Velvety Potato Soup Recipe

Velvety Comfort: Homemade Creamy Potato Soup Recipe

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of creamy potato soup that warms you from the inside out.

The rich, velvety potato soup recipe promises pure culinary bliss with every spoonful.

Smooth potatoes blend seamlessly with aromatic herbs and a hint of garlic.

Hearty and satisfying, this classic dish speaks to the soul of home cooking.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to create a luxurious texture that dances on your palate.

Creamy and indulgent, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Prepare to savor a recipe that turns an ordinary evening into an extraordinary dining experience.

What You’ll Need For Creamy Potato Soup

For Protein Base:
  • Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture; choose thick-cut for maximum crispiness.
  • Chicken Broth: Builds deep, savory foundation; opt for low-sodium to control salt levels.
For Creamy Foundation:
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth mouthfeel; select unsalted for precise seasoning control.
  • Flour: Thickens soup and creates silky consistency; use all-purpose for best results.
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture; whole milk ensures maximum creaminess.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and extra creaminess; room temperature blends more smoothly.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic base; yellow onions offer most balanced taste.
  • Garlic: Delivers intense, robust flavor; fresh cloves provide strongest profile.
  • Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasonings; freshly ground black pepper offers more complexity.
  • Ancho Chili Powder: Introduces subtle warmth and depth; optional but recommended.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, melty topping; sharp varieties provide most intense flavor.
  • Chives: Delivers fresh, mild onion-like garnish; adds bright color and light crunch.

Kitchen Items For Creamy Potato Soup

  • Dutch oven or soup pot: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for cooking and simmering soups.
  • Slotted spoon: Essential for removing crispy bacon while keeping the flavorful fat in the pot.
  • Immersion blender or standard blender: Helps create that creamy, smooth soup texture.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping bacon, onions, garlic, and chives.
  • Sharp knife: For precise chopping of ingredients.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Ladle: Helps serve the soup smoothly into bowls.
  • Paper towels: Great for draining crispy bacon and absorbing excess grease.

How To Make Creamy Potato Soup

  • Sizzle Bacon Bits

Toss chopped bacon into a large pot and cook over medium heat until crispy and golden brown. Scoop out the bacon and let it rest on paper towels while keeping the delicious fat behind.

  • Melt and Soften

Drop butter into the bacon-filled pot and let it melt smoothly. Toss in chopped onions and dance them around until they turn translucent and soft. Sprinkle minced garlic and let it dance for another minute, releasing its aromatic magic.

  • Create Flavor Foundation

Dust flour over the onion-garlic mix, stirring constantly to build a rich, smooth base. Cook for two minutes to banish any raw flour taste.

  • Build the Liquid Layer

Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking until silky. Add potatoes, milk, cream, and seasonings. Bring to a bubbling boil, then dial down to a gentle simmer. Cover and let the potatoes become tender and dreamy.

  • Transform Texture

Grab an immersion blender and partially puree the soup, leaving some chunky potato pieces for exciting texture. Alternatively, carefully blend half the soup in a standard blender.

  • Final Touches

Swirl in sour cream until fully blended. Taste and adjust seasonings to perfection.

  • Serve With Flair

Ladle soup into bowls and crown with crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh chives.

Tips For Creamy Potato Soup

  • Potato Perfection Secrets: Mastering the Ultimate Creamy Soup
  • Texture Magic: For an ultra-smooth soup, blend more potatoes; for chunkier texture, mash fewer. The key is finding your personal preference between creamy and rustic.
  • Bacon Brilliance: Cook bacon until super crisp for maximum crunch. Save those drippings – they're liquid gold for adding deep, rich flavor to your soup base.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess.
  • Veggie Transformation: Skip bacon for a vegetarian version by using olive oil instead. Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth and add smoked paprika for depth.
  • Dietary Dance: For gluten-free needs, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or potato starch. Use dairy-free milk alternatives and omit cream for a lighter, allergy-friendly spin.

Ways To Serve Creamy Potato Soup

  • Cozy Comfort Centerpiece: Serve this creamy potato soup as a warm, inviting main dish during chilly evenings, paired with crusty bread or crackers for dipping.
  • Hearty Lunch Companion: Transform the soup into a complete meal by adding a side salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
  • Gourmet Topping Adventure: Experiment with extra toppings like crispy fried shallots, crumbled blue cheese, or a drizzle of truffle oil to elevate the soup's flavor profile.
  • Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare the soup in a large slow cooker for sports gatherings, letting guests serve themselves with an array of fun garnishes like extra bacon bits and green onions.

Storage Ideas For Creamy Potato Soup

  • Quick Chill Technique: Cool the soup completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor quality.
  • Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer soup to airtight containers, ensuring it stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to lock in delicious taste and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Freezer-Friendly Solution: Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Freeze up to 2-3 months for future quick meals. Avoid adding dairy toppings before freezing to maintain smooth texture.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore creamy consistency. Add extra splash of milk or broth if soup seems too thick during reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

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Velvety Potato Soup Recipe

Velvety Potato Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Comforting potato soup delights taste buds with its rich blend of hearty ingredients and smooth texture. Creamy potato soup brings warmth and satisfaction, perfect for chilly evenings you’ll savor to the last spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) gold potatoes, peeled and diced into ¾-inch pieces
  • 6 strips bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
  • 2 cups (473 ml) milk
  • 3 tbsps butter
  • ⅔ cup (158 ml) heavy cream
  • ⅔ cup (158 ml) sour cream
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 tsps salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp ancho chili powder (optional)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • Chopped chives (for topping)
  • Additional bacon (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until golden brown, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
  2. Flavor Foundation: Melt butter into bacon drippings, sauté onions until translucent, and briefly toast minced garlic to release its aromatic essence.
  3. Roux Development: Sprinkle flour over the aromatic mixture, whisking continuously to create a smooth golden roux, toasting for a few minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
  4. Liquid Integration: Gradually pour chicken broth while whisking, ensuring a silky consistency, then fold in potatoes, milk, heavy cream, and seasonings.
  5. Simmering Process: Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, then use an immersion blender to partially pulverize the soup, maintaining a rustic texture.
  6. Final Touches: Stir in sour cream, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve in warm bowls topped with crisp bacon bits, sharp cheddar, and fresh chives.

Notes

  • Optimize Bacon Crispness: Render bacon slowly over medium-low heat to achieve maximum crispiness without burning, ensuring a perfect crunchy topping for the soup.
  • Prevent Roux Lumps: Whisk flour continuously and steadily when creating the roux, using smooth, consistent motions to eliminate any potential clumping and achieve a silky-smooth base.
  • Potato Texture Mastery: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet for a creamy consistency, and cut them into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and a consistent soup texture.
  • Dairy Balance Technique: Add milk and cream gradually at a lower temperature to prevent curdling, creating a smooth and luxurious soup without unwanted separation.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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