite a perfect harmony of comfort and indulgence.

Hearty and satisfying, this soup promises to become your go-to recipe when hunger strikes and warmth beckons.

Let’s dive into a recipe that will make you the kitchen hero among your loved ones.

Potato Soup With Bacon: Comfort In Every Bite

• Satisfy Comfort Food Cravings: Indulge in a hearty, soul-warming dish that brings back memories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Combine simple ingredients with minimal prep work, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with familiar flavors and textures that children love, featuring crispy tater tots and cheesy goodness that will make everyone at the table happy.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup and maximum flavor combine in this single-dish recipe that saves time and reduces kitchen mess while delivering a delicious meal.

Must-Have Ingredients For Potato Soup With Bacon

• Bacon: A flavorful and crispy protein that adds a smoky taste and crunchy texture to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that provide a savory base and depth of flavor to the soup.
• Potatoes: The main ingredient that gives the soup its creamy and hearty character.

• Chicken Broth: A rich and savory liquid that forms the foundation of the soup.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy consistency.
• Flour: Used as a thickening agent to give the soup a rich texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and a luxurious mouthfeel to the soup.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the soup.
• Thyme: An optional herb that provides a subtle earthy and aromatic note.
• Butter: Adds extra richness and smoothness to the soup.

• Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Green Onions or Chives: Optional garnishes that add extra flavor, creaminess, and freshness to the finished soup.

Easy Steps For Potato Soup With Bacon

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

Sauté diced bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Cook chopped onions in the bacon grease until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Simmer Potatoes

Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then simmer 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Add Creaminess

Whisk flour into milk until smooth. Stir into soup with heavy cream and butter. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened.

Step 5: Blend for Texture

Partially blend soup with an immersion blender for a creamy yet chunky texture.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle soup into bowls and top with bacon, shredded cheddar, sour cream, and chopped green onions or chives.

Tips To Nail Potato Soup With Bacon

• Enhance the soup's flavor by using thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and deeper taste. Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest texture and best results. Reserve some bacon grease to add rich, smoky undertones to the soup base. Lighten the recipe by substituting whole milk for heavy cream and using turkey bacon as a healthier alternative. Make it vegetarian by replacing bacon with smoked paprika and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for similar depth of flavor.

Bacon Potato Soup Variations To Explore

• Herb Garden Potato Soup: Replace thyme with a mix of fresh rosemary, sage, and parsley for an aromatic herbal flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and cayenne pepper for a zesty southwestern kick. Top with pepper jack cheese and cilantro.
• Vegetarian Potato Leek Soup
• Roasted Garlic Potato Soup: Incorporate whole roasted garlic heads into the soup for a rich, mellow garlic essence. Finish with truffle oil and fresh chives.

Pairings For Bacon Potato Soup Meals

• Serve this hearty soup in a rustic ceramic bowl with crusty sourdough bread on the side. Sprinkle extra crispy bacon bits and fresh chives for a restaurant-quality presentation that feels like a warm hug.
• Transform the soup into a game night centerpiece by offering multiple toppings in small bowls. Let friends customize their soup with cheese, bacon, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream, creating an interactive dining experience.
• Pack the soup in a thermal container for a delicious work or school lunch. Include crispy bacon separately to maintain crunchiness. Add a small container of shredded cheese and chopped green onions for last-minute topping freshness.

Storing Potato Soup With Bacon Properly

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore creamy consistency if needed. Avoid boiling to prevent separation.
• Store bacon and additional toppings separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator. Add fresh toppings when reheating to maintain their crispness and flavor.

FAQs

• What makes this potato soup creamy?

The soup gets its creamy texture from adding milk, heavy cream, and optional butter during the cooking process. The flour helps thicken the mixture and create a smooth, rich consistency.

• Can I make this soup without bacon?

Yes, you can skip the bacon or substitute with vegetarian bacon alternatives. The bacon adds flavor, but the soup will still be delicious without it or with a plant-based replacement.

• Is this soup healthy?

While tasty, the soup is relatively high in calories due to cream, bacon, and cheese. For a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk, reduce cheese toppings, and use less bacon.

• How can I make this soup vegetarian?

Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, omit bacon, and use plant-based cheese and cream alternatives to create a vegetarian-friendly version of the potato soup.

Creamy Potato Soup With Bacon Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty potato soup with bacon promises comfort in each spoonful. Rich cream, crisp bacon, and tender potatoes create a soul-warming dish perfect for winter meals.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 slices bacon
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) butter
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• Extra bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions or chives

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer crispy pieces to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the pot.
2. Sauté diced onions in the bacon drippings until translucent and soft, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
3. Introduce diced potatoes, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and thyme to the pot. Increase heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15-18 minutes until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
4. Create a smooth slurry by whisking flour into cold milk until no lumps remain. Gradually pour the mixture into the simmering soup, stirring consistently to prevent clumping. Incorporate heavy cream and butter, continuing to simmer for 4-5 minutes until the soup slightly thickens.
5. For a more velvety consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, maintaining some potato chunks for texture variation.
6. Ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls, generously garnishing with reserved bacon crumbles, shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and freshly chopped green onions.

Notes

• Customize bacon options by using turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives for lighter versions.
• Keep some potato chunks whole to provide delightful texture and rustic feel to the soup.
• Adjust soup consistency by adding more chicken broth if too thick or simmering longer to reduce liquid.
• Consider dairy-free adaptation by replacing milk and cream with coconut milk or almond milk for lactose-intolerant individuals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg