If you're craving a cozy, creamy bowl of comfort food, you've come to the right place. The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe is everything you want in a hearty soup – rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through each step so you can make it just right in your own kitchen.

A white bowl filled with a thick, creamy soup that is pale yellow in color. On top, there are small bits of crispy reddish-brown bacon pieces scattered around, bright orange shredded cheese pieces, and vivid green chopped scallions spread evenly. There are also a few dollops of white sour cream and a light dusting of brown seasoning sprinkled across the surface. The bowl rests on a blue and white striped cloth with a piece of brown bread at the edge. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This potato soup is a game-changer for chilly days. I’m genuinely excited to share it because it’s my go-to when I want something both simple and impressive. It hits that perfect balance of creamy and chunky, with a smoky bacon kick that really brings everything to life.

Deep, savory flavor: Bacon and ancho chili powder add layers that elevate the humble potato soup.
Perfect texture balance: Half pureed, half chunky potatoes create a dreamy creamy base with delightful bites.
Easy to customize: It’s a flexible recipe that welcomes extra cheese, herbs, or even a veggie twist.
Feeds a crowd: Makes a big pot that’s perfect for family dinners or leftovers that taste just as good the next day.

Two white bowls filled with creamy white soup are shown from above. Each bowl has a layer of shredded orange cheddar cheese sprinkled on top, mixed with small pieces of crispy brown bacon and chopped green onions. The soup's surface is smooth and thick, with a few specks of brown seasoning scattered lightly. Both bowls have a gold spoon with a branch-like handle resting inside. Around the bowls, there are small pieces of bread with a golden crust placed on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth underneath one bowl. Some cheese and green onion bits are scattered on the surface nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe has its role – from the smoky bacon fat to the cream that finishes it rich. Choosing good-quality potatoes and broth makes all the difference, so take a moment to grab the right ones when you shop.

Flat lay of fresh golden potatoes peeled and diced, crisp raw bacon strips in a rich reddish-brown hue, a medium yellow onion with its papery skin partially peeled to reveal pale layers, three plump garlic cloves with smooth white skins, vibrant green chives with slender stalks, a small pile of shredded bright orange cheddar cheese, a dollop of creamy white sour cream with a glossy texture, and a small heap of deep reddish-brown ancho chili powder, all beautifully arranged with natural spacing and soft natural light highlighting their colors and textures, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty base and just the right amount of crunch at the end.
Butter: Helps soften onions and garlic, giving the soup a luscious mouthfeel.
Yellow onion: Its sweetness cooks down beautifully to balance savory flavors.
Garlic: Gives an aromatic depth without overpowering.
All-purpose flour: Works as a thickener, creating a smooth, velvety soup texture.
Gold potatoes: Their creamy texture and natural sweetness make the soup rich and hearty.
Chicken broth: Provides savory umami; opt for low sodium so you control the saltiness.
Milk: Brings lightness and rounds out the creaminess without heaviness.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and silkiness to the soup’s body.
Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning — start small and adjust to taste.
Ancho chili powder: A subtle heat with smoky undertones that compliments bacon perfectly.
Sour cream: Mixed in for tang and garnishing, it brightens the flavors.
Optional toppings (cheddar, chives, extra sour cream): Personalize your bowl with colors, textures, and taste.

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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 this recipe just as it is, but I also like to shake things up depending on the season or what I have in my fridge. This potato soup invites creativity, so don’t be shy to try your own spin.

Vegetarian version: Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead; add smoked paprika for that smoky flavor I treasure.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder gives a nice warm kick if you like your soup with some heat.
Chunky or smooth: I often blend just half the soup, but if you prefer silky smooth, go ahead and puree it all.
Loaded potato soup: Stir in steamed broccoli, corn, or even crispy fried onions for extra texture and nutrition.

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

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon to Perfection

Start by cooking your bacon pieces in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. I like to let them get really crispy – that’s where a lot of the flavor comes from. Once browned, scoop them out and leave the rendered fat in the pot. This fat is liquid gold for flavoring the base of your soup.

