1-First Step: Cook 6 strips of uncooked bacon, cut into small pieces, in a large pot over medium heat until crisp and browned, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving the fat in the pot for extra flavor. For a lower-fat version, you could swap bacon with turkey bacon to reduce calories while still enjoying that smoky taste in your bacon potato soup.

2-Second Step: Add 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 medium chopped yellow onion to the pot with the bacon fat. Cook until the onions are tender, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. This step builds the base flavors if you’re going vegan, use oil instead of butter to keep things plant-based in this comforting bacon potato soup with bacon.

3-Third Step: Stir in 3 large minced garlic cloves and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown. This quick addition amps up the aroma without overpowering the dish. If you’re aiming for a gluten-free adaption, make sure your broth is certified gluten-free before moving on with your bacon potato soup.

4-Fourth Step: Sprinkle ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir until smooth, cooking for another minute to eliminate any raw flour taste. For gluten-free preferences, swap this with a gluten-free flour blend to maintain that creamy texture in your easy bacon potato soup.

5-Fifth Step: Add 2 ½ lbs of diced gold potatoes, 4 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of milk, ⅔ cup of heavy cream, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground pepper, and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ancho chili powder. Stir everything well and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. For low-calorie options, use low-fat milk here to lighten up your bacon potato soup for every season.

6-Sixth Step: Reduce the heat to a simmer. Remove about half of the soup to a blender and puree until smooth, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot for part or all puréeing only half keeps some chunks for texture. Stir the pureed soup back in, noting that for vegan swaps, a plant-based milk works great to keep it creamy in this bacon potato soup.

7-Final Step: Stir in ⅔ cup of sour cream and the reserved bacon pieces, then simmer the soup for 15 minutes before serving. Top with optional items like shredded cheddar cheese or chives if desired. This final touch makes your bacon potato soup even more customizable try a dairy-free sour cream for vegan diets. (Pro tip: If you’re looking for more sweet treats to balance savory meals, check out our strawberry milkshake recipe for a fun dessert option.)