There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of creamy, hearty soup to make you feel right at home. This Pioneer Woman Potato Soup recipe captures that feeling perfectly. Inspired by Ree Drummond’s signature style, this soup is loaded with tender potatoes, savory bacon, and rich cheddar cheese. It’s the kind of simple, satisfying meal that brings everyone to the table. We’ve perfected this classic recipe to ensure it’s incredibly easy to make, delivering that authentic, rustic flavor you crave.
Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or a cozy meal for a chilly day, this soup is the answer. It’s a straightforward recipe that packs a huge flavor punch, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Pioneer Woman Potato Soup Recipe
This isn’t just another potato soup; it’s a bowl full of comfort. Here’s why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Incredibly Creamy: We use a combination of heavy cream and a flour-based roux to create a luxuriously smooth and thick texture that’s simply irresistible.
- Loaded with Flavor: Crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions come together to create a flavor profile reminiscent of a loaded baked potato.
- Simple & Approachable: Following The Pioneer Woman’s philosophy, this recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps. You don’t need to be a professional chef to make a spectacular soup. Check out our delicious One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Orzo for another easy meal.
- Perfectly Hearty: This soup is a complete meal on its own. It’s filling, satisfying, and warms you from the inside out.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Flavor
The magic of this soup lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to capture that classic Pioneer Woman taste.
The Perfect Potatoes
For a creamy potato soup, the type of potato you use matters. We recommend using Russet potatoes. Their high starch content helps them break down beautifully during cooking, which naturally thickens the soup and creates a fluffy, tender bite. Yukon Golds are a good alternative if you prefer a slightly waxier texture.
The Creamy Base
The base of this soup is what makes it so luxurious. We start by rendering bacon to get that smoky flavor, then create a simple roux with flour and butter. Chicken broth adds depth, while heavy cream stirred in at the end provides that signature richness. This combination creates a velvety texture that’s second to none.
The Must-Have Toppings
A loaded potato soup is all about the toppings! These are essential for achieving that authentic taste. We use crispy bacon bits (from the bacon we rendered), sharp cheddar cheese that melts into the soup, and freshly chopped green onions for a mild, crisp bite.
How to Make Pioneer Woman Potato Soup (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is designed to be simple and easy to follow. We’ll walk you through each step to ensure your soup comes out perfectly every time.
- Crisp the Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the butter to the pot with the bacon grease. Once melted, add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onions and stir continuously for 2 minutes. This cooks out the raw flour taste and will help thicken the soup.
- Build the Soup Base: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Potatoes: Add the peeled and cubed potatoes to the pot. Let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to partially mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot. This helps create a thicker, more rustic texture. Stir in the heavy cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese is completely melted. Be careful not to let the soup boil after adding the cream.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top generously with the reserved crispy bacon, extra shredded cheddar, and chopped green onions.
For another comforting classic, you can’t go wrong with this Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese.
Tips for the Creamiest, Most Flavorful Soup
Want to take your Pioneer Woman Potato Soup from great to absolutely spectacular? Follow these simple tips for the best results.
- Don’t Over-Blend: If using an immersion blender, only pulse it a few times. You want to leave plenty of chunky potato pieces for a hearty texture. Over-blending can make the soup gummy.
- Use Room Temperature Cream: Adding cold cream to a hot soup can sometimes cause it to curdle. Let your heavy cream sit out for about 15-20 minutes before adding it to the pot for a smoother finish.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the creamiest, most delicious soup, buy a block of sharp cheddar and shred it yourself.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Be sure to taste the soup before serving. Depending on the saltiness of your bacon and chicken broth, you may need to adjust the salt and pepper levels.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, it’s also a great base for customization. Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy Kick: Add a diced jalapeño along with the onion, or stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
- Add Veggies: Sauté some diced carrots and celery with the onions for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Make it Cheesy: Stir in other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or even a bit of cream cheese for an ultra-rich flavor.
- Slow Cooker Version: Sauté the bacon, onion, and garlic on the stove first. Then, transfer everything except the cream, cheese, and toppings to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, then mash and stir in the dairy right before serving. This is perfect for a hands-off meal, much like our Crockpot White Chicken Chili.
What to Serve with Your Potato Soup
This hearty soup is a meal in itself, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crusty piece of sourdough bread or some homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks are perfect for dipping. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can also provide a fresh, light contrast to the rich soup.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Potato soup makes for fantastic leftovers! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid microwaving, as it can cause the creamy base to separate. Note that the soup will thicken as it cools; you can add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to reach your desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! To adapt this for a slow cooker, first cook the bacon in a skillet. Sauté the onions and garlic in the bacon grease, then transfer everything (except the cream, cheese, and garnishes) to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. About 20 minutes before serving, mash some of the potatoes and stir in the heavy cream and cheese until melted.
To thicken the soup, you can use a few methods. The recipe includes making a flour-based roux, which is the primary thickener. Additionally, you can mash some of the cooked potatoes directly in the pot with a potato masher or a few pulses of an immersion blender. The starch from the potatoes will naturally thicken the soup.
Gummy potato soup is usually caused by over-processing the potatoes. When mashing or blending the potatoes to thicken the soup, be careful not to overdo it. If using an immersion blender, just a few quick pulses are enough. Over-blending releases too much starch, which results in a gluey texture.
Russet potatoes are the best choice for a creamy potato soup. Their high starch content and fluffy texture cause them to break down during cooking, which helps to naturally thicken the soup and creates a wonderful texture. Yukon Golds are a good second choice.
The classic toppings are what make this soup truly special. We highly recommend crispy crumbled bacon, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped green onions or chives. You could also add a dollop of sour cream for extra tanginess.
The Best Pioneer Woman Potato Soup Recipe
Pioneer Woman Potato Soup (The Ultimate Comfort Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
- Add the butter to the pot. Once melted, add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the cubed potatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
- Reduce heat to low. Lightly mash some of the potatoes in the pot with a potato masher or an immersion blender for a thicker texture.
- Stir in the heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted. Do not let it boil.
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with reserved crispy bacon, extra cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions.
Notes
Shred your own cheese from a block; it melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
Allow heavy cream to come to room temperature before adding it to the hot soup to prevent curdling.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this delicious Pioneer Woman Potato Soup recipe! It’s the perfect way to bring a little bit of country comfort into your kitchen. If you make it, we would love to see it. Share a photo of your masterpiece and tag us on Pinterest. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow!
