The Coziest Potato and Bacon Soup Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Crisp autumn days call for a comforting potato and bacon soup that warms you from the inside out.

Savory aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising a delightful meal ahead.

Cold winds might be blowing outside, but this hearty blend creates instant coziness.

Rich ingredients mingle together, developing deep, satisfying flavors that whisper of home-style cooking.

Smoky bacon pieces dance alongside tender potato chunks, creating a perfect balance of textures.

Creamy and smooth, this soup delivers pure comfort in every spoonful.

Gather your ingredients and let’s make magic happen in your kitchen.

Why Potato And Bacon Soup Warms You Up Fast

• Craft Creamy Comfort: This potato soup delivers rich, velvety texture that wraps you in warmth with every spoonful.
• Master Rustic Technique: Breaking down potatoes partially creates an incredible thick consistency that balances chunky and smooth perfectly.
• Flavor-Packed Layers: Bacon drippings and crispy bacon bits infuse deep, smoky notes that elevate the classic potato soup experience.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Using basic kitchen staples transforms into a restaurant-quality dish that impresses without complicated steps.

What You’ll Need For Potato And Bacon Soup

• Bacon: Provides a smoky, rich flavor and crispy texture to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Add depth and foundational flavor to the soup base.

• Potatoes: Creates the hearty, creamy body of the soup with a comforting starchy texture.

• Chicken Broth: Builds a savory, flavorful foundation for the soup.
• Milk, Heavy Cream: Contribute to the smooth, rich, and luxurious consistency of the soup.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and a melty, creamy element to the soup.
• Chives: Provide a fresh, mild onion-like garnish with bright color and subtle flavor.

How To Make Potato And Bacon Soup Easily

Step 1: Render Bacon Goodness

Sizzle bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it turns golden and releases its delicious fat, about 6-7 minutes. Move the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping those flavorful drippings in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Dice the onion and mince the garlic, then dance them around in the bacon drippings until they become translucent and fill the kitchen with an irresistible fragrance, roughly 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Potato Chunks

Peel and cube potatoes into uniform pieces to ensure each bite cooks evenly and delivers perfect texture.

Step 4: Simmer Potato Goodness

Introduce chicken broth and potato cubes to the pot, bringing everything to a rolling boil. Dial down the heat and let the mixture simmer for 15-18 minutes until potatoes surrender and become fork-tender.

Step 5: Create Rustic Texture

Grab a potato masher or immersion blender to gently break down some potatoes. The goal is a thick, hearty consistency with delightful chunks still visible.

Step 6: Creamy Transformation

Pour in milk and heavy cream, stirring gently to create a silky, luxurious base that hugs every potato piece.

Step 7: Bacon Comeback

Crumble the reserved bacon and sprinkle it into the soup, saving a few pieces for a show-stopping garnish.

Step 8: Season to Perfection

Introduce salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting until the flavors sing.

Step 9: Dress and Garnish

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped chives

Step 10: Serve with Flair

Bring the chowder to the table immediately while it’s piping hot. Offer extra crispy bacon bits on the side for those who want an extra crunch.

Tips To Make Potato And Bacon Soup Even Better

• Bacon Brilliance: Crisp bacon thoroughly to release maximum flavor and create a delightful textural contrast in the soup.
• Potato Precision: Cut potatoes into uniform chunks for even cooking and consistent mouthfeel throughout the dish.
• Creamy Technique: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to achieve a rustic texture that keeps some potato chunks intact.
• Low and Slow Simmering: Gently simmer potatoes to ensure they become tender without breaking down completely, maintaining the soup's hearty character.
• Garnish Game: Top with extra crispy bacon bits, shredded cheese, and fresh chives to elevate the visual appeal and add layers of flavor.

Flavor Swaps For Potato And Bacon Soup

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth for a meat-free version. Sauté mushrooms for added umami flavor and depth.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Soup: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrates. Maintain creamy texture using same dairy and blending techniques.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Top with jalapeños and pepper jack cheese for a fiery kick.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Potato Soup: Substitute milk and cream with coconut milk. Use nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor and coconut bacon for crunch.

Good Pairings With Potato And Bacon Soup

• Savor Smoky Bacon Potato Soup Pairings
• Complementary Wine Selection: Choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or light-bodied Chardonnay to cut through the soup's richness and enhance its creamy texture.
• Bread Companion: Serve with crusty sourdough or rustic whole grain bread, perfect for dipping and soaking up the soup's delicious flavors.
• Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a tangy mixed green salad with apple cider vinaigrette to balance the soup's heaviness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Craft Beer Match: Select a smooth amber ale or light wheat beer that complements the bacon's smokiness and adds a subtle hoppy note to the meal.

How To Store Potato And Bacon Soup Safely

• Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Remains good for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add splash of milk or broth to restore creamy consistency if needed.
• Place soup in microwave-safe bowl, cover with microwave-safe lid. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle until steaming hot throughout.

FAQs For Potato And Bacon Soup

• Why use bacon fat for sautéing?

Bacon fat adds incredible depth of flavor and creates a rich, savory base for the potato soup, enhancing the overall taste profile with its smoky and complex undertones.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Replace bacon with olive oil for sautéing and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add smoked paprika to mimic the bacon’s smoky flavor and consider adding mushrooms for umami depth.

• What's the best way to achieve the perfect soup consistency?

Use a potato masher or immersion blender to partially break down potatoes, creating a rustic texture with some chunks remaining. This technique ensures a creamy yet textured soup that’s not completely smooth.

Potato And Bacon Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy potato and bacon soup brings comfort straight from Irish kitchens, warming hearts with its rich, hearty blend of rustic ingredients. Each spoonful delivers a delicious balance of smoky bacon and smooth potato goodness you’ll crave during chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes and Bacon:

• 4 large potatoes
• 6 slices bacon

Base Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Crisp the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until golden and rendered, about 6-7 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
2. Dice the onion and mince the garlic, then sauté in the bacon drippings until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Peel and cube the potatoes into uniform chunks, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
4. Add the chicken broth and potato cubes to the pot, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
5. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to partially break down the potatoes, creating a rustic, thick consistency while maintaining some chunky potato pieces.
6. Pour in the milk and heavy cream, stirring gently to incorporate and create a smooth, creamy base.
7. Crumble the reserved bacon and sprinkle into the soup, reserving some for garnish.
8. Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
9. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, topping with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives.
10. Serve immediately while hot, offering additional crispy bacon bits as a final garnish.

Notes

• Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispier texture that holds up well in the soup.
• Potato Precision: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy consistency and rich potato flavor.
• Texture Tip: Partially mashing potatoes creates a rustic, hearty soup while maintaining some chunky potato pieces for interesting mouthfeel.
• Dietary Adaptation: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use turkey bacon for reduced fat content.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 50mg