Heavenly Creamy Loaded Potato Bacon Soup Recipe

Chilly evenings call for a comforting bowl of creamy loaded potato bacon soup that warms you from the inside out.

Cold weather has nothing on this rich, hearty soup packed with crispy bacon bits and tender potato chunks.

The aroma of simmering potatoes and smoky bacon will instantly fill your kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation.

Every spoonful delivers a perfect balance of creamy texture and savory flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp bacon crumbles and melted cheese create an irresistible topping that elevates this classic soup.

Comfort and satisfaction are guaranteed with this soul-satisfying recipe that turns a simple soup into a memorable meal.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this decadent soup that promises pure culinary bliss.

What Sets Creamy Loaded Potato Bacon Soup Apart

• Dive into a soul-warming soup packed with rich bacon flavor and creamy potato goodness that hugs your taste buds with every spoonful.
• Toss ingredients into your slow cooker and let it work its wonder, creating a hands-off meal that develops deep, complex flavors without constant monitoring.
• Top with extra crispy bacon bits, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to make this soup uniquely yours, perfect for picky eaters and adventurous food lovers alike.
• Minimal prep and simple ingredients mean you can whip up a restaurant-quality soup with minimal effort, transforming basic pantry staples into a delicious dinner.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Potato Bacon Soup

• Bacon: A flavorful and crispy ingredient that adds rich, smoky depth to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: A savory liquid that provides the foundational flavor and moisture for the soup.

• Potatoes: Hearty and starchy vegetables that create the thick, comforting base of the soup.
• Onions: Sweet and aromatic vegetables that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that adds robust, earthy notes to the soup.
• Thyme: A fragrant herb that brings subtle, herbal undertones to the dish.

• Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Dairy ingredients that contribute to the soup's luxurious, smooth texture.
• Cheese: A melty ingredient that adds richness and depth to the soup.
• Cornstarch: A thickening agent that helps create the soup's creamy consistency.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste of the soup.

Soup Making Tools for Creamy Potato Bacon Goodness

• Large Skillet: Perfect for crisping bacon and sautéing onions in those delicious drippings.
• Slow Cooker: Your go-to tool for effortlessly simmering the soup and developing rich flavors.
• Immersion Blender: Essential for creating that dreamy, creamy texture by partially blending the soup.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping potatoes and dicing onions.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Help you get the perfect ingredient proportions.

Creamy Loaded Potato Bacon Soup: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Crisp Up The Bacon

Cook bacon in a skillet until golden brown and crispy.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

Reserve the bacon drippings in the pan for extra flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Onions

Use the saved bacon drippings to sauté diced onions.

Cook until they become soft, translucent, and develop a sweet, caramelized edge.

Step 3: Build The Soup Base

• Diced potatoes
• Minced garlic
• Fresh thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chicken broth

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker, ensuring potatoes are fully submerged in the broth.

Step 4: Slow Cook To Perfection

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

The potatoes should become fork-tender and easily mashed.

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup.

Aim to blend about half the mixture, leaving some potato chunks for a rustic feel.

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

• Heavy cream
• Cornstarch
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Crispy bacon bits

Mix cream with cornstarch to create a thickening slurry.

Stir into the soup along with cheese, sour cream, and reserved bacon.

Cook on high for 15-20 minutes until the soup reaches a rich, velvety consistency.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls.

Garnish with additional crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Potato Bacon Soup: Chef’s Tips for Rich Results

• Cook bacon until extra crispy to enhance the soup's smoky flavor and texture. Crumble pieces for a crunchy topping.
• Use bacon drippings to sauté onions, creating a rich, deep foundational taste that elevates the entire soup.
• Partially blend the soup to create a perfect balance between chunky and creamy textures. Leave some potato pieces for a rustic feel.
• Mix cream and cornstarch before adding to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, consistent soup consistency.
• Swap bacon for turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon bits to make the soup lighter or meat-free while maintaining delicious flavor profile.

Ways to Change Up Your Loaded Potato Bacon Soup

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use plant-based bacon bits for smoky flavor. Swap bacon drippings with olive oil when sautéing onions.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of regular cream. Substitute cheese with nutritional yeast. Replace sour cream with cashew cream for richness.
• Spicy Southwest Version: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and chipotle powder. Top with cilantro and jalapeño slices for extra kick. Use pepper jack cheese for more heat.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets. Reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours. Increase cream and cheese for added thickness and flavor.

Serving Creamy Potato Bacon Soup for Comfort Meals

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic mugs for a rustic, warming meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Loaded Soup Style: Top each serving with extra crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream for maximum flavor and texture.
• Soup and Sidekick: Pair with crusty sourdough bread, buttery garlic toast, or a simple green salad to complete the meal and balance the rich, creamy soup.
• Winter Wellness Meal: Perfect for chilly evenings, serve with a light white wine or craft beer to complement the soup's robust flavors and create a satisfying dining experience.

Potato Bacon Soup: Storage and Reheating Made Easy

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Avoid freezing if using dairy-based ingredients.
• Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Add a splash of broth if soup seems too thick.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Add extra broth or cream to restore original consistency. Simmer until heated through and steaming.

FAQs

• Can I make this soup without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can use a large pot on the stovetop. Simmer potatoes and ingredients on low heat, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender. Follow the same blending and finishing steps.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

Not automatically. Use gluten-free cornstarch and verify your broth is gluten-free. Replace regular flour or cornstarch with gluten-free alternatives if needed.

• How do I prevent the soup from burning in the slow cooker?

Always use enough liquid, stir occasionally, and keep the lid on. If your slow cooker runs hot, check liquid levels and add more broth if needed during cooking.

Creamy Loaded Potato Bacon Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty potato bacon soup combines rustic comfort with rich, savory flavors. Creamy ingredients and crispy bacon garnish create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 8 slices bacon
• 1/2 (0.5) onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings:

• 1/2 (0.5) teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 (0.5) teaspoon black pepper

Liquids & Dairy:

• 2 1/2 (2.5) cups (590 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2/3 (0.67) cup (158 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 (0.5) cup (120 milliliters) sour cream

Garnish:

• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crisp the bacon in a skillet until golden brown and crunchy, reserving the flavorful rendered fat for subsequent cooking.
2. Sauté diced onions in the bacon drippings until they become translucent and softened, releasing their sweet aromatics.
3. Transfer the potatoes, minced garlic, fresh thyme, seasoning, and broth into the slow cooker, creating a robust flavor foundation.
4. Allow the mixture to simmer on high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours, ensuring potatoes become fork-tender and ingredients meld together.
5. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, creating a luxurious texture with some potato chunks remaining for heartiness.
6. Whisk cream and cornstarch together, then incorporate into the soup along with shredded cheese, tangy sour cream, and crumbled bacon pieces.
7. Continue cooking on high for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup reaches a rich, velvety consistency and all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.

Notes

• Bacon Perfection Choose thick-cut bacon for richer flavor and extra crispiness, ensuring maximum texture and taste in your soup.
• Oil Saving Strategy Bacon drippings are liquid gold – they’ll add incredible depth and smoky undertones to your soup’s base flavor profile.
• Dietary Flexibility Swap bacon for turkey bacon or smoked mushrooms to create vegetarian and lighter versions without losing rich, savory essence.
• Texture Mastery Blend carefully to maintain some potato chunks, creating a rustic, hearty soup with varied mouthfeel and interesting consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (on High) or 8 hours (on Low)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg