If you’re craving something warm, creamy, and downright comforting, you’ve come to the right place. I’m about to share The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe with you — it’s my go-to on chilly evenings when I want a bowl of something hearty, satisfying, and honestly, a little bit addictive. This soup has a velvety texture, the perfect balance of flavors, and just the right amount of chunky potato goodness that’ll keep you coming back for seconds.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Creaminess: The combination of milk, heavy cream, and sour cream creates a rich but not overly heavy soup.
Perfect Texture: Blending only half the soup leaves delightful potato chunks, giving texture without losing creaminess.
Depth of Flavor: Crispy bacon and a hint of ancho chili powder add smoky, savory layers that elevate this humble soup.
Simple Techniques: No complicated steps, just straightforward cooking you can replicate anytime.

The Ultimate Potato Soup, creamy potato soup, hearty potato soup recipe, comforting potato soup, easy 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

Each ingredient in The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe plays an essential role in building that classic, comforting flavor we all crave. I like to choose gold potatoes for their creamy texture and yellow onions for sweetness, but I’ll share some tips so you can feel confident choosing your favorites.

The Ultimate Potato Soup, creamy potato soup, hearty potato soup recipe, comforting potato soup, easy 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: Adds smoky crispness and a savory punch that’s the heart of this soup’s flavor.
Butter: Used to soften onions and build a flavor base—unsalted or salted both work.
Yellow Onion: Provides a mild sweetness that balances the richness of the soup.
Garlic: Just enough to offer a fragrant lift without overpowering the potatoes.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the soup for that velvety mouthfeel.
Gold Potatoes: Creamy and smooth, these potatoes hold their shape nicely without becoming gluey.
Chicken Broth: Adds depth—homemade is lovely, but store-bought works fine too.
Milk & Heavy Cream: Combined for richness without making it overly heavy, giving that silky texture.
Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to brighten the flavors—adjust according to your broth and preference.
Ancho Chili Powder: A subtle smoky heat that adds character without being spicy.
Sour Cream: Stirred in at the end for tanginess that balances the creaminess.
Cheddar Cheese, Chives, Extra Bacon: Optional toppings that make the soup even more irresistible.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how versatile The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve switched up toppings and spices to keep it fresh, and you should too! Don’t be afraid to make it your own—it’s all about what makes your taste buds happiest.

Vegetarian Variation: I swap chicken broth for veggie broth and leave out bacon—adding smoked paprika gives a lovely smoky flavor without meat.
Extra Heat: If you’re a heat lover like me, a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce wakes up the flavors beautifully.
Herb Boost: Fresh thyme or rosemary stirred in towards the end adds a lovely fragrant note.
Lighter Version: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or omit sour cream for a less rich but still tasty soup.

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

Step 1: Crisp the bacon just right

This step is key for flavor. I place the bacon pieces in a large Dutch oven over medium heat and let them cook slowly until crisp with a deep brown color—don’t rush, or it’ll burn. When done, I scoop them out and set them aside but keep the fat in the pot; that’s liquid gold for building flavor.

Step 2: Sauté onions and garlic to fragrant perfection

Add butter to the bacon fat, then toss in the chopped onions. Cook over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until they’re tender and translucent. Then add minced garlic and stir for just 30 seconds until you smell that amazing aroma—don’t let garlic brown, or it’ll turn bitter.

Step 3: Thicken it up and build the base

Sprinkle in the flour evenly and whisk it into the pan mixture until smooth. This creates the base roux that thickens your soup. Give it a minute or two of gentle cooking to get rid of any raw flour taste, stirring constantly so it doesn’t stick or clump.

Step 4: Add potatoes, broth, and dairy

Stir in diced gold potatoes, chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Mix everything well before bringing to a boil. This is the heart of The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe—the liquids melt together all that comforting richness.

Step 5: Cook potatoes till tender

Boil for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are easy to pierce with a fork. This timing is critical—overcooked potatoes can become mushy, undercooked means the soup won’t be tender enough. Trust your fork test on this one.

Step 6: Puree half, add sour cream and bacon

Carefully scoop out about half the soup (I eyeball around 5 cups), transfer to your blender or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Puree until smooth then stir it back into the pot. This method gives you that luscious texture without losing the potato chunks we love. Stir in sour cream and the crispy bacon pieces afterwards.

Step 7: Simmer and serve with toppings

Let the soup simmer gently for 15 minutes to marry the flavors, then ladle it into bowls. I always top with extra sour cream, shredded cheddar, some reserved bacon, and chopped chives for a little pop of color and freshness.

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Pro Tips for Making The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

Use Gold Potatoes: They have the ideal starch content for creamy texture without falling apart.
Adjust Salt Gradually: Depending on your broth, saltiness varies—always start small and taste as you go.
Control the Chunkiness: Puree half the soup only to get a comforting mix of creamy and chunky textures.
Don’t Skip the Bacon Fat: Cooking onions & garlic in the rendered bacon fat adds unbeatable depth and richness.

How to Serve The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

The Ultimate Potato Soup, creamy potato soup, hearty potato soup recipe, comforting potato soup, easy 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 love topping this soup with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese—it melts just enough and adds a perfect tangy bite. Then a spoonful of sour cream brings creaminess and a touch of brightness. Crispy bacon bites add texture, and chopped fresh chives provide a vibrant color and mild onion flavor. These toppings make each spoonful more exciting.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Crusty bread or buttery garlic toast is my favorite to dip and soak up every last drop. For a heartier meal, I like to serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a simple grilled cheese sandwich.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I’ve served The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe in hollowed-out mini bread bowls—so fun and inviting! Another idea I tried was layering the soup with diced bacon and cheese in clear mugs for a rustic, Instagram-worthy presentation that guests loved.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, where they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. If you find the soup thickens as it cools (which it usually does), just add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen it back up to that perfect creamy consistency.

Freezing

This soup freezes nicely for about 2 months. I recommend freezing it without the sour cream and bacon toppings, then adding fresh ones when you reheat. To freeze, portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some room for expansion.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring often. You’ll want to add a little milk or broth to loosen the soup if it has thickened. Avoid microwave reheating at high power to prevent curdling—slow and steady keeps the texture silky smooth.

FAQs

Can I make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and skip the bacon, or replace it with smoked paprika or a vegetarian bacon alternative to maintain that smoky flavor.
What type of potatoes work best in this soup?

Gold potatoes are ideal because they’re creamy and hold their shape well. Russets can work but tend to get a bit mushy when cooked this long.
Can I use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender?

Yes! An immersion blender makes this step easier and safer since you don’t have to transfer hot soup. Just blend about half the soup right in the pot until smooth.
How do I prevent the soup from becoming too thick?

If the soup thickens up too much while cooling or during reheating, stir in a little more milk or broth until you reach your preferred consistency.

Final Thoughts

For me, The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is that all-time comfort classic I turn to whenever I need a little cozy magic in my life. It’s straightforward, forgiving, and always delivers that rich, satisfying hug-in-a-bowl feeling. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own — trust me, once you taste it, this soup will be your winter standby too.