Simple Old-Fashioned Potato Soup (2024)

This Simple Old-Fashioned Potato Soup recipe is the kind of potato soup I grew up with, and it’s still my favorite potato soup today. It’s made with just 4 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and takes very little time to prepare. When I’m looking for quick comfort food for a chilly day, this is one of my go-to recipes. I like to serve it with freshly baked beer bread or cornbread. (And if you love simple, hearty soups, also check out my recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Soup).

Back when I was a kid my dad would often make this easy potato soup for lunch or dinner on a cold day. My mom was the main cook in our house, but my dad was a good cook, too. He mainly stuck to a few specialties like this potato soup recipe (which I am pretty sure was passed down from my grandma).

And back in those days, this was the typical potato soup. It was simple fare, and not the super-thick soup with lots of bacon, sour cream, and cheese like is common today. (Not that there is anything wrong with that kind of soup – I never did meet a potato soup I didn’t like!)

This being an old-fashioned soup, it’s a bit of a thinner potato soup. It’s thickened only by the milk and starch of the potatoes (making this a naturally gluten-free potato soup). But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s bland or boring – it’s actually loaded with flavor. If you’re like me and you love the flavors of butter, onions, and potatoes, you’ll likely love this simple potato soup. Of course, you can always add in some shredded cheese or crumbled bacon for even more flavor, but the basic recipe with a generous sprinkle of ground black pepper is the way I prefer to eat this potato soup.

Ingredients for Simple, Old-Fashioned Potato Soup

Potatoes – You’ll need to use potatoes that have a good amount of starch for this recipe in order to properly thicken the soup. Regular russet potatoes or other baking types of potatoes work best. You can also use gold potatoes, but avoid red potatoes because they don’t have enough starch.

Onions – I like to use yellow or sweet yellow onions (like Vidalia) for the best flavor.

Butter – Just good old butter is my preference. If you want to make a vegan or plant-based potato soup, substitute vegetable oil for butter or use your favorite plant butter.

Milk – While whole milk is my milk of choice for this recipe, you could add some cream or half-and-half if you want it extra creamy. You can also use low-fat milk, but it will result in a thinner and less creamy soup. Also, the risk of curdling is higher with lower-fat milk, so you will need to be mindful to simmer the soup gently on low heat to prevent this. If you want vegan or plant-based soup, use your favorite non-dairy milk.

Tips for making this Simple, Old-Fashioned Potato Soup Recipe

Here are my best tips for making simple potato soup:

For the best flavor, add a few pinches of salt to the water you boil the potatoes in. Also, add just enough water to cover the potatoes when boiling them. When draining the potatoes, reserve the cooking water. You can use it later to thin the soup if necessary.
While the potatoes are boiling, cook the onions in the butter until they are soft and golden around the edges. This will sweeten the onions and really bring out the onion flavor. Do this over medium heat and keep an eye on the temperature to avoid burning the butter.
When heating the milk, be sure to do it very gently, just until it bubbles around the edges. Don’t boil it or you risk curdling the milk.
Season with salt and pepper to your taste. If you don’t like a lot of salt, start with a bit less than the recipe calls for. I recommend using a generous amount of ground black pepper.

As always, if you try this recipe for simple potato soup, I hope you love it! Please let me know in the comments below.

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Description

This Simple, Old-Fashioned Potato Soup is made with only 4 main ingredients but is still delicious and perfectly comforting (and naturally gluten-free). Serve it up piping hot for lunch or supper on a chilly day.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

3 1/2 pounds potatoes, diced
Water with a few pinches of salt added (for boiling potatoes)
3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
6 cups whole milk (or milk of choice)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (use more or less to taste)
Ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Add potatoes to a pot and add enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Stir in a few pinches of salt and bring to a boil. Boil gently until potatoes are fork-tender, but not falling apart, about 10-15 minutes; drain and set them aside, reserving a cup or so of the cooking water.
While the potatoes are boiling, heat butter over medium heat in a Dutch oven or soup pot. Add onions to the butter and cook until soft and golden brown around the edges.
Add drained potatoes to the pot with cooked onions. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Gently bring to a simmer. Don’t allow the milk to boil – you want it to have small bubbles around the edge of the pot.
Simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, and use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash up about half of the potatoes while leaving the rest chunky. If the soup needs to be made thinner, add a little bit of the reserved cooking liquid until you get the desired consistency.
Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve while hot.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Keywords: soup, potato soup recipe, simple potato soup, gluten-free potato soup

easy soup recipegluten free soup

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction

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Attention-Getter: An attention-getter is a technique used to grab the audience's interest and make them curious about the topic. It can be a compelling story, a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a relevant quote.
Introduction of the Topic: After capturing the audience's attention, the speaker should introduce the topic of the speech. This helps the audience understand what the speech will be about and creates a sense of relevance.
Speaker Credibility: Establishing credibility is important to gain the audience's trust and confidence. The speaker can briefly mention their qualifications, expertise, or personal experience related to the topic.
Forecasting of Main Points: Providing a preview of the main points or the structure of the speech helps the audience follow along and understand the organization of the presentation. It gives them a roadmap of what to expect.

Additionally, a technique called "tie-back" or "circling back" can be used in the conclusion of a speech. This involves referring back to the attention-getter or a detail from the introduction, which helps to connect the beginning and end of the speech and create a sense of closure .

Organizing Speeches

Organizing a speech is essential for clarity of thought and effective communication. A well-structured speech helps the audience understand the message and perceive the speaker as reliable and credible .

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Tips for Introducing Yourself Professionally

Introducing yourself professionally is an important skill in various settings, such as job interviews, networking events, or business meetings. Here are some tips for making a good impression when introducing yourself:

Confidence and Manners: Maintain eye contact, stand up straight, and be relaxed yet attentive. Show respect and interest in the person you are meeting.
Compliments: A subtle compliment can help create a positive atmosphere. For example, you can express appreciation for the opportunity to meet or comment on something you admire about the person or their organization.
Three to Five Points: Prepare three to five points about yourself that cover different aspects, such as biographical information, personal interests, and professional achievements. This allows you to provide a well-rounded introduction that showcases your background and personality.
Align with Values: If the introduction is in a job search or workplace context, try to align your values with those expressed by the team or company. Highlight your ability to work collaboratively or your commitment to common goals.
Leave the Conversation Open: End the introduction by leaving the conversation open for further discussion or action. For example, in a job interview, ask the interviewer about the next steps or express your interest in learning more about the company .

Remember, practicing and customizing your introduction for different situations can help you feel more confident and prepared.

Conclusion

Introductions are crucial in public speaking, as they set the stage for the rest of the speech and engage the audience. By incorporating attention-getters, introducing the topic, establishing credibility, and previewing the main points, speakers can create impactful introductions. Organizing speeches effectively enhances clarity and audience understanding. When introducing yourself professionally, confidence, manners, and a well-prepared introduction can make a positive impression.