Creamy & Hearty Homemade Potato Soup
A Warm Bowl of Comfort: Homemade Potato Soup Recipe
On these chilly days, your soul might feel a bit empty. Fill it up with this warm, comforting bowl of homemade potato soup. Its delicate yet rich and savory flavor makes it a perfect satisfying meal. You’ll love how easy and delicious it is to make at home!
Main Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes (approx. 300-400g)
- 1 large onion (approx. 150-200g)
- 2.5 cups milk (approx. 600ml)
- 1-2 Tbsp unsalted butter (adjust to taste)
- 1 chicken stock cube (or equivalent liquid)
- 1.5 cups water (approx. 350ml)
- 1 pinch salt (for seasoning)
Flavorful Toppings
- 2 strips bacon
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 strips bacon
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your potatoes and onion. Wash the potatoes thoroughly, peel them, and cut them into roughly 2-3cm cubes. For the onion, dice it into slightly smaller pieces, about 1.5cm. Generally, using about half the amount of onion as potatoes provides a good balance of flavor.
Step 2
In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and sauté gently until it becomes translucent and releases its natural sweetness. This process, which takes about 5-7 minutes, will significantly deepen the soup’s flavor.
Step 3
Once the onions are nicely softened, add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Sauté them with the onions for another 2-3 minutes. This brief sauté helps to release the potato’s starch, ensuring a smoother soup texture without clumping.
Step 4
Now, pour in the milk and water. If you desire an even richer and creamier texture, feel free to add about 100ml of heavy cream. (If adding cream, you might want to slightly reduce the amount of milk.)
Step 5
Add the chicken stock, which is key to the soup’s savory depth. If using a stock cube, dissolve it in a little hot water first or simply crumble it into the pot and stir to combine.
Step 6
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts to boil, skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for about 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender. Patient simmering is the secret to a velvety smooth soup.
Step 7
While it’s simmering, stir occasionally to prevent the soup from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The potatoes are ready when they can be easily mashed with a spoon.
Step 8
Once the potatoes are cooked through, turn off the heat and let the soup cool slightly. It’s important to let it cool a bit before blending to avoid burns. Once it’s cooler, use an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully transfer the mixture to a stand blender and purée until smooth and creamy. Be cautious of hot liquids when using a stand blender.
Step 9
While the soup is simmering, let’s prepare the garlic topping. Slice the garlic cloves thinly. Heat the olive oil in a small pan over low heat and gently fry the garlic slices until they are golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 10
Finely chop the bacon strips. Cook them in a dry pan over medium heat until they are crispy. Drain the cooked bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease, which will make them even crunchier.
Step 11
Ladle the smooth, warm potato soup into serving bowls. Garnish generously with the crispy bacon bits and the golden-brown fried garlic slices. These toppings add a delightful textural contrast and enhance the soup’s overall flavor.
Step 12
This potato soup freezes beautifully! Once cooled, store it in airtight containers in the freezer. You can then enjoy a comforting bowl anytime by simply reheating it. I often make a large batch and enjoy it for breakfast. Cozy up with a bowl of this delicious potato soup for a delightful meal!
