If you’re looking for a comforting and easy-to-make soup, then potato soup is a great option. This hearty soup is perfect for chilly nights or when you need a quick and satisfying meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious pot of potato soup in no time.
The beauty of potato soup is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can make it as simple or as complex as you like, depending on your taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. Whether you want to keep it basic with just potatoes, onions, and broth, or you want to add in some bacon, cheese, or other vegetables, the possibilities are endless.
Plus, potato soup is a great way to use up any leftover potatoes you may have sitting in your pantry. You can also easily customize the soup to make it vegetarian or vegan-friendly by swapping out chicken broth for vegetable broth and omitting any dairy products.
Ingredients
To make a delicious potato soup, you will need the following ingredients:
Potatoes
You will need 2 pounds of potatoes. You can use any type of potato, but russet potatoes work best as they are starchy and will thicken the soup.
Broth or Stock
You will need 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth or stock. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use water instead.
Onion
You will need 1 medium onion, chopped. This will add flavor to the soup.
Garlic
You will need 3 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic adds a lot of flavor to the soup and is a great addition.
Heavy Cream
You will need 1 cup of heavy cream. This will make the soup creamy and delicious.
Butter
You will need 4 tablespoons of butter. This will add richness and flavor to the soup.
Salt and Pepper
You will need salt and pepper to taste. Be sure to taste the soup as you go along and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Instructions
Preparation
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. Peel and dice the potatoes into small pieces, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Set these aside.
Next, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Cooking
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Once the potatoes are tender, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the soup to a blender in batches and blend until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
Return the soup to the pot and stir in the milk. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the soup is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, or chopped green onions.
Variations
If you want to mix things up a bit, try one of these variations on the classic potato soup recipe:
Vegetarian Potato Soup
If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add in some extra veggies like carrots or celery to give it more flavor and texture.
Cheesy Potato Soup
If you’re a cheese lover, consider adding some shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese to your potato soup. Simply stir it in at the end of the cooking process until it’s melted and fully incorporated. You can also sprinkle some cheese on top as a garnish.
Potato Soup with Bacon
If you want to add even more flavor to your potato soup, consider adding some crispy bacon. Cook the bacon separately and then crumble it on top of the soup as a garnish. You can also stir it into the soup if you prefer.
These variations are just a few examples of how you can customize your potato soup to your liking. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings until you find the perfect combination for you.
