Welcome to the world of heartwarming comfort food with our Creamy Potato Soup! This recipe brings you the ultimate comfort of home cooking with its rich flavors and smooth texture.
Perfect for those chilly evenings or when you need a hug in a bowl, this soup combines the delightful crunch of bacon with the silkiness of potatoes, all wrapped up in a creamy embrace. It’s not just a dish; it’s a cozy experience that promises to bring warmth and satisfaction to your table.
How to Prepare Potato Soup
- Starting with Bacon: In a large pot, begin by cooking the bacon pieces over medium heat until they’re perfectly crisp and browned.
- Onion and Garlic Base: Once the bacon is done, set it aside. In the same pot, melt the butter and sauté the chopped onions until they become tender. Follow this with a quick sauté of the minced garlic until its aroma fills your kitchen.
- Building the Roux: Sprinkle flour over your sautéed base. Stir continuously, aiming for a smooth consistency. A whisk can be handy here.
- The Heart of the Soup: Add the diced potatoes into the pot. Now, pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of ancho chili powder. Stir everything together and let it come to a boil.
- Potato Perfection: Keep an eye on the pot. Once the potatoes are fork-tender (this should take about 10 minutes), reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Blend for Creaminess: Carefully blend about half of the soup until it’s smooth. You can use a standard blender or an immersion blender for this step.
- Final Touches: Return the blended soup to the pot. Add in the sour cream and the crispy bacon pieces you set aside earlier. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer and Serve: Let the soup simmer gently for about 15 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with extra sour cream, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, or chives as you like. Dive into the comfort of this creamy delight!
Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 6 strips uncooked bacon cut into small pieces
- 3 Tablespoons butter unsalted
- 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”
- 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 chili powder
- ⅔ cup sour cream 160g
- Shredded cheddar cheese chives, and additional sour cream and bacon for topping
Instructions
- Begin with Bacon: Cook the bacon pieces in a large pot over medium heat until they reach a crispy, browned state.
- Saute Aromatics: After removing the bacon, use the same pot to melt butter and cook the onions until soft. Follow this by adding garlic and cooking until its fragrance is noticeable.
- Roux Creation: Over the sautéed onions and garlic, evenly distribute flour, stirring to achieve a smooth blend.
- Soup Base: Introduce the potatoes, chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, and seasonings (salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder) into the pot. Stir thoroughly and bring to a boil.
- Tenderness Check: Once the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork (around 10 minutes), lower the heat to a simmer.
- Puree for Smoothness: Blend about half of the soup until it reaches a creamy texture. You can do this in batches using a traditional blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
- Combine and Enrich: Return the blended soup to the pot. Mix in the sour cream and reserved bacon pieces.
- Simmer to Perfection: Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Serve it hot, garnished with your choice of sour cream, extra bacon, cheddar, or chives. Enjoy your homemade comfort in a bowl!
How to Store It
To keep your potato soup tasting fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep well for up to 3-4 days. If you’d like to extend its shelf life, freeze the soup in a freezer-safe container or bag. When freezing, leave a small space at the top of the container for expansion. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain its creamy texture.
