Description
Hearty potato and bacon soup delivers pure comfort in a bowl, blending rustic ingredients with rich, smoky flavors. Creamy, satisfying spoonfuls promise warmth and indulgence you’ll savor until the last delicious drop.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes
- 6 slices bacon (thick-cut)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Seasoning and Garnish:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh chives or parsley
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, creating a rich, smoky base. Transfer crispy bacon to paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of drippings.
- Sauté diced onions in reserved bacon fat until translucent and fragrant, then quickly incorporate minced garlic, stirring to prevent burning.
- Add cubed potatoes and pour in chicken stock, ensuring potatoes are fully submerged. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Decide on soup texture: use an immersion blender for silky smoothness or gently mash some potatoes with a potato masher, leaving chunks for rustic appeal.
- Introduce heavy cream and smoked paprika, stirring to create a luxurious, velvety consistency. Season with salt and pepper, allowing flavors to meld and intensify during a brief 5-minute simmer.
- Plate the soup in warm bowls, generously topping with crumbled bacon and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a vibrant, aromatic finish. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for richer flavor and better texture, ensuring it renders more fat and crisps perfectly.
- Opt for starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, which break down easily and create a naturally creamy consistency.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Replace bacon with smoked tempeh or mushroom bacon bits to preserve the smoky essence while keeping the dish meat-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg