Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup: 3 Amazing Steps

Hello there, I’m Chef Andrew. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that is the very definition of comfort in a bowl: the ultimate Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup. Forget any thin, bland, or grainy potato soups you’ve had in the past. This recipe is a game-changer. We are going to build layers of deep, savory flavor and achieve a luxuriously velvety texture that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.

This isn’t just soup; it’s a culinary experience that combines the earthy richness of potatoes with aromatic garlic, a bouquet of fresh herbs, and the sharp, satisfying bite of perfectly melted cheddar cheese. This is the kind of hearty, homemade soup that brings everyone to the table, and the best part is how surprisingly simple it is to create. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your journey in the kitchen, this foolproof recipe will guide you to a perfect result every single time. It’s destined to become your go-to comfort food classic.

Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

Andrew BELLETT

This is the ultimate comfort food classic. This recipe creates a luxuriously velvety soup with deep, layered flavors from aromatic garlic, a bouquet of fresh herbs, and the sharp, satisfying bite of perfectly melted cheddar cheese. It’s a foolproof guide to a perfect result every single time.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

• Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
• Immersion blender or regular blender

Ingredients

  

For the Soup Base

• 4-5 medium organic russet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 red onion chopped
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups organic vegetable stock/broth
• 2 Tbsps white cooking wine Optional

For the Flavor & Creaminess

• 2 tsps “On Everything” All-Purpose Blend See notes for homemade version
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup organic heavy cream
• 1-2 cups freshly-grated Sharp cheddar cheese Freshly grated is key
• 1 cup kale chopped, optional

Instructions

 

• Sauté the Aromatics: In a Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and chopped onions. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until translucent. Stir in the smoked paprika and all-purpose blend, cooking for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
• Simmer the Potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the pot, stir to coat, then pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
• Blend for Creaminess: Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup directly in the pot until smooth, leaving the rest chunky. Alternatively, transfer half the soup to a regular blender, blend, and return to the pot.
• Add Cream & Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, chopped kale (if using), and white cooking wine. Remove the pot from the heat. Gradually add the freshly-grated sharp cheddar, stirring continuously until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. This prevents a grainy texture.
• Serve and Enjoy: Once the soup is creamy, serve immediately. Garnish with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving Suggestions: Pairs beautifully with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Set up a toppings bar with crispy bacon bits, homemade garlic croutons, extra shredded cheddar, and fresh chives.

Storage: Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling.

Helpful Notes

• Slow Cooker Option: Sauté garlic and onions, then add everything (except cream and cheese) to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in cream and cheese during the last 15-20 minutes.
• Vegan Option: Use vegan butter, full-fat coconut milk/cream, and dairy-free cheese shreds or 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast.
• Homemade “On Everything” Blend: Combine 1 tsp each of sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried parsley.
• Fixing Grainy Soup: If grainy, keep soup on very low heat and whisk vigorously. A splash more cream can help.

Keyword Cheesy Potato Soup, Comfort Food, Gluten Free

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe “Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup”

• Unbeatable Creamy Texture: The secret lies in using Russet potatoes, which break down beautifully, and blending a portion of the soup. This method guarantees a consistently velvety, smooth texture that is never gummy or gritty—just pure, creamy perfection.
• Deep, Layered Flavor: We don’t just boil potatoes here. We build flavor from the ground up by sautéing garlic and onions until fragrant, blooming the spices, and using a blend of savory herbs. This process creates a soup that tastes like it has been simmering for hours.
• Foolproof & Incredibly Versatile: This is one of the most forgiving and adaptable recipes you’ll find. It’s simple enough for a beginner to master, and I’ve included easy instructions for a slow cooker version and a completely vegan option, so you can customize it to your needs.
• The Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s nothing more satisfying than a warm bowl of cheesy potato soup. It’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, a weekend lunch, or whenever you need a little comfort.

Ingredients Needed for Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

Here is what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful soup.

For the Soup Base:

• 4-5 medium organic russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (Yukon Gold also works well, but Russets create the creamiest texture).
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ red onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups organic vegetable stock/broth (Chicken broth can also be used).
• 2 Tbsps white cooking wine (Optional, you can substitute with additional vegetable stock).

For the Flavor & Creaminess:

• 2 tsps “On Everything” All-Purpose Blend (See notes for my homemade version!).
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup organic heavy cream
• 1-2 cups freshly-grated Sharp cheddar cheese (Freshly grated is key! Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy).
• 1 cup kale, chopped (Optional, for added nutrients and texture).

How to Make Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a medium-sized Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and chopped onions. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until they become translucent and wonderfully fragrant. This step is crucial as it builds the foundational flavor of the soup. Stir in the smoked paprika and your all-purpose blend, cooking for another 30 seconds until combined and aromatic.
2. Simmer the Potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and stir to coat them with the aromatics. Pour in the vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. The potatoes should be very tender and easily pierced with a fork. Chef’s Tip: For a naturally thicker soup, let the potatoes simmer for an extra 10 minutes until they start to break down on their own.
3. Blend for Creaminess: This is where the magic happens. You can use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend about half of the soup until smooth, leaving the other half chunky for texture. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer about half of the soup to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.
4. Add Cream & Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, chopped kale (if using), and white cooking wine. Now, for the most important part: remove the pot from the heat. Gradually add the freshly-grated sharp cheddar, stirring continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is smooth. Melting the cheese off the heat is the secret to preventing a grainy texture.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Once the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy, serve it immediately. Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Serving and Storage Tips of Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

• Serving Suggestions: This soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping, a simple green salad, or a classic grilled cheese sandwich. I love setting up a toppings bar with crispy bacon bits, homemade garlic croutons, extra shredded cheddar, and fresh chives.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. The soup will stay fresh and delicious for 2-3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid boiling, as this can cause the soup to separate.

Helpful Notes of Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

• Slow Cooker Option: To adapt this for a slow cooker, simply sauté the garlic and onions as directed in step 1. Then, add everything (except the heavy cream and cheese) to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in the heavy cream and cheese during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
• Vegan Option: To make this soup vegan, substitute the butter with vegan butter, use full-fat coconut milk or cream instead of heavy cream, and swap the cheddar for your favorite dairy-free cheese shreds or 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast.
• Homemade “On Everything” All-Purpose Blend: If you don’t have my blend, you can make your own by combining: 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
• Fixing Grainy Soup: If your soup becomes grainy, it’s likely because the heat was too high when the cheese was added. To fix it, keep the soup on very low heat and whisk vigorously. You can also try adding a splash more cream and whisking until smooth.

Conclusion of Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup

This Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly special and comforting. The velvety texture combined with the deep, savory flavors of garlic, herbs, and sharp cheddar makes it an unforgettable dish that you’ll want to make again and again. It’s proof that you don’t need complicated techniques or exotic ingredients to create a meal that feels both gourmet and heartwarming. This soup is perfect for any occasion, from a quiet night in to a lively dinner with friends, and it’s a recipe I’m truly proud to share.

I hope this soup brings as much warmth and joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. If you make this recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Please leave a comment and a star rating below to let me know how it turned out. Did you try any fun variations or toppings? Share your experience on social media and tag me—I love seeing your creations!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)