Originally Published: March 9, 2011 Last Updated: April 13, 2025 for editorial improvements.
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🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
Old fashioned potato soup is naturally gluten-free, super budget-friendly, and faster than your group chat drama. Whether it’s dinner for the crew or just you, a spoon, and your favorite reruns—this one’s always a win.
🧾 Ingredients
You can dress up potato soup with all kinds of cozy add-ins to make it even more irresistible. Try crumbling some crispy cooked bacon on top, or stir in a little bacon grease for an extra punch of smoky flavor. A handful of shredded cheese can be mixed in right before serving or sprinkled on top—because let’s be honest, more cheese is always the right move. A dollop of sour cream adds richness, and a sprinkle of fresh chives brings a little color and bite. I even like to top mine with a pat of butter and let it melt right into the bowl. Simple touches, big flavor!
🔪 Instructions for success
When making potato soup, there are a few tricks to keep it smooth and delicious. First, never boil creamy soups—heat them slowly and just to a simmer to keep the milk from curdling. You can use any kind of potato, including russets, but I prefer thin-skinned varieties like red potatoes or Yukon Golds so there’s no need to peel. Any type of milk works here, whether it’s dairy or non-dairy, but if you want that old-school richness, evaporated milk is the best. And, be sure to dice the potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate and don’t leave you with a mix of mushy and underdone chunks.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Potato Soup
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound potatoes, washed - peeled if desired or if you're using russets.
- 1 cup onion, diced
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups evaporated milk, or whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream, (whipping) cream or half and half
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons green onions, or parsley - finely chopped
Instructions
- Dice the potatoes to desired size.
- Bring water to a boil in a pot and add the diced potatoes.
- Simmer until tender.
- Meanwhile, slowly cook the onion in 1 tablespoon of the butter.
- Drain the potatoes and add them back to the pot.
- Add the cooked onion, butter, milk, and cream.
- Taste and add salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste.
- Serve in shallow bowls with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of parsley on top.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks
Make this easy soup recipe even faster by using canned, diced potatoes and frozen onions.
📚 Related recipes you'll love
If you're a fan of cozy soups with a little personality, you're gonna love these hearty spins on classic potato soup. Smoked Sausage Potato Soup brings that savory, smoky flavor that tastes like it simmered all day—even when it didn’t. Dill Pickle Soup might sound a little wild, but trust me, it’s tangy, creamy, and totally addictive. And if you’re craving something rich and cheesy, Cheeseburger Soup is everything you love about a juicy burger, wrapped up in a warm bowl. These recipes are perfect when you need something comforting but want to shake things up a little.
If you're looking for a cheesy potato soup you've GOT to check out this recipe from my friend Deb, at Bowl Me Over!!
More hearty soup recipes!
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Beth says
Was spending a fortune at a Deli several times a week on potatoe soup. No matter how many recipes I tried it wasn't how I wanted it to be. This is great and now can make at home and be satisfied. Full fat of course. Smile.
Claire De Lun says
This would be great to have with vegetable strips (like appetizer veggies that you dip in a dressing but you dip it into the soup instead)) and wheat sesame crackers
Pam says
Warm cornbread, or your 30 minute dinner rolls.
A nice salad also.
Maria Yates says
Homemade Honey Muffins would be perfect with this Soup !!!
Linda Fishbeck says
Me? I'd serve this with a "The Works" potato bar centerpiece so that everyone could get their soup on their way and share some suppertime fun to boot. Chorizo crumbles, chopped chives and green onions, assorted finely diced peppers, rings of black olives, a trinity of butter, shredded cheese, and sour cream, guacamole sauce floating on top, and a pile of crispy tortilla strips for dunking. Dressed up or down, it's an inclusive comfort meal for all.
Jenine says
Love this soup!! I would serve this with slices of buttered bread, croissant croutons, and thyme and lemon tea ending it with peach cobbler.
Patti Couey says
I can’t wait to make this delicious soup again! I served it with a half Rueben sandwich and Mediterranean salad. Yummy!!
Janet says
I'd serve this with a nice, thick, chunk of a crunchy baguette to break apart and dunk in the soup! A half of an egg salad sandwich would boost the protein value, and yummy peanut blossom cookies would finish it off.
(A big glass of ice-cold milk would be great with the cookies!) Yum!!
Ginny C says
I love potato soup! I'd fix my garlic rolls (chop garlic very small and saute in butter and pour over rolls) and a salad with lettuce, carrot slices, pumpkin seeds, sunflower kernels, cherry tomatoes, sliced squash, radishes - at every family gathering, everyone insists that we make the salad!!!