Golden Potato Soup Recipe

Potato soup-comforting, rich, and the ultimate cold-weather companion. Now, imagine that classic bowl of creamy potato soup taken up a notch with the natural sweetness of golden potatoes. These potatoes have a buttery texture that blends perfectly into a silky smooth soup, creating a bowl of magic that’s as soul-satisfying as it is delicious. This Golden Potato Soup recipe is perfect for cozy evenings, family gatherings, or even a quick weeknight dinner. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll find yourself making this recipe again and again.

Let’s dive into how you can create this golden bowl of goodness that will warm both your body and your heart.

Golden Potato Soup Recipe

This golden potato soup is all about getting the most flavor out of its key ingredients while maintaining a creamy, hearty texture. With golden potatoes as the star, the soup is elevated by fresh herbs, savory seasonings, and just a hint of richness from butter and cream. The result? A rich, velvety soup that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients Needed

To get started, here’s everything you’ll need to create your golden potato soup:

• Golden Potatoes (Yukon Gold): About 4-5 medium-sized potatoes (around 1.5 to 2 lbs). These potatoes have a smooth, buttery texture and a naturally sweet flavor that makes them ideal for this soup.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons. You can use unsalted butter, but salted butter adds a nice touch of seasoning.
• Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped. This adds depth and sweetness to the soup base.
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic adds a fragrant, savory component that balances the richness.
• Carrot: 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced. A touch of sweetness and color goes a long way in this soup.
• Celery: 1 stalk, diced. This adds a subtle crunch and freshness that cuts through the creaminess.
• Vegetable or Chicken Broth: 4 cups. You can go for either, depending on your preference. A chicken broth will add a deeper, more savory flavor, while vegetable broth keeps it light and vegan-friendly.
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup. This gives the soup a rich and creamy texture that’s oh-so-satisfying.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. You’ll need these for seasoning, but I recommend tasting as you go along to get the perfect balance.
• Fresh Herbs (Optional): A small handful of fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley. These add freshness and enhance the flavors, but they’re optional.

Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get cooking!

1. Prepare The Ingredients

   • Peel and chop the golden potatoes into small cubes. This helps them cook faster and allows the flavors to meld together more quickly.
   • Dice your onion, carrot, and celery, and mince your garlic. This is the perfect time to get everything prepped since once you start cooking, things move quickly!

2. Sauté The Veggies

   • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, celery, and carrot.
   • Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions turn translucent. The garlic should be fragrant at this point.

3. Add The Potatoes And Broth

   • Add the cubed golden potatoes to the pot and pour in the vegetable or chicken broth.
   • Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

4. Blend The Soup

   • Once the potatoes are tender, you have a choice: You can blend the soup partially for a chunky texture, or you can blend it completely for a smoother, creamier consistency.
   • Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot, or transfer it in batches to a regular blender.
   • Blend to your desired texture.

5. Add The Cream

   • Once the soup is blended, return it to a gentle simmer and stir in the heavy cream. Let it cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined.

6. Season And Serve

   • Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. You can also throw in some fresh herbs at this stage if you want to add a bit more flavor.
   • Serve the soup hot, with a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs on top if you like, and maybe a slice of crusty bread on the side.

Ingredient Insights

• Golden Potatoes: These potatoes are key to the flavor of the soup. Their thin skins don’t require peeling, and their creamy texture adds depth without being too starchy. Their natural sweetness and smooth texture help create that perfect velvety finish in the soup.
• Heavy Cream: While some recipes use milk or a lighter cream, heavy cream gives this soup its signature richness. It thickens the soup and enhances its overall creaminess without watering it down. Plus, the fat in the cream helps balance the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
• Broth Choices: Whether you use vegetable or chicken broth, make sure it’s a high-quality option. The broth is the base of the soup, so it’s essential to use one that has a full flavor. Homemade broth is always the best, but store-bought works just fine in a pinch.

Expert Tips

• Don’t Overcook the Potatoes: While you want the potatoes to be tender, you don’t want them to fall apart completely before blending. Keep an eye on them, and check with a fork to ensure they’re soft but still holding their shape.
• Add Herbs at the End: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley are great additions, but they can become bitter if cooked for too long. Add them towards the end of cooking, or sprinkle them over the top as a garnish.
• Vegan Version: To make this soup vegan-friendly, simply swap out the butter for olive oil and use coconut cream or any plant-based cream instead of heavy cream. Use vegetable broth for the base.
• For Extra Creaminess: If you want to make your soup even creamier, try adding a potato or two that you mash instead of blending. It’ll give the soup an even thicker texture without losing the chunky feel.

Recipe Variations

1. Loaded Golden Potato Soup

   • Add crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and sour cream as toppings for a classic loaded potato soup. Chopped green onions add a fresh pop of color and flavor.

2. Spicy Golden Potato Soup

   • For a kick, throw in some crushed red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño. A dash of smoked paprika can also add a smoky undertone.

3. Herbed Golden Potato Soup

   • Enhance the herbal flavor with a medley of fresh herbs like dill, chives, and thyme. A dollop of Greek yogurt can complement the herbs with a tangy twist.

4. Golden Potato & Leek Soup

   • For a more refined flavor, sauté leeks along with the onions. The leeks provide a subtle, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the golden potatoes.

5. Cheesy Golden Potato Soup

   • Stir in sharp cheddar cheese or Gruyère cheese for a rich, cheesy version of the soup. This variation is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Final Words

Golden potato soup is a versatile, comforting dish that can be easily adapted to suit your taste. It’s simple yet incredibly satisfying and makes for a perfect meal any time of year. Whether you prefer it loaded with toppings or kept pure and simple, this recipe is a must-try.