The Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup is a bowl of pure comfort, blending velvety textures with rich, indulgent flavors. Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of buttery potatoes, savory broth, and a hint of creaminess that melts in your mouth. Ready in just 30 minutes, this soup is a lifesaver for busy evenings, offering warmth and satisfaction without the fuss.
Packed with hearty ingredients, it’s a nourishing meal that feels like a hug in a bowl. The subtle sweetness of potatoes pairs beautifully with the savory depth of garlic and herbs, creating a dish that’s both familiar and extraordinary. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a crowd-pleasing dinner, this soup is guaranteed to delight every palate.
Ingredients for The Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup
- 6 strips uncooked bacon, cut into small pieces
- 3 Tablespoons butter (unsalted or salted will work)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups/200g)
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (42g)
- 2 ½ lbs gold potatoes, peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1” (about 6 large potatoes/1.15kg)
- 4 cups chicken broth (945ml)
- 2 cups milk (475ml)
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (155ml)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder (optional, for a hint of smokiness)
- ⅔ cup sour cream (160g)
- Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, chives, additional sour cream, and bacon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Place bacon pieces in a large Dutch Oven or soup pot over medium heat. Cook until crisp and browned. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Sauté the onions: Add butter and chopped onion to the pot. Cook over medium heat until onions are tender (3-5 minutes).
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Incorporate flour: Sprinkle flour over the ingredients in the pot and stir until smooth (use a whisk if needed).
- Add potatoes and liquids: Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Stir well to combine.
- Boil until tender: Bring the soup to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork (about 10 minutes).
- Blend half the soup: Reduce heat to simmer. Carefully remove about half of the soup (approximately 5 cups) and transfer to a blender. Puree until smooth. (Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot.)
- Combine and simmer: Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in sour cream and reserved bacon pieces. Simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with optional shredded cheddar cheese, chives, additional sour cream, or bacon. Enjoy!
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
This creamy potato soup is a meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad. For a heartier meal, try serving it with a grilled cheese sandwich or garlic bread. Pro tip: Add a sprinkle of crispy bacon and shredded cheddar cheese on top for extra flavor and texture.
Make It Your Own: Recipe Variations
Want to switch things up? Try adding diced carrots or celery for extra veggies, or swap the bacon for ham for a different smoky flavor. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit the bacon. Feeling adventurous? Add a dash of smoked paprika or a handful of shredded cheese directly into the soup for a richer taste.
Keep It Fresh: Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of milk or broth to reach your desired consistency. Note: Avoid boiling to prevent the cream from separating.
Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Cooks
Short on time? Use pre-diced potatoes or a bag of frozen hash browns to skip the peeling and chopping. You can also cook the bacon in the microwave for a quicker, mess-free option. Bonus tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later—just thaw and reheat!
Essential Equipment for Soup Success
A large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot is ideal for even cooking and preventing scorching. An immersion blender makes pureeing the soup a breeze, but a regular blender works too—just be cautious with hot liquids. Don’t forget: A sturdy whisk helps create a smooth, lump-free base when adding the flour.
The Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon uncooked, cut into small pieces
- 3 Tablespoons butter unsalted or salted will work
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped (about 1.5 cup/200g)
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (42g)
- 2 ½ lbs gold potatoes peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1” (this was about 6 Large potatoes for me/1.15kg)
- 4 cups chicken broth (945ml)
- 2 cups milk (475ml)
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (155ml)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ⅔ cup sour cream (160g)
- Shredded cheddar cheese, chives, and additional sour cream and bacon for topping optional
Instructions
- Place bacon pieces in a large Dutch Oven or soup pot over medium heat and cook until bacon is crisp and browned.
- Remove bacon pieces and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add butter and chopped onion and cook over medium heat until onions are tender (3-5 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Sprinkle the flour over the ingredients in the pot and stir until smooth (use whisk if needed).
- Add diced potatoes to the pot along with chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork (about 10 minutes).
- Reduce heat to simmer and remove approximately half*** of the soup to a blender (be careful, it will be hot!) and puree until smooth (half is about 5 cups of soup, but just eyeballing the amount will be fine. Alternatively you can use an immersion blender.).
- Return the pureed soup to the pot and add sour cream and reserved bacon pieces, stir well.
- Allow soup to simmer for 15 minutes before serving.
- Top with additional sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, or chives. Enjoy!