Cooking a delicious soup doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. This easy potato soup recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal ingredients and preparation.
Soup is a comforting, hearty meal that can be enjoyed any time of year. It's a great way to warm up on a cold winter night or add flavor to a summer evening. This easy potato soup recipe is the perfect combination of savory ingredients to make your mouth water.
Homemade soup has long been a favorite comfort food for many people, especially during cooler months. This vegetarian version of the classic dish is simple to make and is sure to please.
With minimal preparation time, you'll be able to serve up bowls of this flavorful soup in no time at all! So what are you waiting for? Get cooking today and enjoy the ultimate comfort food
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Ingredients
The main components for an easy potato soup are potatoes, broth, milk, and seasonings. Potatoes provide the base of the soup, while the vegetable broth adds body and flavor. The seasonings contribute to the soup's aroma while adding depth of flavor.
Here's is the full list of ingredients you will need to have on hand:
- Russet potatoes (or Yukon gold potatoes)
- Butter
- Onion
- Celery
- Garlic
- Milk
- Vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
- Fresh rosemary
- Fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper
Scroll down to the recipe card for the amounts used.
Instructions
Preparing this creamy potato soup is so easy! The following step-by-step directions show you exactly how it is done.
Melt butter in a small pot or saucepan over medium heat.
Add onions and celery. Sauté until beginning to soften.
Stir in garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
Pour in the milk and broth.
Add the potatoes.
Stir in the remaining seasonings.
Bring to a light boil, cover the pot and let simmer until the potatoes have softened. Remove from the heat and allow to thicken slightly before serving.
Variations
Adding extra ingredients to this creamy potato soup recipe is an easy way to make it your own. Here are a few options you can try.
- Vegan - For a vegan potato soup, use non-dairy milk and butter that are vegan-friendly.
- Sausage - Make it a meal by adding cooked sausage.
- Nutritional boost - Add extra vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach.
- More spice - For added spice, stir in diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. Or incorporate unique flavors like roasted garlic or smoked paprika.
Tips
- Use starchy potatoes: Russet or Idaho potatoes work best as they break down and create a creamy texture.
- Cook the potatoes until tender: Boil the potatoes in chicken or vegetable broth until they are soft enough to mash with a fork.
- Add creaminess: You can add cream, half-and-half, or coconut milk to create a creamy texture. You can also use a hand-held immersion blender to puree some of the potatoes, which will also help to thicken the soup.
- Flavorings: Add in diced onions, garlic, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary or parsley. You can also add in other ingredients such as bacon, cheese, or chives to add extra flavor.
- Don't overcook: Overcooking can cause the potatoes to become too mushy and break down, resulting in a thinner, less creamy soup.
- Season well: Taste the soup before serving and season with salt, pepper, and any other spices as needed.
Serving suggestions
Many side dishes go well with the soup. From salads and sandwiches to breads and desserts, there's something for everyone! Here are just a few serving ideas that can help round out your meal.
Start by offering crunchy croutons or savory crackers on the side of the soup. These can provide some texture and flavor contrast that will add interest to the dish.
You could also pair it with a light salad such as Caesar or spinach salad, providing some freshness and extra nutrients to make your meal more balanced.
Storage
Store leftover potato soup is easy and will help keep it fresh for later.
The best way to store the soup is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help keep the soup from spoiling and should be done as soon as possible after cooking. Make sure to leave some room at the top of the container, as the soup may expand when stored. If you plan to store it for more than a few days, consider freezing it instead.
When you reheat potato soup, make sure to heat it thoroughly. Start by heating it on low and gradually increase the heat until it’s hot enough for your liking. If you’re using a microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating throughout.
FAQ
One of the most popular thickening options is flour, which can be added directly to the soup and cooked until it thickens. Another option is cornstarch, which should be dissolved in a small amount of cold water before adding it to the soup.
Potato flakes or mashed potatoes are also commonly used as thickeners, as they add a creamy texture and flavor to the soup. Whichever thickener you choose, make sure to stir it into the soup while cooking over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency.
How can I make potato soup taste better?
First, start with good quality ingredients. Use potatoes that are fresh and flavorful, as well as stock or broth that has a rich flavor. This will give the soup a great foundation of taste.
Second, add herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of the soup. Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary are all great options for adding an extra layer of flavor to your potato soup. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, dried herbs can also work well. Additionally, adding some garlic or green onions can help bring out the flavor of the potatoes and other ingredients in the soup.
Finally, if you want to add some richness to your potato soup, consider stirring in some cream or butter when it's finished cooking.
To spice up your potato soup, start by adding more herbs and spices. Garlic, onion powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, and parsley are all great options to add flavor to the soup. You could also try adding some diced jalapeño or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Another way to add flavor is to top the soup with something crunchy. Try adding crumbled bacon or cooked sausage, shredded cheese, or even crushed tortilla chips for an extra layer of texture and flavor. For a vegetarian option, you could add roasted chickpeas or pumpkin seeds for a nice crunchy contrast.
Finally, don't forget about the garnishes! A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt can bring some tanginess to the soup while fresh herbs like chives or cilantro will give it an herbal kick.
Related Recipes
Want more small-batch soup recipes? You'll find more of our favorites below.
- Italian minestrone is a flavorful soup made from various fresh ingredients, including vegetables and pasta.
- Shrimp and corn bisque is a decadent and flavorful soup that can please even the most discerning palate.
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Recipe
Vegetarian Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ medium onion chopped
- ¼ cup celery chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup milk
- 1½ cups vegetable broth
- fresh rosemary chopped to taste
- fresh thyme chopped to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small pot or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add in the onions and celery, and sauté until beginning to soften.
- Stir in the garlic, and sauté another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the milk and vegetable broth.
- Add in the potatoes.
- Season with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cover the pot, and bring to a light boil, simmering until the potatoes have softened.
- Remove from the heat and allow to thicken slightly before serving.
Shelby
I love how creamy this soup came out! And I never would have thought to add celery to potato soup but sneaking in the extra veggie was awesome!
Vladka
I love simple recipes with just a few ingredients that taste delicious, and this is one of them.
Bella B
I made this with coconut milk as that was all that I had on hand. We loved it! Will be making again.
Lisa Douglas
I love this vegetarian version of an old classic! My son is vegetarian and he is SUPER thrilled to have this option added to our dinner repertoire, thank you so much!
Greta
This soup has so many interesting ingredients. I tried it and I loved it. It was very delicious.