The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is the cozy, creamy comfort food that will instantly warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds. It’s rich yet perfectly balanced, combining tender gold potatoes, velvety dairy, and smoky bacon in a luscious broth that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. Whether you’re craving a simple weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal for friends and family, this potato soup checks all the boxes with its irresistible flavor and creamy texture. Let me walk you through making this soul-soothing soup that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is the key to making this dish truly shine. Each component plays its own role: from the smoky bacon bringing depth, to the tender gold potatoes providing that silky base, and the dairy that adds richness and creaminess you won’t forget.

• Bacon (6 strips, cut into small pieces): Crisps up to add smoky, savory flavor and a delightful texture contrast.
• Butter (3 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps soften the onions for a sweet flavor base.
• Yellow onion (1 medium, chopped): Provides a mellow, savory sweetness essential for depth.
• Garlic cloves (3, minced): Brings a fragrant, aromatic punch that enhances the soup’s warmth.
• All-purpose flour (⅓ cup): Thickens the soup to create that perfect creamy consistency.
• Gold potatoes (2 ½ lbs, peeled and diced): The star ingredient, tender and creamy when cooked, forming the hearty base of the soup.
• Chicken broth (4 cups): Adds savory depth and balances creaminess without overwhelming the potatoes.
• Milk (2 cups): Lightens the texture while keeping the soup smooth and luscious.
• Heavy cream (⅔ cup): Elevates richness and ensures a silky finish.
• Salt (1 ½ teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors perfectly—don’t skip this!
• Ground pepper (1 teaspoon): Adds just the right amount of subtle heat.
• Ancho chili powder (¼–½ teaspoon): Brings a mild smoky warmth that adds complexity without dominating.
• Sour cream (⅔ cup): Stirred in for tang and creaminess, balancing the richness beautifully.
• Optional toppings (shredded cheddar cheese, chives, additional sour cream, bacon): Customize your finishing touches to amp up flavor and texture.

How to Make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Start by placing the small diced bacon pieces in a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat. Cook them until they’re beautifully crisp and browned, releasing that irresistible smoky aroma. This step is crucial as it builds the base flavor for the entire soup.

Step 2: Set Aside and Keep the Bacon Fat

Remove the cooked bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside to use later as a garnish. Leaving the bacon fat in the pot keeps all that smoky goodness where it belongs and will flavor the next steps.

Step 3: Sauté Onions in Butter

Add your butter to the pot and toss in the chopped yellow onions. Cook over medium heat until the onions turn tender and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. This mellow sweetness from the onions is the next layer of flavor you want for this soup.

Step 4: Add Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until it becomes fragrant, roughly 30 seconds. Garlic fades quickly, so be sure not to let it burn—this will add a subtle but essential aromatic note.

Step 5: Create the Roux

Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onions and garlic, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Use a whisk if necessary to make a smooth paste. This step thickens your soup and creates that dreamy, creamy texture that’s so comforting.

Step 6: Add Potatoes and Liquids

Now, add the peeled and diced gold potatoes to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream, then season with salt, ground pepper, and the ancho chili powder. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all these flavors in one harmonious mix.

Step 7: Bring to a Boil and Cook Potatoes

Bring your soup to a boil, then let it simmer until the potatoes are tender enough to pierce with a fork, which should take about 10 minutes. This is where those potatoes soften perfectly, melding their flavor into the creamy base.

Step 8: Puree Half the Soup

Carefully remove about half the soup (around 5 cups) and transfer it to a blender. Puree until smooth—this technique creates a velvety texture while retaining some chunks for bite. Alternatively, an immersion blender works wonders for this step right in the pot.

Step 9: Return Pureed Soup and Add Sour Cream and Bacon

Pour the pureed mix back into the pot and stir in the sour cream and the crispy reserved bacon pieces. This combination brings tang and smoky crunch back into the creamy soup, balancing richness and texture beautifully.

Step 10: Simmer Before Serving

Let the soup gently simmer for 15 more minutes so all the flavors meld beautifully, resulting in a velvety, flavorful bowl of comfort.

Step 11: Finish with Toppings

Top your soup with additional sour cream, extra bacon, shredded cheddar, or chopped chives for that finishing flourish. These garnishes personalize each bowl and add another layer of indulgence.

How to Serve The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

Garnishes

Adding toppings is your chance to shine. Crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and extra dollops of sour cream each bring unique flavors and textures that keep every spoonful exciting. Don’t be shy with your garnishes—they elevate this simple soup to a gourmet treat.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, garlic toast, or a fresh green salad. The bread is perfect for dunking and soaking up every last bit of creamy soup, while a crisp salad adds a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this soup in rustic bowls or even in hollowed-out bread bowls for an extra cozy presentation. Adding edible flowers or a dash of smoked paprika on top can make your bowl look as inviting as it tastes. The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is perfect for impressing guests or simply making a family meal feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover soup can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even better the next day.

Freezing

This soup freezes well if you want to save some for later. Use freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw it slowly in the fridge overnight before reheating to preserve that creamy texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low to medium heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or scorching. You can add a splash of milk if the soup feels too thick after cooling. Microwave reheating works too, but stir every minute to ensure even warming.

FAQs

Can I make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic that smoky flavor the bacon provides.

What type of potatoes work best?

Gold potatoes are ideal because their creamy, buttery texture holds up beautifully during cooking, making the soup smooth but still substantial. Russet potatoes are an alternative but may require a bit more attention to avoid mushiness.

Can I use low-fat dairy instead of heavy cream and sour cream?

You can, but keep in mind that it will affect the richness and creaminess. Low-fat options will make the soup lighter but less indulgent. Adding a bit of extra butter can help compensate for the reduced fat content.

Is there a way to make this soup gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup. Just be sure to whisk it well to avoid lumps and cook it for a minute or two to eliminate any raw flour taste.

How spicy is this soup with ancho chili powder?

The ancho chili powder adds a mild smoky warmth, not intense heat. You can adjust the amount according to your preference or leave it out entirely if you want to keep things classic and mild.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe that makes it the kind of dish you want to make over and over. It’s easy to prepare, comforting beyond words, and versatile enough to suit any occasion. I hope this recipe inspires you to cozy up with a big bowl and enjoy every velvety spoonful, sharing warmth and happiness with those around you.

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