Easy Potato Soup - Full of tender potatoes, smoky bacon, carrots, and a flavorful broth all done in one pot, and then we thicken it with a roux made separately. It’s so easy and so rich and flavorful, you’re going to love making this homemade potato soup all winter long!
It’s that time of year when my soup pot takes its permanent place on my stove, at least for a few months!
As soon as there’s a chill in the air, I can’t help but get excited for soup season. I enjoy the classics like potato leek and bacon soup as well as baby Bella mushroom and potato soup!
I love all kinds of warm and cozy soup recipes, but there’s something extra comforting about a thick and hearty recipe for homemade potato soup, don’t you think?
This creamy potato soup is such an easy soup to fall back on because I know everyone loves it. Your family will too!
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Why You'll Love This Easy Potato Soup
- Creamy and comforting. Tender golden potatoes, a rich homemade broth, and a buttery milk-based sauce make every spoonful SO delicious!
- Loaded with bacon. Crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor that makes this homemade potato soup extra special.
- Made with simple ingredients. Everything you need is easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Perfect for family dinners. This hearty potato soup is filling, comforting, and especially delicious on chilly fall and winter evenings.
- Easy to customize. Top your bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh chives, or a spoonful of sour cream.
- Great for leftovers. Make a big pot and enjoy a warm bowl for lunch the next day!
I especially love serving this soup with warm homemade bread. My Sourdough Focaccia Bread is perfect for dipping into that creamy potato broth! ❤️
Cooking Tips
- No need to discard the rest of the bacon grease. You can also pour it into a mug and let it cool at room temperature until solid. It will keep for a while to be used to cook and sauté ingredients in plenty of other recipes for added flavor. Replace butter or oil when needed!
- Soup consistency. Once the potatoes are mashed and cooked, they will thicken the soup on their own. If you’re not interested in making it any thicker, you can choose to leave out the roux completely.
- To make it a loaded potato soup, serve it with all the fixings! Bacon, chives, sour cream, cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, you name it. Whatever you put on a loaded baked potato, add it to your soup!
- The soup will continue to thicken as it cools. When you reheat it, you may need to add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up again.
- Keep leftover potato soup stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What Goes in Creamy Potato Soup?
- Bacon: Chop your thick bacon into small strips. Once it’s cooked we’re going to use some of the leftover grease to sauté the veggies for extra flavor!
- Chopped Onion & Garlic: We begin layering flavors, starting with onion and garlic which is the start of any great soup or sauce recipe.
- Potatoes: You’ll need about 2 lbs of potatoes. Make sure to scrub them clean and cut them into cubes. I use golden potatoes because I like the creaminess of them when they’re cooked.
- Carrots: Peeled and diced, the carrots add texture as well as color. They also always go well with potatoes.
- Chicken Broth: I prefer to use a broth instead of water for that bit of extra flavor, but water works just as well. I have a great homemade chicken broth recipe I usually keep on hand for times like these, but when I don’t, store-bought is a great alternative.
- Sea Salt: Brings out the flavors of all the ingredients in the potato soup.
- Cayenne Pepper: For a kick!
- For the Roux: Butter, all-purpose flour, whole milk, salt, and pepper.
- Parsley: Adding parsley helps to brighten up the soup with the flavor of fresh herbs. It’s a great way to cut through the starch.
- Garnish: Shredded cheddar cheese and finely chopped chives or parsley.
How to Make Potato Soup
Step 1: Sauté the bacon in a large soup pot or Dutch oven, over medium heat. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 2: Reserve 2 Tablespoons of the bacon grease in the pot and discard the rest. To the same pot, add the chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes then add the garlic to sauté for 1 more minute. Stir a few times.
Step 3: Add the potatoes, diced carrots, salt, cayenne pepper and broth to the pot. The broth should just barely cover the potatoes. Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and cooked through.
Step 4: Use a potato masher to mash your potatoes to your desired texture. If you want a completely smooth consistency, you can use an immersion blender. Just don’t overdo it, or your potatoes can become gluey.
Step 5: In a separate saucepan, you’re going to make a thick sauce, otherwise known as a roux. Start by melting a stick of butter over medium heat. Once it is melted, whisk in the flour for a couple of minutes until it’s combined with the butter. It should look like a paste and have a slightly nutty aroma.
Step 6: Slowly pour in the milk, a little at a time, whisking constantly until all of the milk has been added. Season with salt and pepper and add parsley, bring it to a boil. Again, keep stirring until smooth. Once boiling, remove it from the heat.
Step 7: Mix the thick sauce into the soup until completely combined. Once it starts boiling, remove it from the heat.
Ladle soup into soup bowls and serve garnished with cheddar cheese, bacon, and chopped parsley or chives. Complete your meal with a sourdough bread a refreshing salad and enjoy!
If you're in the mood for something a little lighter, try my Easy Chicken Noodle Soup. It's made from scratch with tender chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful homemade broth.
What to Serve with Potato Soup
This creamy potato soup is hearty enough to enjoy on its own, but I love serving it with something fresh, crunchy, or warm from the oven.
Here are a few delicious ideas:
- Greek Salad – A fresh, crunchy salad that balances the rich and creamy potato soup.
- Hot Honey Halloumi Grilled Cheese – Crispy, cheesy, and a little sweet and spicy. Such a delicious combination with homemade soup!
- Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta – Toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes makes a delicious appetizer or side.
