13 Ingredients To Elevate The Flavor Of Potato Soup

Leeks

With a robust, rich flavor reminiscent of a milder onion, leeks make an excellent addition to a cozy potato soup. Recipes for leek and potato soup can be found in various cuisines worldwide. In France, for example, this dish is often considered the quintessential potato soup. While there are numerous variations, particularly regarding additional seasonings, a classic French leek and potato soup typically features thin, round slices of leek blended with pureed potatoes. You can use the entire leek in your soup, but it's most common and convenient to stick with just the white part. Incorporate a generous amount of butter (or heavy cream, if you prefer), then mix in garlic, parsley, salt, and, if desired, a splash of white wine, and there you have it! Most recipes suggest boiling the potatoes and leeks in chicken stock, but plain water is perfectly acceptable as well.

The only drawback to cooking with leeks is that they require thorough cleaning due to their many ridges and crevices that can trap dirt. The best method for cleaning leeks is to slice them into rounds and place the slices—naturally buoyant—into a bowl of water. Gently stir with your hands, and you'll notice the dirt sinking to the bottom of the bowl. You may also want to give them an extra rinse in a colander for good measure.

Bacon

If you're among the many bacon enthusiasts, you likely appreciate how bacon bits elevate baked potatoes — the same goes for potato soup. The savory, smoky flavor of bacon pairs beautifully with creamy potatoes. Just sprinkle some on top of your soup and enjoy!

Alternatively, you can use thick-cut bacon in your soup for a heartier option. To maximize the flavor of your bacon and potato soup, start by cutting thick bacon strips into small pieces and cooking them in your soup pot first. Once they're crispy, remove them and set them aside, leaving the pot unwashed. Then, add the potatoes, stock, water, and other ingredients. The bacon grease will enhance the soup's flavor. When the soup is ready, stir in the reserved bacon pieces. You can incorporate bacon into nearly any potato soup recipe, including those featuring cheese or leeks.

Nuts

While many of us might not immediately think of nuts as a complement to liquid dishes, they can significantly enhance the flavor of potato soup. Walnuts, known for their sweet, creamy flavor and medium-firm texture, are an excellent option. However, if you're drawn to a different nutty taste, feel free to experiment!

There are various methods to incorporate nuts into potato soup. One simple approach is to sprinkle them on top and then mix them in. Many chefs prefer to prepare the nuts beforehand, often by roasting or simmering them. Whether prepared or not, they provide a similar effect to croutons—crunchy bursts of flavor. If you desire a smoother texture, you can crush the nuts and blend them into the soup. This will create a more subtle flavor compared to biting into whole nuts, but it will still contribute a delightful note to the overall taste of the soup.

You might be curious if using nut milk in your potato soup would be the best way to achieve both nut flavor and a creamier texture. Nut milks are frequently used as dairy alternatives in potato soup recipes, but their flavor tends to be milder than that of whole or crushed nuts. In fact, depending on the other seasonings you include, the nut flavor may be nearly imperceptible. For a potato soup that truly bursts with nutty flavor, it's best to choose whole or crushed nuts.

Chives

Chives are a popular and traditional topping for baked potatoes, and they also make a delicious addition to potato soup. One of the finest potato soup recipes featuring chives is Vichyssoise. This dish was developed by chef Louis Diat in 1917. Diat, a Frenchman from a village near Vichy, named the soup after his hometown. Interestingly, he created this recipe while working at the Ritz-Carlton in New York. The inspiration for Vichyssoise came from a practice of Diat's mother, who would add cold milk to a simple potato and leek soup on warm days.

Diat's recipe begins with sautéing diced potatoes and leeks in butter. Next, vegetable or chicken broth (or even just water) is added before the mixture is brought to a boil. Once the ingredients are tender enough to puree, cream is incorporated. After the soup cools, a sprinkle of chives is added as a garnish.

There are several variations of Diat's Vichyssoise. A popular twist is to substitute sour cream for the regular cream. The combination with chives is delightful, although some cooks find that the flavor of sour cream can be quite strong. For a more comforting soup experience, it’s advisable to stick with traditional cream. One aspect of Vichyssoise that should remain unchanged is that it is served cold. This, along with the refreshing taste of chives—another consistent element of the recipe—creates a potato soup perfect for warm days, just as Diat and his mother intended.

Coconut milk

In a classic potato soup, the creamy foundation typically comes from dairy milk or a dairy alternative. Altering this ingredient can significantly change the flavor profile of your soup. For example, substituting coconut milk for dairy (or dairy-like) milk can impart a fresh and unique taste to your potato soup.

There are numerous intriguing and tasty recipes for coconut and potato soup available. You might consider crafting a Thai-inspired version by incorporating coconut milk and curry, along with spices such as turmeric and red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you could explore making supu viazi, a coconut and potato soup from Tanzania. According to an article on the Tanzanian culture website, the United Republic of Tanzania, the eastern coast of Tanzania is home to a large number of coconut trees, making coconuts a widely used local ingredient. While traditional supu viazi is made with unripe bananas instead of potatoes, many modern recipes now feature potatoes. The recipe on the site even suggests including an unripe banana for a more authentic flavor. In addition to potatoes, coconut milk, and possibly an unripe banana, the typical ingredients for supu viazi include onions, celery, bell or spicy peppers, garlic, and tomatoes. Many recipes, including this one, also recommend garnishing with avocado slices.

Your favorite cheese -- or an unusual one

Cheese and potatoes create a delightful, creamy pairing. It's no surprise that cheese is a staple ingredient in potato soup. While many Americans opt for classic Velveeta or cheddar, the possibilities are endless; you can experiment with virtually any cheese you prefer. For example, one Quora user recommends options like Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan. If you're in the mood for an extra creamy soup with a zesty kick, cream cheese could be a great choice. Alternatively, why not use your potato soup as an opportunity to explore a new cheese flavor? If you're a true cheese enthusiast, consider combining two different cheeses for added depth.

Before you begin, make sure you know how to properly incorporate your chosen cheese (or cheeses) into the soup. Shredding hard cheeses is typically the best method for ensuring they melt and blend smoothly. For soft cheeses, some chefs suggest using a blender to evenly distribute their flavor throughout the soup. The deliciousness of your cheese and potato soup doesn't have to end there. Along with your favorite seasonings, think about adding a meat component — after all, who can resist the combination of cheddar and bacon?

Fish

If you’re in the know, you understand that the earthy, starchy flavor of potatoes pairs beautifully with the rich taste of a creamy element, making them an ideal match for fish. Consider drawing inspiration from a dish like cod brandade by incorporating that fish into a simple creamy potato soup infused with garlic and parsley.

For a more intricate fish and potato soup, you can’t go wrong with one of our favorites: Lohikeitto. This traditional Finnish soup features salmon, potatoes, vegetables, and cream all coming together. It’s a clever way for Finnish families to utilize leftovers, such as salmon scraps (including the skin), leek tops, and carrot peels, which are used to create a flavorful broth for cooking the main ingredients. Cream is then added to enrich the dish. As with many soup recipes, the seasonings can be adjusted to suit your preferences, with common choices for lohikeitto being allspice and dill.

Vegetables

A great way to enhance the flavor of your potato soup—and make it a bit healthier—is by incorporating vegetables. Even simple options like carrots and onions provide a lovely contrast to the creamy potato base. To maximize their flavor, sauté them in butter in your pot before adding the other ingredients and preparing the soup.

One delightful way to experience this flavor combination is through German potato soup, which combines all these ingredients and more. Along with potatoes and vegetables such as celery and carrots, a traditional German potato soup recipe typically includes double cream and butter, along with your choice of seasonings (variations can range from garlic to nutmeg). You can also include bacon and sausage slices, or opt for a meat-free version.

Mushrooms

As any soup enthusiast will tell you, cream pairs beautifully with mushrooms, just as it does with potatoes. So why not incorporate mushrooms into your favorite potato soup? To elevate the flavor of the mushrooms, consider seasoning your soup with salt, garlic, and parsley, in addition to a creamy base. Onions can also be a great addition.

