This Simple Potato Soup recipe is a creamy, comforting, and delicious addition to your weekly meal rotation!
This soup reminds me of growing up. Mom would make potato soup fairly often, and now I see why. It’s simple, family-friendly, with easy-to-find inexpensive ingredients.
Start with Potatoes, Of Course!
You want yellow potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, for this soup. They have a medium starch level, which will help them keep just a bit of texture when you mash them after they are cooked. And that is what we want here. Russet potatoes will also work, but because of their higher starch level, they will break apart more easily and you will lose a bit of the soup’s texture.
Want to learn more about the details of choosing the right potato, their relative starch content, and other potato tips? Check out this helpful article by Better Homes & Gardens.
Flavorful Additions
We build flavor around the potatoes by sauteing a shallot and some garlic in a little oil. The potatoes cook in flavorful broth instead of water. A bit of sour cream adds needed acidity. Salt and pepper round it all out.
Toppings will also help build the flavor of your soup. Add anything you would add to a baked potato. We’ve listed our favorites, including cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and cooked bacon.
An Easy Vegan Option
This soup is easily transformed into a wonderful vegan soup. Be sure to use vegetable broth as your main liquid. Then substitute vegan sour cream and plant-based milk.
Note that some plant-based milks will add a noticeable flavor to your soup, so choose with that in mind. Oat milk or soy milk are good options that will compliment the flavor of the potatoes. Top your soup with vegan options and enjoy!
It’s Gluten Free!
This soup is already gluten free, so if that is what you need, you can enjoy it as written! There are so many GF options for topping your soup, too!
Serving Your Simple Potato Soup
We love biscuits with soup and these are our go-to quick and easy recipes. You can have these mixed and in the oven in the time it takes for your potatoes to cook through.
This is also amazing served with a salad. The soup + salad combo is classic! Try these salads to complete your meal!
More Amazing Soup Recipes
Enjoy!
Simple Potato Soup
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Large Pot
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot, sliced thin (a heaping ½ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2-1/2 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled or unpeeled, diced into 1/2-inch cubes.
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup milk or non-dairy alternative
- 1/2 cup sour cream or non-dairy alternative
Optional toppings:
- Chopped Chives
- Sliced Green onion
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cooked and Crumbled Bacon
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot and add the sliced shallot. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender, 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook the Potatoes: Add potatoes, broth, salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn down to a low boil over medium heat. Cook until the potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes.
- Mash the Potatoes: Take off the heat and mash the soup with a potato masher until it’s thick and mostly mashed. Stir in milk and sour cream. If it seems too thick, add a little more stock to thin it out. Put it back on the heat, if needed to warm it back up. Taste and season with more salt and/or pepper as needed.
- Add Toppings: Top with chives, green onions, cheese, or bacon.
