The Best Cozy Potato Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Creamy potato soup has become my ultimate comfort companion during chilly evenings.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a soul-warming dish.

Potatoes take center stage, promising rich flavors and delightful textures.

Smooth and velvety, each spoonful delivers pure culinary magic.

Seasonal vegetables and secret spices elevate this classic recipe beyond ordinary expectations.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients can produce such remarkable results.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this unforgettable soup.

Best Potato Soup To Warm Your Day

• Craft Comfort Quickly: Dive into a hearty meal that comes together with minimal ingredients and simple steps, perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a satisfying dinner fast.
• Customize with Ease: Swap out ingredients or add extra seasonings to make this casserole uniquely yours, giving you the flexibility to play with flavors and use what's in your pantry.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with kid-approved ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and cheese, this dish guarantees clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
• Budget-Friendly Nutrition: Stretch your grocery budget with an affordable one-dish meal that delivers filling protein, comforting potatoes, and cheesy goodness without breaking the bank.

What You Need For The Best Potato Soup

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that provide the hearty foundation of the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the soup's rich and savory base.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the aromatics.
• Milk, Cream: Contribute to the smooth and creamy texture of the soup.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts into the soup, adding a delicious cheesy flavor.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that build a deep, savory flavor profile.
• Flour: Helps thicken the soup and create a smooth consistency.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.
• Bacon: Provides a smoky, crispy element that adds depth to the soup.

• Green Onions, Chives: Fresh herbs that add a light, sharp flavor and visual appeal.
• Sour Cream, Extra Cheese, Extra Bacon: Optional toppings that can be added for extra indulgence.

Easy Steps For The Best Potato Soup

Step 1: Create Aromatic Base

Warm up a spacious pot and melt butter, then gently cook onions and garlic until they become soft and release their delightful fragrance. The kitchen will start smelling amazing and inviting.

Step 2: Develop Roux Foundation

Sprinkle flour into the buttery mixture and stir continuously for a couple minutes. This creates a thickening base that will give your soup incredible richness and depth of flavor.

Step 3: Build Soup Liquid

Pour in chicken broth and add chunky potato pieces. Let everything simmer gently, allowing potatoes to become perfectly tender and absorb all the delicious surrounding flavors.

Step 4: Incorporate Creamy Texture

Introduce milk and cream into the pot, then gradually blend in shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a smooth and luxurious consistency that will make everyone’s mouth water.

Step 5: Enhance Flavor Profile

Fold in crispy crumbled bacon and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to ensure the soup has a perfectly balanced and irresistible flavor.

Step 6: Beautify and Serve

Sprinkle fresh green onions or chives on top. Consider adding optional garnishes like extra cheese, additional bacon bits, or a dollop of sour cream to make the soup even more spectacular and visually appealing.

Tips For The Best Potato Soup Ever

• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version of this comforting soup.
• Reduce dairy content by using almond milk or coconut cream for a lighter alternative.
• Prevent lumpy soup by whisking flour and broth slowly and consistently during roux preparation.
• Enhance flavor by roasting potatoes before adding them to the soup for deeper, caramelized notes.
• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently to maintain creamy texture.

Potato Soup Variations For Every Season

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and skip bacon. Add roasted cauliflower or mushrooms for extra protein and depth.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Mix in diced green chilies, jalapeños, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Top with cilantro and crushed tortilla chips.
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Increase cheese quantity, add more crispy bacon bits, and dollop with sour cream. Sprinkle extra green onions for classic baked potato flavor.
• Mediterranean Potato Soup: Incorporate roasted garlic, feta cheese, and fresh herbs like oregano. Drizzle with olive oil and add crumbled kalamata olives on top.

Great Pairings With The Best Potato Soup

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Ladle this creamy potato soup into large ceramic bowls, creating a warm, inviting main dish for family gatherings. Pair with crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal that brings everyone together.
• Soup Bar Party Delight: Set up a DIY soup station with the potato soup as the base, offering various toppings like crispy bacon bits, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and sour cream. Guests can customize their bowls for a fun, interactive dining experience.
• Rustic Lunch Companion: Pack this hearty soup in a thermos for a comforting work or school lunch. Include a small container of extra toppings to add just before eating, keeping the soup's texture perfect and flavors fresh.
• Elegant Starter Course: Serve in small, elegant ramekins as a sophisticated appetizer for dinner parties.

Storing The Best Potato Soup Properly

• Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
• Cool the soup completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Leave some space at the top as the soup will expand when frozen.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of extra milk or chicken broth if the soup seems too thick after storing.
• Avoid freezing or storing soup with toppings like bacon or green onions. Add fresh garnishes when reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

• Can I make this potato soup vegetarian?

Yes, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit bacon. Use plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast for extra flavor.

• What type of potatoes work best?

Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal. They have a creamy texture and hold up well during cooking, giving the soup a perfect consistency.

• How can I thicken the soup if it's too thin?

Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch or flour with cold water, then slowly stir into the simmering soup. This helps achieve a thicker, creamier texture without lumps.

The Best Potato Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty potato soup from grandma’s kitchen blends creamy russet potatoes with smoky bacon and fresh chives. Rich flavors and comforting textures welcome you to a classic American comfort meal.

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Ingredients

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• 4 potatoes (russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and diced
• 6 strips bacon, thick-cut, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups (8 oz) cheddar cheese, sharp, shredded
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 onion, yellow, medium, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
• 2 cups milk, whole or half-and-half
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 carrot, diced (optional)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (optional)
• Ham or smoked sausage, diced (optional)
• Thyme, to taste (optional)
• Rosemary, to taste (optional)
• Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
• Green onions or chives, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Sour cream (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat, gently sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
2. Sprinkle flour over the softened onion mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux that prevents lumps and develops a rich, nutty flavor for about 1-2 minutes.
3. Pour chicken broth into the pot, adding cubed potatoes, and allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
4. Reduce heat to low, slowly incorporate milk and cream, stirring gently to prevent scorching, then gradually blend in shredded cheese until completely melted and creating a silky, creamy consistency.
5. Fold in crispy crumbled bacon, then season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a balanced, robust flavor profile.
6. Transfer the soup to serving bowls, garnishing with finely chopped green onions or chives, and offer additional toppings like extra cheese, crisp bacon bits, and a dollop of sour cream for personalized enjoyment.

Notes

• Gently cook flour with butter to eliminate raw flour taste and create a rich, smooth base for your soup.
• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for creamier, more velvety texture that breaks down perfectly during simmering.
• Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent grainy texture and ensure silky, even melting.
• Swap dairy milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, and use turkey bacon for lower-fat alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg