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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- For a more velvety consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, maintaining some potato chunks for texture variation.
- 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