Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup
  • Srv: 8
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Cal: 594
  • By: Allrecipes.com

I have made this potato soup for many whom have given it this title. It takes a bit of effort but is well worth it. Please note: for those who do not wish to use bacon, substitute 1/4 cup melted butter for the bacon grease and continue with the recipe. (I generally serve this soup as a special treat as it is not recommended for people counting calories.)

Please see notes below for tips while making potato soup. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups chicken stock, or enough to cover potatoes
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Place bacon in a Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain bacon pieces on paper towels. Drain off all but 1/4 cup of the bacon grease.
  3. Cook celery and onion in the reserved bacon drippings until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Add cubed potatoes, and toss to coat. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Return bacon to the pan, and add enough chicken stock to just cover the potatoes. Cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, melt butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream, tarragon, and cilantro.
  6. Bring cream mixture to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add cream mixture to the potato mixture; stir to combine.
  7. Transfer about 1/2 of the soup to a blender and purée. Return to the Dutch oven. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

View original recipe on Allrecipes.com!

A bowl of this ultra-comforting potato soup will please everyone at your table.

How to Make Potato Soup
This potato soup comes together quickly with basic ingredients. You'll find the full recipe below, but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

Cook the Bacon
Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until brown and crispy. Drain bacon on paper towels and drain most (but not all!) of the bacon grease.

Cook the Soup
Cook the celery, onion, and garlic in the remaining bacon grease. Add cubed potatoes and toss with veggies. Return the bacon to the pan and cover all the ingredients with chicken stock. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are tender.

In a separate skillet, whisk butter into melted flour until slightly thickened. Whisk in heavy cream, tarragon, and cilantro. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until thick and creamy.

Stir cream mixture into potato mixture.

Blend and Serve
Transfer half of the soup to a blender and puree, then return to the Dutch oven. Season to taste and serve with your favorite toppings, such as crumbled bacon or shredded Cheddar cheese.

Best Potatoes for Potato Soup
Russet potatoes work well for this soup because they are starchy and fall apart easily during cooking, resulting in a smooth texture. Stay away from waxy potatoes as they won't break down as well.

How to Thicken Potato Soup
We love this top-rated recipe because it results in a thick, satisfying soup. If you somehow end up with a thinner consistency than you'd like, though, there are a few ways to thicken it. For an easy fix, just add more boiled potatoes and incorporate them into the soup or stir in instant potato flakes. You can also make a slurry with one part water and one part cornstarch. Stir the slurry slowly into the soup until you've reached the desired thickness.

How to Store Potato Soup
Let the potato soup cool completely, then transfer to an airtight storage container. Store in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

Can You Freeze Potato Soup?
Unfortunately, potato soup doesn't freeze well. Not only do potatoes become grainy as they thaw, but dairy-based soups tend to separate during the thawing and reheating processes. Avoid freezing potato soup if you can.

If you must freeze potato soup, ladle it into zip-top freezer bags in serving-sized portions. Squeeze out the excess air, seal, label with the date, lay flat in the freezer, and freeze for up to six months.

Potato Soup Toppings
Favorite potato soup toppings include shredded Cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, green onions, and chives. It's your potato soup – garnish it with as many or as few toppings as you please.

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