Name: Potato Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups diced Russet potatoes (2 large potatoes, about 2 pounds); 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 large); 1 clove garlic, mashed and diced; 3 cups water (just enough to barely cover the vegetables); 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base (turkey flavor also works); 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup butter (1 stick); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 4 cups whole milk (recommended for best texture); Shredded cheddar cheese; Chopped green onions; Additional chopped parsley

If there’s one dish I could happily indulge in all year round, it’s this classic, soul-soothing Potato Soup Recipe. Creamy, hearty, and brimming with the cozy goodness of tender potatoes, sweet carrots, and a velvety white sauce, this recipe is sheer comfort in a bowl. Whether you’re craving something warm on a chilly day or seeking an easy meal that everyone will crave a second helping of, this Potato Soup Recipe checks every box for taste, simplicity, and pure home-cooked nostalgia.

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s beauty in the basics, and each ingredient in this Potato Soup Recipe plays an important part, bringing a depth of flavor, silky texture, or pop of color to your bowl. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Russet potatoes: The meaty texture and starch content make these the perfect base for our soup, giving it body and classic potato flavor.
Carrots: Their natural sweetness balances the richness of the soup and adds beautiful color.
Garlic: Just one clove goes a long way in adding aromatic warmth and depth to every spoonful.
Water: This simply cooks the vegetables and becomes part of the flavorful broth—no draining needed!
Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base: Adds a hit of savory, umami-rich flavor that truly elevates the soup (chicken or turkey flavor both work wonderfully).
Fresh chopped parsley: Fresh or dried, parsley brings a bit of freshness and lovely color to every bite.
Kosher salt: Essential for enhancing all the natural flavors in the pot.
Butter: The base of our white sauce, butter creates that creamy, indulgent mouthfeel we all adore.
All purpose flour: Forms the roux with butter, thickening the soup and making it luxuriously creamy.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle kick and rounds out all the flavors.
Milk: Whole milk shines brightest here, making the soup rich and silky-smooth.
Cheddar cheese (optional): For those who love cheesy soup, a sprinkle on top is pure magic.
Chopped green onions (optional): Adds pop, freshness, and a hint of mild onion flavor as a garnish.
Extra chopped parsley (optional): For a final touch of color and freshness before serving.

How to Make Potato Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Start by peeling and dicing your russet potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces—about half an inch each is just right. Do the same for your carrots, keeping the dice small so they cook evenly and quickly. Mince a fresh clove of garlic and add all the vegetables to your favorite soup pot. This step sets up the wholesome foundation of your Potato Soup Recipe.

Step 2: Boil the Veggies

Pour in just enough water to barely cover your potatoes and carrots (about 3 cups, adjusting as needed). Add that heaping tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base for flavor, along with chopped fresh parsley and a touch of kosher salt. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer gently for around 20 minutes. When your fork slides easily into a potato, you’ll know it’s ready! Now, roughly mash your veggies right in the pot. Whether you enjoy a chunky bite or a silky soup, this is the moment to choose your texture.

Step 3: Make the White Sauce (Béchamel)

In a separate saucepan, melt your butter on medium heat and whisk in the flour to form a paste (your roux). Add the kosher salt and black pepper, and stir constantly for 1 to 3 minutes to cook off that raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the milk—just a cup at a time—whisking thoroughly with each addition. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth and comes to a boil, then bubble it for just one minute to ensure it’s luscious and thickened.

Step 4: Combine and Finish

Pour your hot white sauce into the vegetable mash. Grab a spatula to get every last bit! Stir everything together until it’s beautifully blended into a creamy, dreamy Potato Soup Recipe base. Now’s the perfect moment to adjust seasoning if you like, then ladle it up while it’s steamy and irresistible.

How to Serve Potato Soup Recipe

Garnishes

The joy is in the little extras! Top each steaming bowl of Potato Soup Recipe with a shower of sharp cheddar, fresh snips of green onion, and a flourish of chopped parsley. These final touches add color, flavor, and pizzazz with barely any effort.

Side Dishes

Pair your potato soup with a warm, crusty bread roll or classic biscuits—ready to dunk and soak up every velvety drop. A crisp green salad can add a bit of crunch to balance out the richness. For a cozier evening, serve alongside roasted veggies or a simple grilled cheese sandwich for a meal that feels straight out of a storybook.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to delight your family or guests even more? Serve your Potato Soup Recipe in hollowed-out bread bowls for an edible vessel, or in elegant mugs for a party-friendly “soup & sip” experience. Little shooters or appetizer portions are also fantastic for potlucks or holiday gatherings where you want to show off your favorite comfort food.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Stash any extra Potato Soup Recipe in the fridge, tucked into an airtight container where it’ll keep beautifully for up to five days. The flavors deepen and mellow overnight, so leftovers can be even more crave-worthy the next day.

Freezing

I generally recommend skipping the freezer with this particular soup. Potatoes tend to soak up moisture and can turn a bit grainy once thawed—meaning that silky white sauce can separate and lose its dreaminess. It’s definitely best enjoyed fresh or as leftovers within the week.

Reheating

For best results, return your soup to a saucepan and gently reheat over medium-low, giving it a good stir so it stays creamy and doesn’t scorch. If it thickens up too much (as potato soups love to do!), add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up to your favorite consistency. The microwave works for a quick reheat, but be sure to stir every so often and heat in short bursts for even warming.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of potato in this soup?

Absolutely! While russet potatoes give the most classic creamy texture, Yukon Gold or even red potatoes can work nicely if that’s what you have on hand. Just know that waxier potatoes may yield a slightly different (but still delicious) texture for your Potato Soup Recipe.

Is this Potato Soup Recipe vegetarian?

As written, the soup uses chicken or turkey bouillon for deep background flavor, but you can easily swap in a vegetable bouillon to make it completely vegetarian without losing that savory richness.

How do I make my soup extra smooth?

If you prefer a silkier bowl, reach for an immersion blender after boiling the veggies—blend right in the pot until it’s as smooth as you like. For the smoothest texture, you can puree the entire batch, but I love leaving a few chunkier bites for contrast!

Can I add more veggies or protein?

Definitely! This Potato Soup Recipe is super flexible. Toss in some diced celery, corn, or even chopped cooked ham or bacon towards the end of cooking for a heartier, more complex soup. Just make sure to adjust your seasonings as needed.

Why can’t I freeze potato soup?

Sadly, freezing potato soup tends to change the texture—the potatoes absorb moisture, which can make the soup grainy and cause the silky sauce to separate after thawing. For best results, enjoy it freshly made or chilled as leftovers within five days.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like a steaming, spoon-coating bowl of homemade Potato Soup Recipe to make any day feel a little more special. I hope you let this cozy classic keep you warm and happy—serve up a potful, share it with someone you love, and enjoy every delicious, creamy bite!