Our Coziest Old-Fashioned Potato Soup Recipe

Old-fashioned potato soup, if you’re like me, is the most delicious winter soup. There are many comfort foods, but this soup is the best because you can add all your favorite potato toppings. You can make the soup any way you like, whether you’re looking for a creamy consistency or chunky pieces of potato. We share the recipe for a traditional potato soup, which will leave you feeling as cozy as a bug under a rug.

How to make Old Fashioned Potato Soup

Janis Plagerman, Ephrata (Washington) has created this creamy potato soup recipe that serves 10. It makes approximately 2-3/4 quarts.

Ingredients

• 7 medium potatoes peeled, cubed
• 2 Celery ribs diced
• One medium onion chopped
• 1 quart of water
• 4 tablespoons Chicken Bouillon Granules
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Whole milk 1 quart
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• Optional: Chop cooked bacon and minced fresh parsley.

Directions

Step 1. Boil the vegetables

Combine the celery, onion and potatoes in a saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Step 2: Begin the roux

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven. Stir in the flour once it has melted.

Step 3: Make the roux thicken

Slowly add the milk to bring it to boil. Stir until the mixture thickens, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: For more information, see our guide on how to make roux.

Step 4: Combine

The potato mixture, along with the cooking liquid, should be added to the saucepan. Add the salt, pepper and stir.

Step 5: Mix the soup

Make sure to lightly mash the potatoes into the soup until it reaches the desired consistency. If you like a thicker soup, continue to mash the potatoes until they are creamy. You can also leave some potato chunks if desired.

Step 6: Serve

Garnish each bowl with bacon, cheese, and parsley if desired

Old-Fashioned Potato Soup Tips

TMB Studio

What can be done to thicken potato soup

To thicken the potato soup, we use a white-roux. This is a traditional thickener used in soups and sauces. Make sure to not cook your soup for more than 30 minutes. It will loose its ability to thicken. If you prefer thicker soup, you can make it with cornstarch slurry. However, this will also add a corn flavor.

You can thicken your soup by simmering it covered for some time after you add the mashed potatoes. Make sure to stir often so that the potatoes don’t burn in the bottom.

What can you do to keep potato soup from becoming gummy?

The best type of potato will make a difference in the consistency of the soup. Yukon Golds and russets are good choices for mashed potatoes. You can also find our top tips for making great mashed potatoes.

Which toppings are you allowed to add to old-fashioned potato soup

You can use all your favourite baked potato toppings to make potato soup. You can add bacon bits, green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese to your favorite potato soup. A sprinkle of paprika, roasted cauliflower, and roast broccoli are also great options.

What is the best way to store old-fashioned potato soup leftovers?

Remaining potato soup can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator. You shouldn’t freeze our potato soup recipe because it contains a quarter of a cup milk. Dairy soups should not be frozen as they can become grainy once the cream and milk have been frozen. If you are interested in learning more about which soups can be frozen, check out this guide on freezing soup.