Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the creamiest, coziest potato soup. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Spicy Cajun Potato Soup and Easy Sticky Honey Garlic Pork.
Why This Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl Is Pure Comfort
- The ultimate comfort food on chilly nights.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Better than takeout and freezer-friendly.
What You'll Need for Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Russet potatoes
- Bacon
- Kale
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Pepper
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Crispy bacon bits
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes work best for their high starch content.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Immersion Blender — Ensures a smooth, creamy texture without transferring hot soup. → See on Amazon
- Heavy-bottomed Pot — Even heat distribution prevents burning and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
- Step 1: Cook bacon until crispy. Remove, leaving grease in pot.
- Step 2: Add onion, garlic, and thyme. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Add potatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaf. Blend soup until smooth. Stir in heavy cream.
- Step 5: Stir in kale until wilted. Serve with toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook potatoes to prevent them from falling apart.
- Pro tip: For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to blend just a portion of the soup.
- Pro tip: Add a splash of milk for a lighter, less rich soup.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare soup ahead and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, thin it out with a bit of milk or broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow Cooker — Conveniently cook the soup while you're away. It pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Russet potatoes
- Bacon
- Kale
- Onion
- Garlic
Seasonings
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Pepper
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Crispy bacon bits
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook bacon until crispy. Remove, leaving grease in pot.
- Step 2: Add onion, garlic, and thyme. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Add potatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaf. Blend soup until smooth. Stir in heavy cream.
- Step 5: Stir in kale until wilted. Serve with toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth.
- Best substitution: Substitute kale with spinach for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare soup ahead and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, thin it out with a bit of milk or broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Make ahead: Soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 470
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1300mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 14g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl FAQs
Yes, it reheats well. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Overcooking potatoes can cause them to fall apart. Use an immersion blender to smooth it out.
Yes, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for this recipe.
Use half-and-half or milk for a lighter soup, or coconut milk for a non-dairy option.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Kale – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
