Warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying, this Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup is a winter essential. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, it transforms humble ingredients into a delightful treat, perfect for chilly days when you crave something heartwarming.

The combination of crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and aromatic vegetables creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Topped with green onions or shredded Cheddar cheese, each bowl invites you to indulge in its comforting embrace.

Ideal for family gatherings or a cozy night in, this soup not only nourishes the body but also warms the soul. Embrace the joy of cooking and savor each spoonful of this delightful creation.

Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup Ingredients

In crafting the Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup, each ingredient plays a pivotal role in delivering warmth and flavor.

Bacon brings a savory crunch that elevates the soup’s heartiness, while celery and onion introduce a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth. Garlic infuses the dish with its distinctive fragrance, enhancing the overall profile.

Potatoes serve as the creamy foundation, providing comfort and substance. Chicken stock infuses the soup with rich, savory notes, while butter enriches the texture. Flour acts as a thickening agent, creating that desired creaminess, complemented by the luxurious heavy cream for a velvety finish.

Finally, dried tarragon and fresh cilantro add an herbal brightness, tying all the flavors together with a refreshing note. Each ingredient contributes to an unforgettable culinary experience, perfect for cozy gatherings.

Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup

This Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup is a beloved comfort food that warms the soul, especially on cold winter days. With its creamy texture and rich flavors, it’s a dish that never fails to impress. To elevate your cooking experience, here are some essential tips, serving suggestions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Recipe Tips

1. Choose the Right Potatoes: For the best texture, opt for starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. These varieties break down beautifully, resulting in a creamy consistency that enhances the soup’s richness. Avoid waxy potatoes, as they won’t yield the desired smoothness.
2. Bacon Drippings: The rendered bacon fat is a flavor powerhouse. Use it wisely! After cooking the bacon, reserve it for sautéing your vegetables. This will infuse the onions, celery, and garlic with a deep, savory flavor that complements the potatoes perfectly.
3. Creamy Consistency: For an ultra-creamy soup, consider blending a larger portion of the soup and then mixing it back in. This technique allows for varying textures, giving you both smoothness and some chunky potato bites. Adjust the thickness by adding more chicken stock or cream to achieve your preferred consistency.

What to Serve with Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup

1. Crusty Bread: A loaf of warm, crusty bread is the perfect companion for this soup. It’s ideal for dipping, soaking up all that delicious broth. A sourdough or rustic whole grain bread adds a lovely texture and nutty flavor that complements the creamy soup beautifully.
2. Green Salad: Pairing the soup with a fresh green salad can add a nice contrast to the richness. A simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette or a Caesar salad can provide a refreshing balance, enhancing the overall meal experience.
3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For a classic comfort food pairing, serve the potato soup alongside a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of melty cheese and crispy bread works wonderfully, creating a delightful mix of flavors and textures that will please both kids and adults.

FAQ

1. Can I make this soup ahead of time? Yes! This soup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of chicken stock or cream if it thickens too much.
2. Can I freeze the potato soup? While you can freeze potato soup, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. To freeze, cool the soup completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stove.
3. How can I make this soup vegetarian? To make a vegetarian version, substitute the bacon with olive oil or melted butter for sautéing the vegetables and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. You can still enjoy a creamy texture by incorporating plant-based cream or milk.
4. What toppings can I add? Feel free to get creative with toppings! Crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, shredded Cheddar cheese, or even a dollop of sour cream make excellent additions. Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can also brighten up the flavors.

Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup

This rich and creamy potato soup is a cherished recipe, perfect for warming the body and soul during chilly winter days. With its delectable flavor profile, it is often topped with crispy bacon, fresh green onions, or shredded Cheddar cheese for an extra touch of indulgence.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound bacon chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 8 potatoes peeled and cubed
• 4 cups chicken stock or enough to cover the potatoes
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Begin by gathering all necessary ingredients for the soup.
• In a Dutch oven, add the chopped bacon and cook it over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the bacon is evenly browned, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain excess fat and retain about 1/4 cup of the rendered bacon grease in the pot.
• Using the reserved bacon drippings, sauté the diced celery and chopped onion in the Dutch oven until the onion becomes soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
• Next, incorporate the cubed potatoes into the mixture, tossing them to ensure they are well-coated. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, then return the cooked bacon to the pot. Add enough chicken stock to just cover the potatoes, cover the pot, and allow the mixture to simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the heavy cream, tarragon, and cilantro to the skillet, whisking until combined.
• Bring the cream mixture to a boil, stirring continuously until it thickens, which should take around 5 minutes. Once thickened, add this cream mixture to the potato and bacon mixture in the Dutch oven, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
• To achieve a desired texture, transfer approximately half of the soup to a blender and purée until smooth. Return the puréed soup back to the Dutch oven and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
• Serve the soup hot and enjoy its comforting richness!

Notes

Cook’s Note: For a bacon-free alternative, substitute the bacon grease with 1/4 cup of melted butter.

Keyword Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup