Potato Soup Recipe
Add Preferred SourcePotato soup is the ultimate comfort food that checks all the boxes—creamy, hearty, and made with just a handful of simple ingredients. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe brings everything together perfectly. With baked potatoes, crispy bacon, and a smooth, velvety finish, this soup hits the spot every single time.
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Potato soup is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. It’s simple, satisfying, and you can prep the potatoes ahead to make it even easier. Leftovers reheat beautifully, so nothing goes to waste
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Potato Soup with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Making this creamy, hearty potato soup is a breeze when you follow my easy steps.
Bake the Potatoes
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC).
Start by washing and drying the potatoes. Prick each one with a fork to let steam escape while baking, then wrap them in foil.
Place the potatoes on a rack in the center of the oven and bake for about 1 hour. Once done, let them cool completely so they’re easier to handle later.
Prepare the Bacon
While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lay the bacon strips in a single layer.
Cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy. Don’t rush this step—cooking in batches, if needed, will ensure that every piece crisps up perfectly.
Once done, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and chop into large, hearty pieces.
Pro tip: Save the bacon grease in the pan—you’ll use it later to add extra flavor to the onions.
Cook the Onion
Peel and finely dice the onion while the bacon is cooking. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Add the diced onion and cook it gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s soft and translucent.
Cooking low and slow will draw out the onion’s natural sweetness without burning it. If you saved the bacon grease, mix it in here for even more flavor.
Combine and Simmer
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them into halves or quarters and add them directly to the saucepan with the softened onions.
Pour in the vegetable stock, stir well, and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This step helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Blend and Season
Take your immersion blender (or regular blender) and carefully puree the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, let the soup cool slightly first to avoid any splatters.
Once blended, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning—add salt and pepper a little at a time until it’s just right.
Serve and Garnish
Ladle the creamy potato soup into bowls and top with a generous dollop of sour cream.
Sprinkle on the crispy bacon bits and add a handful of fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, for a colorful, flavorful finish.
These garnishes don’t just look great—they add layers of texture and taste that make the soup even more special. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 6-8 potatoes
- 4-6 bacon strips
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 small bunch of fresh parsley or your favorite herbs
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C). Wash and dry the potatoes. Prick each one with a fork a few times to let steam escape during baking. Wrap them in foil and place them on the center oven rack. Bake for about 1 hour or until tender. Once cooked, let the potatoes cool completely so they’re easier to handle.6-8 potatoes
- While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, lay the bacon strips flat, and let them cook for about 10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they’re golden and crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the grease. Once cooled, chop it into large pieces.4-6 bacon strips
- While the bacon rests, peel and finely dice the onion. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s soft and translucent without browning.3 tablespoons butter, 1 onion
- Once the potatoes have cooled, cut them into halves or quarters and add them to the saucepan. Pour in the vegetable stock and stir well. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to combine the flavors.6 cups vegetable stock
- Using an immersion blender, puree the soup in the pot until smooth and creamy. (If using a regular blender, allow the soup to cool slightly before blending in batches to avoid splatters.) Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.Salt and pepper
- To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream, crispy bacon pieces, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives. Enjoy!¼ cup sour cream, 1 small bunch of fresh parsley
Notes
- Baking the Potatoes: Wrapping the potatoes in foil helps steam the insides while keeping the skin tender. Bake ahead of time to save time on cooking day.
- Crispy Bacon: Cook the bacon in batches to keep it from overcrowding in the skillet—this ensures every piece gets perfectly crispy.
- Save the Bacon Grease: Don’t toss that bacon grease! Use it to sauté the onions for an added boost of savory flavor.
- Soft Onions: Cook the onions over medium-low heat to avoid browning. This keeps the flavor mellow and sweet.
- Blending the Soup: For a perfectly smooth texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. If using a regular blender, let the soup cool slightly to prevent accidents.
- Adjusting Consistency: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a little extra stock or water until you reach your desired texture.
- Season to Taste: Season the soup at the very end—after blending—so you get the perfect balance of salt and pepper.
- Garnish Generously: Fresh herbs and crispy bacon on top elevate the look and taste of the finished soup.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are a few simple tricks to make your potato soup extra delicious and stress-free:
- Baking the Potatoes: Wrapping the potatoes in foil helps steam the insides while keeping the skin tender. Bake ahead of time to save time on cooking day.
- Crispy Bacon: Cook the bacon in batches to keep it from overcrowding in the skillet—this ensures every piece gets perfectly crispy.
- Save the Bacon Grease: Don’t toss that bacon grease! Use it to sauté the onions for an added boost of savory flavor.
- Soft Onions: Cook the onions over medium-low heat to avoid browning. This keeps the flavor mellow and sweet.
- Blending the Soup: For a perfectly smooth texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. If using a regular blender, let the soup cool slightly to prevent accidents.
- Adjusting Consistency: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a little extra stock or water until you reach your desired texture.
- Season to Taste: Season the soup at the very end—after blending—so you get the perfect balance of salt and pepper.
- Garnish Generously: Fresh herbs and crispy bacon on top elevate the look and taste of the finished soup.
How to Store Leftover Potato Soup
Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
My Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Here’s how to keep costs low while making this comforting soup:
- Use Pantry Staples: If you don’t have fresh herbs, swap them for dried parsley or chives from your pantry.
- Stretch with Stock: If you’re short on potatoes, simply add more vegetable stock and blend—it’ll still be creamy and flavorful.
- Save Bacon Grease: Reuse the bacon grease for sautéing onions or cooking other dishes—it’s like free flavor!
What to Serve With Potato Soup
This creamy potato soup is perfect with a slice of crusty bread, like sourdough, or a warm baguette for dipping.
For a complete meal, pair it with a fresh side salad or a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. It’s the ultimate comfort food combination that everyone will love.
More Easy Soup Recipes for You to Try at Home
I’ve got plenty of easy, comforting soup recipes that will make your weekly meal planning a breeze.
