Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

Jump To Recipe

7 Comments »

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This potato bacon fennel soup recipe is incredibly easy to make and simmered in a cozy garlic-rosemary broth.

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (1)

Every winter, I seem to find myself adopting a new potato soup recipe. And I have to say that this year’s version has been especially delicious. ♡

It’s made with a triple hit of fennel — an entire fresh bulb (which we’ll thinly slice and sauté into the soup), its delicate fronds (which are lovely as a garnish), plus an extra tablespoon of dried fennel seeds (to build in one more layer of flavor) — whose earthy, mildly-sweet, anise-like notes pair beautifully here with the garlic rosemary broth. Then we’ll also add in in lots of creamy Yukon golds, fry up some crispy bacon to sprinkle on top, and add a generous pinch of red pepper flakes in there to give the broth a bit of a surprise kick. And everything comes together to create a potato soup that’s deeply flavorful, refreshingly not-too-heavy, and totally delicious. We’ve been making it on repeat here lately and can’t get enough of it!

That said, if bacon isn’t your thing or you would prefer to make this recipe vegetarian, it’s just as delicious made with Italian sausage (either traditional or plant-based). The recipe also happens to be naturally gluten-free. And if you’d tend to love creamier potato soups, you’re of course always welcome to add in a splash of cream too.

This is such a cozy and delicious one. So add some fennel to your grocery list, and let’s simmer up a big pot of potato soup together!

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2)

Potato Fennel Soup Ingredients

Here are a few brief notes about the ingredients you will need to make this potato fennel soup recipe:

  • Bacon:I recommend a good-quality thick-cut bacon for this recipe, but any variety of bacon that you love best will work well.
  • Fennel + fennel seed: We’re going all-in with the fennel here! You’ll need an entire bulb of fresh fennel, which we will thinly slice and sauté into the soup, and whose fronds we will save to use as a garnish. Then we will also sauté some dried fennel seeds in with the fresh fennel as well for extra flavor.
  • Onion + garlic:These will serve as our other base aromatics to go along with the fennel.
  • Broth: You’re welcome to use either vegetable or chicken stock as the base for this soup.
  • Potatoes:I recommend Yukon gold potatoes for this soup, whose creamy texture and flavor are lovely here. I chopped my potatoes fairly chunky, but you’re welcome to dice them however you prefer.
  • Fresh herbs: We will finely mince lots of fresh rosemary to season the soup. Then I also really recommend adding some chopped fresh chives (or green onions) as a garnish.
  • Seasonings: I recommend adding a generous amount of crushed red pepper flakes to the soup, which add a , salt and pepper

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (3)

Recipe Variations

Here are a few additional recipe variations that you’re welcome to try:

  • Use sausage:Italian sausage (either traditional or plant-based) would be a delicious alternative to bacon if you would like.
  • Use different herbs:There are a number of different fresh herbs (such as basil, dill, oregano, sage, tarragon, thyme, etc) that could be delicious in this soup, so feel free to play around with the flavors you love best.
  • Add cream:Add in 1/2 cup heavy cream if you would like to make this more of a creamy potato soup.

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (4)

More Potato Soup Recipes

Looking for more easy potato soup recipes to try? Here are a few of our favorites:

  • The Best Potato Soup
  • Three Potato Soup
  • Cabbage, Sausage and Potato Soup
  • Creamy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (5)

Print

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (6)

Potato Fennel Soup

  • Author: Ali
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

  • 5 ounces bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 bulb fennel, very thinly sliced (with fronds reserved for later)
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
  • chopped fresh chives, for topping

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon. Heat a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and sauté, stirring occasionally, until cooked and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a clean bowl, leaving the grease behind.
  2. Sauté the fennel and onion. Immediately add the fennel, onion and fennel seeds to the pot with the bacon grease. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring every minute or two so that the edges can get a bit browned and caramelized. Add the garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring more frequently.
  3. Simmer. Add the broth, potatoes, rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, and a few twists of black pepper. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to maintain the simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
  4. Season. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
  5. Serve. Serve warm, garnished with the cooked bacon, chopped fennel fronds, and lots of chopped fresh chives. Enjoy!

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (7)

posted on November 9, 2022 by Ali

Gluten-free, Italian-Inspired, Main Dishes, Soups / Stews

You May Also Like...

Bacon Avocado Caesar Salad
Grandma’s Beef and Noodles
Old Fashioned

Leave a Reply

7 comments on “Potato Bacon Fennel Soup”

  1. Connie Rios November 11, 2022 @ 6:31 am Reply

    I made this last night for dinner. I didn’t have Yukon gold potatoes so I used russets. This soup is ridiculously delicious…gracias Ali😊😊

  2. Emily November 12, 2022 @ 7:44 am Reply

    I love fennel! I only started cooking with it about 5 years ago. More people should give fennel a chance.

  3. Joanne Peyton November 14, 2022 @ 12:07 pm Reply

    Delish! The fennel and thyme were a perfect combination. We can’t wait to have more tonight.

