All the heartiness of a baked potato comes together in this rich and fast-as-can-beInstant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup, topped with shredded cheddar, crispy bacon bits, green onion, and sour cream.

image for instant pot loaded baked potato soup showing potato soup in white bowls with yellow cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, bacon bits, and sour cream on top sitting on a blue and white towel with spoons beside.

There are some soups out there that I could eat by the bucket full, and this happens to be one of them. I absolutely love the comfort food kings that are baked potatoes; any chance that I can make a remixed variation of them, count me in.

Since this soup uses the Instant Pot for cooking, you only haveone pan to wash, and it comes together in under an hour. Whoever invented this glorious appliance should win an award. It’s basically like a time machine for your food. Serve it with a quick bread, or if you have extra time, plan to impress the family by serving thesoup in bread bowls!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ooooh so creamy and full of flavor, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
This Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soupcomes together in under an hourand leaves hands free during cooking time to whip up somedelicious buttermilk biscuitsto serve with the soup.
You canmake this soup aheadand store in the refrigerator or freezer, and leftovers will reheat perfectly!

Recipe Ingredients

Bacon
Onion –white, yellow, or red onions all work well
Garlic –fresh tastes best, but if you need tosubstitute garlic powder, use 1/8 teaspoon for 1 clove of fresh garlic
Potatoes –russet, yellow, and red potatoes will all work
Chicken broth –homemade chicken brothis great, but you can use store-bought broth or broth powder or cubes with water
Cream –this is the heavy cream sold in the dairy section, sometimes called whipping cream
Toppings –sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, and sour cream are the BEST toppings!

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

potato soup in white bowls with yellow cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, bacon bits, and sour cream on top sitting on a blue and white towel with spoons beside and instant pot nearby.

How to Make Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Cook bacon in Instant Pot on saute setting; remove bacon.
Saute the onions and garlic in the bacon grease.
Add potatoes and chicken broth and pressure cook for 10 minutes.
Stir in cream and season with salt. Serve in bowls with toppings!

Recipe FAQs

How do you thicken loaded potato soup?

Because there’s not much chicken broth added to this soup, it actually thickens quite nicely on its own without adding any thickeners. The starchiness of the potatoes as they cook under pressure contributes to the thickness. Plus, adding a cup of cream at the end also gives it a nice silky and rich texture.

Can you make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! I recommend cooking the bacon on your stovetop. Reserve the bacon grease and add it to the Crock Pot with the onion, potatoes, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Add the cream, salt, and pepper at the end once the potatoes have softened significantly. Serve hot with all the suggested toppings!

How long does Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup last?

Let the soup cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge; it should keep for 4 to 5 days. It also freezes very well! Keep it in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Expert Tips

This recipe can also be prepared in the slow cooker. To make it in the Crock Pot, cook the bacon on the stove, reserve the bacon grease, and add it to the Crock Pot with the onion, potatoes, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. When the potatoes have softened, add the cream, salt, and pepper and serve with toppings.
Whether it’s being cooked in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, the potatoes can be mashed up once softened until the soup isthe consistency your family likes—chunkier or smoother.
I think the toppings really helps this recipe earn its name of “loaded baked potato” soup, soplease don’t skip the toppings!
Soups are just made to have bread served alongside, right? If I have time, I’ll makebread bowlsorhomemade Italian bread. But, honestly, the family is just as happy withquick biscuits!