Outback Potato Soup
A creamy and comforting potato soup featuring tender russet potatoes, smoky bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth Can use vegetable broth for vegetarian option
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) For a little kick
- 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half or coconut cream
- ½ cup sour cream Can substitute with Greek yogurt
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Can use turkey bacon for a leaner option or omit for vegetarian
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour
Instructions
Preparation
- Before jumping in, prepare your workspace and gather all ingredients and tools, including a sharp knife, cutting board, large pot or Dutch oven, and immersion blender.
- Peel and cube the potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces and set aside.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
Cooking
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the cubed potatoes, chicken broth, and water; stir to combine.
- Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and let soup simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or by transferring to a regular blender.
- Return to low heat and stir in heavy cream and sour cream, heating gently without boiling.
- Adjust seasoning as necessary before serving.
- Serve hot, topped with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and green onions.
Notes
For best results, avoid overcooking the potatoes and always taste as you go. You can customize toppings based on preferences.