- Harvest Salad with Chicken – A colorful fall salad with apples, roasted butternut squash, and pecans.
Or keep dinner simple with a warm slice of crusty bread and a big bowl of creamy potato soup. Sometimes those are the best meals!
Can I Make Potato Soup Ahead of Time?
Yes! This easy creamy potato soup is perfect for making ahead, especially when you want a cozy homemade dinner without spending extra time in the kitchen.
Make Ahead
Prepare the potato soup according to the recipe instructions. Let it cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.
When you're ready to serve, gently reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
How to Store Leftover Potato Soup
Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I recommend keeping the crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and fresh chives separate until you're ready to serve.
Can You Freeze Creamy Potato Soup?
I don't recommend freezing this particular potato soup because it contains milk and a buttery flour-based sauce.
Dairy-based soups can separate after freezing, and potatoes sometimes develop a grainy texture once thawed.
For the best creamy consistency, enjoy this soup fresh or refrigerate leftovers.
How to Reheat Potato Soup
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally.
The soup will naturally thicken as it cools, so add a splash of milk or chicken broth if needed.
Avoid boiling it aggressively when reheating to help maintain that smooth, creamy texture.
FAQs
If you don’t have any bacon, this is a great potato soup recipe to make during the holidays to use up any leftover ham! Diced ham is great in potato soup and all you need to do is replace the bacon grease with butter when cooking the veggies.
You could also use turkey bacon, or no meat at all for a vegetarian potato soup recipe.
Not at all! I love keeping the skin on, especially because I don’t use Russet potatoes in this recipe. The golden potatoes have a thin, delicate, completely edible skin, so there’s no need to peel. It’s up to you!
Of course! My family loves a bit of spice in almost everything, but if you’d rather it mild, feel free to leave it out altogether.
The easiest way to do that is by skipping the roux. It’s made with flour (although you could try making it with gluten-free all-purpose flour).
If you want to add a bit of creaminess to your soup, try adding Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
I love using Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe because they have a naturally creamy texture and buttery flavor.
They also have thin skins, so you don't have to peel them unless you prefer to.
This recipe uses a homemade butter, flour, and milk sauce to give the soup its creamy consistency.
You can also mash some of the cooked potatoes directly in the pot to naturally thicken the soup.
If your soup is too thick, add a little chicken broth or milk until it reaches your favorite consistency.
Potatoes release starch when they're mashed or blended. Overworking them, especially with a blender, can make the soup sticky or gluey.
For the best texture, use a potato masher and mash just until you reach your preferred consistency.
I like leaving some small potato pieces in mine for a little extra texture!
More Cozy Soup Recipes
If you love this easy potato soup, here are a few more cozy homemade soup recipes to try!
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup – Smooth, creamy, and packed with delicious roasted squash flavor.
- Sausage Potato Soup – A hearty soup made with Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and vegetables.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – Rich and comforting with delicious mushroom flavor.
- Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup – A hearty homemade soup that's perfect for chilly evenings.
- Easy Chicken Noodle Soup – A comforting classic that's perfect for family dinners.
- Ditalini Minestrone Soup – A delicious Italian-inspired soup with sausage and pasta.
If You Make This Easy Potato Soup...
Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below! Your reviews mean so much to me and help other families discover this recipe.
And I would LOVE to see what you're cooking!
Take a picture of your delicious bowl of potato soup and tag me @munchkintimeblog on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations! ❤️
Don't forget to save this recipe for later and share it with someone who loves a cozy homemade dinner!
📖 Recipe
Easy Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon cut into tiny pieces
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 4 cups golden potatoes about 2 lb, skin washed and cut into cubes
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 3 cups chicken broth homemade or use water, more if needed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup parsley finely chopped, more for garnish
For Garnish
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chives finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Into the pot add bacon and saute over medium heat until browned, stirring few times, about 5-10 minutes. Transfer onto a plate lined with paper towel.
- Sauté the vegetables: Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease inside the pot then add 1 chopped onion, saute for 5 minutes, stirring few times. Next add garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring few times.
- Cook the potatoes: Now, add 4 cups of potatoes, 2 diced carrots, chicken broth (the broth should barely cover the potatoes), salt and cayenne pepper. Bring it to a boil, turn down the heat to a simmer and simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked thru. Using a potato masher mash the soup to your desired texture.
- Make the creamy sauce: While soup is cooking, in a sauce pan melt 1 stick of butter, once it is melted add ½ cup of flour, stir until everything is combined for 1-3 minutes. Next, slowly pour in milk, a little bit at a time, stirring continuously with a whisk. Once you whisk in all of the milk, season with salt and pepper and add parsley, bring it to a boil, stirring continuously. Once it starts boiling remove from the heat.
- Combine and serve: Add the sauce to the soup and give it a good mix, once it starts boiling remove from the heat and serve with cheddar cheese, bacon, chopped parsley and sourdough bread. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes work beautifully because they're naturally creamy and have a delicious buttery flavor.
- Don't over-mash: Leave some small pieces of potato for the best texture. Overworking the potatoes can make the soup gluey.
- Thickness: The soup will thicken as it sits. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth when reheating if needed.
- Bacon: For the crispiest topping, keep some of the cooked bacon separate and add it just before serving.
- Storage: Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Freezing: I don't recommend freezing this creamy potato soup because the dairy can separate and the potatoes may become grainy after thawing.
Ali
Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Munchkin Time
You are welcome, Ali! 😀