If you have been searching for a comforting, creamy, and absolutely soul-warming meal, look no further than the Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe. This recipe brings together humble ingredients like tender Russet potatoes, crispy bacon, and rich cream to create a soup that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. It’s the perfect balance of silky texture and hearty flavor, designed to satisfy both family dinners and casual gatherings with friends. Once you try this Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe, it will become your go-to comfort food whenever you crave something nourishing and delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe starts with simple, wholesome ingredients that work together beautifully to build flavor, body, and color. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to add a unique aspect to this delicious soup, making it comforting yet sophisticated.
- Russet potatoes: These starchy potatoes break down perfectly, providing that creamy, velvety base your soup needs.
- Onion: Adds depth and sweetness when sautéed, rounding out the flavor.
- Carrots: Bring a gentle sweetness and a pop of color to brighten the bowl.
- Celery stalks: Offer a subtle aromatic crunch that balances the creaminess.
- Bacon slices: Crisped and crumbled to lend a smoky, savory crunch that elevates every bite.
- Vegetable or chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that ties all ingredients together.
- Milk: Used to add richness and helps in thickening the soup when combined with flour.
- Heavy cream: For indulgent creaminess and a silky finish.
- Minced parsley: A fresh herb to garnish and enhance the soup’s aroma.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and highlight flavors.
- Flour (or cornstarch): Acts as a thickening agent for a luscious texture.
- Grated cheese (cheddar recommended): Melts irresistibly into the soup or as a topping for extra flavor and gooeyness.
How to Make Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe
Step 1: Crispy Bacon Preparation
Start by cooking the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it’s perfectly crispy. This step not only creates a delicious topping but also leaves behind flavorful bacon fat in the pot, which is essential for sautéing your veggies and enriching the soup’s taste profile.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Using the bacon fat, sauté diced onions, celery, and sliced carrots until they become soft and aromatic. This process brings out their natural sweetness and builds a beautiful flavor base for the soup. The aroma alone at this stage is pure comfort food in progress!
Step 3: Add Potatoes and Broth
Next, toss in the diced Russet potatoes along with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. This step begins to cook the potatoes through and meld the soup’s components into one harmonious pot of goodness.
Step 4: Thicken with Flour and Milk
After the potatoes have cooked for about 10 minutes, whisk the flour with milk until smooth, then stir this into the soup. This combination helps to thicken the soup gently without any clumps, ensuring that every spoonful has that perfect creamy consistency.
Step 5: Blend for Creamy Texture
Simmer the soup for another 5 minutes, then blend a portion of it until smooth. This step is the secret to the velvety texture that makes the Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe stand out — it’s creamy without being overly heavy, maintaining a lovely balance of textures.
Step 6: Finish and Add Bacon
Return the blended portion to the pot and stir everything together. Finally, fold in the crispy bacon pieces, distributing those smoky, crunchy gems throughout the soup for a delightful contrast in every bite.
How to Serve Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Adding the right garnishes will transform your bowl of soup from simple to spectacular. Sprinkle freshly minced parsley for a pop of color and freshness, crumble extra crispy bacon on top for crunch, and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese for that melty, cheesy finish that makes every spoonful special.
Side Dishes
This hearty soup pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes. Crusty bread or warm garlic rolls are fantastic to dip and soak up every last bit. A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables provide a refreshing and nutritious counterpoint to the rich soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in mini bread bowls for individual portions that wow guests. You can also create a loaded potato soup bar with toppings like sour cream, chives, and crispy onions, allowing everyone to customize their bowl exactly how they like it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container and make sure to cool it down before refrigerating to maintain freshness and flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup, but keep in mind that the dairy content may cause slight texture changes. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat to prevent curdling. Stir frequently and add a bit of milk or broth if the soup has thickened too much during storage. The soup will taste just as comforting and delicious as when freshly made.
FAQs
Can I make the Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the milk and heavy cream with your favorite non-dairy milk like coconut or almond milk, and choose a dairy-free cheese or skip the cheese topping. The soup will still be creamy and delicious with these swaps.
What type of potatoes should I use?
Russet potatoes are ideal because their high starch content helps achieve that creamy texture when cooked and blended. You can experiment with Yukon Gold, but the soup might be slightly less fluffy.
How can I make the soup thicker or thinner?
For a thicker soup, add a bit more flour or reduce the broth slightly. If you want it thinner, simply add more broth or milk until you reach your preferred consistency.
Is it possible to cook this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can prepare the bacon, then add all ingredients except dairy into a slow cooker and cook on low for about 6 hours. Add milk and cream in the last 30 minutes and blend a portion before serving for that creamy texture.
Can I add other vegetables or proteins?
Definitely! Feel free to add corn, peas, or even cooked chicken to make it heartier. Just keep in mind how additions might alter the flavor balance of the classic soup.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making the Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe from scratch – it fills your kitchen with warmth and your heart with joy. The simplicity of its ingredients hides a depth of flavor and texture that keeps you coming back for more. So grab your pots and potatoes, and treat yourself to this comforting, satisfying soup that will quickly become a beloved favorite in your recipe rotation.
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Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This rich and comforting homemade potato soup recipe combines tender diced Russet potatoes, sautéed vegetables, crispy bacon, and creamy dairy for a hearty meal. The soup is partially blended for a perfect balance of smooth texture and chunky bites, flavored with fresh parsley and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 35 minutes, it makes a perfect cozy dish for any day.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 6 medium Russet potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
Broth & Dairy
- 8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
Additional Ingredients
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 tsp minced parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp flour (or cornstarch)
- 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar works well)
Instructions
- Cook bacon: In a large pot, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Once done, remove bacon and set it aside on paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Sauté vegetables: Using the remaining bacon fat in the pot, sauté diced onion, celery, and sliced carrots until they are softened and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add potatoes and broth: Add the diced potatoes to the pot along with salt, pepper, and the 8 cups of vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Cook and thicken: Boil the soup for about 10 minutes until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, whisk the flour with the milk until smooth, then slowly pour this mixture into the soup while stirring to prevent lumps.
- Simmer and blend: Reduce heat and simmer the soup for 5 more minutes to thicken. Then, carefully blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or by transferring some soup to a blender until smooth to achieve a creamy texture with some chunkiness.
- Combine and add bacon: Return the blended soup to the pot, stir well, then fold in the crumbled bacon pieces for extra flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with minced parsley, additional crumbled bacon, and a generous sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese. Serve hot for best enjoyment.
Notes
- You can substitute gluten-free flour or cornstarch to make this recipe gluten-free.
- For a richer soup, add the heavy cream right after blending the soup.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Use an immersion blender carefully to prevent splashes of hot soup.
