Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

Posted on October 16, 2025

Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe is a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings or gatherings with family and friends. This creamy soup is packed with flavor, featuring aromatic garlic, fresh herbs, and rich cheddar cheese that make every spoonful delightful. Whether you’re serving it as a starter or a main course, this recipe is sure to impress with its appeal and heartiness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy Texture: The blend of milk, cream, and cheddar cheese creates a luxurious mouthfeel that you’ll crave.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this soup in no time.
Versatile Dish: Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep; it pairs well with crusty bread or a fresh salad.
Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of fresh herbs and garlic elevates the taste beyond typical potato soup.
Customizable Toppings: Personalize your bowl with toppings like crumbled turkey turkey turkey bacon or extra cheese for added indulgence.

Tools and Preparation

Before you begin making your Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe, gather the necessary kitchen tools to streamline your cooking process.

Essential Kitchen Tools

Large pot or Dutch oven
Measuring cups and spoons
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Whisk
Blender (optional)
Ladle

Why These Tools Matter

Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking the soup evenly and providing enough space for all ingredients.
Blender: Helps achieve that perfect creamy texture by blending part of the soup smoothly.

Ingredients

For the Soup Base

Potatoes: 2.5 lbs (about 1.1 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed into ½-inch pieces (about 6-7 medium potatoes)
Fat: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter OR 3 tablespoons olive oil + 1 tablespoon butter

Aromatics

Onion: 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1.5 cups)
Garlic: 5-6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)

Thickening Agent

Flour: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (helps thicken the soup)

Liquid Base

Broth: 4 cups (32 fl oz / 950 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Milk: 2 cups (16 fl oz / 475 ml) whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup (4 fl oz / 120 ml) heavy cream (optional, but recommended for ultimate creaminess)

Cheese and Herbs

Cheese: 2 cups (about 8 oz / 225g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Parsley: 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Chives: 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
Thyme: 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

Seasoning

Salt: 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground (or to taste)
Cayenne Pepper or Smoked Paprika: Pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (optional)

Optional Garnish

Turkey Turkey turkey bacon: Cooked crumbled turkey turkey turkey bacon
Extra shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
More fresh chives or parsley
Croutons

How to Make Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Peel your Yukon Gold potatoes and chop them into uniform ½-inch cubes. Rinse the cubed potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch – this helps prevent the soup from becoming gummy. Set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter (or olive oil/butter combination). Once the butter is melted and shimmering:
* Add the finely chopped yellow onion.
* Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3: Cook Garlic

Add the minced garlic to the pot:
* Cook for another 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly until fragrant.
* Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4: Create Roux

Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onions and garlic:
* Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 5: Add Broth

Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth:
* Do it slowly while scraping any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Step 6: Simmer Potatoes

Add the rinsed potato cubes to the pot:
* Stir well and bring back to a gentle simmer on medium-low heat.
* Cover pot and let cook for about 15-20 minutes until tender.

Step 7: Blend Soup

Carefully ladle about half of the soup into a standard blender:
* Secure lid tightly but vent by removing center cap.
* Blend until smooth; pour back into pot with remaining chunky soup.

Step 8: Add Dairy

Reduce heat to low:
* Slowly pour in whole milk and heavy cream while stirring constantly.

Step 9: Incorporate Herbs

Add fresh parsley, chives, thyme:
* Stir well to combine; let heat through gently for about five minutes.

Step 10: Melt Cheese

Remove pot from heat:
* Gradually add shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted before adding more.

Step 11: Season Soup

Taste your delicious soup:
* Season generously with salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper.

Step 12: Serve

Ladle hot creamy soup into bowls:
* Garnish generously with toppings like crumbled turkey turkey turkey bacon, extra cheese, sour cream, chives, or croutons. Enjoy immediately!

How to Serve Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

Serving your Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup can elevate the dining experience. Pair it with delightful garnishes and sides to create a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

Garnish Ideas

Crumbled Turkey Turkey turkey bacon: Adds a savory, crispy texture that complements the creamy soup.
Extra Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A sprinkle on top enhances the cheesy goodness and presentation.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop provides a tangy contrast to the rich flavors of the soup.
Fresh Chives or Parsley: Chopped herbs add a burst of color and freshness to each bowl.
Croutons: Crunchy croutons give an additional layer of texture and can be seasoned for extra flavor.

Bread Pairings

Crusty Bread Rolls: Perfect for dipping into the soup and soaking up every delicious drop.
Garlic Bread: A flavorful side that complements the garlic notes in the soup.

How to Perfect Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

To ensure your potato soup reaches its full potential, consider these helpful tips.

Bold Potatoes: Use Yukon Gold potatoes for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, which enhance the overall taste.
Bold Aromatics: Don’t skimp on onions and garlic; they provide a solid flavor foundation for your soup.
Bold Cheese Choice: Opt for freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese rather than pre-packaged varieties for optimal melting and flavor.
Bold Seasoning Adjustments: Taste as you go! Adjust salt, pepper, and spices according to your preference for a perfectly balanced dish.
Bold Blending Techniques: Blend only half of the soup to retain some hearty potato chunks while achieving creaminess.
Bold Temperature Control: Avoid boiling after adding dairy; this prevents curdling and maintains smoothness.

Best Side Dishes for Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

Pairing side dishes with your potato soup can turn it into a complete meal. Here are some great suggestions.

Garden Salad: A refreshing mix of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers dressed lightly complements the richness of the soup.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: The classic combo provides a crunchy, cheesy counterpart that pairs beautifully with warm soup.
Roasted Vegetables: Seasoned veggies add color, flavor, and nutrition alongside your hearty dish.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Double down on potatoes by serving them stuffed with toppings like cheese, sour cream, or chives.
Cornbread Muffins: Sweet cornbread offers a delightful contrast to the savory flavors of the soup.
Cheesy Flatbread: Warm flatbreads topped with cheese can be pulled apart for dipping into your delicious soup.
Spinach Artichoke Dip with Chips: Creamy dip served with tortilla chips adds another layer of indulgence to your meal.
Parmesan Crisps: These crunchy snacks provide a salty bite that goes well with each spoonful of creamy potato goodness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making the Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe, it’s easy to encounter some common pitfalls. Here are key mistakes to watch out for and tips on how to avoid them.

Using unpeeled potatoes: Leaving the skin on can make the soup gritty. Always peel your Yukon Gold potatoes for a smoother texture.
Overcooking garlic: Garlic can turn bitter if cooked too long. Add it right after the onions and cook just until fragrant.
Skipping the roux step: Not cooking the flour properly can result in a raw taste. Make sure to cook it for 1-2 minutes with the onion and garlic before adding liquid.
Adding dairy too soon: Pouring in milk or cream while the soup is boiling can cause curdling. Always reduce the heat to low before adding dairy ingredients.
Not seasoning enough: Since cheese adds saltiness, it’s easy to overlook seasoning. Taste your soup at different stages and adjust accordingly.

Refrigerator Storage

Store in an airtight container.
The soup will last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

Let the soup cool completely before freezing.
Use freezer-safe containers or bags.
It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe

Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and bake in an oven-safe dish covered with foil until heated through, about 20-25 minutes.
Microwave: Place in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Stovetop: Heat in a pot over low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe special?

This recipe combines creamy textures with rich flavors from fresh herbs and cheddar cheese, creating a comforting dish perfect for any occasion.

Can I customize the Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe?

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like carrots or celery or try different cheeses for varied flavors.

How do I store leftovers from the Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe?

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for longer storage.

Can I use low-fat milk instead of whole milk?

Yes, you can use low-fat milk, but keep in mind that it may affect the creaminess of your soup.

What herbs work best for this Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe?

Fresh parsley, chives, and thyme enhance this dish’s flavor nicely, but feel free to experiment with others!

Conclusion

The Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup Recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the seasonings. Give it a try; it’s perfect for cozy nights in or as a comforting meal anytime!