This Easy Potato Soup recipe is the real deal. Shared with me from the granddaughter of an Idaho potato farmer, this homemade soup is creamy, thick, and luxurious, even without the optional cheesy garnish. It is truly the best cream of potato soup I’ve ever had. And it only takes about 30 minutes to make!

homemade potato soup in a white bowl with cheese garnish

Yesterday my 4-year-old daughter Valentine came rushing into the room with blood all over her face. Since she wasn’t screaming in pain we quickly realized it was just a nosebleed, but still, that much red is enough to make anyone panic.

I started yelling at Eric, “Look up what to do for a bloody nose!” But then I realized he had already dialed his mother’s phone number.

easy potato soup being lifted with a spoon

No matter how old you get, calling mom is just instinctual, right? “Mom, what do we do for a nosebleed??” “I don’t know, let me look it up!” So his mom googled what to do and dictated to us over the phone. Thanks for your help Kris. Next time you can just tell us to cut out the middle man!

potato soup recipe ladled into a bowl

It reminds me of one time when my friend told me that she spent 45 minutes on the phone, complaining to her mom about her kids, and then hung up and realized that someday when she’s 75, her kids are STILL going to call and complain to her. There is no escape!! Ah, motherhood!

Anyway, you would think that a traumatic nosebleed was the biggest scare of the day, but really it was our brand new couch. The one that took us 6 months of marital stress to decide on. It finally arrived a few weeks ago, cushy and new. And now there was blood all over it. I think that’s why Eric was really calling his mom.

easy potato soup recipe on a spoon with cheese and parsley

Good news, the stain actually came out just fine, but there was a spot on the carpet that I had to get down on my hands and knees to start figuring out. Our rug has a really high pile, high enough that painful legos get lost in it sometimes. There, in the exact spot of the stain, was an entire piece of gum, folded into the fringe of the carpet. It had clearly been there A WHILE. Please don’t judge me. (If you are judging me, you might not have kids.)

Nothing that a little machete action couldn’t take care of. Two stains with one snip. Who needs that high pile. Don’t look at my rug too closely on the side near the piano. It looks like a muppet with a bad haircut.

easy potato soup recipe with cheese being lifted from bowl

Well aside from bad rug haircuts, we’ve got LOTS of soup going on lately! It’s still like 100 degrees here in Sacramento but I love you enough to test soup in this weather so that you can have the recipe in time for when the weather starts cooling off. Because who doesn’t love soup on a chilly day?

Potato Soup

This recipe is from my sister Laura, who got it from her old roommate Janelle, who got it from her grandmother Mary Hanks, who owns a potato farm in Idaho. It doesn’t get more authentic than this my friends. Trust me, I know lots of people from Idaho, and they take their potatoes SERIOUSLY.

cheesy potato soup in a white bowl

I love this soup because it doesn’t rely on garnishes to be awesome. I feel like a lot of potato soup recipes I’ve tried are kind of ho-hum, but then you add cheese and bacon and it’s fine. Good enough.

Not this soup. It is packed with flavor all on it’s own. There is no cheese in the soup recipe itself, just a perfectly balanced white sauce that gives you all the flavor and texture you need. And please, put down the bacon. Bacon has it’s place in the world, but I feel like it steal potato’s glory in this recipe. Let your potatoes shine! They deserve it!

best potato soup recipe in a white bowl with no garnish

see look at this soup all naked. it’s perfect.

How to make Potato Soup

This recipe is so stupid easy. I’ll take you through it step by step! Here are the ingredients you need (full recipe and instructions in the recipe card below!)

  • Potatoes
  • Carrots 
  • Garlic
  • Water
  • Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
  • Parsley (dried is fine)
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Whole milk 

Russet potato on a scale weighing about a pound

First you’re going to need 2 giant Russet potatoes. Why Russet? Let’s go deep, Russ:

What kind of potatoes should you use for Potato Soup?

Russet Potatoes are the best kind to use for this potato soup recipe. Their high starch content and light texture provide that creamy, smooth mouthfeel we are looking for. They work well if you want to completely cream the soup (no bits of potato) or if you want to mash a little but still have some chunks.

a large russet potato cut into strips on a cutting board

If you have Yellow, Red, or Yukon Gold Potatoes on hand, you can use them in a pinch. They’re not quite as high in starch as good ol’ Russ, so they don’t fall apart as easily. If you prefer your potato soup with distinct chunks of potato, you can substitute Yellow, Yukon, or Red.

But don’t use any other kind of potato. They have high moisture content and are more waxy, meaning they don’t get as creamy. Say no to waxy soup.

russet potato chopped into chunks on a cutting board

So here’s our Russet. Each of the big guys weighs about a pound. Peel em up and chop them pretty small, about 1/2 inch or so. You should end up with about 4 cups, but it’s ok to be slightly over or under to use what you have on hand.

chopped russet potato in a measuring cup on a counter

By the way, if your measuring cup looks like it’s been to the fiery gates of hell and back like mine has, go ahead and buy yourself a new one. You have my permission. I don’t know why I haven’t given myself permission, exactly. A friend of mine told me the other day that I need to stop being so tightfisted, and I think she has a point. (She is not a mean friend btw, she’s just a good enough friend to be able to tell it to me straight. If you don’t have a friend who can say crap to your face, get yourself one stat.)

chopped carrots on a cutting board, carrots and potatoes in a measuring cup

Now, peel and chop up 1-3 carrots, depending on size. Dice them up nice and small. You want about a cup, more or less, you do you.

Add the vegetables to a pot, at least 3 quart capacity. Add about 3 cups of water to the vegetables. You want the water to just barely cover them, so if it’s a little short you can add more.

potatoes, carrots and water in a pot, adding parsley and bouillon

Next add the heaping tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base (or Turkey!) and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Dried parsley is a totally fine substitute! 

Bring the pot to a boil on high, and then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables and carrots are extremely tender. Like, slide a fork in with no resistance level tender. No cheating. We don’t want any crunchy, undercooked potatoes in our soup thankyouverymuch. Vent the lid while cooking to let some of the steam escape.

boiling soup on a stove with vented lid

While that cooks, get out another mediumish pot and make your bechamel. That’s a fancy word for white sauce.

How do you thicken potato soup?

Nobody wants to eat watery potato soup. We’re all about the creeeeamy. For this potato soup recipe, we are using two different methods to help get that thick, luxurious texture. The first is to make a bechamel.

Start off by melting some butter and adding in some flour, salt and pepper. This is called a roux. I know, so many fancy French words.

flour and butter in pot, stirred together with whisk to make roux

Next we turn this goodness into a white sauce by adding milk. Sloooowwwwly. Don’t you dump it in all at once. You don’t want flour chunks in your soup do you?? Didn’t think so. As you slowly add the milk to the roux, the milk becomes thickened and adds richness to the flavor and texture of the soup. Yes please. 

butter and flour mixture (roux), adding milk to roux

When you add your first bit of milk your roux is going to seize up and spit at you and you are going to think you have completely screwed up. I mean look at this mess in the picture on the left! Never fear, just keep whisking, keep adding milk slooowly, and pretty soon it will turn into creamy goodness, I promise! Observe:

roux in a pot, swirling white sauce with whisk

See? Perfection! Taste it. So homey, right?

The second way to thicken the soup is to use the starch in the potatoes themselves. Do you see how tender this potato is after boiling? This is what I was talking about up there when I said Russet potatoes “fall apart.” 

mashing potato with fork, slightly mashed soup in a pot

There should be no resistance at all. Use a potato masher or fork to roughly mash the mixture to your desired texture. As you mash the cooked potatoes, the natural starches are released into the broth and thicken it. It’s magical.

How much you mash is totally up to you. I like a velvety soup with some chunks, as you can see in the photo on the right. You can leave it very chunky by not mashing at all (left photo), or if you want an ultra smooth soup you can use an immersion blender.

pouring white sauce into boiled vegetables

After mashing or blending, pour the white sauce from the smaller pan into the larger pot and stir it all together. Double check your seasonings and see if you need to add any more salt or pepper, and that’s it! You’re done! 

Add in some cheese and green onions and that’s it. Hold off on the bacon. I mean. Bacon is delicious. Add it if you want. I just need you to know how good this soup is without it!

Can you make potato soup ahead?

Potato Soup can absolutely be made ahead of time! It’s a great option to make in the morning for dinner that night, or a day in advance. Prepare as directed, allow to cool, then store in an airtight container for about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Over time, the white sauce in the soup will start to break down and make it a little more watery with each passing day, so the best quality will be within the first few days. Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave.

potato soup recipe in a white bowl with garnishes

Can you freeze potato soup?

Bad news guys. Unlike almost every other soup, Potato Soup does not freeze well. It is best enjoyed within 3-5 days of making. Time to invite some friends over for a soup party to finish it up. Because potatoes are so starchy, they tend to absorb a lot of moisture. This means that during the thawing process they take on extra moisture and can become very grainy. Also, some dairy based soups have a tendency to separate and lose their creaminess after freezing. It’s definitely best enjoyed immediately!

lifting cheesy potato soup from a bowl with a spoon

What goes with potato soup?

The best part about this potato soup recipe is all the delicious toppings you can add! It’s nice because it makes it very customizable for each person. I actually feel like this soup needs very little garnish. It is stands alone very well, I eat it without the cheese even a lot of the time.

