How to Cook Potato Soup 6 Different Ways

Few things are more comforting than a bowl of potato soup. Now you can take comfort in how to cook potato soup in a variety of ways. With 5 different methods for how to cook potato soup, you can choose the option that is easiest for you and the time you have available to whip up a bowl of comfort tonight.

Tasty Tips for Serving Potato Soup

There are many styles for potato soup, and all of them will be even better with a little extra in the form of toppings. Cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, or chopped green onions are all popular additions. You can also choose to serve it in a bread bowl to get a bistro vibe out of your meal.

This potato soup recipe can be a superb starter to your meal, especially if you’re serving anything with beef. However, it can also be an excellent light lunch with half of a sandwich or a fresh green salad.

How to Cook Potato Soup on the Stove

Knowing how to cook potato stove on the soup is the most traditional method for preparation. You’ll use a large stockpot and set it to medium-high heat to melt butter or cook bacon (if your recipe calls for it). In the bacon fat or oil, you’ll sauté any aromatics such as onions or garlic first. Then, you’ll add flour or a thickening agent prior to adding your stock and potatoes. If it’s a creamy potato soup, you’ll also add your milk or cream in this step.

Allow it to simmer, then reduce your heat to medium low and cover it, stirring occasionally. Once the potatoes are cooked through, you can mash them or use an immersion blender to create a richer texture or leave the potatoes intact. If using cheese, add it just prior to serving.

How to Cook Potato Soup in a Crock Pot

While the stovetop is most traditional for how to cook potato soup, many people love the no-fuss method a crock pot provides. You’ll add your broth, potatoes, and aromatics (like onions or garlic) into the slow cooker. If using bacon, you’ll add fully cooked bacon in this step too.

Set your crock pot to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Just prior to serving, you will thicken the soup by melting some butter on the stove and whisking in flour, followed by milk. You can then add it to your crock pot, stirring to incorporate. Give it about 10 minutes to thicken up before adding any cheese your recipe may require, then serve.

How to Cook Potato Soup in an Instant Pot

If you have an Instant Pot, you can cook potato soup in there. You’ll melt your butter using the sauté function, then add your aromatics until they are soft and fragrant, stirring to keep them from sticking.

Your broth, potatoes, and seasonings go in next. Put the lid on and set the valve to “Sealing” to cook over manual high pressure. After 10 minutes, use quick release to let the pressure out. You can then make a thickening slurry using milk and flour or cornstarch, and when the steam has fully released, open the lid and stir it in. Set your Instant Pot to sauté to cook potato soup for 4 to 5 minutes. Once it has thickened, you can add your cheese, stir, and serve.

How to Cook Potato Soup in a Pressure Cooker

A pressure cooker can help you make potato soup too. You’ll want to add your potatoes, seasonings, and broth inside. Close the lid and turn the valve to sealing for manual high pressure. It will take roughly 20 minutes for it to pressurize, and once it is finished, you can do a gradual quick release before setting it to sauté. Thicken it with cornstarch or flour slurry, allowing it to gently boil. Once it has thickened, you can add cheese and any milk or cream, if desired, prior to serving.

How to Cook Potato Soup in the Oven

Yes, you can make potato soup in your oven, though it will take longer than these other methods. You’ll put all your prepped potato soup ingredients into a baking dish that is large enough, ideally one that has a lid. If you don’t have one with a lid, you can cover it with foil. Preheat your oven to 400°F, and once it’s properly heated, slide your soup-filled dish inside. Plan to bake it for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the soup is bubbling.