It takes just a few simple ingredients to make this creamy delicious Irish potato soup and you will want to make it again and again. I have instructions to make this on the stovetop, slow cooker and instant pot. This recipe has been adapted from a book (shaped like a potato) given to me by my Irish mother in law who brought it from Ireland a number of years ago.
The first time I tried this soup it was made by my mother in law. One Sunday afternoon she showed up at our door with a pot of Irish potato soup." YUM, and thank you" I said. Every now and then it is so nice not to have to cook dinner.
Although it is simple fare, this Irish potato soup recipe is amazing. It's comfort food, like a food hug! Potatoes as everyone knows are a staple of the Irish diet, and there are countless dishes made with this versatile tuber.
The Great Potato Famine of 1845-1849 forced so many Irish families to emigrate to the United States. This tragic event was the worst famine of the 19th century in Europe. The crop failures were caused by a blight that rotted the leaves and the tubers. It did not help that the Irish had come to rely on the potato as one of their few food sources.
Tips on making Irish potato soup:
If you don't own a Dutch oven, you can make this hearty soup recipe in a crock pot. It can be reheated the next day, so it is perfect for lunch at the office. Now, you might be wondering if you can freeze potato soup. Well, technically you can, but I prefer not to since it changes the texture.
- Use an immersion blender when the soup is finished to get it silky smooth.
- Another way is by dropping the cooked pieces of potato into a blender or food processor with some of the vegetable broth to get a smooth texture.
- If you have a potato ricer you can scoop out all the chucks of potatoes and put them in a bowl. Once they are separated you can squeeze them back into the soup pot through the potato ricer.
- All these techniques work well, but be sure to add it all back to the soup pot and let simmer and season it to your liking.
- Some nice additions would be about ½ cup heavy cream or shredded cheddar cheese. Stir this in after it has simmered.
- If you want to prepare the ingredient ahead of time or even the day before you can peel and cube the potatoes. Store them the refrigerator in water so they don't turn brown. Chop the onion and store in an airtight container refrigerated as well as precooking the chopped bacon.
Step to Make Irish Potato Soup
- Step 1: Gather all your ingredients and have them chopped, diced, measured and ready to go.
- Step 2: In a Dutch oven on medium heat melt the butter and add the onions. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes then cover and cook for about 10 minutes. Stir the potatoes and onions a few times to prevent browning on the bottom.
- Step 3: Add the vegetable stock to the pot.
- Step 4: Add the salt and pepper then simmer uncovered on medium heat for 30 minutes. Check a potato chunks after 30 minutes with a fork. If it is soft, then they are done.
- Step 5: Using and immersion blender
break down all the solids until you have a smooth creamy consistency. Add more salt and pepper to taste. - Step 6: Serve with some chopped bacon and parsley on top.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Sure, it will take a bit longer but you can toss everything in and walk away for several hours if you like. It should take about 1 hour on high to get the potatoes soft then you can blend with an immersion blender until smooth. See the instructions in the recipe.
Yes, set the instant pot on sauté mode and melt the butter and add the onions. Stir them until translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot, cover and seal then set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Do a manual quick release and once the pressure is down remove the lid and use the immersion blender until smooth.
You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Is is best when fresh but yes you can freeze this soup. You must completely cool the soup before freezing. Store in airtight containers for up to four months. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags.
For creamed or puréed soups mealy potatoes work best like russets and Idaho. Avoid waxy potatoes as those are better in whole chunks for stews, casseroles and gratins as they hold their shape and do not purée very well.
Other Irish recipes to try:
- Guinness beef stew with tender pieces of potato and carrots.
- Dublin coddle which is a very unique stew made with Irish bangers (an Irish sausage flavored with peppercorns and thyme.
- Irish brown bread is a great soda bread recipe.
- Irish butter cookies are a melt in your mouth shortbread you will love.
- Irish coffee will warm you up on a cold night.
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Irish Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 potatoes peeled and diced (Russets work nicely.)
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 onions medium, chopped
- 7 ½ cups vegetable stock
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 3 slices bacon cooked, crumbled
- 2 Tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a soup pot or Dutch oven on medium heat. Add the onions and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the potatoes (diced into 1 inch cubes), stir into the onions. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Stir the potatoes an onions a few times to cook evenly and to prevent the ones on the bottom from browning.
- Add the stock, salt and pepper.
- Simmer for about 30 minutes uncovered on medium heat. Check a potato chunk after 30 minutes with a fork for softness, then it is done.
- Using an immersion blender, break down the solids as much as possible. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, sprinkled with bacon, and parsley. Cheddar cheese goes nicely also.
Video
Notes
Slow cooker: Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker and set it to high and cover. The potatoes should be soft in about 1 hour. Once the potatoes are soft use an immersion blender until smooth.
Instant Pot: Set the instant pot on sauté mode and melt the butter and add the onions. Stir them until translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot, cover and seal then set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Do a manual quick release and once the pressure is down remove the lid and use the immersion blender until smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
- How long can I save this soup? You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Can I freeze this soup? Is is best when fresh but yes you can freeze this soup. You must completely cool the soup before freezing. Store in airtight containers for up to four months. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags.
- What are the best potatoes to use? For creamed or puréed soups mealy potatoes work best like russets and Idaho. Avoid waxy potatoes as those are better in whole chunks for stews, casseroles and gratins as they hold their shape but do not purée very well.
- Use an immersion blender when the soup is finished to get it silky smooth.
- Another way to blend is by dropping the cooked pieces of potato into a blender or food processor with some of the vegetable broth to get a smooth texture.
- If you have a potato ricer you can scoop out all the chucks of potatoes and put them in a bowl. Once they are separated you can squeeze them back into the soup pot through the potato ricer.
- All these techniques work well, but be sure to add it all back to the soup pot and let simmer and season it to your liking.
- Some nice additions would be about ½ cup heavy cream or shredded cheddar cheese. Stir this in after it has simmered.
- If you want to prepare the ingredient ahead of time or even the day before you can peel and cube the potatoes. Store them the refrigerator in water so they don't turn brown. Chop the onion and store in an airtight container refrigerated as well as precooking the chopped bacon.
Moses
Waiting for the next confession. LOL. I think I like it when the soup is smooth. I love any potato combination.
Analida
Potatoes are great! Yes, I always like to include a confession in my blog posts if possible. I am thinking that right about now a bowl of Irish potato soup would be lovely. It is so cold outside.
Elaine Benoit
There is nothing wrong with featuring someone else's cooking and recipe. Especially when it looks like this! So delicious and creamy!
Des
Such a belly-warming delicious soup to enjoy on these cold days. It's perfect any time of year when you are craving a delicious soup.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
This soup sounds amazing!! I love a good potato soup on a cold winter day.
Aleta
Potato soup is among my favourite creamy soups. I just love the stuff! You are so lucky to have a mother in law that will just drop off a pot of soup... I can't wait to try this at home!
Veena Azmanov
Soup is my all time favorite for Dinner and this Potato Soup is so creamy. Potato is also my family favorite ingredients in any form and this soup looks delicious. Love the addition of Bacon to it.
Analida
You can never go wrong with some crispy bacon sprinkled on top!
Kiki Johnson
Potatoes and bacon - how can this soup not be awesome? It sure looks fab! With St Patrick's Day around the corner, this recipe comes at a perfect time! I'd blend it in my Vitamix - easy peasy!
Analida
This is a quick and easy soup. Most traditional Irish soups are a pureé and delicious!
Marisa Franca
What a sweet MIL you have. And you were able to get some good shots of the soup too. I've never made potato soup. My mamma did as well as my MIL. This recipe looks so good I'm making it for St. Patrick's day. I will be perfect with some good Irish Soda Bread.
Analida
I had the same recipe book that my mother in law had from Ireland and it was so cute and shaped like a potato!
Kathryn
It's been pretty winter-like here the last few days so this soup sounds like the perfect warmer. Would also be great for a St. Patrick's Day party!!
Tammy
Mmm I can always go for a bowl of warm soup! This looks so good! <3
Daniela
Yum I could go for this tonight! Thanks for sharing the recipe :).
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
What fantastic timing! My husband was just lamenting that we haven't had potato soup in a while and we certainly have to cold, stormy weather for it! I'll have to add this to our menu this week. 🙂
Natalie
This sounds so warm and comforting. I love how creamy this soup looks. I also love how simple is to make this beauty. I must give it a try. My family will love it too I'm sure.
Paula Montenegro
This soup is so perfect for winter months! We love it here and sometimes add chicken to it.
Veena Azmanov
Potatoes are always yum. I love recipes made with potatoes. Delicious and creamy. This soup is my next favorite.
Amanda
I'm loving this potato soup during these chilly days! It's as cozy as it gets, and it's super simple to make. I definitely plan on making it all winter long.
Pam Greer
This is our favorite potato soup! Perfect comfort food and we love how easy it is to make!
Kelly Anthony
This Irish potato soup is sure to warm anyone up on a cold day. There is nothing more comforting to me than being at home eating a silky bowl of potato soup.
Danielle
It is easy to loose yourself when you have such a delicious dish in front of you! Can't wait to make it now - I am sure I will start counting potatoes, too 🙂
Cindy
This looks delicious! We are always hunting for new recipes! Adding this to the menu plan this week! I cannot wait for my family to try it! YUM!
Candice
I could eat this easy-to-make potato soup all winter long! The best part? It doesn't break the bank. Can't wait to make it again.
Analida
Thanks Candace! I am so glad you liked the recipe.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
My husband has recently discovered potato soup and he just can't seem to get enough. Can't wait to make this version for him. I'm sure he'll love it!
Aline
I never had Irish potato soup, but this looks lovely and easy to make! I'll definitely be trying soon!!!
Gwynn Galvin
A delicious soup and an easy recipe to make. I love trying new soups to warm us up on chilly evenings! I love soup season!
DK Park
It is always the one that looks simple is always the one that looks elegant and taste delicious, i'm making this one now thank you for sharing this!
Analida
This is a very simple recipe with very nice flavors! It is like drinking a nice buttery baked potato!
jamie
This gives me the motivation to make soup to the next level. I'll make this ASAP love it!!!
Amy Liu Dong
Your Irish potato soup recipe is so delicious. I made this for dinner and it was a hit. Thank you!
Analida
Thanks Amy! We miss this soup during the summer months!
Savita
This potato soup is a game-changer! I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for a quick and easy way to satisfy my potato soup cravings, and I'm so glad I did
Analida
Thanks Savita! I am so glad you enjoyed the soup!