Loaded Potato Soup
Loaded potato soup is the ultimate comfort food. Imagine a creamy, rich broth filled with tender chunks of potato, savory bacon bits, and the perfect blend of seasonings to make each bite irresistible. Whether you’re curling up on a chilly day or needing a hearty dish for a crowd, this loaded potato soup will hit the spot.
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Making it at home is easier than you’d think! With a few simple ingredients (most of which you probably already have), you can have a warm, cozy meal on the table in no time. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love Loaded Potato Soup
Loaded potato soup offers everything you crave in a comforting bowl of soup. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Bacon Makes Everything Better: Crispy, smoky bacon adds an indulgent touch.
- Creamy Texture: With the right balance of cream and potatoes, each spoonful is rich and velvety.
- Customizable: You can top it with extra cheese, green onions, or even more bacon!
- Perfect for Leftovers: This soup tastes even better the next day.
What You Need To Make Loaded Potato Soup
To make this delicious loaded potato soup, you’ll need some key ingredients like:
- Bacon
- Butter
- Sweet onion
- Carrots and celery
- Chicken stock
- Heavy whipping cream
- Potatoes
- Sour cream
- Cheddar cheese
- Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
You can find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below!
How To Make Loaded Potato Soup
1
Cook the Bacon: Start by cooking diced bacon in a Dutch oven until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon but keep the fat in the pot.
2
Sauté the Veggies: Add butter, diced onions, carrots, and celery to the bacon fat. Cook until softened, scraping up those flavorful bacon bits.
3
Add Chicken Base and Stock: Stir in the roasted chicken base, cook for a few more minutes, then add chicken stock and most of the bacon. Let it simmer.
4
Cream and Potatoes: Pour in heavy cream, sour cream, and the chopped potatoes. Simmer for about 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
5
Optional Thickening: If you prefer a thicker soup, blend some of the potatoes with an immersion blender while leaving chunks for texture.
6
Melt the Cheese: Stir in freshly grated cheddar until it melts perfectly into the soup.
7
Serve: Top with extra cheese, green onions, and reserved bacon bits for garnish!
Commonly Asked Questions
How can I make this soup thicker?
If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can use an immersion blender to blend some of the potatoes after they’ve softened. This adds a creamy thickness while still leaving some potato chunks intact.
Can I freeze loaded potato soup?
Yes, you can! Just be aware that dairy-based soups can change texture slightly after freezing. To reheat, thaw in the fridge and warm it slowly on the stovetop, stirring frequently.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock and leave out the bacon. For a smoky flavor, try adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
What are some good toppings for loaded potato soup?
The classic toppings are shredded cheese, green onions, and bacon bits. You can also add sour cream, chives, or even a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor!
Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 pack of bacon diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 sweet onion diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 celery sticks diced
- 1 tbsp Better than Bouillon roasted chicken base
- 32 oz chicken stock
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 russet potatoes peeled and chopped small
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mild cheddar melts easier then store bought shredded cheese
- 2 tbsp holy trinity seasoning
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven. Cook your bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces while leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add your butter, onions, carrots, and celery. Cook on medium for 5-7 minutes until softened, be sure to scrap up the bacon bits at the bottom of the pan.
- Add in your chicken base and let that cook for another 10 minutes. Then add in your chicken stock and your bacon (save a few for the topping). Let that come to a simmer
- Next, add in your heavy cream, sour cream, and potatoes. Let that cook for 25 minutes for the potatoes to soften.
- Add in your cheese to melt before serving!
Notes
Top with more cheese, green onions, and additional bacon bits!