  4. Debbie from Alexandria, VA December 6, 2022 @ 1:05 pm Reply

    I made this last night and it was very good. First time using fennel for me—I enjoyed it. Followed the recipe exactly except substituted turkey stock and also threw in part of an uncooked sweet potato left over from your cozy autumn soup recipe. Your soups are wonderful and perfect for me as I am on the six-food elimination diet for health reasons. My hubby is enjoying them all very much. Thank you.

  5. Kim December 26, 2022 @ 1:35 pm Reply

    This was so easy and delicious!

  6. Kathryn McKeen February 28, 2023 @ 5:50 pm Reply

    Made it with turkey stock because that’s what I had – wonderful flavour! Great recipe!

  7. Kate February 9, 2024 @ 7:37 am Reply

    I made this for a work lunch yesterday. Everyone loved it!!! There was not any left.. very flavorful recipe that felt like an elevated potato soup.

Potato Bacon Fennel Soup Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

Which type of potato is best for soups? ›

Russets or all-purpose baking potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture. In soups, they will soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them the ideal choice for making creamy soups or thickening a runny soup. Try using Russet potatoes to create the perfect Loaded Potato Soup.

How do you thicken potato soup? ›

Combine cornstarch and a little bit of water—or the chicken stock from the soup—in a small bowl. With the soup simmering over medium-low heat, whisk in the slurry. The soup should start to thicken almost immediately.

What does fennel taste like in soup? ›

What Does Fennel Taste Like? Fennel has a very mild anise or licorice flavor that can be enhanced or sweetened depending on how it is cooked (or not cooked). When diced and sauteed with onions as one of the first steps when making a soup or stew, fennel becomes very sweet.

What is fennel good for in cooking? ›

Finely mince the fronds to use as an aromatic garnish for salads, soups, pasta, and more, or save the fennel stalks and leaves to use in homemade vegetable broth. Find more ideas for using common vegetable scraps in stock in the Scrap Stock Recipe on page 106 of Love and Lemons Every Day.

Should I cook potatoes before adding to soup? ›

Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the potatoes, and cook for 5-10 minutes until partially tender. Drain and then add them to your simmering soup for finishing. 3. Roasting: For a richer flavor and slightly crispy texture, try roasting the potatoes before adding them to the soup.

Which potato is best for oven? ›

Russet potatoes are arguably the best potatoes for baking, although they are also great for mashing and frying. The main reason thick-skinned Russet potatoes are perfect for baking and more is because they contain significant amounts of starch.

What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

Will cream cheese thicken potato soup? ›

Cream cheese can be a delicious and tangy thickener for mashed potatoes so it stands to reason that it can also be used to add body to your favorite silky potato soup recipes — right? The answer is yes. It only works well if you do it carefully, though.

Why is my potato soup bland? ›

Not Adding Acid. If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

What herb goes well with fennel? ›

Herbs: Fennel pairs well with fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, and thyme. Cheese: Fennel pairs well with cheeses such as parmesan, feta, and goat cheese. Nuts: Fennel pairs well with nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts. Meat: Fennel pairs well with meats such as pork, sausage, and chicken.

Is fennel a laxative? ›

Can fennel seeds cause constipation? Fennel seeds are unlikely to cause constipation. In fact, they are often used to relieve digestive issues, including constipation, as they can help promote bowel movement and ease digestion.

What pairs well with fennel? ›

Apples, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, celeriac, corn, cucumber, garlic, grape, grapefruit, green bean, guava, kohlrabi, lemon, mushroom, olive, orange, peach, pear, pomegranate, potatoes, tomatoes, watercress, watermelon. Dill, elderflower, thyme, chickpea, cumin, chervil.

What part of fennel can you not eat? ›

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

Is it OK to eat fennel everyday? ›

Although fennel eaten in normal amounts is generally safe, some people may need to be cautious about how much they consume. One study showed that breastfeeding mothers who drank two or more liters of fennel tea each day reported signs of pain in their infants.

Are russet or yellow potatoes better for soup? ›

Best Potatoes for Soup

To make a potato soup, using russets or all-purpose baking potatoes can be best as they are high in starch and low in moisture. When you use these in soups, they can soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them ideal for a thick, creamy soup.

Is russet or red better for soup? ›

If you're looking for a fluffy, basic potato that's great for mashing or baking, opt for a russet. If you're looking for a firm, waxy potato that's ideal for salads or soups, go with red potatoes.

Do you have to peel Russet potatoes for soup? ›

Leave the peels on to add a rustic texture to soups or chowders. Thick soup, creamy chowders, and chunky stews typically have a heartier texture if you leave the peels on the potatoes. To make the dishes easier to eat, keep the potatoes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size or smaller.

Are yellow potatoes the same as Yukon gold? ›

Yellow potatoes aren't exactly the same as Yukon gold, but they sure are similar. Although yellow potatoes are a little waxier than Yukon gold potatoes, you can still use them interchangeably in most recipes.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 6309

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.