Name: The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 strips bacon, uncooked, cut into small pieces; 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted or salted; 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” (about 6 large potatoes/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, for topping (optional); Chives, for topping (optional); Additional sour cream, for topping (optional); Additional bacon pieces, for topping (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 11 reviews

If you’re craving a comforting, cozy meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, you’re going to love The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe. This soup is creamy, flavorful, and just downright satisfying — perfect for chilly days or anytime you want some soul food. I’m excited to share it with you because it’s one of those recipes that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, and it always gets rave reviews from everyone I serve it to. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make it just right.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Creaminess: Combining milk, heavy cream, and sour cream gives this soup that rich, silky texture without being too heavy.
Bacon Adds Smoky Depth: Crisp bacon pieces sautéed right in bring a smoky, salty punch that takes this soup to the next level.
Chunky & Smooth Combo: Pureeing half the soup keeps it lush and creamy while still giving you those satisfying potato chunks.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using basic pantry staples and fresh aromatics means you can whip this up anytime and serve up serious comfort.

The Ultimate Potato Soup, creamy potato soup recipe, comforting potato soup, easy potato soup, hearty potato soup - A close-up of a white bowl filled with thick, creamy potato soup as the base layer, light beige in color with a smooth, slightly lumpy texture. On top, there are scattered pieces of bright orange shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits in reddish-brown color, small chunks of green chopped scallions, and a swirl of white sour cream. The soup surface is sprinkled with a dusting of light brown paprika, giving it a slight textured look. The bowl sits on a blue and white striped cloth with a white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is all about ingredients that complement each other beautifully, creating layers of flavor and texture. Plus, most of these are pantry and fridge staples, so it’s easy to pull together on a whim. When choosing your potatoes, I prefer gold potatoes for their buttery texture, but you can also use russets for a fluffier soup.

The Ultimate Potato Soup, creamy potato soup recipe, comforting potato soup, easy potato soup, hearty potato soup - Flat lay of six uncooked bacon strips cut into small pieces, a medium yellow onion chopped into rough chunks, three large garlic cloves minced, a small mound of all-purpose flour, six large peeled gold potatoes diced into cubes about one inch, a small jug of chicken broth, a glass of milk, a small container of heavy cream, a dollop of sour cream in a bowl, and a sprinkle of ground pepper and ancho chili powder in tiny dishes, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty base and crunch; cook it crisp and save the fat for flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and helps soften the onions gently without overpowering.
Yellow Onion: Sweetens the soup naturally and forms the aromatic foundation.
Garlic: Brings subtle warmth and depth—don’t skip or overpower it.
All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the soup smoothly when cooked with fat and aromatics.
Gold Potatoes: Creamy texture and subtle flavor that holds up well without turning mushy.
Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth; homemade or store-bought works, just watch your salt.
Milk & Heavy Cream: Together they balance creaminess without being too heavy.
Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings; I always start with less and adjust as I go.
Ancho Chili Powder: Adds a gentle smoky heat that lifts the soup without overwhelming it.
Sour Cream: Stirred in at the end for a tangy richness that brightens the flavors.
Optional Toppings: Cheddar, fresh chives, extra sour cream, and bacon bits add texture, color, and indulgence.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is super adaptable, so you can make it exactly how you like it or tweak it for different dietary needs. Whether you want it extra creamy, a little spicier, or dairy-free, there’s room for your own spin here.

Vegetarian Variation: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit bacon or replace it with smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.
Spicy Kick: I sometimes bump up the ancho chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat when I’m in the mood.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk or a creamy plant milk substitute and leave out the sour cream; a bit of nutritional yeast adds depth.
Chunky vs. Creamy: I prefer pureeing half the soup to keep some texture, but if you want silky smooth, just puree it all in batches.

Step-by-Step: How I Make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

Step 1: Crisp Up That Bacon

Start by frying your diced bacon in a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat. Watch closely and stir a few times until it’s nicely crisped and browned—this usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Once done, scoop the bacon out with a slotted spoon and set it aside, but don’t toss the rendered fat—it’s liquid gold for your soup base!

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic in Bacon Fat

Add butter to the bacon fat left in the pot (if there’s not enough, just add a bit more butter) and melt it over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic last and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds—don’t let it burn or it’ll get bitter.

