Heartwarming German Potato Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Hearty German potato soup warms your soul on chilly evenings with its rich, comforting flavors.
Creamy potatoes blend perfectly with savory bacon and herbs from traditional deutsche kitchens.
Memories of alpine villages drift through each spoonful, connecting you to generations of culinary tradition.
Fragrant onions and smooth broth create a symphony of taste that beckons you closer.
Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet deeply satisfying meal.
Unexpected ingredients like caraway seeds add subtle complexity to the classic recipe.
Dive into this delightful soup and let its warmth embrace you completely.
Why German Potato Soup Is So Delicious
Ingredients for German Potato Soup
Main Protein:Vegetables:Seasonings and Herbs:Liquid:How to Prepare German Potato Soup
Step 1: Crisp Up The Bacon
Sizzle bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it turns golden and crispy. Transfer the crunchy bacon pieces to a separate plate, keeping the flavorful bacon fat in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables
Toss in the chopped:Cook these vegetables until they become soft and translucent, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Build The Soup Base
Add the following ingredients to the pot:Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Step 4: Gentle Simmer
Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer peacefully for 20-25 minutes. The vegetables should become tender and start to break down slightly.
Step 5: Create Creamy Texture
Use a potato masher or immersion blender to gently break down some of the potatoes. This creates a wonderfully thick and creamy consistency while keeping some vegetable chunks for texture.
Step 6: Season And Finish
Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Stir the crispy bacon pieces back into the soup, allowing them to release their smoky flavor.
Step 7: Serve And Enjoy
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately for a comforting and hearty meal that brings the warmth of German cuisine to your table.
Tips for Authentic German Potato Soup
Variations to Enjoy with German Potato Soup
Serving Suggestions for German Potato Soup
How to Store German Potato Soup
FAQs
The unique combination of bacon fat, marjoram, and traditional German vegetables like leeks gives this soup its distinctive flavor profile and authentic regional taste.
While comforting and hearty, the soup contains vegetables and lean protein from bacon, offering a balanced mix of nutrients and moderate calorie content.
Yes, simply omit the bacon and replace the bacon fat with olive oil or butter, and use vegetable broth instead of meat-based broth to maintain a similar flavor structure.
Starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold are ideal because they break down easily and help create a creamy, thick soup texture when mashed.
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Hearty German Potato Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty German potato soup showcases comforting flavors from Bavaria’s culinary traditions. Creamy potatoes, crisp bacon, and aromatic herbs blend into a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable or chicken broth
Vegetables:
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 leeks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon marjoram
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- Sauté onions, leeks, and celery in the bacon fat for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Add diced potatoes, carrots, and marjoram to the pot, stirring to coat with the existing fat and vegetable mixture.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, ensuring all vegetables are submerged, and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the soup to simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Gently break down some potato pieces using a potato masher or immersion blender to create a slightly thickened texture without completely puréeing the soup.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste and considering the saltiness of the bacon.
- Reintroduce the crispy bacon pieces into the soup, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the liquid.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for a more robust flavor and extra crunch in the soup, ensuring it’s crispy before removing from the pot.
- For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain a deep, smoky undertone without meat.
- Consider using a mix of waxy and starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold and Russet to create a perfect balance of texture and creaminess when mashing.
- Keep the bacon fat in the pot while sautéing vegetables to add an extra layer of rich, savory flavor that elevates the entire soup’s profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
John Conley
Founder & Culinary Storyteller
Expertise
Recipe Development, Culinary Writing, Home Cooking Techniques, Seasonal Ingredient Utilization
Education
Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on foundational cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and menu planning.
Gotham Writers Workshop, New York, NY
Course in Food Writing
Explored the art of crafting engaging culinary narratives and recipe development.
John grew up where food meant connection: big bowls, warm kitchens, and meals that told a story. After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Lane Community College and diving deep into food writing at Gotham Writers Workshop, he found his calling: turning everyday recipes into something worth savoring.
At The Liffey, John’s focus is all about crafting dishes that feel easy, honest, and full of heart.