This Instant Pot Potato Soup recipe is easy and comforting! Tender chunks of potatoes in a creamy broth flavored with smoky bacon and sweet onion.
We love serving this homemade creamy potato soup next to some garlic bread or dinner rolls and a delicious caesar salad for the perfect meal!
What Potatoes to Use
Russets a great choice for soups as they are nice and starchy to create just the right consistency.
Yukon gold or even red potatoes will work in this recipe too.
Need an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is an easy to use all-in-one pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and more. It makes recipes a snap allowing the user to brown meats, fry bacon and pressure/slow cook all in one!
It’s safe and easy to use. There are many size options however I find that a 6QT size is the perfect size for about 6 servings in most recipes. You can get an Instant Pot almost anywhere or browse here on Amazon for the perfect size (and check out reviews to see what’s right for you).
More info on Instant Pots here. View my Instant Pot Recipes here
How to Make Instant Pot Potato Soup
The flavors of this soup aren’t so different from baked potato soup, but the cooking method is.
- Crisp the bacon (right in the Instant Pot) and then cook the onion in a bit of the fat.
- Add broth and scrape any bits from the bottom of the IP (so you don’t get a burn notice).
- Add potatoes and let the IP work it’s magic.
- Once the soup is cooked, smash a few of the potatoes, add a bit of cream/milk and thicken with cornstarch.
Voila! Dinner’s ready! Top it with bacon, cheese, onions… whatever you like!
What to Serve With Potato Soup
Potato soup is a full comforting meal on its own!
This soup is so incredibly rich, flavorful and filling, you definitely need something light and crisp, like a tossed salad with aa tangy Italian vinaigrette.
Leftovers
Keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top. Sadly, this soup doesn’t freeze well.
More Instant Pot Faves
- Instant Pot Ham & Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Broth (or Turkey)
- Instant Pot Ribs
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Potato Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon diced
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves removed from stem
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and ½" diced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 ½ cups half and half divided
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese shredded
- 3 green onions green tops thinly sliced
Instructions
- Turn a 6QT Instant Pot onto the saute setting. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon leaving the drippings in the pot.
- Add onion, garlic, thyme, and black pepper. Stir and saute for 5 minutes to soften the onions.
- Add chicken stock and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot (this will avoid a burn notice). Add the potatoes to the pot.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to high pressure for 8 minutes. When the timer goes off turn the steam valve to quick release. Remove the lid and stir the soup.
- Pour in 1 cup of the half and half and stir to combine.
- In a small bowl whisk together cold milk and cornstarch. Pour into the soup pot and stir to combine.
- Set the Instant Pot to the saute setting and cook the soup until it starts to thicken.
- If the soup is thicker than you like add the reserved ½ cup half and half. Some of the potatoes can be slightly mashed for a thicker consistency.
- Stir in the shredded cheese and serve topped with crispy bacon and sliced green onions.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
More Delicious Potato Based Soups
- Baked Potato Soup – stove top favorite
- Creamy Potato Soup – seriously creamy
- Creamy Asparagus Soup – our favorite!
- Potato Leek Soup – great for an appetizer course
- Easy Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup – so easy
Love this recipe. I had Costco bacon bits and no bacon. I had no half & half so used what another reviewer did, 1 C milk & 4 oz cream cheese.
I added the bacon bits & the cheddar cheese at the end while the soup was thickening.
A great recipe!
My go to at least once a month!!! Easy, yummy, and always a hit. I even make extras to share with coworkers.
Yay! So happy you enjoy this soup as much as we do, Michelle! ❤️
Everyone in the family loves this! It is on my list of go to meals that we have quite often!
I am so happy to hear this recipe is a hit with the whole family Michelle!
This was DELICIOUS!! My extremely picky 8 year old ate two bowls and requested I pack it in her lunch box for tomorrow! I used dried thyme because I had it on hand and added a little Cajun seasoning, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. I will definitely be making it again!
We love to hear that, Amber. So happy she enjoyed it as much as we do!!
Easy and delish. Only sub I made was dried thyme instead of fresh. Turned out fab!
Should I add more time if I double the recipe? I have an 8qt. Hopefully it can handle it.
Cook time should remain the same for this recipe. You’ll want to ensure it stays below the “MAX” line on the IP. Enjoy!
Delicious made as directed I didn’t have half and half so I used 1C milk and about 4 oz. cream cheese. Added 1 carrot grated and 1 rib of celery 1/4 inch dice and diced the potatoes 1/4 inch.
Thank you for another delicious recipe.
Yum, those sound like delicious substitutions Edward!
I love new recipes
Quick question (from a newbie cook): about how long does step 7 take (in minutes, say)?
The soup will come to a boil on sautee, once it does it should only take a minute or two to thicken.