O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe has been a superb source of warmth and comfort for many. What makes this dish undeniably delicious is its thick and creamy texture combined with a medley of flavors that warms you inside, day or night, or serves as the ideal appetizer when a group of family and friends is going to dine together.
In this article, I will introduce you to a simple process for making O’Charley’s potato soup from your home kitchen. O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe is simple, as it does not require significant preparations and the end product is really rewarding or making this delicious dish from scratch and enjoying it in one of your self-made dinners either with friends and family or by yourself. Let us now review the ingredients and how you can make this satisfying bowl of goodness with the least fuss.
Ingredients for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
To make this delicious potato soup, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 4 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
14 Ingredients Pictures for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
4 slices of bacon, chopped
4 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of heavy cream
1/2 cup of sour cream
2 tablespoons of butter
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
2 green onions, chopped
Nutrition Information for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving of this potato soup (based on six servings):
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
Equipment Needed for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
Before you begin, make sure you have the following equipment ready:
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle
- Blender or immersion blender (optional)
7 Equipment Pictures Needed for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
Large soup pot or Dutch oven
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Ladle
Blender or immersion blender
Preparation and Cooking Process for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
Now that you have collected all the ingredients and equipment you need, let’s start with the cooking process!
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Peel the potatoes through the use of a vegetable peeler and evenly dice them into bite-sized cubes. This is very important since the smaller the potato pieces are, the more time it will take to cook.
Chop the onion finely as well as the garlic cloves and set them aside ready for use in the upcoming steps.
Slice the bacon strips into tiny pieces about ½ inch long square. Once again set these aside for the time being.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
Pour out some oil onto a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Make use of medium heat for this cooking method.
Add chopped bacon pieces unto the hot oil and start cooking until they are well cooked and crispy. This will take about 5-7 minutes’ time while stirring it now and then to prevent the bacon from sticking to the pot.
Once they’re cooked remove these precious pieces of goodness slowly using a slotted spoon ensuring that its drippings remain in the pan as much as possible. Position them on a paper towel to soak out some of the grease.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Returning back to that pot with all those irresistible bacon bits still swimming in its own grease, add the previously chopped onions and give it justice by cooking this over medium heat for roughly five minutes or until it is translucent.
Then add minced garlic into this “heaven” mix again stirring constantly so as not to allow any garlic clumps which could spoil everything. Keep cooking for another minute or less but only until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 4: Prepare the Roux
Now proceed and add butter into the existing sauce pot then give it enough time for complete melting.
Add flour over these softened onions and garlic while stirring them constantly yet carefully up so that there are no lumps even though you can’t see some clumps in your roux mixture at this point preferably continue to cook this paste on low heat intensity for about two minutes or until it gets lightly golden brown and transforms into nuttier aroma dimensions.
Step 5: Add the Liquid Ingredients
While ensuring continuous stirring of your roux, pour in chicken broth slowly alongside and pay attention to lumps that might form because of no stirring at all. Keep on stirring gently until you reach an almost smooth consistency with tiny bits.
Next ingredient, which is diced potato cubes from previous steps, go into the already fragrant mix inside the soup pot. Stir them around so that they mix well with rest ingredients.
Season this delicious mixture with salt pepper smoked paprika thyme however feel free to change according to what’s best suited for your tongue.
Step 6: Simmer the Soup
Over high heat, boil the soup but ensure that the subsequent level of heat is low. Low and slow is the name of the game.
Let it simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, during which time all the flavors meld harmoniously into one another. Also, the potatoes become soft and tender enough that you can easily pierce them with a fork.
Step 7: Blend the Soup (Optional)
If you love your soup being ultra-smooth, then get down dirty with an immersion blender and keep on blending the soup mass right there in the cooking pot till it gets to the texture that pleases your heart. On the flip side, if you like to crank it up a notch, carefully transfer a portion of hot soup into a high-power blender (you may need to let it cool slightly first), blend until smooth and then return this smoothness back into the pot. While at it, consider leaving some of those amazing chunks of potato for added texture as well.
Step 8: Add the Cream and Cheese
Pour in that luxurious heavy cream and add a dollop of sour cream. Use a spoon or spatula to incorporate and combine until you see changes in colors and consistency. The final blend is creamy and dreamy.
Next comes the cheese: by slowly adding small amounts of shredded cheddar cheese while continuously stirring, this incorporation into soup creates an ultimately smooth blend. The cheese melts away so readily that it changes not only the flavor but also the texture of the dish turning it into a heavenly treat.
Step 9: Final Seasoning and Serve
After cooking the soup for a while, you should taste it and add more salt, cracked pepper, or some smoked paprika as per need to suit your palate.
After that, serve the soup while it is hot, and on top add some chopped green onions and the bacon bits whose crispness was reserved. The combination of these ingredients will make the soup not only satisfying but also visually pleasing.
Tips for the Perfect O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
Choose the Right Potatoes: The secret to making a stellar potato soup lies in using the correct type of potatoes. Russets are perfect for this recipe due to their high starch content since this starchy goodness will help produce such a deliciously creamy consistency that can never be resisted.
Don’t Overcook the Potatoes: While preparing potato soup, you want those potatoes soft but not mushy. The key here is to simmer your soup just until fork-tender small chunks of potato remain intact so that they can still be felt and seen as they play an important role in the texture of this dish.
Blending Tips: If you love thick soups that coat your palate with rich flavors, blend some more of the mixture until desired thickness is reached. If on the other hand, chunky healthy bites are what you prefer then avoid blending too much for an enjoyable dining experience.
Customize Your Toppings: The beauty about food is that it allows flexibility, and so should its toppings. Get creative by sprinkling cheese daintily wherever desired; on top of this layer in story-teller style add well-cooked crispy bacon bits, and if it feels right – bring out the sour cream dollops to add some tanginess, or to play with crunchy texture some croutons lastly as a finishing touch. Your soup should tell a delicious story from every bite taken.
Storage and Reheating Instructions for O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe
Refrigeration: If your potato soup hasn’t been fully eaten, you can keep it in an airtight container as is for a duration of — up to three days.
Freezing: Another good thing about this soup is that since it can be frozen, you can store it for long periods. Just ensure that it cools completely after cooking, transfer the soup into a freezer-safe container, seal it well then keep frozen until needed. When done correctly, the frozen soup can remain edible for as long as three months.
Reheating: When you are ready to enjoy your leftover soup, just do it gently, reheating it on the stove once again at medium heat while stirring at the same time. Be careful so that the soup does not boil again as this may ruin its consistency. If too much thickening occurs during refrigeration and freezing, add milk or another broth until a nice texture and temperature are attained.
And just like that – you have successfully recreated the famous O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe right in your kitchen! This recipe will surely bring warmth and comfort on cold nights with its hearty creamy flavors that create an unforgettable experience for all who try it out. It is a quick weeknight meal when you want something easy and filling yet elegant enough to impress guests at Dinner parties.
Download the recipes and get the ingredients ready immediately, because this is supposed to be a very enjoyable experience. I hope all of you like O’Charley’s Potato Soup Recipe very much.