Old Fashioned Potato Soup is pure comfort in a bowl. This creamy, simple dish is made with just 4 ingredients, reminiscent of the hearty meals grandma used to prepare. With its silky texture and naturally thickened broth, this soup not only warms the body but also the heart, making it the ultimate comfort food. Let’s dive into the nostalgia of making this traditional potato soup together!
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Potato Soup
This classic potato soup recipe is loved for many reasons. First, it’s simple and requires minimal ingredients, making it a perfect dish for any weeknight. Second, it’s a hearty potato soup that fills you up without the fuss. Third, it’s versatile; you can make it creamy or rustic, depending on your preference. Fourth, it’s a comforting potato soup that brings warmth to cold days. Fifth, it’s easy to customize with toppings like bacon or cheese, allowing for quick variations. Finally, its nutritional benefits, such as being a good source of fiber and protein, make it a wholesome choice for the family. This homemade potato soup is sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
Ingredients for Old Fashioned Potato Soup
Gather these items:
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes (peeled, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to boil potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cups whole milk (or milk of choice, at room temperature)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
How to Make Old Fashioned Potato Soup Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Add chopped potatoes to a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water that water sits 1″ above the top of the potatoes. Add 1 to 2 pinches of salt and stir to incorporate, then place pot on stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Bring the water to a gentle boil. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes can easily be pierced with the tines of a fork but do not fall apart.
- Step 3: While the potatoes boil, heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. When the pot is warm, add butter and melt completely, moving the butter around occasionally with a large spoon to coat the bottom of the pot.
- Step 4: When the potatoes are ready, remove 1 cup of water from boiled potatoes and transfer the water to a small bowl. Pour remaining water and potatoes through a colander to drain, then set potatoes aside.
- Step 5: When the butter is melted, add chopped onion. Sauté the onion, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened. Be careful not to burn the butter.
- Step 6: Remove the pot with onions from heat. Add boiled potatoes, room-temperature milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to incorporate, then return the pot to heat.
- Step 7: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Be careful not to boil the milk; the mixture should only develop small bubbles around the edge of the pot.
- Step 8: Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the pot from heat. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash or purée approximately 50% of the potatoes, leaving the remaining potatoes chunky as desired.
- Step 9: If desired, stir in the reserved liquid from boiling potatoes as needed to thin soup and achieve preferred consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed, then portion into serving bowls and serve hot.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Old Fashioned Potato Soup
Keep these in mind:
- Use fresh potatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- For a richer taste, consider adding bacon to your soup for an old-fashioned potato soup with bacon.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more or less milk to your liking.
- This soup can easily be made gluten-free by ensuring that the broth is certified gluten-free.
- Cooking on the stovetop allows for better control over the soup’s texture.
Best Ways to Serve Old Fashioned Potato Soup
There are so many delightful ways to enjoy this old-fashioned potato chowder. Serve it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal, or top it with shredded cheese and chopped green onions for added flavor. A drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of sour cream can elevate this comforting potato soup even further, making it a true family favorite.
How to Store and Reheat Old Fashioned Potato Soup
For storing, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency. This makes for an excellent meal prep option, perfect for busy weeknights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Old Fashioned Potato Soup
What is old-fashioned potato soup?
Old-fashioned potato soup is a simple, creamy soup made with potatoes, milk, and a few other basic ingredients, often reflecting traditional recipes passed down through generations.
Can I make Old Fashioned Potato Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This easy potato soup for cold days can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for quick reheating.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Old Fashioned Potato Soup?
To avoid common pitfalls, be careful not to boil the milk, as it can curdle. Also, ensure the potatoes are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
Variations of Old Fashioned Potato Soup You Can Try
If you’re looking for some quick potato soup variations, consider adding ingredients like diced carrots or celery for added flavor and nutrition. You could also try a slow cooker old-fashioned potato soup for a hands-off approach or incorporate other vegetables for a rustic potato soup experience. For a twist, you can explore gluten-free potato soup options that are just as satisfying!
Old Fashioned Potato Soup: 4 Ingredients of Pure Comfort
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This recipe for old fashioned potato soup is pure comfort in a bowl – creamy, simple, and made with just 4 ingredients like grandma used to make.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes (peeled, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to boil potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cups whole milk (or milk of choice, at room temperature)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Add chopped potatoes to large pot. Fill pot with enough water that water sits 1″ above top of potatoes. Add 1 to 2 pinches salt and stir to incorporate, then place pot on stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Bring water to gentle boil. Boil 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes can easily be pierced with tines of fork but not fall apart.
- While potatoes boil, heat dutch oven over medium heat. When pot is warm, add butter and melt completely, moving butter around occasionally with large spoon to coat bottom of pot.
- When potatoes are ready, remove 1 cup of water from boiled potatoes and transfer water to small bowl. Pour remaining water and potatoes through colander to drain, then set potatoes aside.
- When butter is melted, add chopped onion. Sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened. Be careful not to burn butter.
- Remove pot with onions from heat. Add boiled potatoes, room-temperature milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to pot. Stir to incorporate, then return pot to heat.
- Bring mixture to gentle simmer. Be careful not to boil milk – mixture should only develop small bubbles around edge of pot.
- Let mixture simmer gently 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove pot from heat. Use potato masher or immersion blender to mash or purée approximately 50% of potatoes, leaving remaining potatoes chunky as desired.
- If desired, stir in reserved liquid from boiling potatoes as needed to thin soup and achieve preferred consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed, then portion into serving bowls and serve hot.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 346
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Old Fashioned Potato Soup