Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Potato Soup delivers comfort straight from heartland kitchens. Creamy potatoes mingle with crisp bacon and sharp cheddar, creating a soul-warming meal perfect for gathering family around warm bowls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 large leek, cleaned and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) sour cream, plus more for garnish
Garnishes:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped chives
- Reserved bacon
Instructions
- Transform crispy bacon into delectable garnish by sizzling strips in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy, approximately 6-8 minutes (about 15 centimeters or 6 inches). Drain rendered strips on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of crumbled pieces for final presentation.
- Layer foundational components into a 6 to 8-quart (5.7 to 7.6 liters) slow cooker: incorporate crumbled bacon, cubed russet potatoes, sliced celery stalks, chopped leek rings, minced garlic cloves, chicken stock, kosher salt, fresh thyme sprigs, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Activate slow cooker, programming on high temperature for 4 hours or low temperature for 6-8 hours. Validate potato tenderness by effortlessly piercing with a fork. Carefully extract and discard wilted thyme sprigs.
- Utilize immersion blender to transform soup’s texture, creating a luxurious consistency while maintaining rustic potato fragments. Aim for creamy yet substantive mouthfeel.
- Incorporate smooth sour cream, gently folding into heated mixture. Adjust liquid ratio by introducing 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60 to 120 milliliters) water if soup appears overly dense.
- Elegantly portion soup into serving vessels. Embellish each portion with sharp cheddar cheese shreds, delicate chive segments, additional sour cream dollop, and reserved bacon crumbles for sophisticated presentation.
Notes
- Cooking on low or high settings offers flexibility for busy home cooks with varying schedules.
- Fresh ingredients and simple techniques make this potato soup a reliable go-to recipe for any skill level.
- This one-pot wonder works perfectly for meal prep, feeding a crowd, or enjoying cozy comfort on chilly days.
- Garnishing with fresh chives, crispy bacon bits, and shredded cheese delivers restaurant-quality presentation at home.
- Sour cream adds tangy richness and helps create a silky smooth consistency.
- Using an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker simplifies the recipe and reduces cleanup time.
- Thyme sprigs infuse subtle earthy aromatics that complement the potatoes’ natural buttery essence.
- Blending partially creates a luxurious creamy base while keeping some potato chunks for hearty rustic appeal.
- Bacon provides incredible smoky depth and crispy texture throughout the dish, elevating the entire soup experience.
- Slow cooking transforms humble ingredients into a comforting potato soup bursting with rich, deep flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 405 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg