When it comes to comfort food, nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming bowl of potato soup. Creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor, the Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup takes this classic dish to new heights. Whether you’re curling up on a chilly day or serving a crowd at your next family gathering, this recipe promises to deliver the perfect balance of rich, velvety texture and savory goodness. Made with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a blend of delicious ingredients, this soup is a true crowd-pleaser. Follow along as we share the secrets to creating the ultimate bowl of potato soup that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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How to Make the Creamiest Potato Soup – A Step-by-Step Guide
Potato soup is one of those cozy, comforting dishes that warm you up on a chilly day. The best part? It’s made with simple, everyday ingredients and comes together quickly. Here’s a friendly breakdown of how you can make this ultimate creamy potato soup right in your kitchen:
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it’s beautifully crispy. Once it’s done, place it on paper towels to drain the excess grease. Make sure to leave a little bacon grease in the pot – it’s the secret to adding that rich, smoky flavor to the soup!
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies and Simmer
Next, toss in some chopped celery, onion, and garlic, and let them cook in that delicious bacon grease until soft and fragrant. Add cubed potatoes and stir with the veggies. Crumble the bacon back into the pot, pour in enough chicken stock to cover everything, and let it simmer gently. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are tender and soft.
Step 3: Make It Creamy
In a separate skillet, melt some butter and whisk in flour to create a smooth, slightly thickened base. Slowly whisk in heavy cream, a pinch of tarragon, and some fresh cilantro for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil until it’s thick, creamy, and dreamy.
Now, pour this creamy goodness into the pot with the potatoes and give everything a good stir.
Step 4: Blend It Up and Serve
Here’s the trick to getting that perfect texture: Scoop out about half of the soup, pop it into a blender, and puree until smooth. Return the blended soup to the pot, mix it in, and season to taste with a little salt and pepper.
Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings – crispy bacon bits, shredded Cheddar cheese, fresh herbs, or even a dollop of sour cream. Yum!
The Best Potatoes for Potato Soup
For the ultimate creamy soup, stick with Russet potatoes. They’re starchy and break down beautifully as they cook, giving you that smooth, velvety texture. Waxy potatoes (like red or Yukon gold) tend to hold their shape, so they’re not the best choice here.
How to Thicken Potato Soup
This recipe naturally gives you a thick, satisfying soup. But if it’s thinner than you’d like, here’s how to fix it:
- Add more potatoes: Cook some extra potatoes, mash them, and stir them into the soup.
- Instant potato flakes: A quick and easy way to thicken things up.
- Cornstarch slurry: Mix equal parts water and cornstarch, then slowly stir it into the soup until it thickens.
How to Store Potato Soup
Got leftovers? Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Can You Freeze Potato Soup?
Unfortunately, freezing potato soup isn’t ideal. The potatoes can turn grainy, and the dairy tends to separate when thawed and reheated. If you really need to freeze it, here’s how:
- Ladle the soup into freezer-safe bags in portion-sized servings.
- Press out any air, seal the bags, and label them with the date.
- Lay the bags flat in the freezer, and freeze them for up to 6 months.
When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly on the stove, stirring often to bring the texture back together as much as possible.
Final Thoughts
With crispy bacon, creamy potatoes, and simple flavors, this potato soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food. It’s quick, easy to make, and perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner. Serve it up with warm bread or a fresh salad, and you’ve got a meal that’ll keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Perfect Potato Soup Toppings
When it comes to potato soup, the toppings are where you can really get creative and make it your own! Here are some crowd-favorite toppings to take your bowl of soup to the next level:
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A sprinkle of melty cheese adds a rich, creamy finish.
- Crispy Crumbled Bacon: Because bacon makes everything better!
- Fresh Green Onions: A pop of color and a mild, fresh onion flavor.
- Chopped Chives: Perfect for an elegant, subtle garnish.
It’s your potato soup – pile on as many or as few toppings as you like. Don’t be afraid to experiment with extras like sour cream, freshly cracked black pepper, or even a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
Ingredients (For 8 servings)
- 1 pound bacon, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cups chicken stock (or enough to cover the potatoes)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make the Ultimate Potato Soup: A Warm, Comforting Delight
Step 1: Gather your ingredients and get ready to create a delicious, cozy meal! You’ll need bacon, celery, onion, garlic, potatoes, chicken stock, butter, flour, heavy cream, tarragon, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Start by cooking your bacon. Add it to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until it’s crispy and browned, about 5 to 10 minutes. Once it’s ready, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, but leave about 1/4 cup of bacon grease in the pot (it adds tons of flavor!).
Step 3: Now, in that delicious bacon grease, cook your celery and onion for about 5 minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add in your garlic and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, letting all the flavors mingle together.
Step 4: Time to add the star ingredient—potatoes! Toss your cubed potatoes into the pot and stir for 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add the bacon back in and pour in enough chicken stock to cover the potatoes. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are nice and tender.
Step 5: While the soup is simmering, melt butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until it thickens up. Then, slowly whisk in the heavy cream, tarragon, and cilantro—this is where the soup starts to get super creamy and flavorful!
Step 6: Bring your cream mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until it thickens up, about 5 minutes. Once it’s ready, pour it into the Dutch oven with the potatoes and bacon. Stir it all together until you’ve got a rich, creamy soup base.
Step 7: For a smooth texture, transfer half of the soup into a blender and puree it. Pour it back into the Dutch oven and stir everything together. Taste it and adjust the seasonings if needed—more salt, pepper, or maybe a pinch of extra tarragon?
Step 8: Serve your creamy, savory potato soup hot, topped with some crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, or fresh herbs, and enjoy every spoonful!
This potato soup is all about comfort, flavor, and a little bit of indulgence. It’s perfect for a chilly day, or anytime you need something warm and satisfying. Enjoy.
if you love soup recipes check this 15-Minute Black Bean Soup Recipe
