The Best Irish Potato Soup

The best Irish Potato Soup is as easy to make as it is delicious and nutritious! This hearty, old-fashioned Irish potato soup is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, a quick weeknight meal, or anytime you need a comforting bowl of creamy potato soup. 

I’ve been making this traditional Irish potato soup for as long as I can remember, and it has always been one of my “go-to” meals. It’s comfort food at its finest and, the best part, it is made with pantry staples you probably already have on hand!

What is Irish potato soup?

Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of potassium and vitamin B6. Best of all, there are only 110 calories per serving. But when combined with celery, onions, and milk, this creamy potato soup reigns supreme and is a powerhouse meal.

Even though potatoes are synonymous with Ireland, they didn’t originate there. They made their way to Europe in the 1500s after Spanish conquistadors discovered them in the Andes Mountains. But potatoes, which are the world’s fourth-largest food crop, were an essential staple for Irish working-class families and still are today.

Here’s what’s in it:

• Potatoes – this recipe works best with starchy Russet or Idaho potatoes. You can use other potato varieties, but the soup won’t be as smooth or creamy. 
• Butter – I use unsalted butter for cooking the onions and celery before adding the potatoes to the mix. 
• Onion and celery – add a delicious mild onion and celery flavor base to the soup. They end up being pureed, so your picky eaters will never know they are there. 
• Chicken stock – this pantry staple is the savory base of this soup. 
• Milk – provides the rich creaminess that elevates the flavor of this soup. 
• Garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper – enhance the soup’s flavors and bring it together. 
• Fresh parsley – not pictured, is an optional ingredient for garnish.

Here’s how to make it:

1. To make this old-fashioned potato soup, melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the celery and onions and sauté for about five to six minutes, or until they are tender.
2. Add the potatoes, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper, and chicken stock. 
3. Bring the soup to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are done. They should break apart easily when you pierce them with a fork, and you should easily be able to mash them against the side of the pan.
4. Use an immersion blender and blend until the potato mixture is smooth and creamy. 
5. When the mixture is smooth and creamy, add two cups of whole milk.  Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed.
6. Optional: garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve the soup immediately while it is still hot.

Variations:

My mother often made potato soup and sometimes added sausage or other ingredients, but this simple recipe is my favorite way to prepare it. Now don’t get me wrong, I also love adding bacon, sour cream, cheese, and chives to this basic recipe and making Twice Baked Potato Soup. But, today, it’s all about this easy family favorite recipe – Irish Potato Soup.

This is a hearty and “stick to the ribs” kind of soup. Speaking of ribs, have you tried my delicious and easy Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs recipe yet? It’s a “must try” and quickly will become one of your favorite recipes too!  

Frequently asked questions:

What to serve with it?

This soup is so hearty and filling, most of the time, I serve it as a main dish by itself. However, it would also be a perfect starter course for a larger meal with Herb Crusted Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Southern Squash Casserole or Southern Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken with Collard Greens. For a little lighter fare, potatoes and cabbage are delicious together, so you might consider serving it with Southern Fried Cabbage and Bacon. 

Can it be made in advance?

Besides the taste, this is one of the best things about this soup. You can prepare it up to 48 hours ahead, store it covered in the refrigerator and then warm it up and serve it whenever you are ready. 

How to store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored tightly covered in your refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, either place in a saucepan on the stove and heat it over medium heat or place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for a minute or two. If you microwave it, place a saucer or piece of wax paper over the container before heating it. 

I don’t recommend freezing this soup. It will change the consistency. 

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely, use the handy slider scale in the recipe card to modify the amounts of ingredients and change the number of servings. 

How can I make it vegetarian?

To make Irish Potato Soup vegetarian, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe, as written, is naturally gluten-free. 

Sharon’s Expert Tips:

An immersion blender is a small handheld kitchen appliance used to purée food in the container in which it is being prepared. They are relatively inexpensive and do a great job puréeing soups. 

If you do not have an immersion blender, you can use a food processor or blender, but you will have to do it in batches. Be extremely careful with the hot mixture. If all else fails, use a potato masher. You might have a few lumps, but the soup will still be delicious!

If your chicken stock is reduced sodium, you may need a little more salt. On the other hand, if you use regular chicken stock, you might not need any salt.

Try adding a handful of shredded cheddar cheese and a few Cheez-it’s or oyster crackers before serving to change things up a bit.

You can replace some of the milk called for in this recipe with half-and-half or heavy cream if you would like a richer soup.

More traditional Irish Food Recipes:

Are you looking for more Irish-inspired food for St. Patrick’s Day? Check out these Irish food recipes: Cheesy Mashed Potato Fritters Traditional Irish Potato Boxty, Fried Cabbage and Bacon, Traditional Irish Soda Bread, Corned Beef and Cabbage Egg Rolls, and Shrimp with Green Sauce.  

Need more menu ideas or easy recipes? Check out my Ten Irish Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day roundup or 18 Incredible Dishes for St. Patrick’s Day from the Pudge Factor Blog. 

More creamy soup recipes:

If you like this creamy potato soup, you might also like these quick and easy recipes: Creamy Homemade White Bean Soup with Broccoli, Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup, Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Soup, and Creamy Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup. 

★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

*This post was updated on February 19, 2021, to add some new photos, more helpful tips, and the answers to frequently asked questions. No changes to the recipe itself.