The Heartiest Homemade Potato Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Creamy potato soup has been my comfort food companion through countless chilly evenings.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen always flood back when I stir a pot of this hearty dish.

Rich, velvety textures blend seamlessly with robust potato flavors that warm you from the inside out.

Surprisingly simple ingredients come together in ways that feel almost magical.

Each spoonful promises a delightful balance of smooth potatoes and subtle seasonings.

Crispy bacon bits and fresh chives add unexpected crunch and brightness to this classic recipe.

Come cook alongside me and create a soul-warming meal that will make everyone at the table smile.

What Makes Best Homemade Potato Soup So Cozy

• Slice and Dice with Ease: Perfect for home cooks who love straightforward preparation, this recipe requires basic chopping skills and minimal kitchen expertise.
• Pack a Flavor Punch: The combination of sautéed onions, crispy bacon, and creamy potatoes creates a rich, satisfying meal that delights taste buds with every spoonful.
• Comfort in a Bowl: Ideal for chilly evenings or when craving a hearty meal, this potato soup delivers warmth and comfort with its velvety texture and indulgent toppings.
• Quick Family Favorite: Minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps make this soup a go-to recipe for busy families seeking a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner option.

What You Need For Best Homemade Potato Soup

• Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that form the foundation of this creamy soup, providing texture and substance.
• Chicken Broth: A flavorful liquid base that enhances the overall taste and helps cook the potatoes.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creates a luxurious, velvety texture to the soup.
• Milk: Helps to thin the soup and create a smooth, creamy consistency.

• Onions, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that build a deep, savory flavor profile for the soup.
• Bacon: Crispy topping that provides a salty, smoky crunch and additional flavor complexity.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melty topping that adds sharpness and creates a rich, indulgent finish.
• Chives: Fresh herb that brings a mild onion-like flavor and bright green color as a garnish.

• Butter: Creates a golden, fragrant base for sautéing and adds depth to the soup's flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste of the soup.

Steps To Make Best Homemade Potato Soup

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

Thoroughly scrub potatoes under cool water. Slice potatoes into neat, even cubes that will cook uniformly. Finely chop onions and garlic for maximum flavor infusion.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Melt butter in a large cooking pot over medium heat. Watch for a golden, nutty color that signals perfect butter preparation. Add onions and garlic, stirring constantly until they become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Build Soup Layers

Introduce potato cubes to the buttery mixture, coating each piece carefully. Allow potatoes to develop slight caramelization for deeper flavor complexity. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring complete potato submersion.

Step 4: Simmer and Soften

Reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let ingredients simmer peacefully. Cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes reach tender perfection. Test potato softness by easily piercing with a fork.

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

Using a potato masher or large spoon, gently crush some potatoes directly in the pot. This technique creates a luxurious, thick consistency while maintaining some delightful potato chunks.

Step 6: Enhance with Dairy

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk

Stir gently to create a silky, smooth soup base that feels like velvet on the palate.

Step 7: Season and Elevate

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Step 8: Prepare Crispy Bacon Topping

Cook bacon in a separate skillet until wonderfully crisp and golden brown. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.

Step 9: Final Garnish and Serve

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbled bacon
• Fresh chives

Serve immediately while steaming hot, allowing cheese to melt slightly into the creamy soup.

Helpful Tips For Best Homemade Potato Soup

• Perfectly Prep Potatoes: Cut potatoes into uniform cubes for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Sauté with Savvy: Gently cook onions and garlic in butter until translucent to build a rich, aromatic flavor foundation.
• Mash for Magical Texture: Break down some potatoes directly in the pot to create a creamy base while keeping some chunks for added interest.
• Garnish for Greatness: Top the soup with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar, and fresh chives to elevate flavor and presentation.
• Cream Control: Add cream and milk gradually to achieve a smooth, luxurious consistency without overwhelming the soup's delicate potato flavor.

Best Homemade Potato Soup Twist Ideas

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit bacon. Add roasted mushrooms or smoked paprika for depth of flavor.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk. Use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a creamy, cheesy taste.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Top with jalapeños and cilantro for a zesty kick.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets. Use Greek yogurt instead of cream for protein and creaminess.

Perfect Pairings For Best Homemade Potato Soup

• Enhance Potato Soup Experience
• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Light, citrusy white wine cuts through the soup's richness, providing a refreshing contrast and cleansing the palate with its bright acidity.
• Serve Alongside Rustic Sourdough: Crusty, tangy bread complements the creamy soup perfectly, offering a delightful textural crunch and absorbing the soup's hearty flavors.
• Match with Honey Maple Glazed Ham: Slightly sweet, salty ham creates a harmonious balance with the potato soup, adding protein and depth to the meal while introducing complementary flavor notes.
• Recommend Sparkling Apple Cider: Non-alcoholic beverage with subtle sweetness and effervescence helps cleanse the palate, lightening the soup's creamy consistency and providing a pleasant, refreshing counterpoint.

How To Keep Best Homemade Potato Soup Fresh

• Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining best quality and flavor.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Removes smoothly up to 3 months when properly sealed, preventing freezer burn.
• Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute warmth evenly. Stops when temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warms gradually over medium-low heat, stirring consistently to prevent scorching. Adds splash of milk or broth if soup appears too thick, restoring original creamy consistency.

Best Homemade Potato Soup Questions Answered

• Can I use a different type of milk instead of heavy cream?

Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with whole milk, half-and-half, or even a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk for a lighter version of the soup.

• Is this soup suitable for vegetarians?

No, this recipe contains chicken broth and bacon. To make it vegetarian, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit bacon or use vegetarian bacon alternatives.

• How can I make the soup healthier?

Reduce butter quantity, use low-fat milk, skip cheese topping, and add more vegetables like carrots or celery to increase nutritional value.

• What if I don't have fresh chives for garnish?

Green onions make an excellent substitute. You can also use dried chives or simply skip the garnish without significantly impacting the soup’s flavor.

Best Homemade Potato Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy potato soup elevates comfort cuisine with hearty Wisconsin russet potatoes and rich cream. Garnished with crispy bacon bits and chives, this soul-warming bowl delivers pure culinary comfort for hungry souls seeking delicious homestyle goodness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Dairy and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic

Toppings and Garnish:

• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chives
• 3 slices bacon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meticulously wash and peel potatoes, then dice them into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure consistent cooking and texture.
2. Finely mince onions and garlic, preparing them for a flavor-packed base of the soup.
3. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat until it becomes golden and fragrant, creating a rich foundation for the soup.
4. Sauté onions and garlic in the melted butter for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
5. Add diced potatoes to the pot, stirring to coat them with the buttery onion mixture, allowing them to slightly caramelize.
6. Pour chicken broth into the pot, ensuring potatoes are completely submerged, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
7. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
8. Crisp bacon in a separate skillet until golden brown and perfectly crunchy, then set aside to cool and crumble.
9. Mash a portion of the potatoes directly in the pot to create a creamy, textured consistency, leaving some chunks for added interest.
10. Gradually stir in heavy cream and milk, blending smoothly to create a luxurious, velvety soup base.
11. Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a balanced flavor profile.
12. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, then generously top with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and freshly chopped chives.
13. Serve immediately while piping hot, allowing the melted cheese to mingle with the creamy potato soup.

Notes

• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest and most flavorful result.
• Ensure even potato cutting by using a sharp knife and maintaining consistent cube sizes for uniform cooking.
• Avoid boiling the soup vigorously to prevent potatoes from breaking down and losing their texture.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use turkey bacon for reduced fat content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg