Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup: The Ultimate Creamy Comfort Food Recipe

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, is renowned for her heartwarming, family-friendly recipes, and her potato soup is no exception. This Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup recipe takes the humble potato and transforms it into a bowl of creamy, dreamy comfort. Loaded with tender vegetables and customizable toppings, this soup is destined to become a cool-weather favorite in your home. If you’re searching for a potato soup recipe that’s both satisfying and flavorful, look no further than this Ree Drummond-inspired creation.

Creamy Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup recipe topped with bacon and cheese, showcasing Ree Drummond's comforting dish.

While there are countless potato soup recipes out there, this version, reminiscent of the Pioneer Woman’s style, stands out for its depth of flavor and rich texture. Unlike simpler recipes that rely on shortcuts, this soup builds layers of taste from the ground up, starting with crispy bacon and savory vegetables. The result is a soup that not only warms you up from the inside out but also delivers a taste experience that’s truly special – like eating a loaded baked potato in soup form!

What Makes This Pioneer Woman Potato Soup “Perfect”?

This isn’t just any potato soup; it’s the Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup for a reason. Inspired by Ree Drummond’s approach to home cooking, this recipe emphasizes fresh ingredients and classic techniques to create a soup that’s both comforting and deeply flavorful. The “perfect” in the name comes from several key elements:

• Flavor Base: Starting with bacon not only adds smoky richness but also provides flavorful rendered fat to sauté the vegetables, creating a deeper, more complex taste right from the start.
• Vegetable Medley: The combination of onions, carrots, and celery, along with potatoes, creates a balanced flavor profile, adding sweetness, earthiness, and aromatic notes to the soup.
• Creamy Texture: Blending a portion of the soup ensures a velvety smooth texture without relying solely on heavy cream, making it rich yet not overly heavy.
• Customizable Toppings: Just like a baked potato, the toppings are where you can truly make this soup your own. From crispy bacon and shredded cheese to fresh parsley and more, the possibilities are endless.

Ingredients for Your Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup

To make this comforting Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup, you’ll need these fresh, flavorful ingredients:

• Bacon: 6 slices of thin bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces. Bacon is crucial for building the initial flavor base of the soup.
• Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, diced. Onions provide a foundational savory flavor and aromatic depth.
• Carrots: 3 medium carrots, scrubbed clean and diced. Carrots add sweetness and a subtle earthy note.
• Celery: 3 stalks of celery, diced. Celery contributes a mild peppery flavor and aromatic complexity.
• Russet Potatoes: 6 small russet potatoes, peeled and diced. Russets are ideal for soup because they become fluffy when cooked and blend beautifully.
• Chicken Broth: 8 cups of low sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Broth forms the liquid base and adds savory depth. Opt for low sodium to control the salt level.
• All-Purpose Flour: 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Flour is used to create a roux with milk, thickening the soup to a perfect creamy consistency.
• Milk: 1 cup of milk. Milk adds creaminess and richness. For a lactose-free option, Fairlife or other lactose-free milk works well.
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup of heavy cream. Heavy cream enhances the richness and velvety texture of the soup.
• Seasoning: ½ teaspoon of salt (plus more to taste), black pepper to taste, and ½ teaspoon of Cajun spice mix. Cajun spice adds a subtle kick and depth of flavor, but can be adjusted to your preference.
• Fresh Parsley: 1 teaspoon of minced fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish. Parsley adds freshness and a pop of color.
• Cheese: 1 cup of grated cheese of your choice, for topping. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend are excellent choices.

Crispy bacon being rendered in a Dutch oven, the first step in making Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup for rich flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman Potato Soup

Follow these simple steps to create your own pot of Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup:

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the bacon pieces. Cook until the bacon is crisp and the fat is rendered. Remove the crispy bacon from the pot and set aside, reserving for topping later.

2. Sauté the Vegetables: Pour off most of the bacon grease from the pot, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons for flavor. Do not clean the pot. Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Stir and sauté for about 2 minutes until slightly softened.

Sautéing diced onions, carrots, and celery with bacon in a Dutch oven, building the flavor base for Ree Drummond's potato soup.

3. Add Potatoes and Seasoning: Add the diced potatoes to the pot with the vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, and Cajun spice mix. Stir to coat the vegetables and potatoes evenly.

4. Simmer the Soup: Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring it covers the vegetables and potatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Simmering diced potatoes in chicken broth with vegetables, cooking until tender for Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup.

5. Thicken the Soup: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and milk until smooth, ensuring no lumps remain. Pour this milk mixture into the soup pot. Stir well to combine and allow the soup to cook for another 5 minutes, or until it slightly thickens.

6. Blend for Creaminess: This step is key to achieving that perfect creamy texture. Carefully remove about half to two-thirds of the soup from the pot and transfer it to a blender or food processor. Use caution when blending hot soup. Blend in batches until completely smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to blend directly in the pot.

Partially blended Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup showing the creamy texture achieved by blending, while keeping some chunky for heartiness.

7. Combine and Finish: Pour the blended soup back into the pot with the remaining chunky soup. Stir to combine and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh parsley, reserving a bit of parsley for garnish.

8. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with crispy bacon pieces, grated cheese, and fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Potato Soup Every Time

• For Extra Creaminess: If you prefer an even smoother soup, blend all of it! For a heartier texture, blend only half, as suggested.
• Bacon Alternatives: If you want to skip bacon, you can sauté the vegetables in olive oil or butter instead. For a lower-fat option, use cooking spray.
• Spice Level: Adjust the Cajun spice to your liking. For less heat, reduce the amount or omit it entirely. For more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Cheese Choices: Experiment with different cheeses for topping. Sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or even crumbled blue cheese can add unique flavors.
• Make it Vegetarian: Easily convert this to a vegetarian soup by using vegetable broth and skipping the bacon. Consider adding a drizzle of smoked paprika oil for a smoky flavor.
• Freezing for Later: Yes, you can freeze potato soup! Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Potato Soup Experience

While this Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup is delicious on its own, here are some ideas to elevate your serving experience:

• Topping Bar: Set up a topping bar with crispy bacon, shredded cheeses, chopped green onions, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chives, and hot sauce. Let everyone customize their own bowl.
• Side Salad: Serve with a fresh side salad, such as a simple green salad with vinaigrette or a Caesar salad, to balance the richness of the soup.
• Crusty Bread: A warm slice of crusty bread, sourdough, or garlic bread is perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop of soup.
• Grilled Cheese: Pair with a classic grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate comforting and satisfying meal.

Variations: Customize Your Pioneer Woman Potato Soup

• Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Go all-in on the baked potato theme by adding toppings like steamed broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives.
• Cheesy Potato Soup: Increase the cheese factor by adding shredded cheddar cheese directly into the soup during the last few minutes of cooking until melted and creamy.
• Spicy Potato Soup: Add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the vegetables for a spicy kick.
• Healthier Version: Lighten it up by using low-fat milk instead of whole milk and reducing or omitting the heavy cream. Skip the bacon or use turkey bacon.

This Pioneer Woman Perfect Potato Soup recipe is a comforting classic that’s perfect for any time you crave a warm, satisfying meal. With its creamy texture, rich flavors, and customizable toppings, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of potato soup perfection!