Love this recipe? Save it to Pinterest before you forget!
Why You'll Love This creamy sweet potato soup with crispy bacon for comforting winter meals
- Easy to Make: This recipe can be prepared in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekend meals.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite ingredients, such as diced ham or shredded cheese, to make the recipe your own.
- Comforting: The combination of sweet and savory flavors, along with the crunch of crispy bacon, makes this recipe the perfect comfort food for cold winter days.
- Healthy: Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, including vitamin A and fiber, making this recipe a healthy and delicious option.
- Make-Ahead: This recipe can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or special occasions.
- Freezer-Friendly: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months, making it a great option for future meals.
- Family-Friendly: This recipe is perfect for families, as it can be served as a main course or side dish and is easily customizable to suit different tastes.
- Impressive: The presentation of this recipe, with the crispy bacon and fresh herbs, makes it perfect for special occasions or dinner parties.
Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients in this recipe are sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Sweet potatoes are the base of the soup and provide a rich, sweet flavor. The crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor and a satisfying crunch. The onion and garlic add a depth of flavor and aroma, while the chicken broth and heavy cream provide a creamy, velvety texture. When selecting sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm and have a smooth, unblemished skin. You can also use other types of potatoes, such as Yukon gold or Russet, but sweet potatoes provide the best flavor and texture for this recipe.
How to Make creamy sweet potato soup with crispy bacon for comforting winter meals
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). This will be used to roast the sweet potatoes and bring out their natural sweetness.
Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for 45-50 minutes, or until they're tender when pierced with a fork.
Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it's crispy and golden brown. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until they're softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add the chicken broth and roasted sweet potatoes to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the soup has thickened slightly.
Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until it's smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup to a blender and blend in batches, then return it to the pot.
Stir in the heavy cream and add the crispy bacon to the pot. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
Tips for Perfect Results
The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the flavor and texture of your soup. Choose the best sweet potatoes, bacon, and heavy cream you can find.
Be careful not to over-purée the soup, as this can make it too thin and unappetizing. Stop blending when the soup is still slightly chunky.
Consider adding fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, and spices, such as nutmeg or cumin, to give your soup an extra boost of flavor.
While sweet potatoes provide the best flavor and texture for this recipe, you can also experiment with other types of potatoes, such as Yukon gold or Russet.
Consider serving the soup with a side of crusty bread or a green salad to make it a filling and satisfying meal.
The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months, making it a great option for meal prep or future meals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Not Roasting the Sweet Potatoes Long Enough:
Fix: Make sure to roast the sweet potatoes for at least 45-50 minutes, or until they're tender when pierced with a fork.
-
Over-Puréeing the Soup:
Fix: Be careful not to over-purée the soup, as this can make it too thin and unappetizing. Stop blending when the soup is still slightly chunky.
-
Not Using High-Quality Ingredients:
Fix: Choose the best sweet potatoes, bacon, and heavy cream you can find to ensure the best flavor and texture.
-
Not Seasoning the Soup Enough:
Fix: Make sure to season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, and consider adding additional herbs and spices to give it an extra boost of flavor.
Variations & Substitutions
Consider adding diced ham to the soup for an extra boost of protein and flavor.
Experiment with different types of potatoes, such as Yukon gold or Russet, to find the one that works best for you.
Consider adding fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, to the soup for an extra boost of flavor.
Consider using coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free and vegan-friendly option.
Storage & Make-Ahead
The soup can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating, and reheat it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool it to room temperature before freezing, and reheat it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Can I freeze the soup?
Yes! The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool it to room temperature before freezing, and reheat it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
What type of potatoes should I use?
Sweet potatoes provide the best flavor and texture for this recipe, but you can also experiment with other types of potatoes, such as Yukon gold or Russet.
Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes! You can replace the heavy cream with coconut cream and omit the bacon to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
Can I add other ingredients to the soup?
Yes! Consider adding diced ham, fresh herbs, or spices to the soup to give it an extra boost of flavor.
How do I reheat the soup?
You can reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stovetop. Make sure to heat it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
creamy sweet potato soup with crispy bacon for comforting winter meals
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 6 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, and chop the onion.
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.
- Cook the Bacon. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot, and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Saute the Onion and Garlic. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the Sweet Potatoes and Broth. Add the roasted sweet potatoes, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Blend the Soup. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup to a blender and blend in batches, then return it to the pot.
- Add the Heavy Cream and Butter. Stir in the heavy cream and unsalted butter until the butter has melted and the soup is creamy.
- Season and Serve. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve the soup hot, topped with crispy bacon and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Storage tip: Cool the soup to room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze for later use.
- Make ahead: Prepare the soup up to a day in advance, and reheat when ready to serve.
- Substitution: Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version.
- Pro tip: For an extra creamy soup, add 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the pot with the butter and cook for 1-2 minutes before adding the broth.
