Traditional Irish Potato Soup is a lovely thing. It's a simple soup, yet it has the power to warm you up and comfort you. Great for lunch or supper.
This is a soup that takes the minimum amount of time and energy to make. There are many variations on the internet but trust me this one is well worth a try. It's smooth and silky texture along with its warming and comforting flavour makes this soup a real winter warmer.
This Irish Potato Soup is a simple soup with simple ingredients from a very simple time. That potato soup has stood the test of time is a testament to how good it is. Filling and warming this soup will keep you going until dinner. This recipe for Irish Potato soup stays very close to its roots. Just a few simple ingredients are all you need.
How to Make Irish Potato Soup:
- Start off by melting a generous amount of butter in a saucepan. Add the onion and cook until it is translucent.
- Then add the potatoes. You will need to use a floury potato for this soup, I use Maris Pier potatoes however any floury potato will work.
- Next add the stock, I use vegetable stock, however, if you are not vegetarian then a chicken stock will work well too. The other reason I prefer vegetable stock is that it doesn't take over from the flavour of the potatoes. Then I add some herbs, thyme I find is the perfect match for this soup as is bay. I add 4 or 5 sprigs to the soup and a dried bay leaf. Now let the soup simmer and as soon as the potatoes are cooked add the milk. Full fat milk will give you the best results, but if you are watching the calories then semi-skimmed will do too.
- Finally, fish out the thyme sprigs and the bay leaf then blitz for a smooth silky finish.
Can I Freeze Potato Soup?
Because of the milk in this soup freezing the finished product may result in the soup splitting when you reheat it. If you want to freeze this soup I would leave out the milk, blitz the soup, leave it to cool then freeze it. Add the milk to the soup when you have defrosted it and are ready to reheat it.
Can I Make This Soup Vegan?
Yes, you can. Make sure your vegetable stock is vegan then swap the butter for good vegan butter. Finally, swap the milk for a lightly flavoured plant milk, I think oat milk may be the best for this. Please note that I have not tested this soup to be vegan.
More of My Favourite Irish Recipes:
- Scones
- Meat Free Cottage Pie
- Irish Tea Brack
- Traditional Irish Soda Bread
- Irish Potato Cakes
- Irish Apple Tart
Irish Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 60 g salted Irish butter
- 1 large onion (190g) chopped finely
- 650 g floury potatoes, I used Maris Piper peeled then cut into quarters
- 900 ml good vegetable stock
- 100 ml full-fat milk
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 4 or 5 sprigs of fresh thyme
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Curly parsley for a garnish optional
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the onions and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Or until the onions are translucent.
- Add the potatoes, stock, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat slightly and bring to a fast simmer. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through.
- Fish out the bay leaf and any stalks from the thyme then add the milk. Check the seasoning now. Cook for a minute or two. Using a handheld blender, blend the soup until it is smooth.
- Serve immediately with the parsley garnish and some good soda bread.
Notes
- Nutritional Information is approximate and is calculated using an online nutrition tool. Information does not include bread.
- Potatoes, you will need a floury potato for this, I use Maris Piper.
- Cooking Time. The time it takes for your potatoes to cook will depend on the size, the bigger the potato the longer it will take to cook.
- Freezing. Because of the milk in this soup freezing the finished product may result in the soup splitting when you reheat it. If you want to freeze this soup I would leave out the milk, blitz the soup, leave it to cool then freeze it. Add the milk to the soup when you have defrosted it and are ready to reheat it.
- Make it Vegan. You can make this vegan, however, I have not tested it as a vegan soup.
- Gluten-Free. This soup is naturally gluten-free.
- Storing. This soup will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the hob until it is piping hot.
Nutrition
* This recipe has been updated on August 7th 2019 with new nutritional information a step by step guide and more recipe notes.
Chef and Steward
This is such a classic and makes me extremely hungry for some. Such a practical and budget friendly dish too!
Heather
This soup is gorgeous and I love how easy it is to make. Very versatile and great any time of the year. Perfect comfort food!
Ruchi
Fresh thyme tastes so delicate in this soup! The soup is so easy to make and just what we like on a cold day.
lauren
This soup looks so creamy and velvety in texture, would it be wrong to want to dip bread in it? The flavor of thyme in soup is one of my favorites, just enough without being in your face. I'm intrigued about the meat free cottage pie you're making for the celebrations!
Amanda Mason
I love that you shared a practical St. Patrick's Day recipe!! I enjoy real irish foods like this so much more than the sweet treats! This soup looks amazing! It does really look creamy!! I'll be making this one to help celebrate the luck of the Irish!
Colleen
I love potatoes in any form, but they are especially delicious as soup, and this one looks so deliciously velvety and simple to make, too. Happy St Patrick's Day!
Karyl Henry
Any recipe that starts with "generous amounts of butter" is a good one in my book! I love how simple this recipe is, and it looks wonderful. I'm definitely going to have to give it a try
Anna
Irish potato soup is one of my favourite soups ever, and your version just made me soooo hungry! Love the smooth and creamy texture, and your photos are just gorgeous! Definitely making this over this weekend!
Corina Blum
I love how creamy a traditional potato soup is and this one sounds really delicious. Definitely a comfort food meal!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
To be honest, I kind of love all of the green! Just like I love all of the red for Valentine's! I do also love soup, and this is the time of year to embrace all of the soup! Yum!
Veena Azmanov
Soup is my favorite Dinner option. Love the color and the flavor in making this amazing Irish Soup. Thanks for your lovely recipe.
Danielle Wolter
just perfect for st. patrick's day! i love how easy this is, and it sounds like the ultimate comfort food.