Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup

Warm, creamy, and filled with smoky bacon flavor, this Potato & Bacon Soup is pure comfort in a bowl. This recipe brings back the nostalgia of homemade, slow-cooked goodness with simple ingredients that come together beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Rich & Creamy: Perfectly velvety with chunks of tender potatoes.
Savory Bacon Flavor: Every bite is infused with the smoky goodness of crispy bacon.
One-Pot Wonder: Simple, easy, and minimal cleanup!
Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples and affordable ingredients.

Ingredients:

6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced 🥓
1 large onion, diced 🧅
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced 🥔
4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth) 🍲
1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk) 🥛
2 tbsp unsalted butter 🧈
Salt and black pepper, to taste 🧂
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional) 🌶️
2 tbsp all-purpose flour 🌾
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish) 🌿
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional) 🧀

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

1️⃣ In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the bacon is crispy and golden (about 6-8 minutes).
2️⃣ Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tbsp of bacon grease in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

1️⃣ Add the butter to the bacon grease in the pot. Once melted, toss in the diced onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onions become translucent and soft.
2️⃣ Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Potatoes and Broth

1️⃣ Add the diced potatoes to the pot and toss to coat them in the bacon and onion mixture.
2️⃣ Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 4: Thicken the Soup

1️⃣ In a small bowl, mix the flour with ¼ cup of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Slowly pour this into the pot while stirring to prevent lumps.
2️⃣ Simmer for another 5 minutes until the soup thickens.

Step 5: Make It Creamy

1️⃣ Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream (or milk). Continue to simmer for 5 more minutes until the soup becomes rich and creamy.
2️⃣ Season with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.

Step 6: Blend (Optional)

For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to puree about half of the soup directly in the pot. Alternatively, transfer half the soup to a blender, puree it, and return it to the pot.

Step 7: Add Bacon & Serve

1️⃣ Stir the crispy bacon back into the soup, saving a little for garnish.
2️⃣ Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with green onions, cheddar cheese, or extra bacon crumbles.

Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup