Hearty Homemade Potato Soup Recipe

Creamy Comfort: Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe From Scratch

Comfort swoops in like a warm embrace with this delectable homemade potato soup recipe that promises pure culinary bliss.

Creamy, hearty, and packed with robust flavors, this soup delivers a soul-satisfying experience.

Potatoes take center stage, simmering gently with carefully selected ingredients that dance together in harmony.

Rich and velvety, each spoonful tells a story of rustic home cooking and cherished traditions.

The aroma wafting through your kitchen will draw everyone to the table, eager to savor this classic comfort dish.

Perfectly balanced and wonderfully comforting, this soup transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Dive into this recipe and let the magic of homemade goodness warm your heart and soul.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Best Homemade Potato Soup

For Protein And Flavor:
  • Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy texture, choose thick-cut for richer taste.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides savory base, opt for low-sodium to control salt levels.
For Aromatic Base:
  • Onion: Builds foundational flavor, select firm and bright yellow onions.
  • Garlic: Enhances overall taste profile, fresh cloves deliver more vibrant flavor.
For Soup Structure:
  • Potatoes: Creates hearty body, choose starchy russet or creamy Yukon gold varieties.
  • Thyme: Introduces subtle herbal notes, fresh sprigs offer more intense flavor.
For Creamy Thickening:
  • Flour: Helps create smooth consistency, all-purpose works perfectly.
  • Milk: Adds lightness and helps blend ingredients, whole milk provides richer texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious richness, ensures velvety final texture.
For Garnish And Finishing:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharp, tangy contrast, sharp varieties offer more punch.
  • Green Onions: Adds fresh, mild onion brightness, thinly sliced for delicate presentation.
  • Sour Cream: Introduces cooling, tangy element, full-fat version recommended.
  • Salt And Pepper: Balances and enhances overall seasoning.

Items To Use For Best Homemade Potato Soup

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking bacon, sautéing ingredients, and simmering the soup.
  • Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon from the pot without excess grease.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, potatoes, and bacon.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise dicing and mincing ingredients.
  • Small Bowl: Used for whisking flour and milk mixture.
  • Immersion Blender or Regular Blender: Optional tool for creating a creamier soup texture.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.

How To Make Best Homemade Potato Soup

How To Make Best Homemade Potato Soup
  • Bacon Foundation

Create a flavor base by crisping bacon in a large pot. Remove the bacon pieces, keeping the delicious drippings for cooking.

  • Aromatic Awakening

Toss chopped onions into the pot, letting them soften and release their sweet essence. Sprinkle minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

  • Potato Bath

Drop diced potatoes into the pot with broth and seasonings. Let everything simmer gently until potatoes become tender and welcoming.

  • Creamy Transformation

Blend milk and flour into a silky mixture. Pour into the pot and swirl in heavy cream, allowing the soup to thicken and become luxuriously smooth.

  • Texture Adventure

For those craving extra creaminess, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Keep some potato chunks for a rustic feel.

  • Flavor Finale

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Crown with a sprinkle of cheese, a scatter of green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and those crispy bacon bits you saved earlier.

Helpful Swaps For Best Homemade Potato Soup

  • Creamy Soup Secrets: Potato Soup Perfection
  • Potato Selection Magic: Russet potatoes work best for creamy texture, while Yukon Gold offers a buttery, smooth consistency. Choose starchy potatoes that break down easily during cooking for ultimate soup richness.
  • Thickness Control Trick: Adjust soup consistency by adding more milk or broth if too thick, or letting it simmer longer to reduce if too thin. The key is gradual liquid management for perfect soup density.
  • Dairy-Free Transformation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep the recipe completely plant-based and allergen-friendly.
  • Make-Ahead Master Plan: This soup freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to restore creamy texture.
  • Protein Power-Up: Boost nutrition by adding cooked shredded chicken, diced ham, or white beans. These protein additions transform the soup from a side dish to a complete, satisfying meal.

Serving Best Homemade Potato Soup With Style

  • Comfort Bowl Companion: Pair this creamy potato soup with a crisp green salad for a balanced meal that adds fresh crunch and lightness.
  • Bread Dunking Delight: Serve alongside warm, crusty sourdough or garlic bread to soak up every delicious, velvety spoonful of the soup.
  • Hearty Meal Upgrade: Transform the soup into a complete dinner by adding grilled chicken strips or crispy shredded rotisserie chicken on top for extra protein and substance.
  • Winter Warming Station: Create a cozy soup bar with multiple toppings like chopped chives, extra crispy bacon bits, different cheese varieties, and a dollop of tangy sour cream, allowing guests to customize their bowl.

Keep Best Homemade Potato Soup Fresh For Later

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover potato soup in airtight containers within the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Freezing Technique: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Frozen potato soup remains delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore original creamy consistency if the soup has thickened during storage.
  • Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep crispy toppings like bacon and cheese separate when storing. Add fresh garnishes just before serving to maintain crunchiness and prevent soggy texture during refrigeration.
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Hearty Homemade Potato Soup Recipe

Hearty Homemade Potato Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy potato soup delivers comfort straight from scratch kitchens. Hearty potatoes, crisp bacon, and rich cream create a satisfying meal that warms souls completely.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (medium) russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced (about 5 cups)
  • 3 cups (710 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 4 slices bacon, diced (optional)
  • 1 (medium) onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (for thickening)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sliced green onions or chives
  • Sour cream
  • Additional cooked bacon, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden, then transfer to a paper towel, reserving the rendered fat for subsequent cooking.
  2. Aromatic Base: Sauté diced onions in bacon drippings until translucent, then quickly introduce minced garlic to release its fragrant notes, creating a flavor-rich foundation.
  3. Potato Infusion: Add cubed potatoes, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer, allowing potatoes to become tender and absorb the seasoned liquid.
  4. Creamy Transformation: Whisk flour and milk into a smooth mixture, then incorporate heavy cream into the simmering soup, stirring consistently to develop a rich, velvety consistency without lumps.
  5. Textural Enhancement: Partially blend the soup using an immersion blender, maintaining some chunky potato pieces for rustic texture and visual appeal while ensuring a creamy overall profile.
  6. Serving Finale: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, topping generously with sharp cheddar cheese, delicate green onion slivers, a dollop of sour cream, and the reserved crispy bacon pieces for a multi-layered flavor experience.

Notes

  • Select High-Quality Potatoes: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest texture and best flavor absorption.
  • Control Bacon Crispness: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat completely and achieve perfect crunchiness without burning.
  • Prevent Potato Breakdown: Cut potatoes into uniform, medium-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and maintain structural integrity during simmering.
  • Manage Soup Thickness: Gradually add milk-flour mixture while stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve desired creamy consistency without over-thickening.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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