When it comes to selecting mushrooms, you have plenty of options based on your taste preferences. Cremini mushrooms are a budget-friendly choice that offers a good amount of flavor. They will blend seamlessly into your soup while contributing their own unique taste. If you prefer mushrooms to take center stage in terms of flavor, you might want to invest in varieties like chanterelles or morels. Regardless of the type you choose, be sure to clean, handle, and store your mushrooms properly to ensure they are at their best when it's time to add them to your soup.

Dill

Describing the flavor of dill can be surprisingly challenging. Some, such as the seasoning brand Schwartz, refer to this aromatic herb as having a "fresh, citrusy flavor with a hint of grassiness." Others liken its taste to that of anise or licorice. One thing is clear: regardless of how you characterize its flavor, dill is distinctive and imparts a unique freshness to nearly any dish it accompanies, including the earthy, mild flavor of potatoes.

In fact, a dill and potato soup is a cherished national dish in Poland. Zupa koperkowa is a popular Polish potato soup enriched with cream, vegetables, and a generous amount of dill leaves sprinkled throughout each bowl. You can also savor dill and potato soup in a dairy-free version, allowing these two ingredients to take center stage. There are numerous delicious recipes for dairy-free dill and potato soup available online.

Chicken

Chicken soup reigns supreme among comforting soups, and chicken itself serves as an excellent base for various flavors. With that in mind, incorporating chicken into your potato soup is always a great idea. Many recipes for chicken and potato soup begin with poaching chicken breasts (cooking them in water). Afterward, you can chop them up and mix them into your preferred potato soup recipe. You can stick to the classic route with a simple potato soup and some vegetables, or you might consider enhancing the dish by adding another flavorful ingredient. For example, many chicken and potato soup recipes also feature bacon.

A simpler and often more delicious alternative is to incorporate pieces of homemade or store-bought rotisserie chicken into your finished potato soup. Gently stir them in and allow their seasonings to blend into the soup while keeping the heat low. This technique can also be applied to pre-seasoned chicken, such as barbecue or tandoori chicken.

Curry

Curry is a flavorful sauce or stew crafted from a blend of spices, commonly used to enhance dishes in cuisines such as Indian and Thai. You can draw inspiration from traditional curry recipes to transform your basic potato soup into a dish with a unique, warm, and intricate flavor profile. If the idea of making curry from scratch feels overwhelming, you can easily elevate your potato soup by mixing in some curry powder, which is a convenient pre-made spice blend. Most chefs agree that curry powder shines brightest when paired with other spices and seasonings, so consider incorporating extras like turmeric, salt, and cumin. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding red chili powder can give your soup a spicy kick. If you want to infuse your potato soup with Thai curry flavors, think about including coconut milk as well.

One of the best options for a potato curry soup is aloo curry, a classic Indian dish featuring potatoes seasoned with curry and various spices. While curry isn't technically classified as a soup, many Indian chefs and food enthusiasts consider aloo curry to fall within the soup category or have adapted recipes to make it more soup-like. Regardless of technical classifications, aloo curry is a fantastic and simple way to introduce a delightful new flavor to your standard potato soup. Whether you opt to create a dish like aloo curry or simply enhance a creamy potato soup base with curry powder, you're sure to elevate the flavor of your usual potato soup.

More potatoes

If you're pressed for time or just not in the mood to chop potatoes for your potato soup, many chefs recommend using frozen hash browns as a convenient alternative. This isn't merely a handy tip; it can also spark new ideas. Why not incorporate another type of prepared potato into your soup for added flavor and a unique texture? For example, you could fry and chop some potato skins to mix in. For a delightful crunch and a bit of spice, try adding batata harra—spicy Middle Eastern fried or roasted potatoes—to your soup.

You might also explore the realm of sweet potatoes. Combine them with your regular potatoes and any other ingredients or seasonings that inspire you. The combination of starchy and sweet flavors will elevate your potato soup to new heights. You can even introduce another variety of potato to maximize the potato goodness. If this feels overwhelming, don’t fret—fellow potato enthusiasts have shared countless recipes for three-potato soup online. Choose your favorite and start crafting what could be the ultimate tribute to potatoes in soup form.