Easy Potato and Bacon Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

A steaming bowl of comfort where potato meets crispy bacon in a velvety embrace that warms you from the inside.

This hearty soup whispers stories of cozy kitchens and winter afternoons.

Russet potatoes blend seamlessly with smoky bacon bits, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Rich cream adds a luxurious touch to this classic combination.

Salt and pepper play their subtle magic, enhancing every spoonful with depth and character.

Crisp bacon crumbles promise a delightful crunch that breaks through the soup smooth landscape.

Let this recipe transport you to a moment of pure culinary bliss.

Why Potato and Bacon Soup Hits All the Right Notes

• Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: This potato and bacon soup delivers an incredible taste explosion with crispy bacon, tender vegetables, and a rich, creamy base that warms you from the inside out.
• Effortless Cooking Magic: The recipe follows simple step-by-step instructions perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, requiring minimal kitchen expertise while producing restaurant-quality results.
• Texture Wonderland: Enjoy a delightful combination of smooth, velvety soup with chunky potato pieces and crispy bacon bits, creating a multilayered sensory experience in every single spoonful.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this hearty soup comes together in under 40 minutes, making it an ideal meal for busy families seeking delicious, nutritious dinner solutions without spending hours in the kitchen.

What Goes Into Potato and Bacon Soup

• Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture; choose thick-cut for best results; adds depth to the soup.

• Onion, Celery, Carrot: Classic soup base that builds flavor foundation; fresh vegetables give better taste than frozen.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic intensity; fresh garlic provides more robust flavor than pre-minced.

• Potatoes: Creamy base of the soup; waxy varieties like Yukon Gold hold shape well during cooking.
• Flour: Creates smooth roux for thickening soup; helps bind ingredients together.

• Chicken Broth: Provides savory liquid base; low-sodium allows better control of salt levels.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smooth texture; creates luxurious mouthfeel.

• Italian Seasoning: Adds herbal complexity; dried blend works perfectly.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing overall soup flavor.

• Green Onions, Shredded Cheese: Fresh toppings that add extra flavor and visual appeal.

Simple Instructions for Potato and Bacon Soup

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Cook chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it turns golden and crunchy. Remove bacon pieces and place on a paper towel, leaving behind the flavorful bacon drippings in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Chopped celery
• Sliced carrots

Cook these veggies until they become soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and stir for another minute to release its wonderful aroma.

Step 3: Create a Flavor-Packed Base

Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth, thickening roux. This will give the soup its rich, creamy texture.

Step 4: Build the Soup Foundation

• Cubed potatoes
• Italian seasoning

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook until potatoes become tender and start to break down slightly.

Step 5: Enhance the Texture

For a more luxurious soup, use a potato masher or immersion blender to partially break down the potatoes. Leave some chunks for a rustic feel – this adds character to the soup.

Step 6: Finish with Creamy Goodness

Stir in heavy cream and most of the crispy bacon. Season with salt and pepper until the flavors sing. Save a few bacon pieces for a delightful garnish.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

• Remaining crispy bacon bits
• Chopped green onions
• Shredded cheese (optional)

Tips for Making Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup

• Bacon Brilliance: Save extra bacon fat for future cooking or discard carefully to maintain a clean cooking surface.
• Veggie Versatility: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Roux Rescue: Constantly stir the flour mixture to prevent burning and create a smooth, lump-free base for the soup.
• Texture Tactics: Experiment with blending techniques – partially mash for rustic chunks or fully blend for a creamy consistency.
• Diet-Friendly Twist: Swap bacon for turkey bacon, use low-fat cream, or add plant-based alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs.

Storing and Reheating Potato and Bacon Soup Made Easy

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.
• Refresh: When reheating, consider adding fresh crispy bacon bits or a sprinkle of green onions to restore the soup's original texture and flavor profile.

Dishes That Pair Well with Potato and Bacon Soup

• Complement with Crisp White Wine: Pair this hearty potato and bacon soup with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, refreshing wines cut through the soup's richness and provide a delightful contrast to the creamy, savory flavors.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or French baguette to dip into the soup. The crunchy bread soaks up the creamy broth, adding an extra layer of texture and helping to make the meal more satisfying.
• Top with Tangy Cheese Garnish: Sprinkle sharp cheddar or crumbled blue cheese over the soup. These robust cheeses enhance the smoky bacon flavor and add a zesty punch that elevates the entire dish.
• Match with Light Green Salad: Prepare a simple mixed green salad with a bright vinaigrette. The salad's acidity and freshness will balance the soup's rich, creamy texture and provide a lighter counterpoint to the hearty main course.

How to Mix Up Potato and Bacon Soup

• Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced green chiles, and top with pepper jack cheese and cilantro for a zesty kick.
• Vegetarian Potato Chowder: Swap bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth, adding extra mushrooms and roasted cauliflower for rich, hearty flavor.
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Incorporate sour cream, extra sharp cheddar cheese, and double the amount of bacon for a decadent, classic baked potato experience.
• Mediterranean Potato Soup: Introduce crumbled feta cheese, diced olives, and fresh oregano, using olive oil instead of bacon fat for a lighter Mediterranean-inspired version.

Potato and Bacon Soup FAQs for You

• Why should I use bacon fat for sautéing vegetables?

Bacon fat adds incredible depth of flavor and richness to the soup, creating a more complex and delicious base compared to using just oil or butter.

• Can I make this soup healthier?

Yes, you can use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, reduce the cream quantity, or substitute with milk to lower the fat content while maintaining great taste.

• What if I don't have an immersion blender?

No worries! You can use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to partially mash some potatoes, which will naturally thicken the soup and create a nice texture.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This potato and bacon soup reheats wonderfully and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinners during the week.

Potato And Bacon Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty potato and bacon soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending rustic flavors from classic ingredients. Rich, creamy broth with crispy bacon pieces promises a warm embrace that satisfies deep hunger pangs for home-style cooking.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lb (907 grams) Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

Other Ingredients:

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Optional garnish:

• Chopped green onions
• Shredded cheese
• Extra bacon bits

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a spacious pot, transforming it into crispy golden fragments over medium heat. Extract the bacon pieces onto a paper towel, preserving the rich, smoky drippings in the cooking vessel.
2. Introduce diced onions, celery, and carrots into the bacon-infused environment. Sauté the vegetables until they soften and become translucent, allowing their aromatics to develop. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring briefly to release its fragrant essence.
3. Dust the vegetable mixture with flour, creating a light, silky roux. Continuously stir to prevent scorching and ensure a smooth, even coating.
4. Gradually stream chicken broth into the pot, using a whisk to incorporate and lift any caramelized remnants from the bottom. Tumble cubed potatoes and Italian seasoning into the liquid, bringing the mixture to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
5. Allow the potatoes to tenderize, approximately 15-20 minutes, until they yield easily when pierced. For a more luxurious texture, partially mash or blend the soup, maintaining some delightful potato chunks.
6. Enrich the soup with velvety heavy cream and fold in the majority of the crisp bacon, reserving a few pieces for garnishing. Season thoughtfully with salt and pepper, balancing the flavors.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, adorning with reserved bacon bits, verdant green onions, or a sprinkle of sharp cheese to elevate the presentation.

Notes

• Crisp bacon renders out delicious fat, creating a rich flavor base for the entire soup without adding extra oil.
• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy texture and optimal thickening potential.
• Simmer potatoes gently to prevent breaking down completely, maintaining a hearty, chunky soup consistency.
• Customize the soup by swapping bacon for smoked turkey or vegetarian bacon bits to accommodate different dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg