Creamy Potato Soup Recipe (The Ultimate Comfort Food)

Welcome to the ultimate creamy potato soup recipe! If you’re searching for a soup that wraps you in a warm hug, this is it. This recipe is simple, satisfying, and delivers a velvety, rich texture that will make it a family favorite. We’ve perfected every step to ensure you get the best, most flavorful potato soup right in your own kitchen. Forget the canned stuff; this is homemade comfort at its finest.

This soup is perfect for a chilly evening, a quick lunch, or whenever you need a bowl of pure comfort. We’ll walk you through choosing the best potatoes, achieving that silky-smooth consistency, and offer some delicious variations to make it your own.

Why This is the Best Creamy Potato Soup Recipe You’ll Ever Make


What sets this creamy potato soup recipe apart? It’s all in the details. We use a combination of simple, high-quality ingredients and a straightforward method to build incredible depth of flavor. The key is cooking the potatoes until they are perfectly tender, creating a naturally thick and creamy base before we even add the dairy. This technique guarantees a luxurious texture without being heavy or pasty.

A step-by-step image showing potatoes and onions simmering in a large pot for the easy potato soup recipe, a key step for building flavor.
The magic starts here, letting the potatoes and aromatics simmer to perfection.

Furthermore, we provide tips that professional chefs use to elevate their soups from good to unforgettable. From the initial sauté of aromatics to the final swirl of cream, every step has a purpose. Ready to make the coziest soup of your life? Let’s get started!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe relies on simple pantry staples to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Potatoes: The star of the show. We’ll discuss the best types below.
  • Aromatics: Yellow onion and garlic create the foundational layer of flavor.
  • Butter & Flour: To create a roux, which helps thicken the soup.
  • Broth: Chicken or vegetable broth both work wonderfully.
  • Dairy: Heavy cream and a touch of sour cream give the soup its signature richness and tang.
  • Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and a pinch of paprika.
  • Optional Toppings: Crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh chives for a loaded potato soup experience.

The Best Potatoes for Soup

For a creamy soup, you want starchy potatoes. Russet potatoes are the absolute best choice. Their high starch content and low moisture mean they break down beautifully when cooked, helping to thicken the soup naturally and creating a fluffy, creamy texture. Yukon Golds are a good alternative, as they are medium-starch and offer a buttery flavor, though the soup may not be quite as thick.

For the Creamiest Base

The secret to an ultra-creamy base is twofold. First, simmering the potatoes until they are fall-apart tender. Second, using an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. This breaks down some of the potatoes, thickening the soup while leaving some nice chunks for texture. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer a few ladles of soup to a regular blender and pulse until smooth before returning it to the pot.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this homemade potato soup is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.

A close-up shot of homemade potato soup in a rustic bowl, showcasing its rich and velvety texture. A spoon is lifting a bite out of the bowl.
Look at that rich, velvety texture! This is comfort in a bowl.
  1. Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir continuously for one minute. This cooks out the raw flour taste and will help thicken our soup.
  3. Simmer the Soup: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the peeled and cubed potatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender.
  4. Blend for Creaminess: Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup until smooth, leaving the rest chunky for texture. If you don’t have one, transfer 2-3 cups of soup to a blender, blend carefully, and return to the pot.
  5. Add Dairy & Serve: Stir in the heavy cream and sour cream. Warm the soup gently over low heat, but do not let it boil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.

For those who love hearty, one-pot meals, you might also enjoy this comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Stew.

Pro Tips for a Perfect, Silky-Smooth Soup

Want to take your creamy potato soup recipe to the next level? Here are a few expert tips:

  • Don’t Boil the Cream: Once you add the dairy, keep the heat low. Boiling can cause the cream to curdle.
  • Use Quality Broth: A flavorful chicken or vegetable broth makes a huge difference. Homemade is best, but a good quality store-bought version works well.
  • Taste As You Go: Seasoning is key. Taste the soup after adding the broth and again after adding the cream, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.
  • Let it Rest: Like many recipes, the flavors of this soup meld and deepen as it sits. If you can, make it a little ahead of time. It’s a perfect dish for meal prep, much like this One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken.

Delicious Variations to Try

While this classic recipe is fantastic on its own, it’s also a great canvas for customization.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Take inspiration from a fully loaded baked potato. Garnish each bowl generously with crispy crumbled bacon, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and freshly chopped chives.

Vegetarian Creamy Potato Soup

To make this recipe vegetarian, simply swap the chicken broth for a high-quality vegetable broth. The rest of the ingredients are already vegetarian-friendly. For a heartier meal, consider pairing it with a rich dish like our Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe on the side.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

This soup stores beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.

  • To Store: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To Reheat: Gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to thin it out as it will thicken in the fridge.
  • To Freeze: Soups with dairy can sometimes separate upon thawing. For best results, you can freeze the soup *before* adding the heavy cream and sour cream. Let it cool, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat gently, and then stir in the dairy at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Share Your Creation!

We are so excited for you to try this creamy potato soup recipe! It’s a true bowl of comfort that we’re sure you’ll love. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!

A delicious and creamy potato soup recipe served in a white bowl, garnished with chives and bacon. The perfect comfort food for a cozy evening.
Save this creamy potato soup recipe for your next cozy meal!

Creamy Potato Soup Recipe

A close-up shot of homemade potato soup in a rustic bowl, showcasing its rich and velvety texture. A spoon is lifting a bite out of the bowl.
FL Recipes

Creamy Potato Soup Recipe (The Ultimate Comfort Food)

This creamy potato soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Easy to make with simple ingredients, this homemade soup is velvety, rich, and full of flavor. Perfect for a cozy dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Soup
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 lbs Russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
Optional Toppings
  • Cooked bacon crumbled
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh chives chopped

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Immersion Blender Or a standard blender

Method
 

  1. Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir continuously for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
  3. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth. Add the cubed potatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
  4. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. For a chunkier soup, blend less.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and sour cream. Warm through gently, but do not boil. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and chives, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalProtein: 8gFat: 25gFiber: 3g

Notes

Best Potatoes: Russet potatoes are highly recommended for the creamiest texture.
Blending Tip: If you don't have an immersion blender, carefully blend a portion of the soup in a regular blender and return it to the pot.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keyword creamy potato soup,homemade soup,potato soup recipe

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