Dairy-Free Potato Soup

Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Annie

Creamy, hearty, and filling, this dairy-free potato soup recipe makes the perfect winter meal. Ready in under an hour, this creamy potato soup recipe is vegan-friendly and will keep you warm and cozy all winter long.

Garnished bowls of dairy-free potato soup on a white counter.

Rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this dairy-free potato soup makes the perfect winter meal prep recipe.

Topped with crispy bacon, fresh green onion, and some shredded vegan cheese, this dairy-free soup recipe has all the flavor of a baked potato wrapped up in a simple soup.

Made with pantry-staple ingredients, this hearty potato soup comes together in under an hour for a delicious and filling dairy-free soup everyone is sure to enjoy.

Why We Love Creamy Potato Soup

As the weather gets cooler, there is nothing more comforting than a thick and hearty bowl of soup. Here are some of the top reasons we love making this creamy potato soup.

  • Hearty + Filling. This is one of those creamy soups that sticks to your ribs and makes you feel good all the way down to your toes.
  • Simple to make. Simply sauté, simmer, and purée.
  • The flavor. All the flavor of a baked potato loaded into a comforting bowl of soup.
A navy bowl filled with dairy-free potato soup topped with bacon, shredded vegan cheese, and green onion with a gold spoon to the right.

Dairy-Free Changes to Creamy Potato Soup

When it comes to making a creamy dairy-free soup, there are a few swaps you might need to make. In this recipe I used up to three dairy-free alternatives.

  • Plant-Based Butter– Swap out a traditional butter for a plant-based alternative.
  • Heavy Cream Alternative– In place of a traditional heavy cream I used Country Crock’s plant cream as a replacement.
  • (Optional) Vegan Cheddar Cheese Shreds– As a final garnish you can top your creamy dairy-free potato soup with some non-dairy cheese shreds.

Can You Make This Potato Soup Vegan?

Yes! The base of this recipe is entirely vegan. Simply omit the crumbled bacon if you plan to make this a vegan potato soup recipe.

A top down image of dairy-free potato soup in a blue bowl topped with bacon, green onion, and vegan cheese on a white counter.

How to Make Dairy-Free Potato Soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Plant-based butter– Used to cook the onion at the beginning, alternatively you could swap the butter for olive oil.
  • Onion + Garlic- Adds a little flavor to the base of this soup.
  • Flour– To help make a roux and thicken the soup.
  • Potatoes– Russet potatoes washed, peeled, and diced into 1-inch thick cubes.
  • Vegetable Broth– Keeps the base of this soup vegan if desired while adding a little more flavor than water.
  • Heavy Cream Alternative– You can easily use unsweetened oat milk or Country Crock’s plant cream to thicken this soup.
  • Seasoning– A blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a bay leaf add great flavor to this hearty soup.
  • Toppings– Fresh cooked bacon, vegan cheese shreds, and green onion to garnish and enjoy.
Ingredients for dairy-free potato soup on a white counter with a green and white dish towel to the left.

Step-by-Step Directions for Dairy-Free Potato Soup

  • Melt butter: In a large pot, melt plant-based butter.
  • Cook onion: Once melted, add chopped onion and cook 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
  • Add garlic: Next, stir in minced garlic for about 30 seconds.
  • Make roux: Whisk in flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes or until golden yellow.
  • Pour in liquids: Slowly whisk in vegetable broth and heavy cream alternative.
  • Add potatoes and spices: Next add the diced potatoes, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and bay leaf.
  • Boil: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
  • Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
  • Remove the bay leaf.
  • Blend with an immersion blender and serve with bacon, vegan shredded cheese, and green onion.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

When you are ready to make this creamy dairy-free soup, here are some tools to help you along the way.

  • Large Pot– Used for cooking the soup.
  • Immersion Blender– Great for blending creamy soups without removing from the stock pot.
  • Ladle– Makes it easier to dish out the thick potato soup after blending.

Serving Suggestions

Rich and creamy, this hearty dairy-free potato soup goes great on its own. But if you are looking for a full on comfort food feast, here are a few ways to serve up this soup.

A gold spoon filled with creamy dairy-free potato soup in front of a blue bowl of soup topped with bacon, vegan cheese, and green onion.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

If you have left-overs of this deliciously dairy-free potato soup, here are some tips to store, freeze, and reheat for a later date.

  • Storing– Allow the soup to come to room temperature and pour into an air-tight refrigerator safe container. This dairy-free potato soup will keep about 4 days after cooking.
  • Freezing– Allow the soup to come to room temperature and pour into an air-tight freezer safe container. Place in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  • Meal Prep– If you want to freeze this potato soup into individual servings, try using a meal portioning container to freeze in 1-cup servings for future enjoyment.
  • Reheating– You can simply pop the soup back on the stove or in the microwave to re-heat. If heating from frozen I would suggest moving the soup to the refrigerator the night before to allow the soup time to thaw.
Two bowls of dairy-free potato soup on a white counter with a gold spoon to the right.

Hearty Soup Recipes to Make Next

Did you enjoy this creamy dairy-free potato soup? Check out these other soup recipes to make next!

If you tried this creamy potato soup recipe feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!

You can also get delicious dairy-free recipes and tips by signing up for my newsletter!

Two bowls of loaded potato soup on a white counter.

Dairy-Free Potato Soup

Hearty, creamy, and oh so delicious, this dairy-free potato soup makes the perfect winter meal.

Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword Creamy Soup, Dairy-Free, Potato, Soup, Vegan-Friendly
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 bowls

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Plant-Based Butter
  • ½ Onion diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced or microplaned
  • 2 Tablespoons Flour
  • 3 large Potatoes peeled and diced
  • 3 cups Vegetable Broth
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Alternative
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • Bacon to garnish
  • Vegan Cheddar Cheese to garnish
  • Green Onion to garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, melt 2 Tablespoons plant-based butter.

  2. Once melted, add ½ chopped onion and cook 3-5 minutes or until translucent.

  3. Next, stir in 4 cloves minced garlic for about 30 seconds.

  4. Whisk in 2 Tablespoons flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes or until golden yellow.

  5. Slowly whisk in 3 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup heavy cream alternative

  6. Next add the diced potatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and 1 bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

  7. Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.

  8. Remove bay leaf.

  9. Blend with an immersion blender and serve with bacon, vegan shredded cheese, and green onion.

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