Looking for the ultimate comfort food? Look no further than this rich, Creamy Potato Soup Recipe. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or need something quick and satisfying, this hearty soup ticks all the boxes. Loaded with tender potatoes, savory bacon, and topped with creamy, cheesy goodness, every spoonful will leave you craving more. Stick around to discover how to perfect this dish with step-by-step instructions, ingredient substitutions, and presentation tips.
What is "Creamy Potato Soup"?
Creamy Potato Soup is a warm, flavorful, and hearty dish made from basic pantry ingredients like potatoes, onions, bacon, and a touch of cream or milk for richness. This dish is versatile and can be customized in endless ways, whether you're making it for a casual weeknight meal or an upscale dinner party. The soup is known for its creamy texture, rich flavor, and the variety of toppings that can be added to make it unique to your taste.
Ingredients List for Creamy Potato Soup
Here’s a complete breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to make this comforting and delicious Creamy Potato Soup:
Soup Base Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, diced (plus 2 tablespoons of bacon fat reserved for cooking)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to thicken the soup)
- 6 small or 3 large russet potatoes (about 2 ½ pounds, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt (such as Lawry’s, for added flavor)
- Black pepper to taste
- 6 cups lower sodium chicken stock (vegetable stock works well too if you want a vegetarian option)
- ½ to ¾ cups whole milk (you can also use other milk varieties depending on your preference)
- ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for added creaminess; you can omit for a lighter version and adjust by adding more milk)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
- Sour Cream
- Grated Cheese (such as Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Gruyere, or Swiss)
- Chopped Green Onions
- Chopped Bacon (leftover from cooking earlier)
- A dash or two of hot sauce (like Tabasco, for a spicy kick)
Substitutions and Variations
Potatoes: Russet potatoes are a classic choice because of their starchy texture, but feel free to substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture or red potatoes for a firmer bite.
Bacon: If you're avoiding pork, turkey bacon or plant-based bacon works just as well. You can also skip bacon entirely and add a smoky flavor by using smoked paprika.
Cream and Milk: Not a fan of dairy or want a vegan option? Substitute with unsweetened almond milk or oat milk and omit the cream. Coconut milk can also lend a nice creamy texture, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
Stock: For a vegetarian version, simply swap the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
Toppings: Get creative! Add crispy croutons, roasted garlic, or fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to elevate the flavor.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients, let's walk through how to make this soul-soothing soup from scratch.

Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 7-10 minutes. Once done, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pot for cooking the vegetables.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot with the reserved bacon fat, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Add the Flour
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. This will help to thicken the soup later. Be careful not to let the flour burn.
Step 4: Add the Potatoes and Stock
Add the diced russet potatoes to the pot, followed by the seasoned salt, black pepper, and 6 cups of chicken stock. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 5: Blend the Soup (Optional)
For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree some of the soup directly in the pot. If you prefer a chunkier soup, leave it as is, or blend only half of the soup.
Step 6: Add Milk and Cream
Stir in the milk and heavy cream (if using) and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the soup to heat through. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary.
Step 7: Serve with Toppings
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like crispy bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream, and a dash of hot sauce.
How to Cook Creamy Potato Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
To make this recipe even easier, here's a condensed version of the steps:
- Cook and crisp the bacon, reserving the fat.
- Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in the reserved bacon fat.
- Stir in the garlic and flour to thicken the soup.
- Add diced potatoes, stock, and seasonings.
- Simmer until the potatoes are soft.
- Blend to your desired consistency.
- Add milk and cream, then adjust seasoning.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-blending: Blending too much will result in a texture that's too smooth. If you want some chunks of potato, blend only a portion of the soup.
- Not seasoning enough: Potatoes absorb salt quickly, so be sure to taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
- Skipping the toppings: Toppings add flavor, texture, and a bit of flair. Don’t skimp on them!
Serving and Presentation Tips
A bowl of Creamy Potato Soup can be made even more irresistible with thoughtful presentation. Here are some ways to enhance both the taste and the look of your soup.
How to Serve Creamy Potato Soup
- Serve the soup hot with a fresh loaf of crusty bread or buttery dinner rolls.
- Pair the soup with a fresh green salad for a lighter meal.
- Serve it in bread bowls for a rustic, comforting presentation.
Presentation Ideas for Creamy Potato Soup
- Use a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche as a garnish.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped chives or green onions for a pop of color.
- Drizzle a bit of olive oil or a dash of hot sauce in a swirl pattern on top for an artistic touch.
- Stack some crispy bacon bits in the center for a beautiful and delicious focal point.
Creamy Potato Soup Recipe Tips
- Storage: This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating.
- Freezing: While you can freeze this soup, avoid adding the cream or milk before freezing. Add dairy after reheating to avoid separation.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm the soup on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to avoid curdling the milk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat on the stove when ready to serve.
2. Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?
Yes, sweet potatoes will add a different flavor and sweetness to the soup but can work well if you're looking for a variation.
3. Is this soup gluten-free?
The flour in this recipe contains gluten, but you can easily substitute it with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the soup.
4. How can I make the soup thicker?
If the soup is too thin, you can add a slurry of cornstarch and water, or simply simmer the soup uncovered to reduce the liquid.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve mastered this Creamy Potato Soup Recipe, you can look forward to serving a warm, satisfying meal that will be a hit with family and friends. From easy substitutions to perfecting your presentation, this soup offers endless opportunities for customization. Ready to get cooking? Give this recipe a try and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience.
PrintCreamy Potato Soup Recipe
This creamy potato soup recipe features diced bacon, tender potatoes, and a flavorful broth. Made with simple ingredients like onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and seasoned salt, it's a comforting meal perfect for cold days. Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and green onions for extra flavor. Ideal for family dinners or cozy lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, diced, and 2 tablespoons fat reserved
- ½ onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 small or 3 large russet potatoes (about 2½ lbs), peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1½ teaspoons seasoned salt (e.g., Lawry’s)
- Black pepper to taste
- 6 cups lower sodium chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
- ½ to ¾ cup whole milk (use preferred varieties)
- ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream (optional; use more milk for a lighter version)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings: Sour cream, grated cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, etc.), chopped green onions, chopped bacon, dash of hot sauce.
Instructions
- Cook diced bacon until crispy; reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat.
- Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in reserved bacon fat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Add potatoes, seasoned salt, black pepper, and stock. Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Stir in milk and cream, cook until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Blend a portion of the soup for a creamier texture, if desired.
- Garnish with sour cream, cheese, green onions, bacon, and hot sauce.
Notes
- To make this soup lighter, omit the heavy cream and use extra milk.
- For a thicker consistency, blend part of the soup or add additional flour.
- Adjust toppings to your preference, such as adding hot sauce for heat or extra bacon for a rich, smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
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