How to Make Potato Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Guide

There’s a chill in the air, or maybe you just need a hug in a bowl. You’re craving something warm, creamy, and deeply satisfying—the kind of meal that makes everything feel right with the world. But the thought of making a from-scratch soup feels a little intimidating. Will it be creamy enough? Flavorful enough? Or will it just taste like… boiled potatoes?

What if you could easily create a luxurious, velvety potato soup that rivals your favorite restaurant’s, using simple ingredients you probably already have?

You can. Learning how to make potato soup is a fundamental kitchen skill that pays off for a lifetime. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a master guide to understanding the techniques that transform humble potatoes into a creamy, dreamy, and incredibly comforting soup. We’ll walk you through every step, from choosing the right potatoes to achieving that perfect silky texture, so you can create a classic comfort food with confidence.

Why This is The Best Potato Soup Recipe

This recipe is designed for both flavor and foolproof results. Here’s what makes it special:

• Deep, Savory Flavor Base: We start by sautéing aromatics, which builds a complex flavor foundation that you can’t get from just boiling potatoes in broth.
• The Perfect Creamy Texture: We use a simple, classic technique to get a luxuriously smooth and creamy soup without needing heavy cream.
• Customizable: This recipe is a perfect canvas. Once you master the base, you can add endless variations to keep it exciting.
• Budget-Friendly: Potatoes and onions are some of the most affordable ingredients at the grocery store, making this a meal that’s easy on your wallet.

Gathering Your Ingredients: A Simple List for a Classic Soup

You don’t need anything fancy to make an incredible potato soup.

The Essential Foundation:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for a dairy-free version)
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4-5 medium potatoes)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf (optional, but recommended)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Creamy Finish & Toppings:

• 1 ½ cups whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream
• Classic Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, crispy chopped bacon or bacon bits, sliced green onions, or a dollop of sour cream.

The Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Potato Soup

Follow these steps for a perfectly executed soup every single time.

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. This first step is crucial for building the soup’s flavor base.

Step 2: Create the Roux
Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic. Stir constantly and cook for about 1-2 minutes. This mixture of fat and flour is called a roux, and it’s the secret to a thick, non-watery soup. It should smell a bit nutty and look pasty.

Step 3: Gradually Add the Broth
Slowly pour in the broth, whisking constantly. This prevents the roux from forming lumps. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Add the Potatoes and Simmer
Stir in the diced potatoes, dried thyme, and the bay leaf. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.

🥔 Recommended Potato Soup Kitchen Essentials
🍲 Here are a few of my favorite tools and resources that make potato soup preparation easier, faster, and way more delicious!

1️⃣ Immersion Blender
Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender
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2️⃣ Soup Pot / Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker
Set it, forget it, and let your potato soup simmer into rich, cozy perfection with zero effort.
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3️⃣ Vegetable Chopper
Mueller Pro Vegetable Chopper (10-in-1)
Chop onions, dice veggies, and slice potatoes fast — meal prep made easier, cleaner, and way quicker.
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4️⃣ Dutch Oven / Multi-Cooker
Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO
An 8-in-1 powerhouse that sautés, slow-cooks, steams, and bakes — perfect for hearty potato soups and big-batch meals.
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5️⃣ Potato Soup Cookbook
The Easy Potato Soup Cookbook
50 cozy, flavorful potato soup recipes you can make anytime — simple, comforting, and delicious.
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Step 5: Thicken and Creamify
Once the potatoes are tender, remove the bay leaf. For a classic, partially chunky soup, use a potato masher right in the pot to mash about half of the potatoes. This will naturally thicken the soup. For an ultra-smooth and velvety soup, use an immersion blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency.
[An immersion blender makes this task quick and easy without transferring hot soup to a countertop blender.]

Step 6: Add the Dairy and Final Seasoning
Stir in the milk, half-and-half, or cream. Warm the soup through over low heat, but do not let it boil after adding the dairy, as it could curdle. This is the time to taste your soup and season it generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish!
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and let everyone add their favorite toppings. The classic combination of cheddar, bacon, and green onions is always a winner.

5 Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic method, the world is your oyster (or your potato soup!).

1. Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted at the end. Top with all the classic baked potato fixings: extra cheese, sour cream, chives, and crispy bacon.
2. Cheesy Broccoli Potato Soup: Add 2 cups of small broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of simmering. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese at the end.
3. Leek and Potato Soup (Vichyssoise): Replace the onion with 2-3 cleaned and sliced leeks (white and light green parts only). Puree until completely smooth and serve hot or chilled.
4. Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Add 1 teaspoon of cumin and a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles with the potatoes. Top with corn, avocado, and a squeeze of lime.
5. Creamy Herb Potato Soup: Stir in ¼ cup of fresh, chopped herbs like parsley, dill, or chives at the very end for a bright, fresh flavor.

 Potato Soup Cookbook
The Easy Potato Soup Cookbook
50 cozy, flavorful potato soup recipes you can make anytime — simple, comforting, and delicious.
👉 Shop it on Amazon

Pro Tips for Soup Perfection

• Choose Your Potato Wisely:
  • Russet Potatoes: These are starchy and break down easily, making for a naturally thicker, fluffier soup. Great for a more rustic texture.
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: These are a all-purpose potato with a buttery flavor and creamy texture. They hold their shape a bit better, resulting in a silkier soup.
• Dice Consistently: Cut your potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes so they all cook at the same rate.
• Don’t Rush the Roux: Cooking the flour for a full minute or two removes the raw flour taste and gives the soup a nuttier, deeper flavor.
• Season in Layers: Season your onions with a pinch of salt when sautéing, and then do your final seasoning after you’ve added the cream. Broths vary in saltiness, so this prevents over-salting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Sauté the onions and garlic, then add them to the slow cooker with the potatoes, broth, and thyme. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Before serving, mash or blend, then stir in the cream.

Q: My soup is too thin. How can I thicken it?
A: Create a “slurry.” Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this into the simmering soup and cook for a few minutes until thickened.

Q: My soup is too thick. How can I thin it?
A: Simply whisk in a little more broth or milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Q: How long does homemade potato soup last?
A: It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.

Q: Can I freeze potato soup?
A: You can, but with a caveat. Soups with dairy can sometimes separate or become grainy when thawed. For best results, freeze the soup before adding the milk or cream. Thaw in the fridge overnight, reheat, and then stir in the fresh dairy.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Comfort Food

Learning how to make potato soup from scratch is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with wonderful aromas and your belly with warm comfort. As you’ve seen, the process is straightforward: building a flavorful base with a roux, simmering the potatoes to tenderness, and finishing with cream for that signature rich texture. This versatile recipe empowers you to create a classic dish that can be customized in countless ways to suit your taste, making it a reliable staple for any cook’s repertoire.

Now that you have the confidence to make the ultimate potato soup, why not expand your comfort food menu?

Explore our complete collection of easy, hearty soup recipes to find your next family favorite. Click here to see what’s simmering next!