Step 3: Build the Base with Flour

Sprinkle your flour over the softened onion and garlic mixture. Stir it in well to coat everything evenly. Use a whisk if you have one handy to make sure it’s smooth and free of lumps. This step is crucial because it thickens your soup so the potatoes will be perfectly enveloped in creamy goodness later.

Step 4: Add Potatoes and Liquids

Now toss in your peeled and diced gold potatoes, then pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, and the ancho chili powder. Stir everything together until well combined. Now bring your pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart.

Step 5: Partial Puree for Perfect Texture

This is my favorite trick to get that dreamy texture: ladle out about half of the soup into a blender (careful, it’s hot!), and puree until smooth. Then stir that back into the pot—this creates a luscious mixture with some chunkiness and some creamy smoothness. If you prefer all creamy, puree the entire batch in smaller portions.

Step 6: Stir in Sour Cream & Bacon

Return to the stove and stir in the sour cream and your crispy bacon pieces. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes to marry all those wonderful flavors together. Give it a final taste and adjust salt or spices if you want. Just before serving, don’t forget the fun part—toppings!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Skip Browning the Bacon: The bacon fat gives the soup its signature depth, so save it and cook your aromatics in it for max flavor.
Use a Whisk for the Flour: To avoid clumps, whisk the flour into the butter and bacon fat mixture thoroughly before adding potatoes and liquids.
Be Gentle With Garlic: Garlic cooks quickly—add it last with close attention to avoid bitterness.
Taste As You Go: Broth saltiness varies, so add seasoning gradually and adjust near the end.

How to Serve The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

The Ultimate Potato Soup, creamy potato soup recipe, comforting potato soup, easy potato soup, hearty potato soup - The image shows two white bowls filled with creamy, thick soup. The soup is pale yellow and topped with bright orange shredded cheese, small green chopped scallions, and small crispy brown bacon pieces evenly spread across the surface. Each bowl has a gold spoon with a twig-like handle resting inside. Around the bowls, there are scattered bits of cheese and scallions on a white marbled texture. A torn piece of light brown bread sits near the bottom left corner beside one bowl. One woman's hand holds a spoon in the bowl at the top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always top my bowl with extra crispy bacon bits, shredded sharp cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, and freshly snipped chives. The cheese melts into creamy ribbons, the bacon adds crunch, and the chives bring that fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor. You’ll want all of these—it makes every spoonful sing.

Side Dishes

A crusty warm bread or buttery dinner rolls are my go-to sides, perfect for dunking. Sometimes I add a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts or green beans also pair well if you want something heartier.

Creative Ways to Present

For family dinners or special occasions, I love serving this soup in mini bread bowls or hollowed-out small pumpkins—that always impresses guests! You can also create a build-your-own topping bar with bacon, cheese, chives, sour cream, and even jalapeños for those who want a little extra kick.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge, and it usually keeps delicious for up to 4 days. The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, so leftovers can be even better than day one! Just be sure to cool it before refrigerating.

Freezing

This soup freezes well, but keep in mind the cream and sour cream can sometimes separate after thawing. I recommend freezing before adding the sour cream and bacon; add those fresh when you reheat. Freeze in portion-sized containers for easy defrosting.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up. Adding sour cream and crispy bacon after heating keeps the toppings fresh and flavorful.

FAQs

Can I make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the bacon or use a vegetarian smoky seasoning like smoked paprika. You can also add smoked tofu or mushrooms for extra umami if you want.
How do I prevent the soup from becoming too thick?

If your soup gets too thick while simmering or after chilling, simply stir in a little extra milk or broth to reach your desired consistency before serving.
Can I use russet potatoes instead of gold potatoes?

Yes! Russets will give you a fluffier texture and sometimes break down more, creating a slightly thicker soup. Gold potatoes keep chunkier pieces and have a creamier mouthfeel. Either works, it’s just personal preference.
What if I don’t have ancho chili powder?

No worries! You can substitute with mild chili powder or paprika for a hint of smoky flavor without the heat. Just start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
Can I freeze The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe after adding sour cream?

It’s best to wait until after reheating to add sour cream and bacon for freezing. Sour cream can sometimes separate or curdle in the freezer. Freeze the soup base without sour cream, then stir it in fresh when reheating.

Final Thoughts

The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is one of those meals I keep coming back to whenever I want something easy, nourishing, and utterly delicious. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s straightforward but feels indulgent, and the warmth it brings is perfect for sharing with family or cozying up solo. So grab your ingredients, get that bacon sizzling, and let this soup become your new favorite comfort classic!