Topping ideas:

  • cheddar cheese
  • chopped green onions
  • chopped fresh parsley
  • crumbled bacon (I actually dislike adding bacon. It changes the whole profile of the soup and makes you hunt for bacon while you’re eating. Let the potato have its moment, okay?)
  • sour cream (I mean, you can, but this soup is so creamy I kind of feel like it’s unnecessary)

These are the basics. Other options include adding proteins like ham, rotisserie chicken, or spicy sausage. Or you could add in vegetables like corn, roasted veggies, jarred peppers, etc. If you’re looking to get rid of some leftovers, potato soup can be a great vehicle!

easy potato soup in a black bowl with cheddar and green onions

What to serve with potato soup

When you have a main dish as thick and hearty as this soup, it’s nice to pair it with something light and refreshing for some balance. I think this Raspberry Avocado Salad would be particularly nice, or perhaps a simple No Chop Green Salad or Pineapple Spinach Salad. Some Oven Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Asparagus would also be great sides, especially in colder months.

And I don’t know about you, but I could never say no to pairing this with some good bread, like this One Hour French Bread , Aunt Shirley’s Famous Dinner Rolls, or even some Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Yes please!

cream of potato soup in a bowl with cheese

Who’s going to make potato soup on the first rainy day this season?? I’m here for it!

More soup recipes you are going to love!

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homemade potato soup in a white bowl with cheese garnish
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4.75 from 12 votes
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Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
This Easy Potato Soup recipe is the real deal. Shared with me from the granddaughter of an Idaho potato farmer, this homemade soup is creamy, thick, and luxurious, even without the optional cheesy garnish. It is truly the best potato soup I've ever had. And it only takes about 30 minutes to make!

Ingredients

For the vegetables

  • 4 cups diced Russet potatoes, 2 large potatoes, about 2 pounds
  • 1 cup diced carrots, about 2 large
  • 1 clove garlic, mashed and diced
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base, chicken or turkey flavor is great
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley, or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the white sauce

  • 1/2 cup butter, one stick
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups milk, whole milk is best

Optional garnishes

  • cheddar cheese
  • chopped green onions
  • chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Boil the veggies. Peel the potatoes (2 large potatoes, about 2 lbs) and dice them. I like a fairly small dice, about 1/2 inch. Place in a stock pot or 3 quart pot. If you have not quite 4 cups of potatoes, or more like 5 cups, don't sweat it that's fine.
  • Peel the carrots and dice about the same size as the potatoes. Add to the pot.
  • Smash and mince 1 clove of garlic and add to the pot.
  • Add 3 cups of water to the potatoes and carrots. The water should be just barely covering the vegetables, so add a little more or less to make sure they are just barely covered. (We are not draining these potatoes, this water will be part of the soup.)
  • Add a heaping tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon Base. The Roasted Chicken flavor is great, but I also love the Turkey base, it has really rich flavor. If you don't have Better than Bouillon, you can use a couple teaspoons of bouillon granules or cubes. Those are much saltier than the paste so be careful.
  • Chop about 1/4 cup fresh parsley, or use 1 tablespoon dried parsley. Add it to the pot.
  • Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium to keep it at a steady simmer. Vent the lid (tilt it so that steam can escape.) Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes and carrots are very tender. You should be able to smash one with a fork easily. Remove from heat.
  • Use a potato masher and roughly mash the mixture to your desired texture. I like a velvety soup with some chunks. You can leave it very chunky by not mashing at all, or if you want an ultra smooth soup you can use an immersion blender.
  • Make the white sauce (bechamel). Meanwhile, in a 2 quart pot or larger, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Once it is melted, add 1/2 cup flour and use a whisk to stir it together into a paste. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook this mixture for 1-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Slowly add the 4 cups of milk, 1 cup at a time. Use the whisk to incorporate the milk into the roux (roux=butter/flour mixture) every time you add more. See photos. It should take a few minutes to add all the milk.* If you dump it in all at once, you will have flour chunks in your soup. Don't be like that.
  • Once all the milk is added, keep stirring often so the bottom doesn't scorch. Your heat should still be on medium. Wait until the mixture has come to a boil (consistent bubbles rising from the center) and then let boil for 1 minute, stirring. Remove from heat.
  • Pour the white sauce into the pot with the potatoes, using a spatula to scrape all that goodness in. Stir the mixture together.
  • Serve warm and garnish with extra chopped parsley, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Don't freeze this soup! The potatoes absorb tons of moisture, making the white sauce separate, and then it gets grainy on you. No thanks. Time to invite a friend over for soup and stories. I mean shouldn't that be a thing anyway?

Notes

*If you are in a rush, add the 4 cups of milk to a glass measuring cup and microwave for a couple minutes until it is warm, then add to the flour. This will help your white sauce come together faster.

Nutrition

Calories: 273 kcal, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Protein: 7 g, Fat: 16 g, Saturated Fat: 10 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 43 mg, Sodium: 759 mg, Potassium: 551 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 8 g, Vitamin A: 3385 IU, Vitamin C: 8 mg, Calcium: 165 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: potato, soup
Calories: 273kcal