Step 2: Saute Onions and Garlic

Drop in butter, then add chopped onions and cook until they’re translucent and soft, about 3-5 minutes. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing! Toss in minced garlic last, cooking just until fragrant – no browning here or it may taste bitter.

Step 3: Build Your Roux and Add Potatoes

Sprinkle flour on top of the onion-garlic mixture then stir constantly, making sure there are no lumps. This roux will thicken your soup beautifully. Next, add diced potatoes along with chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder. Stir everything well.

Step 4: Simmer Until Potatoes are Tender

Bring the soup to a boil, then let it simmer for around 10 minutes until you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork. You want them soft but not falling apart yet. This step is crucial for the soup’s texture.

Step 5: Puree Half the Soup and Combine

Carefully remove about half of the soup (usually around 5 cups) and either use a blender or immersion blender to puree it until silky smooth. I’m super mindful here because the soup is hot. Return the pureed soup to the pot, stir in the sour cream and reserved bacon pieces, then let everything gently simmer for a final 15 minutes.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe turn out perfect every time. They make all the difference between good soup and unforgettable soup.

Start with less salt: Broths vary in saltiness, so taste as you go and add salt gradually to avoid oversalting.
Don’t over-puree: Leaving some potato chunks adds great texture and keeps the soup interesting; I personally love that balance.
Chill before garnishing: For gatherings, soup tastes even better after sitting for a bit – the flavors meld wonderfully.
Watch the thickness: If it gets too thick, just stir in a splash of milk or broth when reheating.

How to Serve The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe

Garnishes

For me, the final touches bring this soup to life. I almost always add extra sour cream for creaminess and tang, scattered crispy bacon for crunch, shredded sharp cheddar for richness, and a sprinkle of fresh chives for a pop of color and subtle onion flavor. These little extras turn a simple bowl into an experience.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this soup with crusty bread—think rustic sourdough or a buttery garlic baguette. A simple green salad on the side adds a refreshing contrast. Sometimes, I make roasted Brussels sprouts or a light slaw for a heartier meal that still feels balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For special family dinners or casual parties, I serve the soup in cute mini cast-iron skillets or hollow out medium-sized bread loaves for edible bowls. It’s unexpected, festive, and everyone loves the presentation. Garnish with colorful veggies or herbs to make the bowls pop on the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover potato soup in airtight containers in the fridge, and it keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. Sometimes the soup thickens overnight; don’t worry, just thin it with a little milk when reheating and you’re back to soup perfection.

Freezing

This soup freezes well, but I recommend leaving out the sour cream and bacon when freezing. Add those fresh when reheating for the best texture and flavor. Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often to prevent sticking and to redistribute heat. If the soup feels too thick, a splash of milk or broth loosens it right up without diluting flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe dairy-free?

Yes! To make this soup dairy-free, swap out the butter for olive oil or dairy-free margarine, use a dairy-free milk like almond or oat milk, and replace the heavy cream and sour cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Keep the flavor balance in mind and adjust seasoning accordingly.

What’s the best potato to use for this soup?

I recommend gold potatoes because they cook down to a creamy texture without getting too mushy, giving you that perfect blend of smoothness and bite. Russet potatoes are a good alternative if you want a fluffier, lighter soup.

Can I make The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the soup a day in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge and gently reheat on the stove before serving. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it taste even better the next day.

How do I avoid lumpy soup when adding flour?

Whisking the flour into the melted butter and cooked vegetables steadily is key. Make sure the flour is evenly distributed and cooked for a minute or two before adding liquids. This helps prevent lumps and gives your soup a smooth, creamy texture every time.

Final Thoughts

This soup isn’t just food to me — it’s a hug in a bowl. Whether you’re making The Ultimate Potato Soup Recipe for a family meal or a quiet night in, it always hits the spot. Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll come back to it again and again. It’s one of those recipes that feels like an old friend you’re glad to have in your kitchen.