Winter in our area is miserable. I dislike when the temperature drops below 70 degrees so I’m not a fan of constant days of 30-40 degree weather. Winter rain is common in our area so the days are overcast, damp, and gloomy. Walking through my yard is comparable to walking through a mud pit. To combat the chilly, dark days, I prepare batches of soup, like this loaded baked potato soup recipe.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
This is one of my favorite soup recipes. Think of it; chunks of potatoes and bacon in a creamy base with a touch of cheese and sour cream. I get hungry just thinking of this soup! I adapted a traditional recipe I found years ago by adding extra ingredients I like. The result was a thick, creamy mixture that everyone in our family enjoys, even the ones who don’t like soup. It’s also naturally gluten-free.
Substitutions:
- Make this lower in fat by substituting low-fat sour cream and low-fat cheese.
- Replace the traditional bacon with low-fat turkey bacon.
- Use an equal amount of olive oil to replace the butter.
- You can also fry the onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of bacon grease if you prefer.
- To make this dish vegetarian, replace the beef broth with vegetable broth and use vegan bacon or omit the bacon.
- To make this dish vegan, replace the butter with olive oil, replace the beef broth with vegetable broth, use vegan bacon substitute, vegan sour cream, and vegan cheese.
Cooking Tips:
- You can bake or boil the potatoes to use in this soup.
- I prefer to peel the potatoes but it is not necessary. Note: If you do not peel the potatoes, the soup will turn a brown color. It still tastes delicious, but if you have picky kids, they might not like the color.
- Use your favorite baking potato for this recipe. Good choices are russet, Yukon Gold, or Red. I prefer russet as they are easy to find, inexpensive, and are available in larger sizes.
- You can use unsalted butter, but adjust the salt used in the recipe to your taste.
Can you freeze potato soup?
Unfortunately, no. Soups that use dairy products and potatoes tend to change texture when frozen, becoming grainy and separating. Instead, refrigerate the potato soup in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Good Toppings:
- chopped green onions and green onion tops
- additional crumbled bacon
- additional shredded cheese
- homemade croutons (see our easy recipe here)
Printable recipe
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
8 cups cooked, diced, and peeled potatoes (about 5 to 6 large)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups (32-ounce container) beef broth
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 1/3 cups sour cream
Directions
- In a large bowl, add the diced potatoes, salt, and pepper. Stir to blend.
- Place 4 cups of the potatoes and 4 cups of broth into a blender. Puree until blended, approximately 30 seconds. Set aside.
- In a large Dutch oven or saucepan, over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes or until onion is tender and opaque.
- Add the 4 cups of remaining broth to the soup. Stir until blended. Add the potato/broth mixture and stir until blended.
- Add the remaining broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and stir in the remaining 4 cups of diced potatoes and the bacon. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cheese and the sour cream. Simmer an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
How to Choose Potatoes:
- Choose smooth, firm potatoes. Squeeze the potato gently-it should not be soft.
- Avoid potatoes with sprouts, that are wrinkled or green in color, or have soft dark areas on the surface.
Loaded baked potato soup is a treat for any cold evening. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family does. What are your favorite soups? Have you tried the loaded potato soup? Let us know in the comments.
The very first time i tried the baked potato soup i crave for this almost everyday. I gotta try your own recipe and try it myself.
This soup sounds so awesome. I love a loaded baked potato. I would love to make this recipe.
This soup looks smashing, perfect for a cold winter night. I like that it’s so easy to prepare
I love a good soup especially during the cold months. That looks so tasty. I would love to try it one day.
This looks like a unique way to make potato soup. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for the recipe.
What an interesting combination of food. Love the idea of a baked potato soup. So many ways to make enjoy it. I’d add extra cheese though.
I have had something similar but it was a white soup and had sprinkles of cheese and bacon bits on top. I’m all about a baked potato!
This recipe looks so savory. It would be perfect for the cold weather we’re having.
Ooh I have never heard of this kind of soup before! It looks so hearty and perfect for this time of year, I am going to give this a go for sure!
I may have to try this for dinner tonight as we are having some cold weather and this would be just right. I love potatoes almost anyway they are cooked. Soup and baked potatoes are always great.
I love bake potato soup! It is probably one of my favorite soups I make. I have not tried it with everything you have in here but I am definitely going to. This looks delicious.
I LOVE it when I can take my favorite foods and convert them to soup form. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
I love potato soup in all forms! It is my all time favorite comfort food. In fact, I want to make this now for lunch!
We like loaded baked potatoes so I am sure we would enjoy this type of soup.. We enjoy regular potato soup or put ham in it. This looks yummy.
It’s soup weather and I’ve been struggling to find something comforting and vegan. I am happy to see you can use alternatives and will give this a shot!
i am all about a good soup in the winter time and this one is always a winner in my family- i def cant wait to make your version!
I love any kind of potato soup and I make it often. I’ll have to give your recipe a try. It sounds so good today because it’s so cold here in the south.
So weird because I was JUST looking for an awesome soup recipe to make today and here it is! It’s SO cold here in the northeast today and this will warm us right up!