Hash Brown Potato Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Hash Brown Potato Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Hash Brown Potato Soup is an absolute must make for winter! It’s the ultimate potato cheese soup recipe, made in minutes. It’s loaded with cheese and made with frozen hash browns for convenience. It’s the best comfort food soup for weeknights. Top with sautéed carrots and bacon for extra flavor!

Hash Brown Potato Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in this Potato Cheese Soup?

Making potato soup with hash browns is so easy, you’ll never go back to using fresh potatoes. This recipe can be made in less than an hour, with minimal prep work.

  • Hash Browns: Using frozen shredded hash brown potatoes for this soup is what makes it so quick, easy, and convenient. Be sure to thaw them before starting the soup.
  • Chicken Broth: This is the base of the soup. I recommend using unsalted stock or broth, as there’s enough salty ingredients in the recipe as is. You can also substitute a vegetable broth.
  • Cheese: Cheddar and gruyere tastes best, but you can use whatever you prefer. I recommend grating your own cheese, since it will melt best.
  • Bacon: Bacon adds so much flavor, especially while sauteing the onions. However, you can skip the bacon if you want a meat-free soup.
  • Vegetables: Carrots and onion add just the right amount of texture to this potato soup.
  • Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is the secret ingredient to super creamy soups. It creates a silky texture.
  • Seasonings: you’ll need salt and pepper to taste, red pepper flakes for just a hint of heat, and a Fines Herbes blend (chervil, parsley, tarragon, and chives).

If you want to add more veggies into the soup, broccoli or cauliflower would be great additions. Use frozen for convenience, and add them in when you add the chicken stock.

Potato Soup Toppings

Whether you want to serve this cheesy hash brown soup simply, or load it up with toppings (what’s better than loaded potato soup?), there are plenty of delicious ingredients to add.

Top each bowl of soup with more bacon crumbles, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, caramelized onions, or just some crumbled crackers.

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Hash Brown Potato Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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How can I make this soup smoother?

This potato soup is so creamy, but it does have texture form the hash browns and veggies. So if you want a really smooth texture, use a hand or immersion blender to puree the soup. Do this before adding in the milk and cream.

Can I use fresh potatoes instead?

This recipe is meant to be quick and easy, which is why I recommend hash browns. If you want to swap in fresh potatoes, it will add a lot of prep work, and you will need to increase the cooking time.

How can I thicken cheesy potato soup?

The soup comes out quite thick and creamy, but if it’s too thin or runny, mix in a small amount of cornstarch.

Should I thaw frozen hash browns before cooking?

Yes! It’s important that you fully thaw the potatoes before adding them into the soup. I recommend moving them to the fridge the night before you make this recipe. Otherwise you can set them out on the counter for about 1 hour. If they’re still slightly frozen, just increase the cooking time slightly.

How to Store & Reheat Potato Soup with Hash Browns

Store leftover hash brown potato soup in an airtight container, and keep it in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop for best results, gently heating and stirring until warmed through.

How to Freeze Hash Brown Soup

To freeze this soup, pour it into freeze-safe bags (if you’d like to freeze it flat) or containers. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge then reheat on the stove.

Because this soup contains potatoes, cheese, and heavy cream, the texture might change when it’s frozen and reheated, so keep that in mind.

What to Serve with Hash Brown Potato Soup

A bowl of this cheesy hash brown potato soup doesn’t need much, but it pairs well with homemade cornbread and our favorite Parker House rolls. Or make these roasted mushrooms to serve on the side, or on top. To add some greens, try this chopped salad.

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If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe

Hash Brown Potato Soup (Potato Cheese Soup)

4.60 from 133 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 30 minutes minutes

Total: 45 minutes minutes

Hash Brown Potato Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

This cheesy potato soup is made with hash browns for the easiest, coziest recipe.

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Ingredients

  • 6-8 slices bacon slices cut into 1/8 inch slices
  • 4 carrots peeled, shredded
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 30 ounce Frozen Shredded Hash Browns thawed
  • 6 cups Unsalted Chicken Broth
  • 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt start with 1 teaspoon and add more if needed after adding the cheese
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Fines Herbes a mixture of chervil, parsley, tarragon & chives or parsley
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 cups Grated Cheese a mixture of Cheddar and Gruyere tastes great.

Optional Garnishes

  • chopped chives
  • crispy bacon
  • sautéed shredded carrots

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Set bacon aside and add immediately before serving.

    6-8 slices bacon slices

  • Remove all but 2 tablespoons bacon grease from pan.

  • Return pan to heat and sauté shredded carrots and diced onions until onions are translucent and carrots soften and begin to caramelize. (If desired, set aside 3 tablespoons of the sautéed vegetables to use as garnish.)

    4 carrots, 1 yellow onion

  • Sprinkle flour over sautéed onions and carrots, mix well and cook 30 seconds.

    3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • Add chicken stock and seasonings.

    6 cups Unsalted Chicken Broth, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon Fines Herbes, 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt

See *NOTE if a smoother soup is desired. See **NOTE if you want to add broccoli or cauliflower.

  • Add hash browns and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until potatoes are tender.

    30 ounce Frozen Shredded Hash Browns

  • Add cream and milk and cook 5-10 minutes, stirring often. Watch closely so soup doesn’t scald.

    1 cup Heavy Cream, 1 cup Milk

  • Add cheese and stir until cheese melts.

    2 cups Grated Cheese

  • Taste the soup, and if needed, add more salt and other seasonings.

  • Serve immediately.

  • Garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, chives, sautéed carrot/onion mixture.

    chopped chives, crispy bacon, sautéed shredded carrots

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

*NOTE: Directions to follow if a smoother soup is desired: Before adding the cream and milk, use a hand blender (or stick blender) to puree the soup, then add the cream and milk. **NOTE: This soup is the perfect base for adding steamed, frozen or roasted cauliflower or broccoli. Just add the vegetables when adding the chicken stock.

Storage: Store soup in an airtight container, in the fridge up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 442kcal (22%) Carbohydrates: 31g (10%) Protein: 19g (38%) Fat: 27g (42%) Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) Cholesterol: 76mg (25%) Sodium: 905mg (39%) Potassium: 699mg (20%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 5815IU (116%) Vitamin C: 11.7mg (14%) Calcium: 362mg (36%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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More Potato Soups We Love

  • Cheesy Potato Soup
  • Instant Pot Potato Soup
  • Crockpot Potato Soup
  • Ham and Potato Soup
  • Loaded Baked Potato Soup

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Hash Brown Potato Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Does sour cream make potato soup thicker? ›

Another option for thickening soup is by using dairy like sour cream or yogurt. Start with a small dollop and stir before checking the consistency and adding more. We recommend using plain yogurt so you don't alter the taste of the soup. You can also use cream if you prefer.

Why does my potato soup have no flavor? ›

Perhaps the simplest approach is to flavor your soup with salt throughout the cooking process. Instead of waiting until the end of cooking to realize your soup lacks taste, you can add a bit of salt during each phase of cooking. Doing so will help bring out the flavors of each of the ingredients.

Will whipping cream thicken potato soup? ›

Adding dairy products such as heavy cream or milk to your potato soup can not only enhance the flavor but also contribute to a lusciously thick consistency. The natural creaminess of dairy products gives your soup a velvety texture that will make it irresistibly indulgent.

Why did my potato soup turn brown? ›

It looks as though some of your potatoes might have got a bit scorched. Did you fry them off before adding the liquid? The colour from the browned potatoes could be what is turning it brown.

What is the best thickening agent for potato soup? ›

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in potato soup? ›

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

How to add more flavor to potato soup? ›

Once the potatoes are nice and soft, stir in the cheddar cheese and Greek yogurt (or sour cream), salt, pepper and cooked bacon bits. Taste and season with extra salt and pepper, if needed.

Can you use instant mashed potatoes to thicken potato soup? ›

Yes. Incredibly effective? You bet. This trick works because the instant mashed potatoes are naturally starchy and therefore are similar in form to other commonly used thickeners, such as cornstarch, only without the clumps.

What happens when you add heavy whipping cream to soup? ›

Whether you use a few tablespoons or a few cups, cream gives soup a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. You can definitely add milk or other dairy as well, though it will taste gradually less creamy as you go down in percent.

When should you add heavy cream to soup? ›

If you started the soup with broth, stock or water, I would wait until the end to add the cream. You can warm the cream, or “temper” it, which is what I do. Take about half a cup of the hot broth and slowly add your cream to that, stirring constantly.

Is it safe to eat potato soup that was left out overnight? ›

Food should not be at room temperature for more than two hours. Shallow containers or small amounts of hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or rapidly chilled in an ice or cold water bath before refrigerating. Cover foods to retain moisture and prevent them from picking up odors from other foods.

How to tell if potato soup is bad? ›

Tell-tale signs that your potato soup has gone bad include a sour smell, a change in the colour or a film of mould on the surface. Also, if your soup has been in the fridge for more than a week, it's best to discard it to ensure food safety.

Why is my potato soup like glue? ›

"Because you can taste the glue-iness in the texture. See how it's a little sticky and gooey on your tongue? That's because when you blend potatoes, it causes swollen starch granules to burst, which makes the whole thing sticky, like melted cheese or dough."

What does adding sour cream to soup do? ›

Yogurt, Sour Cream, and Crème Fraîche – Dairy like yogurt, sour cream, and crème fraîche can add a creamy acidity to soups, but can curdle and be unpleasant if cooked over heat for too long, so swirl these in last.

Does sour cream help thicken? ›

For an add-in that both thickens and enhances flavor, turn to a versatile, dairy-forward ingredient: sour cream. Sour cream is a common add-in for thickening soups and sauces, but it can also be stirred into gravy for a touch of tang and a smooth, creamy finish.

Is sour cream a thickener? ›

Sour cream is commonly used as a condiment on foods, or combined with other ingredients to form a dipping sauce. It can be added to soups and sauces to help thicken and make them creamy, or in baking to help increase the moisture level over and above using milk.

Should you add sour cream to soup? ›

Adding a dollop of Daisy to your cream-of-whatever soup or beef stroganoff sauce is an easy way to give it a luscious body and creamy texture, but adding fridge-cold sour cream to a big, bubbling pot of hot soup or pan of sauce can cause the proteins to coagulate, curdling the cream and giving your dish an unappealing ...

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