Cozying up with a bowl of potato soup is the best thing when you feel the cold outside. This simple recipe guarantees to give you that luxurious feeling with its rich texture, flavorful bacon taste, and satisfying simplicity. Just keep reading if you want to find out more tips on how to make the creamiest potato soup to warm yourself up during those icy nights.
The right selection of potatoes plays an important role in cooking potatoes that are soft to the touch. Choose starchy potato varieties like russet potatoes, which break down quickly and naturally have a good texture due to their relatively low moisture content Their high starch content also helps ensure a consistent soup. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes as an alternative. Cutting the potatoes into 1-inch uniform slices will even out the cooking process. You can get plenty of fiber as well as nutrients in terms of skin maintenance, but peel it off.
Building a Roux Foundation
A roux made from bacon juice and flour gives this soup its velvety body. Cook the bacon in a large saucepan until lightly crisp. Remove and reserve for garnish.
Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic to the cooking juices. Saute for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Stir in the flour and cook for 30 seconds to remove any raw flour taste.
Gradually stir in the chicken broth, adding only a few tablespoons at a time to start. This avoids lumps. Once smooth, add the rest of the liquid more quickly.
Simmer the soup
Add the diced potatoes and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally. The starch from the potatoes will help thicken the soup further.
Stir in milk and heat until heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Avoid boiling to prevent the milk from curdling.
Seasoned to perfection
Season the finished soup to taste with salt and pepper. For a thinner consistency, add additional milk or broth.
Top soup bowls with shredded cheddar cheese, reserved crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions for a flavorful garnish.
Serving and Storing
Potato soup keeps in the refrigerator for 3 days or freezes for up to 3 months for easy make-ahead meals. Reheat gently to avoid curdling.
This simple but satisfying potato soup takes about an hour to make but rewards you with the ultimate comfort food. A spoonful of its velvety goodness will warm you up even on the coldest days.