Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this heartwarming Creamy Potato Soup, a velvety blend of russet potatoes, crisp bacon, and rich cream. Silky smooth textures and deep flavor profiles invite you to savor each spoonful of this soul-warming classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped chives for topping
- Extra sour cream
- Extra bacon
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 pounds (1.13 kilograms) gold potatoes, peeled and diced to 1-inch (about 6 large potatoes)
- 4 cups (0.95 liters) chicken broth
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) milk
- 2/3 cup (158 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2/3 cup (160 grams) sour cream
Seasonings and Spices:
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) butter (salted or unsalted)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (1.5 cups/200 grams)
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup (42 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder
Instructions
- Render bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving rendered fat.
- Sauté diced onions in the reserved bacon fat with butter until translucent and soft, approximately 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Dust the vegetable mixture with flour, stirring continuously to create a smooth, even roux that coats the vegetables.
- Pour in potatoes, chicken broth, milk, cream, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Whisk thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Increase heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and easily mashed.
- Carefully transfer half the soup to a blender and purée until silky smooth. Return the blended portion to the pot, creating a creamy texture with some potato chunks.
- Stir in sour cream and crumbled bacon. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to meld flavors. Garnish with optional toppings like chives or additional bacon bits before serving.
Notes
- Bacon Crispiness matters. Fry bacon slowly to render fat completely and achieve maximum crunch for topping.
- Potato Selection choose waxy varieties like Yukon Gold for creamier, smoother soup texture that holds shape better during cooking.
- Blending Technique remove only partial soup for blending to maintain some potato chunks, creating more interesting texture and rustic feel.
- Dietary Adaptations swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk, use turkey bacon for lighter version, and add nutritional yeast for vegan cheese-like flavor without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 60mg