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Creamy Potato Soup Recipe with Bacon Bits

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This creamy potato soup with bacon bits is a comforting, velvety classic packed with tender potatoes, savory onions, and crispy bacon. Quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for cozy family dinners or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half/whole milk for lighter version)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
  • Chopped fresh chives or green onions (optional, for garnish)
  • Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Peel and dice potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Finely chop onion and mince garlic. Dice bacon. Shred cheddar cheese and chop chives if using.
  2. Place diced bacon in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until crispy (7-8 minutes). Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reserve 2 tbsp bacon drippings in the pot.
  3. Add butter to bacon drippings. Once melted, add onion and sauté 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  4. Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until golden and foamy.
  5. Pour in broth, scraping up browned bits. Add potatoes, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer. Cover and cook 15-18 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
  6. Mash about half the potatoes with a potato masher or blend half the soup with an immersion blender for a creamy base, leaving some chunks for texture.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese (if using). Simmer gently until melted and silky. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with reserved bacon bits, extra cheese, chives, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 GF flour blend. For vegetarian, skip bacon and use smoked paprika. If soup thickens after sitting, add a splash of broth or milk and stir. Yukon Gold potatoes yield the creamiest texture. Prep toppings before finishing soup for best results. Soup can be frozen, but texture may change slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato soup, creamy soup, bacon bits, comfort food, easy soup, homemade, family dinner, cozy, gluten-free option, vegetarian option

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